Has anyone had a copper IUD? What was your experience with it? If you've had both copper and hormone IUDs, which did you prefer? I was told by my neurologist today that I shouldn't take estrogen because I have complex migraines with an aura that mimics stroke symptoms (numbness on one side, confusion, spots in my vision) and he says taking bcp increases my risk of having a real stroke. He was very adamant that I get another method of contraception asap. I have been on bcp for six years now and I'm VERY concerned about preventing pregnancy; DH and I definitely don't want kids anytime in the near future. I'm considering an IUD since they're said to be highly effective. I don't know if I could use Mirena; I believe the hormones in it are progestins rather than estrogen (is that right?), so it might be a possibility. At the moment, I'm just weighing my options.
Hi, I have had a copper IUD. It obviously did zero for PCOS symptoms, and although for contraception was perfect, with me not having given birth before, the insertion was agonising and I was continuously bleeding during the 7 months I had it in as it was irritating my womb too much. My mum on the other hand used the IUD for 30 years and was absolutely fine. It DOES make periods far heavier though, so if that is already a problem for you, then be careful. I became a bit anaemic.
On the other hand, if I were choosing the IUD again, I think I'd go for the Mirena. Although Levenorgestrel (which IS a progestogen so would be safe for you) is androgenic so not much good for PCOS, there are less side effects as it goes directly into the womb. It can cause irregular bleeding for a bit, but then your periods may cease altogether, which can be a relief for PCOS and Endometriosis sufferers, whom are now being prescribed the Mirena more if they have trouble with the combined pill.
Advantage of both types are that they can be used for a long time after insertion. Mirena= 5 years, normal IUD up to 8 or 10 for some.
For me, I'd rather try taking a progestogen only-pill first to see if I can handle the side effects etc and then look at the Mirena.
Yeah, I definitely don't expect it to do anything at all for PCOS symptoms :/ I'm just looking for contraception. I've heard that the insertion process is pretty painful (I've never been pregnant either). Do you think that the continuous bleeding might have been due to your having endometriosis, maybe the IUD made things worse? Just curious since I don't have endo. I'm just hesitant about the progestin only pills because I've heard that they're less effective. I don't have heavy periods, but I do have lots of problems if my hormones get out of whack. I get horribly depressed whenever anything messes with my hormones, so I'm just concerned about sticking something full of hormones directly into my body. I really like the idea of being able to use it for 5-10 years though. I'm in grad school and it would be really nice to not have to worry about contraception til I'm done with my PhD
With regards to the bleeding, I'd never had prolonged bleeding before to be honest, so I think that it was due to the IUD. I started to get terrible cramping too, which caused me to miss time off work as couldn't do anything, but I think my pain was also from my endo which as you say, was being aggravated by the IUD.
I was hoping the IUD would work for me, but it wasn't to be. I am very sensitive to hormones too. I have tried Cerazette, the mini-pill, and to be honest, I didn't like it much. Although it is bad for my endo, I feel better with some oestrogen, which also helps with acne too. However, I would consider taking it again if it was deemed better for me.
I would look into the Mirena or the normal IUD if you want one. With either, you will need to find other ways to manage any PCOS symptoms you have, because neither actually help PCOS particularly.
Just a tip before having an IUD inserted - take the strongest painkillers possible and hour before, eat before so you don't pass out, and I would advise you went when you were on your period seeing as the cervix is softer and more open, so it can be less uncofortable! xx
Thanks for the advice I'm leaning pretty strongly toward getting the non-hormonal one; I just get such horrible depression when my hormones are out of whack that I don't like the idea of going through the process of putting something full of hormones into my body. It took some trial and error to find a pill that worked for me. I've been on the pill for so long that it's hard to remember what my PCOS symptoms used to be like--I guess I'll just have to find another way to deal with them.
I chose the IUD because the doctor took me off bcp due to migraines (which I since discovered were due to another medication, and anyway they weren't with aura!), and I was in need of bc plus was sick of the negative effects of hormones. So I gave the IUD a try.
I hoped to manage my PCOS through diet and exercise, which may have worked out but I just couldn't work with the IUD. Nevermind. I hope you are successful with it! Good luck xx
i have a mirena, and i have never been pregnant. i didnt have any hassles with it being put in, and have stopped taking epo as i wish to see what it will do to my body as what can happen in 1st month may not happen in the 3rd ot 4th month although i will be buying some epo as the cramoing in the 1st day or so of that time is not ok. apart from that i have no probs
copper IUD 
