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SheCould 12-22-2008 09:14 AM

Weight Gain?..eating disorders and BC?
 
I want to thank all the ladies who have contributed to this forum. All of the forums I have read regarding IUD's have been terrifying. They are filled with complications and women discussing how they had theirs removed not long after the insert. Personally, I've been going back and forth on the IUD for a few months now. However, as of a week from today, I'm going in for my sonogram and the insertion. I must admit, I'm a little nervous about the whole process. I do have my Ibuprofen ready though. I did have a few concerns that I was hoping some ladies could address after having theirs for awhile. A little background on me:

I'm 20 years old and have been on hormonal BC pills since I was 14 due to heavy cramping/bleeding and irregular periods. I also suffer from depression, Borderline Personality Disorder and an eating disorder. My depression and BPD are fairly stable, or stable enough I guess. I have done years worth of therapy and have been on the same anti-depressant for a year now. My concern is with my eating disorder. I'm doing okay for the time being and remain at a healthy weight which I can deal with as long as no one interferes with my exercising. (sorry..rambling) So, my question is, weight gain? I've read numerous horror stories of women gaining TONS of weight from IUD's and other forms of BC. My OBGYN who I trust stated that the only real concerns should be infection, becoming infertile and spotting/bleeding for the first 6 months. But I really don't want to have this inserted next week and throw myself into a horrible depression and full fledged eating disorder all so I can save some money and not have to remember to take a pill 1x a day. Anyone in a similar situation?:confused:

monkey baby 12-22-2008 02:09 PM

Something is messed up!
 
I posted on here about my IUD several months ago. I now have had it removed in August and had the expected heavy bleeding and clotting. I didn't have another AF for 34 days then it was 28 (I thought I was "normal" now) the next one came at 27 days (ok, no problem....

Then I had a 23 day cycle (even shorter) and the next only 14 days. Now I just started again and it's only 10 days!

What the heck?!? With the holidays I can't get an appointment for a while. I don't have regular OB/GYN so I have to wait about a month or so for an appointment on top of everything.

I want desperately to have a baby and am now worried that I may have something seriously wrong with me. How can I be ovulating when my cycles are so freaking short?

Here is some history... I am 33 yrs old and had my iud for 2 years. I had a son when I was 17 then at 19 I had the norplant (lasts 5 yrs) inserted for BC then nothing until the iud. I was not sexually active much at all from about 23 on up until I got the iud and have been in a serious relationship ever since.

I always took my fertility for granted seeing as I got pregs the ONE time I didn't us a condom, but then again I was 16 so all that may have changed. I'm so ready to have more children, yet my SO thinks that we have plenty of time. He was starting to convince me until my AF started to become more and more irregular. He says it's stress and I need to relax (I've been trying to find work for the past several months as well) but I don't feel that is it.

Maybe I just need some non-biased advice from others to ease my mind. If any of you have had the same problems or are gyn's, I would LOVE some insight.

Thanks so much.

KarrB 01-09-2009 07:26 PM

Nothing. I refuse to put anything like that in my bod.

crystalleeanne 03-22-2009 12:33 AM

After several frustrating years of Oral birth control I came to the conclusion that no matter which one I use, it turns me into a lunatic!

I am normally a "squishy" sensitive, thoughtful, and contemplative computer nerd, but after one month of "The Pill" I am sullen, irritable, depressed and just plain angry all of the time. To put it in the words of a dear friend who also can't abide the pill, "They make me fat and crazy!"

Enough was enough, so I pondered the idea of an IUD and read many forums and blogs. I was interested in "actual" experiences instead of the BS explanations by uninformed doctors and people that have never had an IUD. I'm 28 in a stable long term relationship and had myself and my partner pre-screened for STD's and STI's in advance. I decided to go for it.

I had a Flexi-T 380 copper IUD put in 5 days ago by my Male GP who is wonderfully educated in women's health (no pain meds). The whole thing took 5 minutes on day 4 of my period. (I only have 5 day periods normally.) I felt discomfort only when he washed and stretched my cervix a bit, then a pretty sharp pinch when the IUD was in place. The pain immediately dulled to moderate period cramps. I cramped for roughly 2 days and I took advil to relieve the cramps. I'm on day 5 now, no pain at all, and I'm already thankful to be off the birth control pills. I'll be back to my normal gym routine on monday. I don't care if I spot while my body adjusts, I'm just thankful to be off the hormone rollercoaster.

I have to say thank you to all of the women that posted their experiences here, it is a great eye opener for a woman considering the use of an IUD! :thumbsup:

cadre 03-23-2009 10:50 PM

I saw this thread was back and I figured I would update it with my experiences.

I had a Mirena IUD placed about three weeks ago. Luckily I was accepted for a charity that provides IUDs for low income women so I only paid for the appointment. Otherwise I don't think I could have afforded it.

As far as discomfort went, I found the placement very painful. She had to clamp some part of my uterus or something and that hurt a lot. On top of it the little placement device didn't work right so it took a couple tries. Needless to say, I was not happy but I lived. I spent that day in bed and left town for work the next day. I did okay without any painkillers. I continue to have cramps at random times as well as spotting but over all I'm happy with the IUD. I don't have to remember anything except to make the follow up appointments with my doctor and check the string once in a while.

Oh and by the way, my boyfriend has not felt anything during intercourse, my doctor left the string long and I think that's the way to go. I've felt some discomfort in some positions but for the most part, our sex life has fully recovered.

