Related: Did you know that there’s a Cross Section Biomedical Illustration of Intrauterine Device in Position Peel and Stick Wall Decal? Ain’t life grand!?Has anyone used a new-generation intrauterine device (IUD)? My doctor brought it up, and it sounds like a great form of birth control. They are often more effective than the pill, and WAY more effective than condoms. It used to be that only women who weren’t planning on more children were prescribed an IUD, but now more studies have indicated that the IUD can be removed at any time and women can get pregnant if they wish.
I like the idea of local medical interventions (a hormone-relasing IUD) when possible, rather than systemic (the pill). However, I frankly am still a little creeped out by something in my uterus. And nobody I know has ever used this form of birth control.
Clearly everyone should only take medical advice from their doctors, but I am asking for personal advice here. Have any Offbeat readers had favorable or negative experiences with one of the new generation IUDs? How did it fit into your lifestyle? -Inquiringmind
To tell you the truth, I’m curious about this as well!
I’m super-squicked out by the thought of something in my uterus, too. So that’s stopped me from actually going forward with an IUD. Any Homies out there have experience with ’em that can lay down some knowledge?
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Comments on What are your experiences with the new generation IUDs?
I have a Mirena, purely to help with excessive periods due to PCOS. (I’ve had my tubes tied, so it isn’t for birth control purposes.) For the first time in my life, I’ve had normal periods, for a normal length, on a normal schedule. Less cramps, less bloating. Life, for me, is better with Mirena.
My DH says he DOES sometimes feel it (with his hands), but it isn’t bothersome to him. He said it was a little startling at first, but in that, “Oh, that’s different,” kind of way.
Mirena gave me my life back. I’d recommend it to anyone.
I had a 10 year copper iud put in a month ago. I wish I’d listened to my doctor’s advice – it was PAINFUL! up there with tattoos and migranes. The cramping was terrible for several days after – don’t make any plans for a few days after getting one fitted. less pain and hassle than having kids though! and easier to get as a” permanent” option than tubal litigation.
I have had Mirena for about 3 years now. Nuva Ring for 2 years before that, and assorted birth control pills for about 12 years before that. (I’ve been on birth control for more than half my life by now.) I didn’t mind the NuvaRing, but it was fairly pricey for me, $25/month and I could only fill it once every 28-30 days, and it didn’t really help with my PMS , periods, or migraines. I adore the Mirena. It did hurt a lot for me when it went in. I was very crampy and uncomfortable for about hours afterwards. However, that was the last period I ‘ve had in 3 years. I get a short period of crampiness, but no bleeding. I still get a lot of my mood swings, but not as bad as without any birth control. It hasn’t affected my migraines at all. My insurance covered the Mirena, so it was just the office copay. Just my two cents! Best of luck in your choice.
I wanted to love IUD’s because everything about it sounded awesome-long lasting, hormone free option, nothing to remember, so on so forth, but alas no luck for me. I opted for a Paraguard since I happen to be quite sensitive to hormones and have an elevated cancer risk. (thanks Ma!) I experienced some pretty awful cramping during insertion and was pretty useless for the afternoon following, but I also have never been pregnant or had children, so i guess that’s to be expected. Around 2-ish months after insertion my IUD had fallen down and the long piece with the strings was hanging out of my cervix, so I had to have it removed. A couple of months after that, I had a second Paraguard put in but it fell out as well within 1 month. Having them removed was not wonderful either, but I would have felt better about it if I had at least gotten a few years out of it. I think someone else mentioned their insurance not covering it, and I know mine didn’t. The out of pocket cost seems high since it’s all at once but really isn’t bad, if it actually stays in. I’m not sure If I have a midget cervix or what the issue was for me, they measured and said it should be fine but obviously it didn’t work out. As for the time I had it, I found I had heavier periods initially but I never made it to the point where they are supposed to taper off. The strings didn’t bother me or my partner and ultimately I will probably try again once we have some kiddos. I read something when I was looking for options about how basically everywhere else in the world has more options for IUDs but despite being smaller and more recently designed the FDA won’t approve anything but the Mirena and Paraguard. Anyway, sorry for my novel and good luck 🙂
There were so many comments with so many different perspectives here. I did a little tally:
# of people who really liked the Mirena = 32
# of people who really liked copper = 28
# of people who hated (or had significant bad experiences with) Mirena = 8
# of people who hated (or had significant bad experiences with) copper = 5
# of people who were generally neutral (some good things but wouldn’t use again, or some bad things but would use again) about IUDs = 19
Obviously, this wasn’t the most scientific of tallies, but I was getting really overwhelmed trying to figure out what options people liked. This could be my own bias, but it seemed to me the Mirena horror stories were more long term stuff than the copper horror stories. Finally, I didn’t account for how difficult people found insertion and the couple of weeks immediately afterward – that seemed to break down much more on the had child/hadn’t had child line, rather than the type of birth control.
I freaking LOVE my IUD. I never have a period, ever, and haven’t had one in about 5 years. I should probably get a new one put in soon…
OH, one thing though: take a TON of advil before you get it put in. It hurts like a bitch. It might hurt mostly because I’ve never had kids before. (And yes, I know they say you aren’t supposed to get it unless you’ve had a kid before, which is why I had to go to Planned Parenthood to get it. Other gynos probably would not have put it in for me.)
Off the top of my head, I know of three women – myself included – with three different gynos who inserted our iuds before we gave birth. In fact, my doctor suggested it when I asked for a low dose pill and told her I’d rather not have hormones at all.
I think the only after kids thing is no longer a thing.
I had Paraguard for four years and LOVE LOVE LOVED it. I got it removed when I was ready to have a baby. Since it was non hormonal, I was able to track my cycle so we could start trying right away. My periods were a little heavier and I was a little crampier on Paraguard than before it, but in my case it was still not painful.
re: how it fit my lifestyle – I was 30 when I left my exhusband and I knew that I under no circumstances wanted to get pregnant by accident with just anyone, but that I didn’t want my fertile years to end awash in hormones keeping me from noticing. The iud kept me from getting pregnant during that transitional time and unlike other birth control methods, it kept me from getting accidentally pregnant on purpose (as some women of a certain age do).
I’m on my second copper IUD. I had a lot of trouble with hormonal birth control for years and was relieved when my doctor told me about this option. They’re not fun to have inserted, but honestly this was the best decision for me. At first my periods were heavier and cramps were more intense, but (for me at least) that improved every month and now with my second IUD, my periods are as light as they ever were on the pill & cramps are much better. Overall my experience has been a very positive once with the IUD and I will continue to use them for the foreseeable future. 🙂
I got a Mirena put in 5 years ago in August (I’m almost up for a replacement), and for me it has been great. There are a LOT of comments on this post, so I’m not sure if this has been covered already, but just my experience with insertion:
1. A friend that had one inserted shortly after giving birth equated the insertion to feeling like a contraction. This analogy made perfect sense to me, and actually made me less nervous about the pain because even though I didn’t know what a contraction felt like, it gave me a more tangible idea of what to expect. For me, it wasn’t bad. I got a recommendation to take a heavier than usual dose of ibuprofen about a half hour before my appointment, and I think that helped.
