BC poll follow up- I want to hear from the IUD users out there!!

I have a Mirena and I haven't had kids (Skyla wasn't around when I got it). I actually had it placed when I was in Scotland because I had to go off BC unexpectedly. It hurt and there was some cramping, but I walked a mile and a half back home after, and basically just didn't feel well for the rest of the day. All the doctor told me to do was take some Tylenol beforehand. When I have it replaced, I'm going to ask for a cervical block (local anesthesia). I have very low pain tolerance. There was a little bit of bleeding for the first couple days, but now I've had it for about 3 1/2 years and I love it. I rarely get periods with it (that might be different with Skyla because it has less hormones) which is great, as before I had really horrible PMS. I also LOVE that they have such a low pregnancy rate (more effective than the pill). I have heard that the copper ones make periods heavier, which I didn't want.

I had the mirena. if i knew then what i know now i would have prob stayed on the pill. while everything was perfect with it in...no periods, no side effects really-only headaches, the dr cut the strings too short so even he couldn't find it when i went for my 6 week follow up. i had it 4 years, got it taken out in july bc we have decided to have a baby & we have had a miscarriage, my cycle has become very irregular. before my iud i had a very regular cycle-ever 30 days, now i dont ever know when its coming...oh & having it removed was the worst...what should have been a simple removal turned into them having to dilate my cervix & a lot of yanking & pulling to get it out...needless to say i dont believe i would go that route again

Everyone is different. I had the mirena and I will never again go on BC. I've been on almost everything and thought this would be the best thing for me. I had it put in after I had my oldest. The only thing I loved was it was just as effective as a condom - this is what I was told. We literally didn't have to worry about anything which was great. Now the downfall. I gained 20lbs and couldn't lose any of it, even with eating right and exercise. I had the worst mood swings. I would get my period at random times. Cramping almost the entire time I had it. When I had it removed I bled heavy for 3 weeks then on and off for another 3 weeks. If I had known that it would be this bad I would of just stayed with condoms

I have the paraguard iud (no hormones) and had never had kids. I chose it because I needed a hormone free option -- I love that there's no hormones. It's been less than a month, so I'm on my first period now. No cramps really, but it's a bit heavier than usual, which is common as my body is adjusting. Insertion wasn't bad. I was given a cervix softener the night before. There was a pinch and two cramps, one when they measured the uterus and one on insertion. I expected it to be awful based on things I read online, but it wasn't bad at all. I had some cramps and a bit of bleeding that next couple days, but again, it wasn't bad.

My OBGYN was awesome and a huge proponent of the IUD.

I've had two Mirenas... One lasted about a year. The other lasted 4 years. Both moved out of place... I have not had any children. My cervix just hates me! I was pretty happy using them but I always was worried because I wasn't sure it was going to stay in and that is the only way it is effective. Fortunately I still had my regular period on time every month. It was a much lighter flow but I seemed to have more cramps. I don't think I will bother with IUDs again because they probably will not stay in place especially after babies!

I have had the copper for almost five years and I love it!! No cramps, no heavy period, no side affects at all. I chose it because it was non-hormonal and the thought of not having a period freaks me out (Mirena). Overall, it had been a great decision! I love not having to even think about BC, it's just there.

I have the copper one ( paraguard) , putting it in was the worst pain for about 20 sec and then it was done . The first couple months my cramps were bad but now its just like reg cramps . I do bleed a little heavier but I cant have any hormones so this was my only choice . I like knowing that I am protected and dont have to worry about a pill everyday or the hormones that come with it .

I have had 2 Mirenas as well. I have 2 children so that wasn't an issue for me. Insertion was a little bit uncomfortable (for me it felt similar to a standard pap). I was given a cervix softener to take the day before the removal but again, it wasn't terribly painful and felt similar to a pap. I have had less issues with Mirena than with the Depo shot or the pill.

Thanks ChampagneDream for starting this thread. I am supposed to get an IUD, but keep having to put it off bc everytime my period comes I am on travel for work. sigh. It is great to hear everyone's experiences.

I don't have kids and have the Mirena. Not going to lie, insertion hurt a lot. My doctor warned me but I didn't expect it be to quite that bad. Apparently it's like early stage labour because they have to dilate your cervix about 1cm to get the Mirena in...but I wouldn't know if the pain is comparable since I don't have kids. The pain was over within 20 seconds and it was the best decision I've ever made! It is so nice to not worry about birth control until 2018! No taking pills, no changing rings or patches...it is the ultimate freedom! I also don't get a period on it, but do get cramps...one is better than both! I highly recommend it.

Thank you for starting this! I was just thinking about getting an IUD last night.