:thumbsup:

aszcz 03-28-2009 01:19 PM

I just got the copper IUD
 
After a family friend had a stroke due to blood clots she developed from years of birth control and cigarette smoking I decided to get off of the Nuva Ring immediately. I started reading and found so many negative things associated with hormonal birth control. Not being on birth control was great, I had regular light periods and never really thought about it. Then, it happened, I met a guy and we got serious fast. We were having a lot of sex and going through a lot of condoms and a lot of spermicide. I love the guy, but I am not ready to have a kid regardless. Everytime we started to have sex it was a worry. Oh, we dont have a condom we can't. Or oh, we are out of spermicide. Then there was no spontineity. Then, of course one day, Valentines day of all days, we were having incredible sex. It was so intense that when it was over ( i was on top of him) I didn't move for a long time. When I finally did, I saw that the condom was no longer there. Immediately I freaked out. From that point on, I could not longer enjoy sex without checking the condom 15 times. It was horrible. I went to the doctor and asked about my options. The IUD was suggested. I decided to go with the copper IUD because there are no horomones in it whatsoever.

Today, i went and got the IUD put in. Yes, it was uncomfortable. However, it really wasnt that bad. It wasnt much worse than getting a pap when they scrape you. I have had the IUD in for about 6 hours and honestly I dont feel any different. I have had a few sharp cramps, but that happens normally when I am on my period. I am actually sitting here wondering how i can feel this good. I'm not bleeding heavily and I actualy want to have sex. I think I could and would if my doctor hadnt advised against it. He said that it would be best just to wait a few days. The way he said it too, I could tell that he just meant it as a precaution. All in all, I am happy with it. I was really nervous and researched it up and down before getting it.

My advise is know your doctor, know how many they have done and make sure they take the time to talk to you. if they don't get another doctor. Ask me any questions you want, these forums helped me make my decision so much more than any website promoting or tearing down the IUD did.

Hallucinajenn 05-11-2009 02:35 PM

Amazing...
 
This thread on IUD's is the best one I have seen thus far.

I am 23yrs old I got my IUD inserted on 4/28/09. I have had 3 pregnancies. 1 live birth (she's now 5yrs old) and 2 miscarriages. I have high blood pressure and have medication to control it, but for some reason my blood pressure was still too high to be placed on any birth control containing estrogen for the fact that I could have a heart attack or stroke. Not good! BUT I needed to be on something so that I wouldn't get pregnant again. My last 2 pregnancies were definitely not planned, but miscarrying wasn't planned at all. So I opted for the non-hormonal copper IUD.

In the past I had tried the Depo shot, which I HIGHLY DO NOT recommend. :grumpy: It can make some women sterile and it makes most women I know go NUTS because of how badly it messes with their hormones. I also had terrible acne while on it for a total of 9months. My boyfriend was getting ready to just leave me because I was so out of control with my emotions at times. I've tried P.O.P's (progesterone only pills) but I didn't feel "safe" using them because they aren't as effective and I had to take them at the same time every day and with a memory like mine... forget it! lol I also was on OthoTriCyclinLo (<sp??) but since I have high blood pressure, I can't be on that anymore.

When the IUD was inserted, it hurt just as bad as a labor contraction, but for about 30 seconds. Not too horrible if you've already had a child. BUT I could imagine that if I hadn't known what that feeling was, I'd be balling my eyes out! Then again, every woman is different. The day it was inserted was pretty painful. The cramping was just too unbearable for me. The 2nd day was actually even worse and I had to lay down and rest all day. The 3rd day I was in pain but then about 2pm that afternoon the pain was gone. Just minor cramping. I did have sex that 3rd day and actually only experienced a tiny bit of spotting. I had the IUD inserted while on my period, but on day 4 out of 7 so the 3 days after having it inserted weren't too heavy.

I still spot after sex sometimes, but very very little. I haven't had my 1st actual period since insertion, but I'm used to heavy long periods in the first place. I just don't want to feel the pain I felt for the 3 days after the IUD was placed. I also feel like I can tell where the IUD is... which is just a tad weird, but it's still in place and so far, I would recommend this 110%! I love it. I love that I don't have to worry about my blood pressure being effected, I love that I can have sex with my bf and have fun instead of worrying, and no pills to remember! Yay!

So, in conclusion; I love it and although every women is different, if you are in a similar situation to mine - try it. If it works out for you, you'll love it too. :hearts:

crystalleeanne 05-24-2009 10:52 AM

IUD Update > 2 months
 
It has been 2 months since my IUD insertion. I was prepared for heavy bleeding and bad periods, but no such thing happened! :):):)

My first period was a surprise, as I had absolutely no cramping. I wasn't even sure it was time except for a telltale blemish on my chin and a bit of tenseness due to hormones. This was certainly a pleasant surprise. The only day I could really "Feel" my period, was my heaviest day (usually day 2) I felt a bit hot and bloated. Had I known my periods would be so easy, I would have done this years ago!

The only change (besides the absence of pain) was my period came faster which seemed to be caused by no clotting. Period #2 was even easier, as it was lighter and lasted only 4-5 days. :thumbsup:

I did notice for the first month, that climax during intercourse made me very sensitive. For the first couple of times it was a pleasure-pain, almost like a mini-cramp. (It was not at all unpleasent) lol:oogle:

RosieRowland 10-03-2009 12:33 AM

Just had the IUD fitted
 
Hello, well before i got it fitted 2 days ago, i read your comments and it really helped me to know what REAL women go through, not statistics. So anyway, I'm 18 BTW and like most of you, I was on another form on contraception, the PoP pill, it was terrible, i was almost bleeding constantly, so I decided to get the IUD fitted. I was at the local clinic and they just asked if i was in a monogamus realtionship with no STD from each of us, to which they gave me a date for Oct 1, at 7pm. So I went there, the doctor was really nice, a nurse was in the room and my boyfriend, he explained the procedure and said if I wanted to stop at any time that was fine. So anyway, the procedure was honestly ok, I'd forgotten to take the iprofprofen (Sorry for any spelling mistakes :) ) but it just felt like a sharp pain and then kinda a bit crampy, but not bad. Then as i was getting back It started to get worse, cramps wise. By the time it was like 10 oclock, i took a tramadol, I know a bit much, but anyway. Then after i fell asleep about 12, and I woke up around 2am and NO PAIN WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :surprised:
I just wanted to share my experience with anyone who is thinking about having the IUD or has it, or is just curious. Also, my pain could be different to other womens, and all i was thinking is that i'm protected for 10 years or as long as I want, and lets face it 5 hours of pain is nothing in comparison.
Anywany, brilliant decison and NO CHEMICALS, wooooooooo :thumbsup:

OHHH and afterwards the doctor went through feeling the strings and no sex for a week without a condom, due to infection, and no tampons for a week. and if at any time i get bad cramps, a high tempertaure and feeling not good kinda thing, the come up there and i'll get it looked at. He then gave me an appointment for 6 weeks time.

violexxx 10-05-2009 02:27 PM

Vasectomy vs IUD
 
Hey everyone!