2. That night I was in a lot of pain, but it was like a really really bad PMS cramp pain. I didn’t want to do much other than lay around with a heating pad, but it wasn’t totally unbearable, just uncomfortable.
3. The rest of the weekend, I kept the soreness at bay with Midol. In fact, I went to a friend’s house an hour and a half away to help out with her bridal shower the day after my insertion, and her mom put us girls to work most of the weekend, and I was totally fine.
4. (Apologies for a little TMI) For about 1-2 months afterward, every time I went Number 2, I felt like it was going to fall out. I googled this and found this sensation was totally normal, and that no, it wouldn’t fall out. Even still, I was checking for my strings constantly.
5. Certain sex positions where your partner is hitting the base of your uterus can be REALLY painful because he’s actually hitting the IUD itself. It is comforting because he can feel it too, so you know it’s still in place, but it definitely ruins the mood. Keep this in mind. Also, the longer it is in, the less this crops up as an issue, and honestly it’s a pretty easily avoidable issue.
6. I haven’t had more than minor spotting on the Mirena. I do often have what I call “fake periods” on occasion, which are hard to track. I am usually crampy and bloated and have some spotting – nothing on the scale of actual period, but since it is sporadic it is difficult to keep track of. I usually assume my stomach is bothering me due to something I ate until I see the spotting and remember that’s probably what it is. This didn’t happen for at least a year or two in, either. It’s more frequent now I’m at the end of this Mirena cycle.
I’ve considered swapping out for the ParaGuard for the next IUD. I’m 31 and will be nearly 32 when it is time for the new IUD, and though we’re Childfree we’re not quite ready for the sterilization route yet. I have been on hormones of some kind since I was 18, but I’m getting to an age where it may be time to stop them. A little nervous about this, though, as I had pretty rough/irregular periods when I was a teenager and I’m not sure I want to go back to that at this age. I need to talk my options over with my doc, as I need to make a decision soon.
I have Nexplanon, the arm implant. I’m going on 4 months, and I love it. It was the best decision for our family planning. Nexplanon lasts for three years, and it functions similarly to Mirena. It doesn’t have the same uterine complication or risks though because it’s not inserted in the uterus.
I was seriously considering Mirena, but after talking with friends who’ve had Mirena, it seemed too risky. Most men can feel it during sex, and the risk of the device moving into the fallopian tubes seemed too great.
Nexplanon is trackable via x-ray, so if it moves, it is easy to locate. It goes in your non-dominant arm. I do have a small circular scar at the point of insertion, and I can feel the tiny rod. I like this because if I ever want to check if the device is where it should be, I can.
I don’t have periods, but I do spot. After two weeks, I had- what I’d consider- an average period. It wasn’t my average; it was an average-according-to-the-feminine-hygeine-product-box period. It was a nice change.
I had a Mirena for three and a half years and just three weeks ago it was expelled during a routine pap. I loved it because I had no periods for three years and a no fuss way of always playing it safe. It hurt like a bitch going in though because I have had no children.
Now that I’m married and beginning to hear my biological clock tick I’ve been asking some serious questions about how long it takes for everything to return to normal. When making the follow up appointment to have a new IUD put in (incidentally the newest brand name that the gyn was pushing…) I found out that it can take almost a year from removal for your cycles to allow for conception. WHOAH! Important info for family planning…
I’m disappointed that I’m having to find all my answers to my IUD questions through message boards like this one rather than medical resources or my own physicians. I didn’t even get an answer as to why it expelled or what could cause expulsion? Doctors will advocate this form of bc all day long, but they don’t look at the big picture as much as you will.
In short, once I am sure my fertility hasn’t been effected then I would most definitely go back to using the IUD, for right now I’m playing a waiting game…
You can always use the copper Paragard IUD if you want protection but not cycle-suppressing hormones. Paragard does not affect ovulation/natural hormonal cycle at all, so removing it makes it IMMEDIATELY moot.
I had the Mirena for a little over two years. While the concept was great, the side effects that I had were definitely not. The insertion was EXTREMELY painful for me. I’ve never had a child so it’s possible that this is why. However I had my husband on one side of me and the doctor on the other side both holding my hands while I literally cried from the insertion. Now mind you I have a pretty high threshold for pain. I barely ever took anything after major surgeries. But this was terrible. And then the cramping after was worse than any I’ve experienced while just having my period. The first few months after it was inserted was like an adjusting period for my period. It took about 4 or 5 months before things balanced out and my period pretty much went away with the occasional spotting (the flow was just shy of an actual cycle). The side effects started coming on shortly after insertion as well. I had migraines. Severe enough to send me to a neurologist. I had cystic acne. I had depression. My breasts were sore around when I was “supposed” to menstruate (they aren’t usually). I was nauseous from time to time for absolutely no reason. I had it taken out and within a couple of months everything went back to normal. All the side effects to me just weren’t worth the convenience of having the IUD. I’ve heard from quite a number of people that I know personally that had many problems similar to mine. I think that if you are prone to side effects with other meds then it should truly be a decision you have to really think about.
I have paragard. I got it as part of a study (cool, right?) on preventing unwanted teen pregnancies in St. Louis, Missouri.
One thing that has not been mentioned: you can do an egg donation while on paragard, but not on mirena (or on any othr hormonal birth control). This can be great if you are planning to donate to someone else or to harvest your own eggs while you are young and freeze them to use when you are older and ready to have a family but worried your eggs might not be as healthy.
Another thing for US paragard users: someone mentioned this earlier, but the US FDA originally only approved it for 10 years, while many other countries approved it for 13 years or longer. It is ok to leave in for more than 10 years.
I was (and still am a little) squicked out by the idea of having something INSIDE my body, especially something that looks kind of pointy and weird. But I got a Mirena about a year ago, and that squicked out feeling mostly goes away. If I think about it too much I feel a little weird about it, but I recognize that it’s all in my head. I don’t feel the IUD at all. I’ve had a good experience with it (lighter periods are a huge bonus), and have had no negative side effects. Also, it didn’t really hurt to get it inserted, it was just a little uncomfortable. I think I just had an awesome doctor who had put so many of them in and was really careful.
First time commenting, long time lurker. I personally have a copper IUD, and it was one of the best, most empowering decisions I’ve ever made re: my reproductive health. I decided to go with the copper IUD because the idea of hormone-based birth control freaks my freak, but I still wanted to double up on birth control (i.e., not rely completely on condoms). Personally, I feel like any kind of hormone-based method is more invasive than simply having something in the uterus, but to each their own. I also use a diva cup, so clearly I don’t get freaked out by inserting things into my lady bits.
