Girlie subject! Boys don''t look, it''ll ruin your sex life!

[nebe]

Question for any girls with IUDs:


Did you get one before you had children? And how much pain were you in/for how long?

I''m getting an IUD next week and I have never had children. It''s going to be put in during my period, because my doctor said that would cause the least discomfort, but cramps during my periods are almost unbearable as is. I usually have to call out of work at least one time during it, does anyone else have problems like this and still opted for the IUD? I''m getting a Mirena so my periods will supposedly stop or become lighter for 5 years, but I''m still worried about the initial stages.

Any info anyone could give me would be wonderful. I''m really nervous!

 

[Elmorton]

I don''t want to worry you more, but when I went in for my annual this month, I asked about IUDs -- my doctor said she did not recommend them for women who haven''t yet children because of extended discomfort and frequency of break-through bleeding for up to a year to two. Apparently, women who have had children tend to adapt much easier to them. I would definitely call another physician for a second opinion if you''re nervous. The no-fuss and lack of synthetic hormone makes an IUD seem really appealing to me, but I was scared off by what my doctor said. While my girlfriends and I have discussed IUDs, nobody has done it yet, either - if you don''t mind posting again, I''m very curious about what you decide.

 

[Miscka]

Well I my best friend got one, and she said it hurt so bad she just about passed out, so she recommended getting someone to take you. Sorry, I don''t mean to scare you! She loves it now, though. My GYN wont do them for women without kids tho

She said it is too painful and she worries about long term problems. I haven''t done enough research on my own to say what I think of that, but just something to think about. I, too, am curious to see how it goes, I love the idea!!

 

[nebe]

I''ll be getting mine probably by the end of this week, maybe early next week depending on when my period comes.

Mishka and Elmorton: I''ve been looking into one for over a year, but I always thought it''d be too expensive, (HA!) I''ve talked to a lot of girls that do have them and haven''t had children, it''s been no problem for them. It even says in the info my doctor gave me that a pretty high % of women who have them have not had children. The only things I''m really worried about are how long my initial pain with last because I have a very busy schedule and can''t take time off during the week.

A lot of American OB/GYNs don''t like using them on younger women, but in the UK it''s really common and is rarely an issue. I''m really excited to be getting it, but everyone gets nervous! I''ll drop back in and let you all know what happens when I get it!

Read up on them, they''re becoming much more common in the USA!

 

[icekid]

you are quite right that IUDs are much more commonly used in Europe. I believe it had a lot to do with an older IUD that increased the risk of PID.

But I am pretty sure I am going to get an IUD in the near future as well (no kids either). They are quite safe, and if necessary I will find a Gyn who will put it in for me. I''m not really thrilled with the thought of pumping my body with synthetic hormones anymore and stopped the pill a while ago. So that''s not really an option and I need longer term birth control.

 

[luckystar112]

Not 100% off topic, but just really make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Everyone thought that the patch was safe forever...and look how that turned out. I was actually on the patch for a long time, couldn''t figure out why I was having such terrible migraines every single day. Well, that was why. I could have killed myself.

Also, are you planning on having children in the future?
From a website:

While most women who stop using IUDs are able to become pregnant, IUDs can have negative effects on a woman''s fertility. If perforation, embedding, or pelvic infection occurs, the uterus or tubes may become damaged and lower the chance of pregnancy. In cases of severe damage or infection of the uterus, a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be required, resulting in permanent sterility.

Also from the site:
IUDs are not recommended for women who are at risk for PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), have lower immune response, abnormal pap smear, heart disease, anemia, a history of severe menstrual cramping and heavy flow, a history of ectopic pregnancy, or previous problems with an IUD.

Just be careful! I highlighted the cramping part because you said you have bad cramping. I think if it''s bad enough that you need time off from work, that is worth getting looked at before getting on this birth control.

I''m so nervous about birth control as it is. For instance, the depo shot. I could never take a medication that prevented my body from doing what it is mechanically supposed to do. Granted, I''m not a physician and for all I know it could be fine, but there are way too many recalled drugs nowards, and the patch was a huge wake up call. Seriously, how much was that marketed? Well, according to that site the IUD has been around for decades, but please just be cautious.

/End mommy mode

 

[icekid]

Date: 9/9/2007 6:56:09 PM
Author: luckystar112
Not 100% off topic, but just really make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Everyone thought that the patch was safe forever...and look how that turned out. I was actually on the patch for a long time, couldn''t figure out why I was having such terrible migraines every single day. Well, that was why. I could have killed myself.