First post here, really enjoyed reading everyones' posts. My hubby and I were/are booked in for an appointment with the doc for a vasectomy referral tomorrow, since committing to a date to start proceedings my 'googling' has tripled!

Soo many horror stories from men with PVP - post-vasectomy-pain

I would never forgive myself if this happened to my hubby, he's now totally up for it after seeing me suffer years of hormone based madnesss - low libido to nypho - life of the party to major depression. I was actually diagnosed borderline bi-polar last year!

I now realise after a verrry long story that it's all been the hormones, I started at 16 on depo-provera, flitted around with pill and other injection based hormones living in europe for three years, eventually went on the implant when back in the uk and hit MAJOR suicidal depression.

This sent me down the road of Psyche referrals, exploring my past etc... pattern of 3 month manic to depressed etc = Bi-polar 1 O 1...

Looking back, 3 month depo injections! Then the progesterone in the implant finally took me lower than i'd ever been - no more cyclic highs even!

1 year later on the pill and life is good, i'm happy/stable, 'normal' but definite spots (like being 16 again) and bloating.

I've never like the idea of an IUD - maybe a psychic telling me at 16 that I'd have a hysterecomy later in life may have played a part! Now - I don't care, anything but hormones. I just want to know who I am.

I love my hubby for offering to have the 'snip' but i think the risks are still way higher than with an IUD.

Be interested in your opinions... if kids aren't the issue?

Wundergecko 10-12-2009 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindy (Post 2438051)
JustJess: abiew is in Britain. This is how government sponsored "health care" works. Broader but lower quality coverage. We may soon see it here. Uncle Sam has done such a good job:confused: managing Social Security and Medicare that some of us want him to manage the general health care system.:shakehead:

But the main reason for this post is to say that I was conceived, early in 1976, while my Mom was using a copper IUD. I'm glad that it happened. :) But let's hope that they work more effectively now.

Lindy

Hey, so, have you ever lived in the United Kingdom? Had sustained experience using its National Health Service? I'm guessing not. I have, and I'm also an American.

Being the card-carrying Young Republican that I was, when I moved to England 4 years ago I was ready to be horrified by an inadequate Third-World-style healthcare system, so I sort of get where you're coming from in terms of buying into myths. HOWEVER, I discovered that although you do not always get beneficial extras (such as ultrasound IUD placement checks), you do get what you need here. Most of the NHS staff I've dealt with (and that's a lot of staff due to my tendency to have stuff wrong with me) have been understanding, competent and caring. My concerns have never been dismissed and I have received many, many tests and investigations due to unexplained symptoms.

I wasn't completely healthy in America either, so I do have experience of both systems. In the US I had insurance, and the care I received was somewhat better (in terms of waiting times, scheduling, extras and off-label use of drugs), but to my surprise, NOT hugely better by any means! My healthcare needs have certainly been met here, and without the hardship and worry of potential $5,000 hospital stays, $50 co-pays, expensive testing, can I afford to have that suspicious mole looked at, etc, etc.

Obtaining birth control has been a stress-free, cost-free experience for me here (side effects are another story!). At age 22 I asked for and received the Essure sterilization procedure after it was determined that my husband and I were certain about not having children. The gyn consultant (senior hospital doctor) wasn't able to complete the procedure due to my sort-of-abnormal uterine anatomy, but he offered to try again under a general anaesthetic (...for free, of course). I declined and went for Mirena instead. I came back and he did the insertion himself, with a helpful cervical block. He gave me the block without me having to ask for it, and did not stop to calculate how much it would cost the NHS first.

Many unpleasant side effects and three years later, I've had the Mirena removed and am considering a copper IUD. Unlike in the US, there are 10-11 different types of copper IUD available here, including the very minimal Gynefix. The only reason I haven't gone for one or the other yet is that I'm not sure which would be most effective in my weird uterus.

Aaaanyway, sorry for the rant, but when I see someone referring to the NHS as "health care" in quotation marks, I get a little "annoyed". It is an imperfect system, but it's far less barbaric than what goes on in the USA. People are dying due to a lack of insurance, lives are being wrecked through healthcare-related debt, and it makes me sick to remember that I used to think that was the best way.

(....still not a Commie though, OK MOM?!? My family thinks I've been brainwashed by socialists even though I campaigned for Bob Dole before I was old enough to vote. Dole-Kemp '96 4-EVAR!!!)

---------- Post added at 03:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by violexxx (Post 2712577)
Hey everyone!

First post here, really enjoyed reading everyones' posts. My hubby and I were/are booked in for an appointment with the doc for a vasectomy referral tomorrow, since committing to a date to start proceedings my 'googling' has tripled!

Soo many horror stories from men with PVP - post-vasectomy-pain

I would never forgive myself if this happened to my hubby, he's now totally up for it after seeing me suffer years of hormone based madnesss - low libido to nypho - life of the party to major depression. I was actually diagnosed borderline bi-polar last year!

Be interested in your opinions... if kids aren't the issue?