Granted, I have a very high pain tolerance and had extremely light, regular periods before I got my IUD, but I have had an overall very positive experience. Contrary to what you might think, it is actually a good idea to have it inserted while you are on your period, as it’s easier/the vagina is more flexible as a unit. I got it at the tail end of my period, and it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. I had very heavy bleeding at first, and my first three periods were very unusual, but since then I’ve gone back to “normal” levels.
The copper IUD is also good for 10 years, which was another reason I got it done. In my state, there’s a law that if you fall under a certain income level, a woman is eligible for free birth control for two months. I was under that income level, and it seemed like the most economical thing to do.
If you’re interested, go for it! Like I said, this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made re: my health in general, and THE best decision I’ve made re: my reproductive health. I do know women who had very painful experiences, so use your best judgment. Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be awesome!
I had Paragard put in 2 years ago, and I absolutely love it. I’ve never had good experiences with hormonal options, and my option at the time had been to use a spermicide film for birth control options. My doctor recommended Paragard when he realized how often I used that spermicide. It apparently can cause some irritations when so much use and I was showing beginning signs of those irritations. I did my research afterwards, and set the appointment. I’ve never had kids, so that means I was in a ton of pain (it felt like he had a No 2 pencil shoved up there and was poking around, I thought for sure my uterus was going to fall out by the end of the procedure). I couldn’t move for a good 20 minutes after, much to the staff’s displeasure (the entire office was horribly unprofessional and I haven’t been back since that visit). I wish they had sent me home with a pain pill prescription, but nothing. I laid in agony for a couple days. But, once it was in, and I got through the first two months of periods with the cramping, my body adjusted. Since then, I do get a more intense cramp, but nothing that a couple Advil won’t relieve quickly, and the cramping is only off/on for a day, maybe two. My period has also stabilized for the first time in my life to a perfect 4.5 days. And I get a warning cramp before anything shows up, so my underwear lasts longer! My boyfriend doesn’t report any ill tastes with things, nor does he feel my strings or IUD during sex. If it weren’t for my little card and my informing him, he’d never have a clue that it’s there.
I will point out that I feel ovulation with it in. It’s like my lady bits are barely big enough to have it in there, so the egg squeezing by is perceptible. This is definitely something post IUD, so… kinda nice to know when that happens. It’s not painful, just an unusual feeling, like a tiny bubble moving around. Does anyone else feel this?
I just recently got the copper IUD (a month and a half ago). I was basically the perfect candidate for it: I am well acquainted with my body and cycles from practicing Fertility Awareness Method for three years, am in a stable relationship, already know how to check my cervix, and have light periods with no history of cramps. The Copper IUD increases menstrual flow and cramping, so those with already heavy flow and cramps might not want to choose it. (The hormonal IUD decreases flow). My periods have gotten heavier, but not that much. I would say they went “one level up”. I do have some breakthrough spotting, and my cervical mucus is usually tinted/streaked now, but that is supposed to stop after a couple more months. Cramps have appeared but are mild to moderate. I am very glad I got it, as it was basically the perfect choice for me at this time in my life. (That doesn’t mean it is for everyone, or at any time). Knowing Fertility Awareness I think really helps you get over any ick factor or weirdness about “something in my uterus.” Checking my cervix and mucus isn’t gross to me, it’s valuable (and useful!) knowledge that I wish all women were aware they had access to. I highly suggest using this as an opportunity to get to know your body, instead of just relying on a doctor to tell you what’s right!
oh, I forgot to say that yes, the procedure is uncomfortable, but you live through it. I had a nurse-midwife and an assistant with me for it, and they were a great help. The NM told me everything she was doing (I asked her to) so that I could connect “random, possibly painful sensation” with “logical thought”. During the rough parts (measuring the uterus and inserting the IUD), the assistant talked me through it reminding me to breathe and think about circles in the sky (lol). Definitely find a doc you feel comfortable with!
I had a Mirena placed in November 2011. Insertion was quick but I found it very painful. I wish my doctor had prescribed the meds to dialate my cervix. It was probably tougher because I’ve never had kids, although my friend said her insertion didn’t hurt much. The cramping wasn’t bad. I walked home (about a mile) after resting for 5 mins or so at the doctor’s office.
I love not having a period anymore, although it’s worth buying a pack of pregnancy tests available for when it stops or you have two weeks of non-stop nausea. I haven’t had any other side effects.
Among my friends who use birth control, pretty much everyone either uses a Mirena or an arm implant, based on who is more squeaked out by something in their arm or something in their uterus. I’m on oral contraception now because my IUD had to be removed and I’m likely to want to try for a baby soon enough that it wasn’t worth replacing it.
I’ve had two Mirenas. I got the first one when I started grad school on the grounds that I knew I wouldn’t want to be pregnant for the next 5 years. Five years later I had it removed and a new one installed. The new one had to be removed because it managed to shift out of position. I’ve never been pregnant and apparently I have a retroverted uterus but neither fitting was particularly painful. I’ve had much more painful trapped gas. The first Mirena stopped my periods. The second one didn’t. I think the second one got tugged out of place during sex. I bled a lot during sex and continued to spot/bleed for three weeks. My cervix felt odd, so I went to the doctor who sent me for an ultrasound that confirmed what I had suspected, that the IUD had shifted and needed to be removed. My doctor prescribed me some oral contraceptives and yoinked the shifted IUD out in her office in a short appointment before work.
Despite the problem with the second Mirena, I think I’ll get another one once I have a baby.
I have a copper coil. I got it shortly after I met my now husband when I was 22, because I am utterly crap at taking the pill. I had also been on the pill at that point for six years and I wanted a break from the hormones.
I have not given birth. Getting it put in was a really, really unpleasant experience. I took some ibuprofen beforehand but it was painful and unpleasant in that kind of vagal reaction way that happens when someone pokes your cervix.
However. It was really only unpleasant for about half an hour, and then I felt a bit rubbish for a couple of hours, same as after a smear, and then since then it has been totally fine. I’ve had it for two and a bit years, and I LOVE it. I am convinced I would have got pregnant by now if I was still relying on the pill. The fact that it’s there, and it works, and I never have to think about it is a godsend for me, particularly since my shifts are somewhat erratic at present.
It did make my periods a little heavier, but I came off the pill at the same time so that probably contributed too. They were pretty light on the pill so them being a bit heavier didn’t really bother me too much.
TL;DR: Half an hour of badness, two years and counting of hassle free contraception. Love it.