I''m so nervous about birth control as it is. For instance, the depo shot. I could never take a medication that prevented my body from doing what it is mechanically supposed to do. Granted, I''m not a physician and for all I know it could be fine, but there are way too many recalled drugs nowards, and the patch was a huge wake up call. Seriously, how much was that marketed? Well, according to that site the IUD has been around for decades, but please just be cautious.

/End mommy mode

I happen to be pretty darn comfortable with women having IUDs placed. They have been around for a loooooooong time. And of course there are risks, as there are risks with ANYTHING you put in your body. But IUDs are actually a lot more popular among female physicians (I am almost one myself!) than in the general public, and that is pretty much always a good sign.

 

[luckystar112]

Geez...just making sure!
Again, had a bad experience with birth control when everyone (including my physician) was telling me it was safe.
I am sure that nebe has studied up on it, and the fact that it has been around for a long time is a good sign...but I just think with anything you have to be cautious and listen to your body.
Thats all!

 

[Independent Gal]

Just curious: why is this a girlie subject that would ruin a guy''s sex life? Surely birth control is something he needs to be informed about as well. It''s not ''our little secret''. He should know the risks you''re taking with your body (partly on his behalf), you might both consider sharing the expenses, etc. It''s not 1950! Birth control is a shared reponsibility.

Keeping ourselves from getting pregnant is not just our job. And it won''t ''ruin their sex life'' if they know that trying not to get pregnant is a serious matter that sometimes hurts us, that can be expensive, that can be uncomfortable, that can affect our future fertility, that can put our health at risk (though not as much as being pregnant puts our health at risk!).

Seriously, this is not a girlie subject. This is grown up subject for grown-ups of both genders to discuss together. Ultimately, what we do with our bodies is up to us of course, but surely it''s not something we should be keeping SECRET from men.

If a man''s grown up enough to be having sex and to be taking repsonsibility if you DO get pregnant, he''s grown up enough to deal with the question of birth control, its risks, benefits, and expenses, without being a big squeamish baby.

Sorry, just a pet peeve.

 

[Blenheim]

I have one, and I don''t have any children. It was very crampy going in, but I forgot to take pain meds beforehand (as is recommended). Personally, I was nowhere near passing out from the pain. For the rest of the day, it basically felt like I had bad period cramps. I think I had another couple days of light cramping, and then I felt back to normal. I was fine going back to work the next day.

Both my gyno and my regular doctor have IUDs and love them. The impression that I have gotten from talking with my gyno is that there''s no problem putting them in childless women, but that it''s a little more difficult (I think that our cervices are less stretchy) and so some doctors aren''t as comfortable doing it.

My experience (and I know that everybody reacts differently to things like this, so I''m not sure if this is normal) is that my period symptoms are worse on the IUD. I cramp a little bit, which I didn''t on other methods of BC, and I get incredibly sore breasts. I''ve read similar complaints of the paraguard, but I don''t remember reading this about the Mirena, so it may just be me. If you''re concerned, I would recommend talking with your doc about the effect of the Mirena on cramping in most women.

Luckystar, what website did you take those quotes from? I''m just curious.

 

[nebe]

Date: 9/9/2007 10:17:12 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Just curious: why is this a girlie subject that would ruin a guy''s sex life? Surely birth control is something he needs to be informed about as well. It''s not ''our little secret''. He should know the risks you''re taking with your body (partly on his behalf), you might both consider sharing the expenses, etc. It''s not 1950! Birth control is a shared reponsibility.

Keeping ourselves from getting pregnant is not just our job. And it won''t ''ruin their sex life'' if they know that trying not to get pregnant is a serious matter that sometimes hurts us, that can be expensive, that can be uncomfortable, that can affect our future fertility, that can put our health at risk (though not as much as being pregnant puts our health at risk!).

Seriously, this is not a girlie subject. This is grown up subject for grown-ups of both genders to discuss together. Ultimately, what we do with our bodies is up to us of course, but surely it''s not something we should be keeping SECRET from men.

If a man''s grown up enough to be having sex and to be taking repsonsibility if you DO get pregnant, he''s grown up enough to deal with the question of birth control, its risks, benefits, and expenses, without being a big squeamish baby.

Sorry, just a pet peeve.

Wow, it was a joke!

My boyfriend and I happen to be very involved together in our family planning (or lack there of). Anytime I did miss a pill he was made aware and we planned accordingly. It has always been that way. When I decided I was ready to get an IUD we talked about it and decided if my insurance wouldn''t cover it, we''d split the cost of it or any other birth control I chose. As well, he''s going to be with me, in the room, holding my hand while I''m having it done. Nothing about it is hidden from him, it''s right infront of him.

It was just a little humor!!!!

 

[luckystar112]

Blenheim, it was the first one that popped up on google, so I don''t know how legit it is...but here it is if you wanna take a looksey...