Hi violexxx,

We were originally going to go for a vasectomy as well, but I had the same experience you did - Googling led to some pretty horrible stories of chronic pain and autoimmune reactions after vasectomy. The risk does seem to be quite low, but if your man DOES have a problem, it may turn out to be a devastating and life-long one. Of course if you look hard enough you can find stories of terrible side effects that people have attributed to just about anything, but the research I did on vasectomy convinced me that the pain and autoimmune risks are very real due to the mechanics of the procedure.

My husband is pretty laid-back about these things and was content to take this risk, but I wasn't, so we've decided against vasectomy. Like any form of birth control, it's about analyzing the risks and benefits as they apply to your lifestyle/situation, and for me it was not worth the risk to him.

Unfortunately Mirena didn't work out for me (tachycardia, heart palps, high BP, faintness, etc, etc), so I'm going to try a copper IUD next.

Anna 10-12-2009 10:48 PM

Got my IUD yesterday!
 
So, after reading through this (extremely helpful) thread, I decided that I just HAD to try out this IUD thing.

I'm 23 years old and have never been pregnant. I went in yesterday, and to be honest my nerves got me a little bit during the insertion part. I kept thinking about people who commented that it was really painful... and when I felt the first stab of sharp pain, I cried out and began freaking out a little internally, expecting the pain to get worse...

But actually it only lasted seconds, and I would say that the pain was like a brief, bad pap-smear. Nothing too shocking, just uncomfortable, and for a VERY short period of time. It ended just as quickly as it began. I got NO pain medication beforehand, and I also was NOT on my period. Even with those two factors, the pain was extremely manageable, and afterwards I actually apologized to my doctor for freaking out. :crazy:

Immediately afterward and for the rest of the day, I had moderate cramps. In the past I've had cramps VERY rarely, so this part was a little depressing, but I took it easy and took some Advil, and by the next morning I felt almost perfectly fine again. I have been having spotting since yesterday, but I guess that's normal, not just for the first day but for the first few weeks or even months.

My doc recommended I refrain from sexual activity for two weeks to let it settle in. As far as I know, that's an unnecessarily long time, but I guess I'll try to follow his guidelines. Might as well!

I ended up getting the one without hormones. I was on birth control (switching brands often for various reasons) for a few years and eventually the hormones made my hair fall out... which is NOT cool... So, after getting off the pill and seeing how incredibly happy and recovered my body was, there was no way in HELL that I was going to start putting hormones back in there. Seriously, if you have the option, I would recommend an option other than hormones for every single woman out there.

By the way, the doc and I agreed that at least for now, we should leave the string long. I'll just have to tuck it away later, like someone recommended in this thread (fantastic idea, by the way). Apparently they use the string to remove the IUD... So, if it's cut short, they have to do something different, and I just imagine that THAT might be pretty painful.

Well, that's my experience thus far... I'll try to report back here regularly!



Edit: BY THE WAY. Just read a post above me about health service in England. I currently live in South Korea, teaching English, and the healthcare here is much like it is in Europe. I can go in whenever I want, for however big or small a problem I have, receive EXCELLENT care, and not worry about being in debt!! A few months ago I received blood tests and x-rays in one visit and ended up paying about $10 for everything put together. Unbelievable. I don't think I could ever live in the States again, to be honest. The costs there are a JOKE.

Lindy 10-16-2009 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wundergecko (Post 2715417)
Hey, so, have you ever lived in the United Kingdom? Had sustained experience using its National Health Service? I'm guessing not. I have, and I'm also an American.
No, I've only visited on a couple of occasions, and didn't require so much as an aspirin while I was in the UK. I do, however, have two coworkers from the UK. And despite all the purported evils of American society, I think they came willingly. One of them uses a car analogy to describe the health care situation thus: In the UK everyone is entitled to government provided Hyundai. In the USA some have a Lexus, some have a Cadillac, some have a Buick, some have a Hyundai, and some have no car at all. To the ones with no car at all, a Hyundai looks pretty darn good. But no one wants to give up her Lexus or Cadillac so that everyone with no car at all can have a Hyundai.

Aaaanyway, sorry for the rant, but when I see someone referring to the NHS as "health care" in quotation marks, I get a little "annoyed". It is an imperfect system, but it's far less barbaric than what goes on in the USA. People are dying due to a lack of insurance, lives are being wrecked through healthcare-related debt, and it makes me sick to remember that I used to think that was the best way.
I certainly didn't intend the quotation marks to be offensive. Do you also take issue with the "broader but lower quality" part of my statement?
Or, is a "good health care system" (those darn quotation marks all over the place;)) to be simply defined as any system where SOMEONE ELSE INSTEAD OF ME pays for my health care? Basically, I think that what nearly everyone wants is just for someone else to pick up the tab. Is that not true?:shakehead:


Unfortunately Mirena didn't work out for me (tachycardia, heart palps, high BP, faintness, etc, etc), so I'm going to try a copper IUD next.

From my post last year -- But the main reason for this post is to say that I was conceived, early in 1976, while my Mom was using a copper IUD. I'm glad that it happened. But let's hope that they work more effectively now.:)

Lindy

cadre 10-16-2009 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindy (Post 2717706)
From my post last year -- But the main reason for this post is to say that I was conceived, early in 1976, while my Mom was using a copper IUD. I'm glad that it happened. But let's hope that they work more effectively now.:)

Lindy

You've said this a couple times now and I have to say something. Technology has come a long way since the seventies. If I remember correctly, many women also got sick and died in that period due to a lack of knowledge about infections. Today, IUDs are one of the most used BCs in the world and of course they are much more effective and much safer now.

I'd also like to point out that for every one child conceived while the mother has and IUD, there are roughly 300 children conceived despite birth control pills.


Update on my IUD: I'm starting to get a cycle again, 8 months later... but that means lots of cramps. I'm hoping everything evens out soon but I still wouldn't trade my IUD for pills.