I got my first mirena when I was 20 and I’m now on my second as are many of my friends. I’ve never been pregnant and neither have any of them. Haven’t regretted it for an instant. I didn’t have any painkillers during either insertion or the removal and nor did my friends. It was about 6 mins of discomfort/pain, then a day or so of period cramps and this weird “poinking” feeling in the vagina as the threads poke before they soften (not painful, just a little odd), then 5 years of no contraception worries and fantastically spontaneous sex. What’s not to like? The unpleasantness of insertion is far, far outweighed by the benefits that it brings. I particularly value the fact that I don’t get any periods now- beforehand they were a 3-4x yearly two week bloodbath, I can’t describe how fantastic it is not having to deal with that shit any more. Not everyone gets those benefits, however, some women still get periods but they tend to be lighter than before. I know some of my friends partners were a little creeped out that they might feel it during sex, but it’s not true- none of the guys of the women I know with the mirena have felt the threads or the coil. I think you’re likely to get the most benefit from a mirena if you’re in a steady relationship without STD concerns and if you don’t want kids for the next 3-5 years, though of course fertility returns very quickly once the mirena’s removed if circumstances change.
I cannot stress enough the amazingness of not having to deal with periods any more.
All of my friends who have had IUDs have had positive experiences, both Mirena and Paragard. I know 6 women with IUDs, all of them sing its praises, save for some adjustment at the beginning (ie, irregular/heavier periods for the first 6-12 months).
I had a horrific experience, however, but I do not blame the IUD. To preface, I am allergic to pretty much everything on earth, and I am the 1 person out of 10,000 who experiences the rare side effects that they list on medicine bottles. I’m just not meant to use most medicine.
ANYWAY. After experiencing all of the terrible side effects of various birth control pills and the NuvaRing (which I loved otherwise), I decided to go for the non-hormonal IUD. The insertion was extremely painful for about one second. So no complaints there! About a week after I got my IUD, I moved to a different state. And then it expelled. Due to circumstances I won’t get into, I was unable to have it removed for about 6 months. So I had a piece of copper and plastic sticking out of my cervix for about 6 months. When I was finally able to make my appointment to have it removed, they refused to believe that I had walked around for 6 months with an IUD sticking out of my cervix, but there it was! In addition to the pain it caused me in my nethers, I experienced an allergic reaction to the copper. I developed a terrible acne problem, and my whole body became swollen. It took about a year after the removal to recover from the effects it had.
Moral of story, make sure you have access to a doctor who can remove the IUD if necessary. And maybe check to make sure you’re not allergic to copper. >.<
I have had the old-school copper iud (no hormones) for a couple of months now. I was trying to steer away from hormones so I opted for this one. Differences noticed from previous contraception (the pill) as follows:
Significantly heavier periods, with thinner blood. It has taken a couple of periods to get my timing right to avoid instantaneous leakage. I used to just change a tampon when I noticed it was needed, usually every 4 hours. Now I have to pr-empt that and change more regularly. Because the blood is thinner, once it leaks, IT LEAKS. I mean, through underwear. Not pretty. This is common with the copper one, as it thickens the uterine lining, as opposed to the hormonal, which thins it. So I guess my uterus has more to expel??
Significantly more (healthy) discharge mid-cycle. I had never bought a panty liner in my life until post-iud. On the upside, more discharge = way more lubricated so an advantage for sex there.
Way, way, WAY less moody and short tempered. Having been in the pill for 15 plus years except for when I had and fed my son 10 years ago, I had no idea it was affecting me so much. This is the BEST thing about other copper IUD for me
Higher sex drive, a bonus for my relationship.
Also worth noting, I had an aesthetic for insertion, which was great because a) I fucking love anaesthetic, those 3 seconds after kickin but before oblivion are BLISS and b) I hear it can be pretty yuck if you are awake for it. I am the only person I know who has been knocked out for it, but I am glad I was.
I have been on Mirena for about 5 years now. I’m actually on my second one, which was placed just a few weeks ago because the first one had reached the end of its 5-year life. My gynecologist mentioned that women don’t usually get them back to back, but we are still somewhat undecided about the kid question. She didn’t seem to think that there were any problems with continuing to use it. I have never been pregnant.
Let me start by saying that I LOVE my Mirena. For me, it has been mostly positive all the way through. Like many other people, I love not having periods any more and not having to think about my birth control. It was initially recommended to me to replace the patch because I had migraines with aura. Since being on it, I have significantly fewer migraines. I have gained a little weight since getting it, but it’s been so gradual and yoyo-ing that I don’t think it’s related to the Mirena. For the past 8 months or so, I’ve been getting occasional ovarian cysts which my doctor couldn’t fully explain. Based on my own research, I think they might have been related to the fact that my first Mirena was reaching the end of its life, so the hormones may have been fluctuating. It’s too early to tell if this will continue to be a problem with my new Mirena.
I have to agree with others who’ve said that insertion hurt like a bitch. My uterus is slightly tilted, so for both insertions, they had to pull my cervix into position. That SUCKS! Both insertions were very, very painful for me, even though I took ibuprofen before going in. Both times, the whole procedure took about ten minutes, 5 of which were fairly horrible. The first time was definitely worse. Measuring the uterus is probably the most painful thing that has ever happened to me, but I’ve also never given birth, broken a bone, or had surgery, so I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I stood up too quickly afterward the first time and almost fainted. I spent the rest of that afternoon cramping and sleeping. The next day I was fine, though I bled like a period for a week. I had normal periods for one month after that, then nothing for two months, then one normal period, and then nothing but occasional spotting ever since. That means it’s been almost five years since I’ve had to deal with a period – major bonus!
The second insertion was only about 2/3 as painful as the first time, but it still sucked a lot. I cried. I will say that removing the old one was pretty straightforward. It’s just a quick, sharp tug, and then it’s over. Afterwards, I sat still for a while and had some water and crackers. Within twenty minutes, the mild cramps stopped, and I felt fine. I even felt good enough to go out to lunch with my husband and have a spontaneous date afternoon. I spotted a little for a day or so, and my insides were too swollen for fun times for about 5 days, but otherwise, it was fine.
Some people have mentioned concerns about the strings. I’ve almost never been able to find mine when I check because they tend to soften a little and tuck up around my cervix where I can’t reach. My husband checks them for me from time to time. When I got my first Mirena, the first time we had sex, the strings were still a little stiff, and one of them stabbed him. It was very minor, and we laughed about it. For a month or two afterwards, he said that he could sometimes feel the strings during sex, but they didn’t bother him. Now with the second one, he hasn’t really noticed them at all.
Overall, this has been a great solution for us. We paid for the first one out of pocket, but the second one was fully covered by my insurance. Since my grad program will be ending next year, and I’ll be losing my insurance, I’m really glad that we won’t have to worry about dealing with this stuff for a while. If all goes according to plan, by the time this one is ready to come out, my husband will have had his vasectomy (or maybe vasalgel), and we won’t ever have to deal with it again.
