How to Decide on an IUD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had mirena for about two years. The hormones didn't bother me at all, probably because it is such a tiny amount and it stays localized whereas pills are systemic so you can have a lot more side effects. I stopped having my period which was great, I did have some cramping when I would have had my period, nothing too severe. Insertion was painful. I would definitely recommend it. Oh and my sex drive stayed the same as far as I could tell, I've always been a couple of times a week kind of person and that didn't change.

This was my experience too and I'm now on my 3rd Mirena.

The Paraguard wasn't a good option for me because I already had very heavy periods plus a family history of severe bleeding in the mid-40s leading to hysterectomies. My grandma, mom, aunt, and sister all had to have hysterectomies due to uncontrolled bleeding; my mom nearly died because she waited so long to see her Dr. I'm now 45 and no problems, and virtually no period because of the Mirena. If I do start bleeding I'll know right away there's a problem.

[Anonymous]

Nexplanon over Mirena - I don't see ANY benefits to getting a hormonal IUD vs the implant.

If you don't want hormones obviously Paragard is your only option.

[Anonymous]

All of these options sound horrible....*sigh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nexplanon over Mirena - I don't see ANY benefits to getting a hormonal IUD vs the implant.

If you don't want hormones obviously Paragard is your only option.

Because of the serious side effects of blood clots. Wasn't even recommended by my midwife. Also, studies have shown your fertility isn't restored for up to 1.5 years after removal. Takes the longest time to have fertility restored compared to other forms of bc.

[Anonymous]

My niece had to have her Paraguard removed due to cramping and heavy periods. She is young though and has never given birth so maybe that's why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nexplanon over Mirena - I don't see ANY benefits to getting a hormonal IUD vs the implant.

If you don't want hormones obviously Paragard is your only option.

Because of the serious side effects of blood clots. Wasn't even recommended by my midwife. Also, studies have shown your fertility isn't restored for up to 1.5 years after removal. Takes the longest time to have fertility restored compared to other forms of bc.

What??? Are you sure you know what implant I'm talking about? Nexplanon is low-hormone, comparable to Mirena in terms of risks from hormones, and the studies absolutely do not show that it takes that long for fertility to return - in fact, it is one of the fastest methods to get the hormones out of your body. Much faster than the pill. Maybe your midwife is working off of outdated information from back in the norplant days?

[Anonymous]

Some info - just because I had a GREAT experience with Nexplanon and am getting my second one placed next week. I heavily, heavily researched it (I had no idea about it, I was still stuck in thinking of awful norplant), and I also very heavily researched IUDs.

"Within 1 week of removing the Nexplanon implant, etonogestrel serum levels can no longer be detected. This means that there is the potential for a rapid return of the user’s pre-existing fertility, depending on her age at the time of removal. Clinical data show that 3 weeks after the contraceptive implant is removed, more than 90% of women begin to ovulate."

http://www.nexplanon.co.uk/170/Return-of-fertility

For a non-company source: https://www.uhs.uga.edu/sexualhealth/contraception/nexplanon.html

Clots aren't even really brought up as a risk with Nexplanon. The biggest risk is irregular/unpredictable bleeding that the woman finds intolerable. Mine went really well, no period for the first year, a period every 3 months the second year, and then it was starting to get more regular in the 3rd year when I had it removed. My doctor said there is some research that shows if you have it put in during the first 5 days of your cycle, it reduces the chances of you being in the portion of women that have unpredictable bleeding, and it did hold true for me. My doctor and most of her nurses chose Nexplanon (I went in asking for it, she didn't sell me on it - but then she gave me some additional good info).

I'd be really concerned about a midwife who wrote off Nexplanon but was considering Mirena... that is pretty uneducated/ignorant of today's options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some info - just because I had a GREAT experience with Nexplanon and am getting my second one placed next week. I heavily, heavily researched it (I had no idea about it, I was still stuck in thinking of awful norplant), and I also very heavily researched IUDs.

"Within 1 week of removing the Nexplanon implant, etonogestrel serum levels can no longer be detected. This means that there is the potential for a rapid return of the user’s pre-existing fertility, depending on her age at the time of removal. Clinical data show that 3 weeks after the contraceptive implant is removed, more than 90% of women begin to ovulate."

http://www.nexplanon.co.uk/170/Return-of-fertility

For a non-company source: https://www.uhs.uga.edu/sexualhealth/contraception/nexplanon.html

Clots aren't even really brought up as a risk with Nexplanon. The biggest risk is irregular/unpredictable bleeding that the woman finds intolerable. Mine went really well, no period for the first year, a period every 3 months the second year, and then it was starting to get more regular in the 3rd year when I had it removed. My doctor said there is some research that shows if you have it put in during the first 5 days of your cycle, it reduces the chances of you being in the portion of women that have unpredictable bleeding, and it did hold true for me. My doctor and most of her nurses chose Nexplanon (I went in asking for it, she didn't sell me on it - but then she gave me some additional good info).