Anna 10-19-2009 06:17 PM

IUD update!

Weeeell couldn't hold off on the sex part for an entire two weeks, so we did it one week in. Aaaand there was no pain, and bf couldn't feel the strings (which were kept long)! However, there was one position that WAS painful (legs over shoulders) since it hit my cervix pretty hard. I nearly threw the poor guy off me... but that was the only time something didn't feel right, and I'm sure that as my IUD settles even more, that won't be an issue later on.

The next day or two I had a little bit of discomfort, like minor cramps. I'm guessing it was from having sex too early. I rode my bike that day and kind of felt something every time I went over a bump. But, after some advil and plenty of rest, that too has gone away.

Spotting stopped about 5 days after insertion. Completely. I wasn't expecting that part to be so easy... but yay!!

So, LOVING my IUD thus far!!

snowy 04-08-2010 10:53 AM

Well...finally getting the IUD put in after four years of Nuvaring, and after four years of considering it. I almost had it done last year but ended up sticking with another year of the rings, but now that I'm getting close to leaving my university for good, I decided now is the time. My PA is fabulous, and I want her to do it before I leave and no longer have access to awesome, free family planning services. I'm going with a Mirena and having it inserted on Monday. Thanks to this thread I have a good idea of what to expect.

Grasshopper Green 04-08-2010 04:17 PM

Good luck, snowy! I love my Mirena - it was the best BC choice I ever made.

snowy 04-13-2010 08:01 AM

Well, it's in there. The procedure went without a hitch, but man, it hurt like hell. I presume this is because my cervix and uterus had never been breeched in any way before. It's still cramping, and I slept like shit last night because I kept getting woken up by my cramps (this is totally normal for my menstrual cramps when they're bad, so I'm not surprised). The degree of pain after due to cramps, and the amount of cramps (although they are decreasing, thank God) caught me by surprise. Normally my menstrual cramps come in waves--these did not, but now they are. At the very least, it's less of a "sliced-with-a-dull-hot-knife" and more of a "your-uterus-is-pissed" kind of cramp. And it hasn't hurt so bad that I've felt the need to vomit, so that's a plus. I have some very mild spotting, but that's it.

I just want these cramps to go away so I can start enjoying my new IUD!

wooÐs 04-17-2010 09:47 AM

I wish I had the patience to read through these 6 pages ---

Funny that I came across this recently bumped thread. I'm actually in the middle of deciding whether or not an IUD is a good choice for me. I happened to have had a miscarriage while I was away. Unplanned pregnancy. Point is - time to get on birth control. No more just-being-careful or praying-method.

After reviewing my options, I had no idea they were so damn limited. I'm a smoker and my GYN won't prescribe bc pills at / after the age of 35, so that's out. Depo causes weight gain - that's out. Condoms suck (I have one monogamous partner.) And I have issues with any sort of implant as the very thought disgusts me. But it seems to be the best option. I have no qualms with tampons, but implants makes me sick. *shudder*

Anyone here ever have a leep? Again, don't have the patience to read through 6 pages so I apologize if someone's already posted this. I had one a while ago. But leep procedures shorten the length of the cervix so I'm wondering if there will be a problem with an IUD. A friend of mine is my GYN's nurse, but she wasn't even sure about this and told me to research it.

snowy 04-23-2010 12:02 PM

Question for anyone who has an IUD but hasn't had children: how long did it take for your cramps to completely subside?

I'm still having some mild cramping 11 days after insertion, which is a normal side effect, but I'm curious as to when it might go away, as it's really starting to annoy me.

Starkizzer 04-23-2010 12:25 PM

Snowy, I stopped cramping and bleeding after a few days, but then the next week I began cramping and bleeding again. Called the doc, since they said if that happened it may be a sign of an infection. When I described what was going on, they said it was probably due to stress, I started my real period the following week. So it felt like I had been cramping and bleeding for a month solid.

I still cramp at random through out the month, if I sit funny, work out to hard, have to rough of sex, etc. I even spot some but nothing serious. I would say call your doc and ask. If you don't have funny or off color discharge its likely not an infection. I apparently have a small uterus, so I chalk my random cramping up to that.

Hope this helps...

snowy 04-23-2010 01:29 PM

Yeah, there's no sign of an infection, so I'm not really worried about that. My PA said that if it started hurting really bad without any breaks more than 48 hours after insertion, that would be abnormal. I've had some mild spotting today but nothing really remarkable. I'm marking it up to the fact that my uterus is sensitive to begin with (looong history of painful periods) and that I worked really hard this morning on a cleaning project. It's really not that bad--just like a bad period cramp and then it ebbs away. This is nothing compared to what it was like the two days following insertion :lol: I think it would be best described as your cramping at random, Star. So yes, you did help :) Also, my PA said that the spotting on Mirena can be pretty regular as the endometrium thins out, and given that I probably have a thick one based on my history, I should expect spotting. Yay.

snowy 06-04-2010 02:21 PM

Still cramping occasionally, but after reading through various experiences on the LJ community IUD_Divas, I'm not worried about it. There's no spotting with it, and my strings are in the right place. What's strange is it seems to happen about the same time every day, right around noon. I think it's stress because it was Dead Week this last week, and there's a lot going on at the moment. It wasn't this repetitive until this week, starting on Monday. I guess I'm just going to start carrying ibuprofen with me!

ManderVan 07-27-2010 09:25 AM

IUD - experience
 
Hi All,

Just thought I would share my experience with a copper IUD. I did a lot of internet searching, reading of others' experiences, and there were many negative experiences - so much so, that I almost psyched myself out of the procedure. I know that things can definitely be painful, uncomfortable, or generally not work out - but I also wanted to provide one of the stories of things being "absolutely fine".