I had the Mirena inserted about 5 months post-partum. After giving birth with no epidural it didn’t seem painful at all- about the same as having my cerix checked while pg. I love it- I’ve had it in for about 18mos now. I was still breastfeeding when I started and hadn’t had my period yet- he’s almost two now and still haven’t. Some mild cramping after sex but that’s been about it for me for side effects.
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I have a Mirena, purely to help with excessive periods due to PCOS. (I’ve had my tubes tied, so it isn’t for birth control purposes.) For the first time in my life, I’ve had normal periods, for a normal length, on a normal schedule. Less cramps, less bloating. Life, for me, is better with Mirena.
My DH says he DOES sometimes feel it (with his hands), but it isn’t bothersome to him. He said it was a little startling at first, but in that, “Oh, that’s different,” kind of way.
Mirena gave me my life back. I’d recommend it to anyone.
I had a 10 year copper iud put in a month ago. I wish I’d listened to my doctor’s advice – it was PAINFUL! up there with tattoos and migranes. The cramping was terrible for several days after – don’t make any plans for a few days after getting one fitted. less pain and hassle than having kids though! and easier to get as a” permanent” option than tubal litigation.
I have had Mirena for about 3 years now. Nuva Ring for 2 years before that, and assorted birth control pills for about 12 years before that. (I’ve been on birth control for more than half my life by now.) I didn’t mind the NuvaRing, but it was fairly pricey for me, $25/month and I could only fill it once every 28-30 days, and it didn’t really help with my PMS , periods, or migraines. I adore the Mirena. It did hurt a lot for me when it went in. I was very crampy and uncomfortable for about hours afterwards. However, that was the last period I ‘ve had in 3 years. I get a short period of crampiness, but no bleeding. I still get a lot of my mood swings, but not as bad as without any birth control. It hasn’t affected my migraines at all. My insurance covered the Mirena, so it was just the office copay. Just my two cents! Best of luck in your choice.
I wanted to love IUD’s because everything about it sounded awesome-long lasting, hormone free option, nothing to remember, so on so forth, but alas no luck for me. I opted for a Paraguard since I happen to be quite sensitive to hormones and have an elevated cancer risk. (thanks Ma!) I experienced some pretty awful cramping during insertion and was pretty useless for the afternoon following, but I also have never been pregnant or had children, so i guess that’s to be expected. Around 2-ish months after insertion my IUD had fallen down and the long piece with the strings was hanging out of my cervix, so I had to have it removed. A couple of months after that, I had a second Paraguard put in but it fell out as well within 1 month. Having them removed was not wonderful either, but I would have felt better about it if I had at least gotten a few years out of it. I think someone else mentioned their insurance not covering it, and I know mine didn’t. The out of pocket cost seems high since it’s all at once but really isn’t bad, if it actually stays in. I’m not sure If I have a midget cervix or what the issue was for me, they measured and said it should be fine but obviously it didn’t work out. As for the time I had it, I found I had heavier periods initially but I never made it to the point where they are supposed to taper off. The strings didn’t bother me or my partner and ultimately I will probably try again once we have some kiddos. I read something when I was looking for options about how basically everywhere else in the world has more options for IUDs but despite being smaller and more recently designed the FDA won’t approve anything but the Mirena and Paraguard. Anyway, sorry for my novel and good luck 🙂
There were so many comments with so many different perspectives here. I did a little tally:
# of people who really liked the Mirena = 32
# of people who really liked copper = 28
# of people who hated (or had significant bad experiences with) Mirena = 8
# of people who hated (or had significant bad experiences with) copper = 5
# of people who were generally neutral (some good things but wouldn’t use again, or some bad things but would use again) about IUDs = 19
Obviously, this wasn’t the most scientific of tallies, but I was getting really overwhelmed trying to figure out what options people liked. This could be my own bias, but it seemed to me the Mirena horror stories were more long term stuff than the copper horror stories. Finally, I didn’t account for how difficult people found insertion and the couple of weeks immediately afterward – that seemed to break down much more on the had child/hadn’t had child line, rather than the type of birth control.
Hope this was helpful!
Yes, blog comments certainly aren’t scientific, but the tally is helpful because it is easier to remember the bad stories than the good.
I freaking LOVE my IUD. I never have a period, ever, and haven’t had one in about 5 years. I should probably get a new one put in soon…
OH, one thing though: take a TON of advil before you get it put in. It hurts like a bitch. It might hurt mostly because I’ve never had kids before. (And yes, I know they say you aren’t supposed to get it unless you’ve had a kid before, which is why I had to go to Planned Parenthood to get it. Other gynos probably would not have put it in for me.)
Off the top of my head, I know of three women – myself included – with three different gynos who inserted our iuds before we gave birth. In fact, my doctor suggested it when I asked for a low dose pill and told her I’d rather not have hormones at all.
I think the only after kids thing is no longer a thing.
I had Paraguard for four years and LOVE LOVE LOVED it. I got it removed when I was ready to have a baby. Since it was non hormonal, I was able to track my cycle so we could start trying right away. My periods were a little heavier and I was a little crampier on Paraguard than before it, but in my case it was still not painful.
re: how it fit my lifestyle – I was 30 when I left my exhusband and I knew that I under no circumstances wanted to get pregnant by accident with just anyone, but that I didn’t want my fertile years to end awash in hormones keeping me from noticing. The iud kept me from getting pregnant during that transitional time and unlike other birth control methods, it kept me from getting accidentally pregnant on purpose (as some women of a certain age do).
I’m on my second copper IUD. I had a lot of trouble with hormonal birth control for years and was relieved when my doctor told me about this option. They’re not fun to have inserted, but honestly this was the best decision for me. At first my periods were heavier and cramps were more intense, but (for me at least) that improved every month and now with my second IUD, my periods are as light as they ever were on the pill & cramps are much better. Overall my experience has been a very positive once with the IUD and I will continue to use them for the foreseeable future. 🙂
I got a Mirena put in 5 years ago in August (I’m almost up for a replacement), and for me it has been great. There are a LOT of comments on this post, so I’m not sure if this has been covered already, but just my experience with insertion:
1. A friend that had one inserted shortly after giving birth equated the insertion to feeling like a contraction. This analogy made perfect sense to me, and actually made me less nervous about the pain because even though I didn’t know what a contraction felt like, it gave me a more tangible idea of what to expect. For me, it wasn’t bad. I got a recommendation to take a heavier than usual dose of ibuprofen about a half hour before my appointment, and I think that helped.
2. That night I was in a lot of pain, but it was like a really really bad PMS cramp pain. I didn’t want to do much other than lay around with a heating pad, but it wasn’t totally unbearable, just uncomfortable.