I'd be really concerned about a midwife who wrote off Nexplanon but was considering Mirena... that is pretty uneducated/ignorant of today's options.

Thanks for the info, I will be sure to ask her about this at my follow up apt!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some info - just because I had a GREAT experience with Nexplanon and am getting my second one placed next week. I heavily, heavily researched it (I had no idea about it, I was still stuck in thinking of awful norplant), and I also very heavily researched IUDs.

"Within 1 week of removing the Nexplanon implant, etonogestrel serum levels can no longer be detected. This means that there is the potential for a rapid return of the user’s pre-existing fertility, depending on her age at the time of removal. Clinical data show that 3 weeks after the contraceptive implant is removed, more than 90% of women begin to ovulate."

http://www.nexplanon.co.uk/170/Return-of-fertility

For a non-company source: https://www.uhs.uga.edu/sexualhealth/contraception/nexplanon.html

Clots aren't even really brought up as a risk with Nexplanon. The biggest risk is irregular/unpredictable bleeding that the woman finds intolerable. Mine went really well, no period for the first year, a period every 3 months the second year, and then it was starting to get more regular in the 3rd year when I had it removed. My doctor said there is some research that shows if you have it put in during the first 5 days of your cycle, it reduces the chances of you being in the portion of women that have unpredictable bleeding, and it did hold true for me. My doctor and most of her nurses chose Nexplanon (I went in asking for it, she didn't sell me on it - but then she gave me some additional good info).

I'd be really concerned about a midwife who wrote off Nexplanon but was considering Mirena... that is pretty uneducated/ignorant of today's options.

Thanks for the info, I will be sure to ask her about this at my follow up apt!

Also, I'm a UGA Alum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thanks for the info, I will be sure to ask her about this at my follow up apt!

Cool. It's not for everyone, but it was awesome for me and I was kind of frustrated I hadn't been aware of it before - I don't understand why it isn't more frequently mentioned! It is more effective than an IUD, which I know - that is crazy. It is more effective than sterilization. I don't even understand that. The only real down side is the risk for irregular bleeding - kind of a big deal if you just paid $600 out of pocket for it and you need to have it taken out. If it is covered though, I feel like there is very little risk - putting it in and taking it out was no big deal at all.

[Anonymous]

I have actually had both Mirena and Paraguard, one after each pregnancy. Paraguard was first, got it at 2 months post partum, and then didn't get a period due to breastfeeding until about 8 months post partum. Then I had heavy periods and cramps for 2 days (never had cramps in my life). At my 12 month appt, the doctor said to give it a full six months while menstruating, so i did. I learned to take 600 Motrin at the first sign of cramps and that was fine. The periods were heavy for about 2 days and I got better at predicting it. So I kept it for 2.5 years, got it removed and was pregnant weeks later.

After the second pregnancy I tried Mirena. Periods were more like spotting--a little unpredictable which was annoying, but way better than Paraguard, no cramps, etc. No issues with milk supply. Got it removed 2 years later after DH has a vasectomy. Frankly "au natural" ever since has its own annoyances (after 18 years of some sort of birth control!)

[Anonymous]

I've had mirena for a year and I love it. No problems and after two vaginal births found the insertion only mildly uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Chiming in with a recent Paraguard story.

I was TERRIFIED of getting the Paraguard, because all reports were either a love story, or a disastrous, painful never ending period. I was also afraid of the insertion. I decided to go with it after having a consultation for Essure (sterilization), because Essure made me nervous and didn't sit right with me in terms of risks, and also because I figured if I absolutely hated it, it could be taken out.

Now, I'm just one person, but the insertion about a month ago turned out to be no big deal. I wound myself up over nothing. I was crampy for a few days. Then I bled like crazy during my first post-insertion period. I haven't had any cramping since and do't really think about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those who had Mirena, did you have any side effects from the hormones? Notbbreastfeeding so milk supply isn't a concern.

i had a terrible time for the 2 years that i had it. i bled on and off every two weeks for the entire two years. once i got it out, presto! i was back to just monthly periods.