I got my IUD (a Nova-T - available here in Canada) a few (6) months ago. Insertion was fine, just felt like a significant cramp. My doctor is highly experienced, which probably helps a lot. I was amazed with how quickly it was all over. In addition, I was about 1 week after I had a period.

I had spotting for 4 days, and a few cramping spells each of those days, but nothing even approaching incapacitating.

My first period arrived on schedule - the major difference was a couple of days of light spotting before it was full-blown bleeding. The bleeding was heavier than it was on BC (was on for about a decade), but entirely managable with higher-absorbing tampons. The bleeding only lasted for 3 days, which is considerably shorter than before. The other periods I've had have been the same - like clockwork, predictable. Cramping does occur, but it's just a little uncomfortable.

I'm so relieved that these sorts of things have become almost non-issue, but the other changes I have experienced have been quite major. The first is my appetite - its as though I have an entirely different relationship with food. I experience hunger differently, and feel in tune with what my body needs. I also sleep quite a bit better, and have far fewer digestive complaints (I used to think that I had IBS - but perhaps it was due to the BCP?). I feel more able to decipher my emotions and when I am being unreasonable beyond control (i.e. my moods seem to make more sense). Sexual arousal is back on the table, and lubrication is no longer an issue. Orgasm intensity and duration have increased, and I find myself spending more time appreciating the sinewy sexiness of my husbands' body - really looking at him like I haven't looked at him in a while.

Hormonal birth control pill has effects on your entire system, and they're keeping you down. My experience with the IUD has so positively affected me - I think that every woman should consider it an option.

snowy 07-27-2010 04:28 PM

This was my first month period-free, and it was amazing! It isn't like with Depo, where I felt all...weird and bloaty, for lack of a better description. I just feel like me. And I am so glad to not have a period now--to be free of cramps that were so bad I'd vomit from the pain is a wonderful thing!

snowy 08-22-2010 07:42 PM

Great article in the New York Times with more information about the IUD:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/21/health/21patient.html
Quote:

Birth Control Doesn’t Have to Mean the Pill
By MICHELLE ANDREWS

THERE was a time when Becky Thurmond Fowler neglected to take her birth control pills for days on end. But she didn’t worry, because she and her husband, Dan, wanted to have a child at some point. “It wouldn’t have been the end of the world if I got pregnant,” she said.

That attitude changed after Ms. Fowler had a daughter, Emerson, now 2 1/2. But with a new baby demanding all her attention, Ms. Fowler, now 33, found herself becoming even more forgetful about taking the pills. Soon she began to worry about the possibility of an unexpected pregnancy: “We were just rolling the dice.”

Many women struggle to find a birth control strategy that is effective given their particular circumstances. About half of all pregnancies — three million annually — are unintended. About half of the women who have an unplanned pregnancy are using birth control at the time, according to a 2009 study by the Guttmacher Institute.

The pill, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is by far the most popular contraceptive choice among women. When used consistently, it is more than 90 percent effective. The problem, as countless women have found, is that it is easy to forget to take the daily dose.

“Women, and men, just can’t take a daily pill,” said James Trussell, director of the Office of Population Research at Princeton.

Women choose a form of contraception for any number of reasons: reliability, convenience, familiarity. While the pill is the most frequent choice, it is not always the most appropriate. Pills are relatively inexpensive month-to-month, but a method with heftier upfront costs may be a better buy in the long run.

“An unplanned pregnancy is emotionally and financially expensive,” said Dr. Steven J. Sondheimer, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania who directs its family planning program.

Ms. Fowler, a technology security analyst at the University of Missouri, decided to try something more suited to her life and kinder to her pocketbook: a small, T-shaped intrauterine device, or I.U.D., that slowly releases the hormone progestin, which prevents pregnancy in part by altering the uterine lining. Ms. Fowler paid $100 in outpatient surgery charges for the insertion; her insurance covered the roughly $700 cost of the device.

Even if she had had to pay the full cost herself, the I.U.D. — which prevents pregnancy for five years — would still be more cost-effective than birth control pills, which typically cost $15 to $50 a month. And of course there is no forgetting with an I.U.D.

For women who realize the time has come to re-evaluate their birth control strategy, there are many methods to choose from: I.U.D.’s, hormonal implants, shots, the “patch” and the vaginal ring, to name a few. Here are some factors to consider.

LONG-TERM OPTIONS If you have a hectic job or small children, or are caring for elderly parents, the pill may not be the best method for you, said Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for medical affairs for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

The I.U.D. is the gold standard for the attention-challenged, Dr. Cullins said, as it remains effective for up to 12 years. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, it is also clearly the most cost-effective method, unless you plan to stop birth control altogether in the near future.

Similar options include hormonal methods like the Ortho Evra Patch, which is replaced once a week; the NuvaRing vaginal ring, which remains in place for three weeks; the Depo-Provera shot, which contains pregnancy-preventing hormones effective for three months; and Implanon hormonal implants.

Planned Parenthood offers an interactive tool on its Web site that helps women sort through the expanding array of contraceptive options:

INSURANCE COVERAGE While most insurance plans include contraceptive services and supplies, they may not cover all possibilities.

Twenty-seven states require health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs to cover the full range of Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The plans may not, however, cover every type of device or drug, experts caution. Some plans cover only generic birth control pills, for example, not brand-name pills.

Since coverage varies widely, you will need to inquire about specific options you are considering. Your policy may cover the doctor’s visit, for instance, for a Depo-Provera shot or to insert Implanon hormonal implants and I.U.D.’s — but not the shot or the device itself.

More than half of America’s employees work for companies with self-financed plans, which pay employees’ health claims directly. Those plans are not bound by the state coverage requirements. Small-business and individual policies also tend to provide less comprehensive contraceptive coverage, experts note.

Whatever the type of plan, co-payments and co-insurance charges can be steep, sometimes discouraging women from picking the method that best suits them.

High-deductible plans can pose a particular challenge. They may not cover any birth control costs at all until patients meet a deductible of $1,000 or more.