3. The rest of the weekend, I kept the soreness at bay with Midol. In fact, I went to a friend’s house an hour and a half away to help out with her bridal shower the day after my insertion, and her mom put us girls to work most of the weekend, and I was totally fine.
4. (Apologies for a little TMI) For about 1-2 months afterward, every time I went Number 2, I felt like it was going to fall out. I googled this and found this sensation was totally normal, and that no, it wouldn’t fall out. Even still, I was checking for my strings constantly.
5. Certain sex positions where your partner is hitting the base of your uterus can be REALLY painful because he’s actually hitting the IUD itself. It is comforting because he can feel it too, so you know it’s still in place, but it definitely ruins the mood. Keep this in mind. Also, the longer it is in, the less this crops up as an issue, and honestly it’s a pretty easily avoidable issue.
6. I haven’t had more than minor spotting on the Mirena. I do often have what I call “fake periods” on occasion, which are hard to track. I am usually crampy and bloated and have some spotting – nothing on the scale of actual period, but since it is sporadic it is difficult to keep track of. I usually assume my stomach is bothering me due to something I ate until I see the spotting and remember that’s probably what it is. This didn’t happen for at least a year or two in, either. It’s more frequent now I’m at the end of this Mirena cycle.
I’ve considered swapping out for the ParaGuard for the next IUD. I’m 31 and will be nearly 32 when it is time for the new IUD, and though we’re Childfree we’re not quite ready for the sterilization route yet. I have been on hormones of some kind since I was 18, but I’m getting to an age where it may be time to stop them. A little nervous about this, though, as I had pretty rough/irregular periods when I was a teenager and I’m not sure I want to go back to that at this age. I need to talk my options over with my doc, as I need to make a decision soon.
I have Nexplanon, the arm implant. I’m going on 4 months, and I love it. It was the best decision for our family planning. Nexplanon lasts for three years, and it functions similarly to Mirena. It doesn’t have the same uterine complication or risks though because it’s not inserted in the uterus.
I was seriously considering Mirena, but after talking with friends who’ve had Mirena, it seemed too risky. Most men can feel it during sex, and the risk of the device moving into the fallopian tubes seemed too great.
Nexplanon is trackable via x-ray, so if it moves, it is easy to locate. It goes in your non-dominant arm. I do have a small circular scar at the point of insertion, and I can feel the tiny rod. I like this because if I ever want to check if the device is where it should be, I can.
I don’t have periods, but I do spot. After two weeks, I had- what I’d consider- an average period. It wasn’t my average; it was an average-according-to-the-feminine-hygeine-product-box period. It was a nice change.
I had a Mirena for three and a half years and just three weeks ago it was expelled during a routine pap. I loved it because I had no periods for three years and a no fuss way of always playing it safe. It hurt like a bitch going in though because I have had no children.
Now that I’m married and beginning to hear my biological clock tick I’ve been asking some serious questions about how long it takes for everything to return to normal. When making the follow up appointment to have a new IUD put in (incidentally the newest brand name that the gyn was pushing…) I found out that it can take almost a year from removal for your cycles to allow for conception. WHOAH! Important info for family planning…
I’m disappointed that I’m having to find all my answers to my IUD questions through message boards like this one rather than medical resources or my own physicians. I didn’t even get an answer as to why it expelled or what could cause expulsion? Doctors will advocate this form of bc all day long, but they don’t look at the big picture as much as you will.
In short, once I am sure my fertility hasn’t been effected then I would most definitely go back to using the IUD, for right now I’m playing a waiting game…
You can always use the copper Paragard IUD if you want protection but not cycle-suppressing hormones. Paragard does not affect ovulation/natural hormonal cycle at all, so removing it makes it IMMEDIATELY moot.
I had the Mirena for a little over two years. While the concept was great, the side effects that I had were definitely not. The insertion was EXTREMELY painful for me. I’ve never had a child so it’s possible that this is why. However I had my husband on one side of me and the doctor on the other side both holding my hands while I literally cried from the insertion. Now mind you I have a pretty high threshold for pain. I barely ever took anything after major surgeries. But this was terrible. And then the cramping after was worse than any I’ve experienced while just having my period. The first few months after it was inserted was like an adjusting period for my period. It took about 4 or 5 months before things balanced out and my period pretty much went away with the occasional spotting (the flow was just shy of an actual cycle). The side effects started coming on shortly after insertion as well. I had migraines. Severe enough to send me to a neurologist. I had cystic acne. I had depression. My breasts were sore around when I was “supposed” to menstruate (they aren’t usually). I was nauseous from time to time for absolutely no reason. I had it taken out and within a couple of months everything went back to normal. All the side effects to me just weren’t worth the convenience of having the IUD. I’ve heard from quite a number of people that I know personally that had many problems similar to mine. I think that if you are prone to side effects with other meds then it should truly be a decision you have to really think about.
I have paragard. I got it as part of a study (cool, right?) on preventing unwanted teen pregnancies in St. Louis, Missouri.
One thing that has not been mentioned: you can do an egg donation while on paragard, but not on mirena (or on any othr hormonal birth control). This can be great if you are planning to donate to someone else or to harvest your own eggs while you are young and freeze them to use when you are older and ready to have a family but worried your eggs might not be as healthy.
Another thing for US paragard users: someone mentioned this earlier, but the US FDA originally only approved it for 10 years, while many other countries approved it for 13 years or longer. It is ok to leave in for more than 10 years.
My roommate told me about this study! So cool to see it in the comment section here – what a small interconnected world!
I was (and still am a little) squicked out by the idea of having something INSIDE my body, especially something that looks kind of pointy and weird. But I got a Mirena about a year ago, and that squicked out feeling mostly goes away. If I think about it too much I feel a little weird about it, but I recognize that it’s all in my head. I don’t feel the IUD at all. I’ve had a good experience with it (lighter periods are a huge bonus), and have had no negative side effects. Also, it didn’t really hurt to get it inserted, it was just a little uncomfortable. I think I just had an awesome doctor who had put so many of them in and was really careful.
Hello!
First time commenting, long time lurker. I personally have a copper IUD, and it was one of the best, most empowering decisions I’ve ever made re: my reproductive health. I decided to go with the copper IUD because the idea of hormone-based birth control freaks my freak, but I still wanted to double up on birth control (i.e., not rely completely on condoms). Personally, I feel like any kind of hormone-based method is more invasive than simply having something in the uterus, but to each their own. I also use a diva cup, so clearly I don’t get freaked out by inserting things into my lady bits.
Granted, I have a very high pain tolerance and had extremely light, regular periods before I got my IUD, but I have had an overall very positive experience. Contrary to what you might think, it is actually a good idea to have it inserted while you are on your period, as it’s easier/the vagina is more flexible as a unit. I got it at the tail end of my period, and it didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. I had very heavy bleeding at first, and my first three periods were very unusual, but since then I’ve gone back to “normal” levels.