Im so glad you posted this! I made an appt for May.. Ive never been on BC since I am waiting for marriage to have sex.. So the thought of taking a pill with all these side effects scares me since I already take anxiety meds. I feel like they will clash with each other.. So im thinking the Paraguard would be the one for me. But I didnt even know about Skyla.. I might need to read into this one if its hormone free. THANKS GIRL!

Anytime, girls! I'm glad we have this site so we can help each other. Let's keep each other updated... I go for the consult on April 30th. I'll let you know what I decide, please do the same for me. Best of luck to you potential new IUD users!!

I have a miscarriage two years ago, so the doctor suggested me IUD, I went and had it done but I felt off and I got pregnant six months later, so I was one of the 0.****% chances of falling off. Hahhahaa I'm so happy with my baby girl NO regrets at all. Don't panic and check with your OB, nothing works 100%, that's what my doctor said

So I have had both the Paragard and the Mirena. I had Paragard put in last October and the Dr had to pull it out because my stupid cervix was rejecting it. I bled pretty much the whole time I had it in. I had Mirena put in about a month ago and so far I have had some bleeding but it's pretty light. I wanted Paragard for the no hormones option but according to my doctor this has a higher risk of rejection. It basically irritates your uterus and makes it inhospitable for pregnancy, which is also why it rejects. With Mirena, I have had irregular bleeding for the last month but it's much much lighter than with the Paragard. I initially looked into Skyla but my insurance didn't cover it, only the other two. Btw, I have no children.

ETA: for me Paragard was the more painful insertion/day or two following that. It could just be because I already knew what to expect?

I have mirena, it only hurt a little getting out in but then I nearly fainted and felt horrible for about an hour. My doc didn't give me anything for it and I drove myself, so I set in parking lot feeling like I was dying for an hour. I drank a ton of water, took some Advil I found in my purse and then after that, it was all good. I've had it for almost three years. I get sporadic but very light periods.

I'm getting it taken out in June and am terrified about getting it out, though most people seem to say that's better than going in (unless it's out of place or something like that). We are going to try for kids right away, and doc said I can try immediately when it's out, just might have a couple days of bleeding so taking it out a couple weeks before wedding.

Interesting to hear about people who think it made them gain weight--I wondered about that. I was on the pill for years and didn't notice anything other than bloating but with mirena, I eat well and excercise...but I'm definitely bigger now than before (might just be getting "old" though, ha)!

I have the Paragard IUD, which is the copper hormone free option. I have had three children and in the past I have used multiple BC pills as well as the nuvaring and I hated all of them. I've had the Paragard since last fall and in the beginning my period was REALLY heavy (I even had a post about it bc I was FREAKING OUT!) I bled so much it pushed the IUD out and I had to have a new one re-inserted. However, it was not any more painful than my annual check-up. Just take some ibuprofen before you go if you think you will need it. I did have some cramping as well shortly after I had it inserted but nothing more painful than menstrual cramps. My dr also prescribed me Lysteda for the heavy bleeding I was having and I haven't had any problems since!

I had the mirena. It lasted for about 6 months. It just wasn't for me. The insertion was uncomfortable to say the least for me. I cramped for about a hour or so afterwards. I liked not having a period but I experienced weight gain and water retention. My FH also said he could feel the strings during our intimate moments. I had it taken out after 6 months because I just hated the weight gain and I was working out like a champ for nothing. After it was taking out I felt better. My period came back quickly as if I never had the mirena. By the way, removing the mirena was WAY better than the insertion.

I had a Mirena, and I just got it removed this past September. I got it inserted after I had my daughter 5 years ago, at my post partum checkup. I cramped some when it was inserted, and I bled a lot afterwards for a couple of days. My FH said he could feel the strings during intercourse, but it wasn't a painful feeling. He said it tickled if anything. Other than that, I enjoyed my experience with it. It didn't make my periods irregular, because I was already irregular before I got it inserted. When I got it removed though, I will say it was a lot less painful than the insertion, and you don't bleed or anything.

I have had the Mirena for 3 years now. I don't have a period but still experience the symptoms: cramps, aches, breast tenderness and totally moodiness. Getting it in was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life. M doc compared the pain to contractions (I don't have kids) and labor pains. It was awful. I ruined my favorite shirt I was squeezing so badly. Once he was done he let me sit up where then I immediately fainted. I love my doctor...he stayed with me the whole time till I came to and then until I was ready to leave 30 mins later. Not once did he leave the room.

Now after reading these other post i'm starting to wonder if my weight gain and my unable to lose weight is due to the Mirena.

Good Luck hope everyones post helps you out! Good luck with your decision.