IUD for DD

[Anonymous]

My daughter, almost 18, has dreadful periods, and did not tolerate the patch or the pill. Nausea and vomiting with both, and in the case of the patch, her periods got worse.

Next step is an IUD. I love mine and consider it to be one of the best things I've ever done for my own health and quality of life. But I'm worried given her history with hormones. Our insurance only covers Mirena; if a Kyleena or Skylar or whatever the lower-dose ones are called are really a much better option, I'd have to pay out of pocket. Possible, but not ideal.

I also learned that despite the uptick in information about the lack of management for women's pain, there is no new pain management offered. "It will hurt. Take ibuprofen beforehand." And they can fck all the way off with that advice. My own IUD insertions laughed in the face of ibuprofen. It's barbaric the way women are supposed to grit their teeth and bear it. Any procedure involving "some discomfort" for men comes with sedation at a minimum.

So. If your teen got an IUD, how was that experience? What was done for pain management, how did she tolerate the hormones, any additional wise words?

[Anonymous]

There is usually an adjustment period with hormones, and that includes birth control pills. How long did she try them before deciding they weren’t for her? It might take 1-2 full cycles. I agree, I would be wary of the IUD because of the extremely painful insertion. It might be worth trying other types of BCP to see if she tolerates one more than the other.

I will say, BCP helped my periods become more regular and helped my crime scene level bleeding. They didn’t do much for cramps. Some, but not much and I still had bad cramps. They didn’t get significantly better until I had a baby. She might have to temper her expectations if cramps are the problem …

[Anonymous]

My now 20 year old has Kyleena and doesn't have any problems with it. Insertion was fairly painless. She's been on it for a few years due to really painful periods. It seems to help.

[Anonymous]

There is just no way of knowing. I didn’t find insertion painful and don’t remember taking anything afterwards for pain management. I have Mirena and find my annual paps uncomfortable and actually painful, for reference. I didn’t find this any worse.

[Anonymous]

Not for pain management per se, but the doctor can write a prescription for cervadil which makes insertion easier. On the hormones, hard to tell since everyone is different but I will say for myself, I couldn't tolerate any form of hormonal birth control (and I tried a ton!) And I had no issues at all with Mirena. My doctor said he hears that a lot.

[Anonymous]

My DD (18) had no issue with the insertion. She felt a pinch and that was it. However, she then experienced a light period for close to six weeks as her body regulated. She was very frustrated, but after that long period, she has had no issues for the past couple of years.

If an IUD is recommended, I wouldn't hesitate due to fear of pain.

[Anonymous]

Some planned parenthood locations will do an iud insertion under conscious sedation.

[Anonymous]

my 20 yr old fainted from the pain

[Anonymous]

My teen was offered a numbing spray or an injection to numb the area. She went with the spray but still had a bad reaction (make sure they eat breakfast and are well hydrated). Only took advil. Felt much better by the next day.

[Anonymous]

It’s not actually up to the doctor to force your DD to get this procedure with proper pain relief and the sooner you help her understand that, the better she’ll be equipped to deal with the medical community.

“What is your pain relief procedure for IUD insertion”
“Take an Advil”
“The current guidance is to offer clinical pain relief”
“We don’t do that here”
“Thank you, I’d like a referral to another practice for the procedure”

You always, always have the choice to walk away from substandard care. And there are plenty of doctors in this area who will be happy to take your insurances money and provide proper sedation.