Those out-of-pocket costs can be a serious barrier to women considering other options. A study of patients at Kaiser Permanente Northern California published in 2007 found that when co-payments totaling hundreds of dollars per patient were eliminated for longer-acting methods like I.U.D.’s and implants, their use increased sharply.

The new health care law may help women faced with high out-of-pocket costs. The law requires new health plans to provide certain preventive benefits with no cost-sharing, and family-planning advocates are pushing for birth control to be included among them. Federal regulations are expected within a year.

AN EXPERIENCED PROVIDER The options presented by your doctor may not include the best choices for you. Some physicians’ practices are not very familiar with longer-acting, more expensive methods like I.U.D.’s, implants and shots, or do not stock them.

“If you’re not getting requests for I.U.D.’s, it can be expensive to keep it on the shelves,” said Adam Sonfield, a senior public policy associate at the Guttmacher Institute. “For small practices, that can be a big deal.”

If your doctor has limited experience with the range of options, visit a larger practice or a family-planning clinic, where they are more likely to offer the full range of F.D.A.-approved products.

Family-planning clinics like Planned Parenthood are a good choice, too, particularly if you are unemployed or do not have insurance, as are state and county health departments and some university clinics, said Laura Hessburg, senior health policy adviser at the National Partnership for Women and Families. These facilities serve all comers, and fees are generally based on a sliding scale for limited-income women.

TRIAL AND ERROR Many women like the pill and other hormonal methods for reasons unrelated to preventing pregnancy: to regulate their periods, for example, or to reduce heavy menstrual flow.

While most women can use most F.D.A.-approved methods, experts say, it may take some trial and error to find a method that minimizes side effects.

For Whitney Hauser, 45, from Plymouth, Minn., birth control pills set off migraines. Switching to an I.U.D. three years ago solved the problem.

“I love it,” she said. “I don’t have to think about it anymore.”

erisdiscordia 09-02-2010 06:07 PM

Hello my name is Ashley and I have had the Mirena IUD for almost 5 years and I am having it removed FINALLY on the 7th of this month which will be a little less then the 5 year mark.
I can tell you all that my experience with the Mirena IUD was not bad and was not great either. I loved that I didnt really have to worry about any type of birth control when the heat of the moment sex came up. I liked that it was easy and that there was NO remembering a pill or anything.

I got the IUD after the birth of my 1 and only child because they wouldnt tie my tubes because at that point I was only 22 years old. I am not almost 27 and looking back I have loved it. It kind of scared me to have NO periods and only VERY SLIGHT spotting once in a great while. There were many time that I took a at home preg test to make sure there was no funny buisness going on lol.

I want to talk about the terrible side effects that I have had with it. I cant say anything about weight gain because I got it at my 6 week check up after giving birth and gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy. I did get thinner then I was before I got pregnant but now I am about the same weight I was before I had my daughter. I am not sure if that was caused by the IUD or not. At first when it was inserted I had A LOT of pain! It was severe! I think it was the whole settling in the uterus thing but after a few months that stopped. I think it was around the time that I would get my period that I would actually feel the IUD poking me.

I can say that it has given me the worst hormonal acne EVER! I never suffered any type of acne in my whole life not even as a teen! The acne that I have is only on my chin and jaw area and this is NOT an area that I have ever even gotten a spot break out in before. I was told that it is def from the hormones in the IUD. So I tried to stick thru it and have tried sooo many different acne meds and over the counter things as well and not a darn thing has helped so like I said I am getting it out the 7th of this month FINALLY!

I also wanted to touch base on getting this thing removed with NO insurance! They will give it to you NO ?'s asked but when it comes to taking it out OMG it has been the biggest pain in the tush! I finally got on some womens insurance that they offer in the state of PA now and they are removing it. The doctor put me on Ortho Tri Cyclien Lo (sp?) so that I am covered as much as possible when it is removed. I am not one to remember a pill so that is not going to work for long. Since I got this womens insurance they offer another IUD or other forms of BC and I opted to get a copper 10 year IUD after I get this out and the reasons for that are.
NO HORMONES! Everything else has them! My body doesnt seem to handle them well and I am anxious to see what happens to my skin and hair (oh yeah thats falling out soo bad too!) after the Mirena IUD is out and the copper one is in.
Like I said I wont remember to take a pill or use the Nuva ring properly and the shot is just not for me.
The IUD is just so much easier for me as I will use it the FULL 10 years because I do not want anymore children!
I havent had a period for almost 5 years so I think as crazy as this may sound that my body should have one even though they say that because of the hormones in the Mirena will not allow the Uterus lining to build up so it isnt bad that you do not have a period.
I just think I should have one already LOL!

End of my long story is I do love the IUD but NOT THE MIRENA! I cant handle the hormones and I came here to find out if other women had skin and hair issues (mainly skin) like I have. I am so anxious to see if this acne is going to clear up 100% after it is removed! I know it isnt going to happen over night I know it will take time!!
So if there are any women that had skin issues and had it removed can you let me know if it cleared up after or not!!??

THANKS SO MUCH!
Stressed about my skin Ashley :-)

---------- Post added at 09:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:00 PM ----------

Hello my name is Ashley and I have had the Mirena IUD for almost 5 years and I am having it removed FINALLY on the 7th of this month which will be a little less then the 5 year mark.
I can tell you all that my experience with the Mirena IUD was not bad and was not great either. I loved that I didnt really have to worry about any type of birth control when the heat of the moment sex came up. I liked that it was easy and that there was NO remembering a pill or anything.

I got the IUD after the birth of my 1 and only child because they wouldnt tie my tubes because at that point I was only 22 years old. I am not almost 27 and looking back I have loved it. It kind of scared me to have NO periods and only VERY SLIGHT spotting once in a great while. There were many time that I took a at home preg test to make sure there was no funny buisness going on lol.

