The IUD

[macabre-grrl.livejournal.com]

I hope this is appropriate to ask in here, but since birth control is a frequent topic, I hope you can help me out.

I'm vaguely interested in the IUD because you don't have to think about it, it lasts for ten years, it's effective second only to sterilization, it can be hormone free, and it's reversable. It also seems to be cheaper in the long run, costing $400 for ten years.

I'm a bit concerned about BCP because I wonder what the hormones will do to me. I definitely have been having a great and wonderful time with my Alesse, but I'm afraid something will resurface at some point later on.

Thing is, the IUD looks kind of scary and I really like having light, painless periods. I've been told that the IUD can make your period into a total monster. And I don't like the idea that if something goes wrong with it (gets out of place, etc), I have to be rushed to the doctor at once. I feel like i'd me more dependent on a doctor with an IUD, versus with the pill.


Comments?

Comments

[ladyariadna.livejournal.com]

I've had my IUD for 4 months, I love it :) I haven't had any period problems at all. I've lost the moodiness I had on hormonal BC methods and have regained my libido. I highly recommend it!

[titsy-mcclure.livejournal.com]

What are the statistics on that, though? I know of one person personally who got pregnant on an IUD and someone in this community posted and said she got one implanted and is now pregnant.

I'd love to look into something that gives me a sex drive, but I've heard bad things about IUDs so far.

i love my IUD

[dodogrrl.livejournal.com]

my period is *occasionally* bad, maybe once a year, but usually it's fine -- the only difference I've noticed is that I get a little tiny bit of blood about a day before my period starts, instead of starting all in a rush like I used to. I appreciate this little warning...

[whoremoan.livejournal.com]

A quick question, what exactly is an IUD?

[pyrric.livejournal.com]

An IUD is an intrauterine device--a small T-shaped device, about the size of a quarter, placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

I have a Mirena IUD (http://www.mirena.com) and I *love* it. Unlike the copper IUD, the Mirena is plastic and has a tiny amount of progesterone in it that keeps the lining of the uterus from building up each month. Because of this, I don't get a period anymore, really, just a few days of spotting every six weeks or so. I have no cramps (and I used to have monster cramps). Best of all, the IUD is actually more effective than getting your tubes tied. Once the IUD is removed, pregnancy can occur with the next ovulation.

I highly recommend the IUD to anyone, especially people who have trouble with hormone-based contraception like pills or Depo or who can't take them because of risk factors (older than 35, heavy smoker, etc.).

Things to Consider about the IUD

[leahrocks.livejournal.com]

After I had a series of blod clots in my legs, hormone-based contraception (pills, patches, shots, etc) was not an option. I wasn't happy with the effective rate of most of the barrier methods, so and IUD seemed like my best option. I had my IUD put in place in February of 2002 and here's what I have to say about it:

My periods never seem to end. I usually bleed to the point where I need to wear at least one tampon or pad a day for three weeks every month. In my 'downtime' I'm incredibly wet all the time. Many times, I've rushed to the bathroom at work because I thought I had started bleeding again, only to find out I'm just really well lubed.

My biggest complaint about my IUD is that I bleed whenever I have sex -- dick, fingers or otherwise. It's a little scary for guys who aren't used to doing it during "that time of the month" and I feel like I have to give any guy who wants to mess around with me a big disclaimer so that they know what to expect. It's quite a mood killer.

I've spoken to my doctor many times -- at length -- about these issues, but I haven't found any contraceptive options that I'm comfortable depending on other than my IUD. Most of my problems are common for women who use an IUD prior to giving birth, which is the case with me. Other than those two things (and, granted, they are big things), I love not having to think about it and I love knowing it could be yanked out tomorrow morning and I'd be able to start trying to have kids that afternoon. It's incredibly effective, and if you use it for more than two years, it is the cheapest form of birth control available.

Just make sure that you're well informed before you have an IUD put in. Talk to your doctor, do some research. www.paragardiud.com will give you specifics about the Copper T type (the most common) IUD. Try searching www.WebMD.com and www.PlannedParenthood.com for information, too.

Hope I informed more that I scared!
~Leah