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/iudinfo.htm#cautions

 

[Independent Gal]

Like I said, just a pet peeve. Touches a nerve is all.

Some friends recently got into the whole 'vasectomy vs. tube tie' debate, which I won't get into. But I think the 'girlie subject' idea is at the root of all that, which is why it touched a nerve. BC is one area where equality (or responsibility, risk, cost, etc.) has barely scratched the surface.

If you go on Mayoclinic.com (if I recall correctly) they provide a nice chart of different methods, their health risks and health benefits, etc. I think that's where it was... Maybe that will help.

ETA: If your concern is missing pills, have you considered that ringy thing... Nuva or something? I have a friend who SWEARS by it.

 

[katebar]

nebe I had one put in about 25 years ago before I had children. Look it was''nt pleasant but I was fine after a few hours and never had any problemss.
I suspect that things have come a long way in 25 years so I''m sure it will be less traumatic. The pain is actually caused by them dilating the opening of the cervix and that''s why it is best to have it done during your period as it is a lttle open at this time.

 

[Blenheim]

Thanks for the link, luckystar. I was just wondering because I thought that most of the risk of infertility was a result of the increased risk of infections with a certain IUD that has long been off the market. Some of their warnings are not things that I''ve read elsewhere, including on the information that Mirena legally has to provide re: risks and side effects, but maybe they apply to the Paraguard or just IUDs in general. Or maybe I just didn''t read all of the fine print.

By the way-- http://www.mirena-us.com/index.jsp has information about risks, complications, who should not use the Mirena, etc.

If anyone''s interested in comparing methods of BC, http://www.plannedparenthood.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control.htm lists pros and cons of each method, as well as effectiveness. (The Mirena''s more effective than female sterilization!)

 

[Blenheim]

Oh, and a couple more things:

Actually take pain killers before your appointment.

With medical procedures, I do better if I know exactly what''s going on. My doctor was really good about walking me through what she was doing before she started, and again once she was actually doing it. She told me what kind of pain to expect and exactly how long it would last (i.e., "you''ll feel really crampy for the next 10 seconds") and what was causing the pain. Knowing what to expect really helped me.

 

[strmrdr]

the topic just made sure every guy was going too read it LOL
TSS neads to be discussed with your doctor there is ongoing research looking for a link.
So far with modern devices it is looking like the risk is farly small.
TSS == Toxic Shock Syndrome.
A friend of mines wife died of tss and he blames the iud but the doctors dont think that was the cause but cant say it wasnt either.

 

[Lorelei]

never mind

 

[nebe]

Date: 9/9/2007 11:40:09 PM
Author: Independent Gal

ETA: If your concern is missing pills, have you considered that ringy thing... Nuva or something? I have a friend who SWEARS by it.

I used it a couple of years ago and it ended up that I was highly allergic to it. The skin actually peeled OFF my clitoris and labia. It was AWFUL. I''ve never been in so much pain.

Blenheim: I don''t have a Rx for painkillers of any kind. I can call her office and see if they''ll give me a few, it''d probably help my nerves too

Strmrdr: I was under the impression you could only get TSS from non-sterile objects (ie tampons)?

Lorelei: Nevermind

 

[Lorelei]

Never mind means I posted then changed my mind - I wrote a detailed response, changed my mind then deleted it, never mind means just that. I can answer your question and I have to say it was terribly painful for me, but you may be ok.

 

[strmrdr]

"Strmrdr: I was under the impression you could only get TSS from non-sterile objects (ie tampons)? "
I dont know the truth of it.
He blames the iud for it and the docs cant/wont say that no it didnt cause it.
Before posting I did a google search on it and opinions vary with some of the more official sites saying that its being researched and a link hasnt been proven.
So I posted too discuss it with your doctor.

 

[Nicki]

I''ve had a Mirena IUD for almost 2 years now. For me, it''s been a god-send...I have always had a history of very heavy periods with intense cramping and started with hormone-induced migraines in my early 30''s. ALL of that went away, including my period, once I had a Mirena placed. The procedure is pretty uncomfortable, worse than a Pap smear, but it only lasts a couple of minutes. And be sure to wear some heavy pads, you will bleed more than usual after it''s placed...and you can no longer wear tampons. I had cramping for a few days, which was controlled pretty well with pain killers. My doc told me to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen before coming in for my procedure. The first day was definitely the worst as far as cramping.

I haven''t had any kids, and my doc didn''t have any reservations about placing it.