I want to talk about the terrible side effects that I have had with it. I cant say anything about weight gain because I got it at my 6 week check up after giving birth and gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy. I did get thinner then I was before I got pregnant but now I am about the same weight I was before I had my daughter. I am not sure if that was caused by the IUD or not. At first when it was inserted I had A LOT of pain! It was severe! I think it was the whole settling in the uterus thing but after a few months that stopped. I think it was around the time that I would get my period that I would actually feel the IUD poking me.

I can say that it has given me the worst hormonal acne EVER! I never suffered any type of acne in my whole life not even as a teen! The acne that I have is only on my chin and jaw area and this is NOT an area that I have ever even gotten a spot break out in before. I was told that it is def from the hormones in the IUD. So I tried to stick thru it and have tried sooo many different acne meds and over the counter things as well and not a darn thing has helped so like I said I am getting it out the 7th of this month FINALLY!

I also wanted to touch base on getting this thing removed with NO insurance! They will give it to you NO ?'s asked but when it comes to taking it out OMG it has been the biggest pain in the tush! I finally got on some womens insurance that they offer in the state of PA now and they are removing it. The doctor put me on Ortho Tri Cyclien Lo (sp?) so that I am covered as much as possible when it is removed. I am not one to remember a pill so that is not going to work for long. Since I got this womens insurance they offer another IUD or other forms of BC and I opted to get a copper 10 year IUD after I get this out and the reasons for that are.
NO HORMONES! Everything else has them! My body doesnt seem to handle them well and I am anxious to see what happens to my skin and hair (oh yeah thats falling out soo bad too!) after the Mirena IUD is out and the copper one is in.
Like I said I wont remember to take a pill or use the Nuva ring properly and the shot is just not for me.
The IUD is just so much easier for me as I will use it the FULL 10 years because I do not want anymore children!
I havent had a period for almost 5 years so I think as crazy as this may sound that my body should have one even though they say that because of the hormones in the Mirena will not allow the Uterus lining to build up so it isnt bad that you do not have a period.
I just think I should have one already LOL!

End of my long story is I do love the IUD but NOT THE MIRENA! I cant handle the hormones and I came here to find out if other women had skin and hair issues (mainly skin) like I have. I am so anxious to see if this acne is going to clear up 100% after it is removed! I know it isnt going to happen over night I know it will take time!!
So if there are any women that had skin issues and had it removed can you let me know if it cleared up after or not!!??

THANKS SO MUCH!
Stressed about my skin Ashley :confused:

annabee 09-14-2010 06:24 PM

Ugh! My battle with periods and birth control has been an epic one to say the least. I have tried everything to deal with the cramps I get with my period. The are so unbelievably painful, last week I was taking oxycocets, and they weren't taking the pain away! Combi-Hormone BC pills make me sick, as does the patch, and depo made me pyscho. I can take micronore, (28 days straight, new pack day 29 - no period = no cramps) but god forbid I miss a pill. Or, if I don't get my period, I never know if I'm pregnant. I've been back and forth between doctors, and gyno's who can never get their stories straight. Some say no IUD- I'll get way worse cramps. My Dad just spoke to my GP who referred me to another GP (closer to where I live) who apparently has had great success with the IUD with woman in my position. Any suggestions ladies?

snowy 09-14-2010 06:39 PM

Generally, from what I understand, the Paraguard means heavier periods with more cramps, and the Mirena means less of a period/no period with fewer cramps because of the way it thins out the endometrium (uterine lining) doe to the localized hormones present in Mirena. It uses a progestin, but a totally different progestin than the one used in Depo-Provera. Mirena uses the progestin found in many combination birth control pills, levonorgestrel. Technically, because of the hormones, Mirena is considered an intrauterine system.

In my experience with Mirena, I have no period, but no worries about pregnancy either because of the nature of the IUS. There are some features to the Mirena (such as thickened cervical mucus) that outright prevent a sperm getting to an egg. It is one of the most effective methods of birth control, comparable to sterilization.

BostonGirl 10-11-2010 12:50 PM

I have an IUD (Morena) got it put in a year ago, I was 21 and I have no kids. Definitely painful for the first few days and the initial insertion, but after that, I don't even think about it. I barely get my period too.
Best decision. EVER.

Grasshopper Green 01-01-2011 02:45 PM

So, it's been five years since I had my Mirena inserted and it's time to get a new one. I'm having my old one removed on Monday and I'm really hoping it doesn't hurt...anyone here had an old one removed and another inserted on the same day? I'm not sure if I can get another inserted immediately, I guess I have to discuss it with the nurse practitioner at PP and she will let me know if I have to wait.

ellie 01-03-2011 05:00 AM

Well, good luck to all who've posted.

I have a copper IUD. Insertion was pure hell. It took about 4 minutes. I have a very small and tight cervix due to a leep procedure I had in 1993 for precancerous cells. I was very loud during insertion (literally clawed at the walls with my nails,) and I know I scared the folks in the waiting room lol. I hurt for about 4 days afterwards but my doc hooked me up with a good amount of Percosets. Since then, I'm having issues with irregular and heavy periods, but we believe it's due to a medication that I'm taking.

Just thought I'd throw in my $.02. :)

Grasshopper Green 01-19-2011 02:30 PM

Just as an FYI - doesn't really hurt to have one removed (slight pinch), but insertion hurts just as much the second time around. I feel like my body's been put through the wringer today.

amonkie 01-19-2011 03:22 PM

GG,

were you able to have one removed and the new one inserted the same day or did they space it out?

Grasshopper Green 01-20-2011 09:40 AM

No, I had to wait two weeks between appointments to make sure I wasn't pregnant. Another FYI ladies - if you have sex 5 days prior to removal, they'll make you wait before inserting another one to verify you aren't pregnant. I think they would have inserted another one the same day if there was no chance of pregnancy.


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