So, we have 1 child. And honestly would lobe another but given the climate right now I would be so incredibly scared.
I have taken BC orally in the past, and will never again. I basically went insane.
For those that have had or currently have IUD’s, what’s your experience? Is there one you recommend? I want to lean toward paraguard, but i have heard not great things, and I have endo…..so not a good combo.
I would like the least amount or hormones possible as to decrease as many side effects as I can without compromising safety from pregnancy.
If you did have side effects and can definitely pin it to the IUD, what were they?
How was the pain honestly? I have had 1 child, shes 5 now, so it’s been a while.
I want to make sure I am prepared. Its either this or risk pregnancy with just condoms. Of course were very careful and mindful, but still, accidents happen.
Thank you so much in advance 🙂
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I too went crazy on oral BC. After each kid, I have 2, I had the Mirena inserted. I’ve had my current one in for about 4 years and it’s been great. I have a few very light spotting days a month. We don’t feel or notice it during sexy times. Insertion was mildly painful, mild cramping after but I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. Taking some pain reliever before may help but everyone’s pain tolerance is different. I feel you with the climate right now. Hubs is planning the great snippy snip this year. I hope it works out well for you, I love mine.
A copper iud should be hormone free. But check dedicated subs for expert answers: r/birthcontrol – r/sterilization – r/hysterectomy. And whatever you do, don’t let a provider near you without discussions about pain management. If they say advil is enough, find someone else!
I had Mirena (so hormonal) placed in last year. Not going to lie, I felt like it hurt a lot getting it in and had cramps for a couple weeks afterwards… That was the biggest downside to the whole ordeal. I was mostly fine with over counter pain killers and heat pads. It’s weird feeling the strings but you get used to it. My doctor scheduled a check in the following weeks to make sure it was staying in place.
Since then, I’ve had no problems and barely notice it. Side effect wise, I haven’t noticed anything since then so it’s been great, and it has made my periods gone or very light. Didn’t gain weight or get acne but YMMV.
If you don’t want hormones, you can use copper which last longer too… but I heard they hurt even more (yikes) and don’t stop your periods. You’ll wanna talk to your physician though for options!
I have had three – one Paraguard and two Mirena.
I hated the Paraguard, but had been on hormonal BC for so long that I wanted to try a nonhormonal one for a change. It made my cramps so much worse and my period so much heavier.
Mirena has been great. I had it in between my kids and basically didn’t have a period at all. I just got my second one inserted a few weeks ago, so don’t know yet if it is going to have the same impact on my period. Fingers crossed.
Insertion can vary depending on your provider, you, etc. I generally find them quite painful. My placement after my first child (at the 6 week postpartum visit) was awful, but at least it worked. My placement after my second child was also awful, and when they did an ultrasound to check placement realized it wasn’t quite right so they removed it, and the NP was not willing to try again given the pain I was in.
I went back a few weeks ago (to Planned Parenthood, specifically) and had someone who was trained in the new pain management method recommended by ACOG, which include numbing shots in your cervix. ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER. The numbing shots hurt (mostly like very bad, very localized cramping), but then I didn’t feel the actual insertion at all. I would make sure to ask what their pain management is going to be. Some places will even knock you out for it, which would be even better.