OT & IUD Questions

[mami1323]

So I told my OB/GYN that the pill was fluctuating my moods so she said we can insert an IUD.  I'm nervous because I've heard of some crazy stories about it moving.  Can anyone who has an IUD tell me their experience with it?  She was asking if something was going on which would exacerbate the mood swings from the pill and I told her what was going on.  Check this out, she wasn't even surprised.  She's heard of so many stories of men cheating on their wives, especially when they are pregnant.  It's just shocking that family values no longer exist and that this is such a common thing now-a-days.  It's very sad.  But she recommended stopping the b/c pill today and if my mood doesn't change perhaps some anti-depresants.  But honestly, I was handling my emotions a lot better when I wasn't on the pill.  So cross your fingers for me and hope that it was just the pill.  

[becca_3456]

Hey, I had an IUD for 11 months. It was great.....except that when I went for my yearly visit my doc could not find my strings. I had to have an ultrasound which showed that my IUD had never been in the right place to begin with. It was completely laying side ways. I had to have mine removed and I am still contemplating getting it put back in. I had the copper IUD and even if it was not doing its job I loved having it in and thinking I was being protected from pregnancy:) I would recommend the copper IUD to anyone looking for long or short term birth control without hormones. I will probably get it put back in because I did love it and I DONT want anymore babies right now. It was much better than having DH wear condoms or me having to take a pill that made me feel like pooo. Good luck with finding out which birth control will work for you. I hope feel better and the mood swings go away.

[ma2isiah]

I have the Mirena IUD and I love it. No complaints. I have had it for almost a year and prior to my last pregnancy I had an IUD for almost 2 years. Feel free to ask any me any further questions. Sorry about what you are going through with your husband cheating.

[Quinns momma]

I have the Mirena IUD and I LOVE it. I have had it for almost 20 months. No negative side effects. I do not get a period or even spot on mine so that was weird and took some time to get used to. :)

[DaniWants1More]

mami good question. is it normal not to have a period with iud? why would you not have a period. i am nervous about getting one too. what was recovery time. was it painful getting it in?  how long does it last? how often do you have to get it checked out? lol sorry i just need some form of BC but not able to take pill either  than ~d

[becca_3456]

With the mirena you may or may not have a period. With the copper IUD you do have a period. Recovery time was 2 hours (and by recovery I mean that is how long it took for me not to have cramping). It just feels like really bad period cramps when getting it inserted. The copper IUD can last up to 10 years, the mirena I believe last up to 5 years. I only had mine checked once a year. My suggestion to is if you do decide to get an IUD make sure you doctor does an ultrasound to check its placement right after you get it done. My IUD was laying on it side for 11 months because my doctor inserted it wrong. I guess the only thing that was keeping me from getting pregnant was breastfeeding but I really did love my IUD because if it was in there right like it should have been it was so convenient. I never to wonder about a condom or a pill. The mirena is hormonal and the copper is non hormonal, I did not opt for the mirena because I was breastfeeding and even though my doctor said it would be ok I did not want DD to get any hormones through my breastmilk. I would recommend the copper IUD if you dont want or cant do hormonal birth control.

[BabyHardiman]

MAMI!!!!  Did your husband cheat??

[Quinns momma]

I had zero recovery time. I felt fine with it being inserted and no cramping afterwards, it is common to not get a period. Doc has me check in the shower to make sure the string is there once a month. Mirena lasts for 5 years.

[BabyHardiman]

Sorry Mami, I just read you journals.  Your Fiance' is lucky to have a strong woman as you are!

[mami1323]

Well she is using the one without the hormones since I'm not doing too good with hormones....lol.

ma2isiah - thanks hon.  

BH - thank you to my dear.  Yes, he's an a-hole.  We're trying to move forward in therapy.  The pill was not helping...I was an emotional mess and that's just not like me.  I mean anyone would be when finding out what was going on behind my back but I was able to handle the emotional tailspin, the minute I went on the pill I would have multiple meltdowns daily.  That is not helpful while trying to raise an almost 10 month old baby.  

Thanks ladies for the advice, I am scheduled for next wednesday.  Now I'm really excited about it.  

[BabyHardiman]

From what I've studied regarding the IUD, it does not PREVENT pregnancy.. you can still get pregnant and the IUD causes a spontaneous abortion.  I don't know how you feel about that, but I know that I would never get it.  

[Cheyenne_08]

I am also considering a copper IUD. Since I had blood clots, that is the only birth control my doctor will allow. I am scared to death of having it put in though!!! I am a HUGE sissy when it comes to pain, and I heard that it hurts really bad when it is put in. Do those of you that have an IUD agree, or was it really not that bad?

[Quinns momma]

IUD DOES PREVENT PREGNANCY, 99.9%

Nothing is perfect and some women can become pregnant. Some will end in miscarriage but others have the IUD removed and go on to have healthy pregnancies.


I had NO PAIN when mine was inserted. From what I have been told by others it is like a slight period like cramping.

[mami1323]

BH - It's supposed to prevent pregnancy, that's it's job.  As long as it's placed in correctly then it should work.  I would rather that then be on the pill, it's made me a mad woman....lol.  

[Quinns momma]

I feel your pain. The pill makes me a B I T C H....  I think you will be very happy with an IUD.

[mami1323]

Thanks Harley, I am looking forward to not having mood swings...haha.

[Quinns momma]

We are women I do not think that will ever completely happen, Now in a perfect world....