The copper IUD is also good for 10 years, which was another reason I got it done. In my state, there’s a law that if you fall under a certain income level, a woman is eligible for free birth control for two months. I was under that income level, and it seemed like the most economical thing to do.
If you’re interested, go for it! Like I said, this is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made re: my health in general, and THE best decision I’ve made re: my reproductive health. I do know women who had very painful experiences, so use your best judgment. Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be awesome!
I had Paragard put in 2 years ago, and I absolutely love it. I’ve never had good experiences with hormonal options, and my option at the time had been to use a spermicide film for birth control options. My doctor recommended Paragard when he realized how often I used that spermicide. It apparently can cause some irritations when so much use and I was showing beginning signs of those irritations. I did my research afterwards, and set the appointment. I’ve never had kids, so that means I was in a ton of pain (it felt like he had a No 2 pencil shoved up there and was poking around, I thought for sure my uterus was going to fall out by the end of the procedure). I couldn’t move for a good 20 minutes after, much to the staff’s displeasure (the entire office was horribly unprofessional and I haven’t been back since that visit). I wish they had sent me home with a pain pill prescription, but nothing. I laid in agony for a couple days. But, once it was in, and I got through the first two months of periods with the cramping, my body adjusted. Since then, I do get a more intense cramp, but nothing that a couple Advil won’t relieve quickly, and the cramping is only off/on for a day, maybe two. My period has also stabilized for the first time in my life to a perfect 4.5 days. And I get a warning cramp before anything shows up, so my underwear lasts longer! My boyfriend doesn’t report any ill tastes with things, nor does he feel my strings or IUD during sex. If it weren’t for my little card and my informing him, he’d never have a clue that it’s there.
I will point out that I feel ovulation with it in. It’s like my lady bits are barely big enough to have it in there, so the egg squeezing by is perceptible. This is definitely something post IUD, so… kinda nice to know when that happens. It’s not painful, just an unusual feeling, like a tiny bubble moving around. Does anyone else feel this?
I just recently got the copper IUD (a month and a half ago). I was basically the perfect candidate for it: I am well acquainted with my body and cycles from practicing Fertility Awareness Method for three years, am in a stable relationship, already know how to check my cervix, and have light periods with no history of cramps. The Copper IUD increases menstrual flow and cramping, so those with already heavy flow and cramps might not want to choose it. (The hormonal IUD decreases flow). My periods have gotten heavier, but not that much. I would say they went “one level up”. I do have some breakthrough spotting, and my cervical mucus is usually tinted/streaked now, but that is supposed to stop after a couple more months. Cramps have appeared but are mild to moderate. I am very glad I got it, as it was basically the perfect choice for me at this time in my life. (That doesn’t mean it is for everyone, or at any time). Knowing Fertility Awareness I think really helps you get over any ick factor or weirdness about “something in my uterus.” Checking my cervix and mucus isn’t gross to me, it’s valuable (and useful!) knowledge that I wish all women were aware they had access to. I highly suggest using this as an opportunity to get to know your body, instead of just relying on a doctor to tell you what’s right!
oh, I forgot to say that yes, the procedure is uncomfortable, but you live through it. I had a nurse-midwife and an assistant with me for it, and they were a great help. The NM told me everything she was doing (I asked her to) so that I could connect “random, possibly painful sensation” with “logical thought”. During the rough parts (measuring the uterus and inserting the IUD), the assistant talked me through it reminding me to breathe and think about circles in the sky (lol). Definitely find a doc you feel comfortable with!
and Copper IUD = Paragard in my post above.
I had a Mirena placed in November 2011. Insertion was quick but I found it very painful. I wish my doctor had prescribed the meds to dialate my cervix. It was probably tougher because I’ve never had kids, although my friend said her insertion didn’t hurt much. The cramping wasn’t bad. I walked home (about a mile) after resting for 5 mins or so at the doctor’s office.
I love not having a period anymore, although it’s worth buying a pack of pregnancy tests available for when it stops or you have two weeks of non-stop nausea. I haven’t had any other side effects.
Among my friends who use birth control, pretty much everyone either uses a Mirena or an arm implant, based on who is more squeaked out by something in their arm or something in their uterus. I’m on oral contraception now because my IUD had to be removed and I’m likely to want to try for a baby soon enough that it wasn’t worth replacing it.
I’ve had two Mirenas. I got the first one when I started grad school on the grounds that I knew I wouldn’t want to be pregnant for the next 5 years. Five years later I had it removed and a new one installed. The new one had to be removed because it managed to shift out of position. I’ve never been pregnant and apparently I have a retroverted uterus but neither fitting was particularly painful. I’ve had much more painful trapped gas. The first Mirena stopped my periods. The second one didn’t. I think the second one got tugged out of place during sex. I bled a lot during sex and continued to spot/bleed for three weeks. My cervix felt odd, so I went to the doctor who sent me for an ultrasound that confirmed what I had suspected, that the IUD had shifted and needed to be removed. My doctor prescribed me some oral contraceptives and yoinked the shifted IUD out in her office in a short appointment before work.
Despite the problem with the second Mirena, I think I’ll get another one once I have a baby.
I have a copper coil. I got it shortly after I met my now husband when I was 22, because I am utterly crap at taking the pill. I had also been on the pill at that point for six years and I wanted a break from the hormones.
I have not given birth. Getting it put in was a really, really unpleasant experience. I took some ibuprofen beforehand but it was painful and unpleasant in that kind of vagal reaction way that happens when someone pokes your cervix.
However. It was really only unpleasant for about half an hour, and then I felt a bit rubbish for a couple of hours, same as after a smear, and then since then it has been totally fine. I’ve had it for two and a bit years, and I LOVE it. I am convinced I would have got pregnant by now if I was still relying on the pill. The fact that it’s there, and it works, and I never have to think about it is a godsend for me, particularly since my shifts are somewhat erratic at present.
It did make my periods a little heavier, but I came off the pill at the same time so that probably contributed too. They were pretty light on the pill so them being a bit heavier didn’t really bother me too much.
TL;DR: Half an hour of badness, two years and counting of hassle free contraception. Love it.
I got my first mirena when I was 20 and I’m now on my second as are many of my friends. I’ve never been pregnant and neither have any of them. Haven’t regretted it for an instant. I didn’t have any painkillers during either insertion or the removal and nor did my friends. It was about 6 mins of discomfort/pain, then a day or so of period cramps and this weird “poinking” feeling in the vagina as the threads poke before they soften (not painful, just a little odd), then 5 years of no contraception worries and fantastically spontaneous sex. What’s not to like? The unpleasantness of insertion is far, far outweighed by the benefits that it brings. I particularly value the fact that I don’t get any periods now- beforehand they were a 3-4x yearly two week bloodbath, I can’t describe how fantastic it is not having to deal with that shit any more. Not everyone gets those benefits, however, some women still get periods but they tend to be lighter than before. I know some of my friends partners were a little creeped out that they might feel it during sex, but it’s not true- none of the guys of the women I know with the mirena have felt the threads or the coil. I think you’re likely to get the most benefit from a mirena if you’re in a steady relationship without STD concerns and if you don’t want kids for the next 3-5 years, though of course fertility returns very quickly once the mirena’s removed if circumstances change.