 

[nytemist]

Nebe- I had a Mirena IUD placed in January. I have not had children and had mild discomfort only while it was being inserted. I chalk it up to my pain tolerance since my doctor was amazed at how well I handled it (truly wasn''t that bad for me)

I knew that I wanted a long term BC method since we have no desire for children. I also didn''t want to have to take a pill everyday for I would run the risk of forgetting. You get testing for all the STD''s, even being in a monogamous relationship- they want to make sure sure sure that you have nothing that will increase the chance of infections. It gets inserted during your period to insure that you aren''t pregnant. My periods starting becoming so erratic a few years ago that this would be great for regulating them. Plus I was diagnosed with PCOS and that was making my cycle so crazy. I had my IUD put in Jan 23 and haven''t had a period since. With the Mirena, because of the hormones, with a lot of women it makes your period lighter and cramps more bearable. The stats that my doctor showed me from her experience alone was that about 82-87% of women she has dealt with stopped having periods after about a year.

On a side note, the copper IUD can increase the heavyness of your flow and I didn''t want that.

The first couple of days I felt like my period was starting (you know the weird, funny feeling) After that, nothing. And still nothing. I love it- don''t have to worry about it, don''t feel anything, just simply check my strings the first of every month.

When I told my aunt that I was getting one, she kind of freaked out because of how bad they were in the seventies. They aren''t for every woman, just like the pill I assume, but for me it has been great.

 

[BarbM]

 

[Blenheim]

By painkillers I meant over-the-counter stuff. I just couldn''t remember what and how much, but 800 mg of ibuprofen sounds right.

My doc didn''t say anything about not using tampons (except for the first couple of days after getting it in), and I''ve seen several recommendations to check pads/tampons at first to make sure that the IUD hasn''t been expelled. I hope that they wouldn''t say that if tampons weren''t ok.... I haven''t stopped using them.

 

[Nicki]

Date: 9/10/2007 10:03:09 AM
Author: Blenheim
By painkillers I meant over-the-counter stuff. I just couldn''t remember what and how much, but 800 mg of ibuprofen sounds right.

My doc didn''t say anything about not using tampons (except for the first couple of days after getting it in), and I''ve seen several recommendations to check pads/tampons at first to make sure that the IUD hasn''t been expelled. I hope that they wouldn''t say that if tampons weren''t ok.... I haven''t stopped using them.

Oops...you''re right. You''re not supposed to use tampons right after placement...at least that''s what my doc told me due to the additional pulling on the IUD strings. But, I just checked the DFU, and it''s OK to use them. Not that it matters to me, as I''ve not had a period in years!

 

[rainbowtrout]

I''m going in for a consult next week about getting one.

Hormonal birth control worked pretty well for me, except for the fact that I have reasonably severe migraines, and my doctor and FI ganged up and yelled at me to get off them.

Apparently she thought the risk of an IUD was lower than the risk of continuing the hormonal method (triples my stroke risk).

I''m not sure if I can get the Mirena with my migraines or not...I will have to ask. I might rather have it though because of the heavy flow and cramps associated with the copper one. Might have to suck it up and go with the copper though.

(I''m allergic to nonoxyl-9 which is why that plus condoms isn''t really an option. Been using just condoms but the risk from getting pregnant is just too high for my comfort level. also, let''s be honest, who actually likes them).

My impression is that American doctors freaked out about the risk of being sued after a lawsuit by something like 3 women went through 20 years ago where the IUD had caused them severe complications. Well, EVERYTHING can cause severe complications, and all the women in Europe who use them haven''t been struck down by the infertility monster, soo...

 

[nebe]

Date: 9/10/2007 11:44:47 AM
Author: rainbowtrout
I''m going in for a consult next week about getting one.

Hormonal birth control worked pretty well for me, except for the fact that I have reasonably severe migraines, and my doctor and FI ganged up and yelled at me to get off them.

Apparently she thought the risk of an IUD was lower than the risk of continuing the hormonal method (triples my stroke risk).

I get hormonal migraines too, so I was spacing out my periods with pills (take three months of pills, have a period, repeat) and that worked really well. I''d only get about 4 a year, but I hate having to worry about not having them with me. I hope the IUD helps too.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Oooh, to clarify:

The migraines aren''t hormonal--BCPs are contraindicated for anyone suffering from migraines. I think the fact that they weren''t hormonally linked was relevant as well. The pills didn''t make them worse nor better, but they did up my stroke risk. It''s usually on the package insert.

 

[partgypsy]

I''m would not be a candidate for an IUD anyways (heavy periods, prone to anemia), but my 2 cents
is that IUDs give me the heebie jeebies. Taking a pill seems less invasive than having a foreign object inserted into my body. People say they are safe but I know 2 people who have gotten accidently pregnant while using the IUD, but of course didn''t know it because they were not having periods.
But some people love their IUDs, I guess it is all personal preference.