IUD (Intrauterine Device)

bec415 · 05-21-2007, 02:10 PM

My endo has advised me not to go on any birth control pills (not even Yaz) because of IR. So I'm looking into other options. Please let me know if you have any experience with the IUD - good or bad.

Eva37 · 05-21-2007, 02:59 PM

hi
ive had a mirena ius - for about 3 half years. And i have found it really great - my periods are much less painful/ and much less heavy too - tmi.
eva

elocinintherain · 05-21-2007, 08:54 PM

If you can't have any hormones and want to look at IUDs, your only option is the Paragard IUD.
Cons:
1. Expensive... without insurance, it's about $400, plus a $75 insertion fee. I applied for the patient assistance program, so all I had to pay for was the insertion fee.
2. HEAVY periods/irregular periods... be prepared to bleed like you've never bled before, at least for the next 6 months... be prepared to be unable to use tampons (you'll bleed right through them) and to stock up on the heaviest maximum protection pads you can find, because you'll go through about a pad an hour, and you might have a period every 2 weeks.
3. Insertion Pains... Take some pain meds when you go to get it put in, because OUCH! This was the worst feeling I'd ever felt... they open your cervix up, so it's like the reverse of giving birth.

I had mine in for about 3 months... I had it removed, because I am having cryosurgery, and I can't have the strings in during the procedure.

sandstar · 05-22-2007, 01:07 AM

I have had an IUD (Mirena)for almost 4 years now. The doctor that dx me put it in. I had to go with an IUD because oral BCPs made me crazy, literally sneding me in a spiralling depression every period. I didn't know I had PCOS at the time, and I loved the IUD. It hurt to have it put in, but it was great not having to remember anything. I only had bleeding for about 6 weeks and it was a bit heavy, but my doc tol dme to use the instead cups and it wasn't bad. The pain was horrible, but a friend of mine made me walk around teh convention center for one of the crafts shows there. it wasn't comfortable, but it really helped. My period pretty much stopped. I would have a period maybe twice a year. It wasn't until I really started having problems with my weight that we did the tests for thyroid and then PCOS. In my case I have to use BCP to decrease the chace of cysts. The IUD didn't have anough of the hormones that were needed for me to avoid cyst formation. I had 2 cysts form and burst in September so I now use Nuvaring and I still have my IUD. You might ask your doc if Nuvaring is out of the question.

diana0624 · 05-22-2007, 11:31 AM

I have had an IUD two separate times. I had the Copper T (no hormones at all) both times. There were some mild cramping pains when I got them put in, but not bad. The first time, I LOVED it. I had no problems..it was convenient (although expensive because at the time ins. did not cover it)..$600! I had it for 2 years and got it taken out because we wanted to ttc again. I later found out I had scar tissue in my uterus (not for sure caused by the IUD, but most likely). I had to have lap. surgery to correct this before I could get pg again. The second time was after my second son was born (much cheaper..cost me $20 co pay). However, I had practically non-stop bleeding for several months (I thought it was from the PCOS). Since there was a chance that it was from the IUD, I had it taken out. The bleeding stopped the next day and hasn't come back. So..it was definitely from the IUD. Keep in mind too (most doctors dont say this)...that it doesn't just prevent conception...if conception happens, it prevents implantation. This may or may not effect your decision, depending on your religious views. Just wanted to mention it. In the end...I still love the idea of it...it's super convenient..but I have had some troubles with them.