I cannot stress enough the amazingness of not having to deal with periods any more.
All of my friends who have had IUDs have had positive experiences, both Mirena and Paragard. I know 6 women with IUDs, all of them sing its praises, save for some adjustment at the beginning (ie, irregular/heavier periods for the first 6-12 months).
I had a horrific experience, however, but I do not blame the IUD. To preface, I am allergic to pretty much everything on earth, and I am the 1 person out of 10,000 who experiences the rare side effects that they list on medicine bottles. I’m just not meant to use most medicine.
ANYWAY. After experiencing all of the terrible side effects of various birth control pills and the NuvaRing (which I loved otherwise), I decided to go for the non-hormonal IUD. The insertion was extremely painful for about one second. So no complaints there! About a week after I got my IUD, I moved to a different state. And then it expelled. Due to circumstances I won’t get into, I was unable to have it removed for about 6 months. So I had a piece of copper and plastic sticking out of my cervix for about 6 months. When I was finally able to make my appointment to have it removed, they refused to believe that I had walked around for 6 months with an IUD sticking out of my cervix, but there it was! In addition to the pain it caused me in my nethers, I experienced an allergic reaction to the copper. I developed a terrible acne problem, and my whole body became swollen. It took about a year after the removal to recover from the effects it had.
Moral of story, make sure you have access to a doctor who can remove the IUD if necessary. And maybe check to make sure you’re not allergic to copper. >.<
I have had the old-school copper iud (no hormones) for a couple of months now. I was trying to steer away from hormones so I opted for this one. Differences noticed from previous contraception (the pill) as follows:
Significantly heavier periods, with thinner blood. It has taken a couple of periods to get my timing right to avoid instantaneous leakage. I used to just change a tampon when I noticed it was needed, usually every 4 hours. Now I have to pr-empt that and change more regularly. Because the blood is thinner, once it leaks, IT LEAKS. I mean, through underwear. Not pretty. This is common with the copper one, as it thickens the uterine lining, as opposed to the hormonal, which thins it. So I guess my uterus has more to expel??
Significantly more (healthy) discharge mid-cycle. I had never bought a panty liner in my life until post-iud. On the upside, more discharge = way more lubricated so an advantage for sex there.
Way, way, WAY less moody and short tempered. Having been in the pill for 15 plus years except for when I had and fed my son 10 years ago, I had no idea it was affecting me so much. This is the BEST thing about other copper IUD for me
Higher sex drive, a bonus for my relationship.
Also worth noting, I had an aesthetic for insertion, which was great because a) I fucking love anaesthetic, those 3 seconds after kickin but before oblivion are BLISS and b) I hear it can be pretty yuck if you are awake for it. I am the only person I know who has been knocked out for it, but I am glad I was.
Hope my overshare helps!!
I have been on Mirena for about 5 years now. I’m actually on my second one, which was placed just a few weeks ago because the first one had reached the end of its 5-year life. My gynecologist mentioned that women don’t usually get them back to back, but we are still somewhat undecided about the kid question. She didn’t seem to think that there were any problems with continuing to use it. I have never been pregnant.
Let me start by saying that I LOVE my Mirena. For me, it has been mostly positive all the way through. Like many other people, I love not having periods any more and not having to think about my birth control. It was initially recommended to me to replace the patch because I had migraines with aura. Since being on it, I have significantly fewer migraines. I have gained a little weight since getting it, but it’s been so gradual and yoyo-ing that I don’t think it’s related to the Mirena. For the past 8 months or so, I’ve been getting occasional ovarian cysts which my doctor couldn’t fully explain. Based on my own research, I think they might have been related to the fact that my first Mirena was reaching the end of its life, so the hormones may have been fluctuating. It’s too early to tell if this will continue to be a problem with my new Mirena.
I have to agree with others who’ve said that insertion hurt like a bitch. My uterus is slightly tilted, so for both insertions, they had to pull my cervix into position. That SUCKS! Both insertions were very, very painful for me, even though I took ibuprofen before going in. Both times, the whole procedure took about ten minutes, 5 of which were fairly horrible. The first time was definitely worse. Measuring the uterus is probably the most painful thing that has ever happened to me, but I’ve also never given birth, broken a bone, or had surgery, so I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I stood up too quickly afterward the first time and almost fainted. I spent the rest of that afternoon cramping and sleeping. The next day I was fine, though I bled like a period for a week. I had normal periods for one month after that, then nothing for two months, then one normal period, and then nothing but occasional spotting ever since. That means it’s been almost five years since I’ve had to deal with a period – major bonus!
The second insertion was only about 2/3 as painful as the first time, but it still sucked a lot. I cried. I will say that removing the old one was pretty straightforward. It’s just a quick, sharp tug, and then it’s over. Afterwards, I sat still for a while and had some water and crackers. Within twenty minutes, the mild cramps stopped, and I felt fine. I even felt good enough to go out to lunch with my husband and have a spontaneous date afternoon. I spotted a little for a day or so, and my insides were too swollen for fun times for about 5 days, but otherwise, it was fine.
Some people have mentioned concerns about the strings. I’ve almost never been able to find mine when I check because they tend to soften a little and tuck up around my cervix where I can’t reach. My husband checks them for me from time to time. When I got my first Mirena, the first time we had sex, the strings were still a little stiff, and one of them stabbed him. It was very minor, and we laughed about it. For a month or two afterwards, he said that he could sometimes feel the strings during sex, but they didn’t bother him. Now with the second one, he hasn’t really noticed them at all.
Overall, this has been a great solution for us. We paid for the first one out of pocket, but the second one was fully covered by my insurance. Since my grad program will be ending next year, and I’ll be losing my insurance, I’m really glad that we won’t have to worry about dealing with this stuff for a while. If all goes according to plan, by the time this one is ready to come out, my husband will have had his vasectomy (or maybe vasalgel), and we won’t ever have to deal with it again.
I had the Mirena inserted about 5 months post-partum. After giving birth with no epidural it didn’t seem painful at all- about the same as having my cerix checked while pg. I love it- I’ve had it in for about 18mos now. I was still breastfeeding when I started and hadn’t had my period yet- he’s almost two now and still haven’t. Some mild cramping after sex but that’s been about it for me for side effects.