A girls gotta dream. :)

[jenstam]

I have the copper IUD and I LOVE it. But, my only complaint is that I do have heavy periods. The heavy part is only for a day or two though, then just lighter flow or spotting for 3-5 days. I think it's a little longer too. From first spotting to when I'm done it's about a week. Minor, compared to having to deal with the hormones. I had Mirena and let's just say it was nearly the worst 6 months of my life. NEVER again would I consider that IUD.

I have had the copper IUD twice and highly recommend it. Just don't be alarmed with the heavier periods. I mean, in my 1-2 heavy days I soak a super PLUS tampon in about an hour-no lie. So be prepared for that. I don't have worse cramping or anything, just go through lots of tampons!

[mami1323]

I usually have about 6-7 days of bleeding already.  One really heavy day and the rest are light days.  I guess there are positives and negatives to everything.  

[CYW]

my mom has an IUD and has had one for years..Well replaced every 5-6 years...She swears by it...She has had it put in after her M/C when I was almost 3. She has been on it ever since...and loves it...she said it's a little painful to put in and take out but all in all she loves it!

[Quinns momma]

Good to know. I always plan to have an IUD and it is reassuring to hear of someone using it long term.  May pop out one more at some point and back in that IUD will go.

[BabyHardiman]

"As long as it's placed in correctly then it should work."

Sorry, just giving you MY feelings on getting one.  Go for it!

[jenstam]

Cheyenne, I missed your question. It's not that bad. Nothing a little ibuprofen can't help with. There is a little pinch and cramping when they clamp your cervix but it sounds worse than it is! Some minor cramping afterwards too, but all in all it's not too painful.

[Quinns momma]

If you can handle childbirth you can handle an IUD... LOL

[mami1323]

Thanks BH - I do appreciate it.  I have to get something and I can't handle anything that will fluctuate my moods too much.

[BabyHardiman]

I have thought about doing, but everyone around me gets upset when I talk about it, because of the whole spontaneous abortion thing.  I am getting the Depo shot next week, that is about all I can afford right now.  I CAN NOT afford to get pregnant again!

[mami1323]

No kidding, me neither.

[Quinns momma]

Now depo I have also done and would never do again. I had terrible side effects. Also takes FOREVER to get out of your system, average of 18 months after the last shot. Huge weight gain, mood swings, Yikes....I was not mu typical sunny self on that at all.

If your doc inserts the IUD correctly there is no risk of pregnancy. Not sure why they keep trying to freak you out over the miscarriage thing.

[jenstam]

The spontaneous abortion theory cannot be proven, to my knowledge. It irritates the lining of the uterus and makes your cervical mucus hostile and kills sperm. Depo was a NIGHTMARE for me also. Not as bad as Mirena, but close. I do not recommend it. The non hormone method has been just perfect. I cannot handle the hormones and have ZERO sex drive when on them also!

[becca_3456]

My period was not bad at all when I had my copper IUD. I did not have heavy bleeding just regular period bleeding also I had very little cramping. I have had my IUD out for 2 months now and my periods have been HORRIBLE, very heavy with lots of cramping. I am glad I am still pumping for DD because I dont believe I am ovulating yet and my and DH have not been "careful". I need to get my IUD back in soon because DH is coming home from Germany in 3 1/2 weeks and I dont want to get pregnant the first day he is home:)

[jenstam]

becca-are you positive it was the copper IUD? If so, you are one of the few lucky ones. I know the Mirena can make your periods light or non existent but as a rule periods are heavier with the copper IUD. You got lucky!

[becca_3456]

Yeah it was the copper IUD, I did not want the mirena because of the hormones. I was very surprised that my period was not heavy and had very little cramping but then again my IUD was inserted wrong so that may or may not have had anything to do with my period.

[awilda42582]

I have had the Cooper IUD now for 8 months and my periods are still crazy 2 times a montha dn spotting in between, befor the IUD my period would last for 3 days no cramps, now 8 days and cramps, and mood swing, i seem to be more bitchy and parrinoid, ooh and my hair has has fallen out alot....my hair was twice as thick of what it is now, first i thought it was stress but now i think it has to do with the IUD, i am schedueld to have my IUD January 29 if anybody else has had problem with hair lost please let me know.

[queen_mab]

I've had the copper IUD for 2 years. I loved it. I had a few heavy periods like they warned may happen, but everything evened out and it was great. The thing never moved, never gave me any problems. It was the best birth control ever....until I found out that I was pregnant. Ok, from there things went from bad to worse very quickly. They can increase your risk of ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriage rate is way higher. 25% if removed immediatelly, 50% if they can't get it out, which is what happened with me. Now I am 13 weeks pregnant, have been bleeding and hurting worse than any period, and my baby is going to die. I would not recommend one to anyone. I know it's a slim chance of getting pregnant, but if you become that exception, it's terrible. This is the worst thing that I have ever gone thru. When this pregnancy ends, I will NEVER get another one. I will take the side affects that I was so eager to get away from. At least you can stop other birth controls if they fail.

[Whitneylauren]

I had a Mirena for 3 years. I loved it! I never had a period, no hormonal mood swings... nothing. My major problem, however, was that my doctor cut the strings too short when he inserted it. After I couldn't find them myself, my doctor reassured me that everything would be fine. Well, 3 years later, when we wanted to start ttc, my new ob had to literally dig it out of my uterus. She scraped around, without any medication, for a hour before it came out! It really hurt, but my experience is rare I think. Anyway I will be getting another one after our new son is born in March. Best birth control ever