Intrauteran Devices

[Mazuri]

When I had mine put in (a copper one, 10 years ago...it's out now), I cramped for maybe 3-4 hours and then was fine. I was told to take some Tylenol or something similar about 30 minutes before they put the IUD in and it would reduce the pain. The doc never lied about it hurting going in, though it was more a single sharp "ow" than intense agony. I was a bit uncomfortable for the few hours of cramping but then was fine.

I had my period the entire 10 years on the copper IUD and they came and went like clock work: exactly 28 days apart, always lasting only around 5 days with only 1 of those slightly heavy. No cramping during my period, no pain during sex, no bleeding either. It was really one of those "insert and forget about" things for me and I loved it. I would have gotten another had my hubby not chosen to get a vasectomy so we wouldn't have to deal with any form of birth control any more.

I would definitely mention the pain/bleeding during sex to my GYN as I really don't think that's normal, no matter which IUD you have. Removing it was much easier than it going in and my periods are still on time, however, they're slightly more crampy than when I had the IUD in.

 

[Stegral]

I had my first one "installed" after my second son was born.
I had been pregnant 3 times we could track while on the pill.

I have had 3 since 1992. I have them changed every 5 years irregardless.
they are the ONLY birth control (besides no sex) that works for me.
I produce very large healthy kids, 2 vag & 1 C-section.
I had an IUD in between child 2 & 3 for 5 years.
I missed my second period after they took it out due to pregnancy.
I promptly had it put back in ASAP after my 3rd was born as my Doc wouldn't allow my tubes to be tied as I was "to young" but already had 3 so I really wanted them done while they were in for the c-section anyway...

My doc changes mine while I am ON my period... not sure why...

I do have heavy periods, maybe a 1/2 day of BAD cramps (usually day one of five) but never bad enough to stop me from working, I just need to change the super tampons every 3 hrs MAX...
I would rather the heavy flow than pregnancy...

as for the "string" I had one fella comlplain about a "needle" hitting his cock head after a change of UID...
A quick Dr's appt to clip it fixed it all up

Any questions my PM box is open

 

[Chicklet]

My doc changes mine while I am ON my period... not sure why...

It could have to do with the placement and opening of your cervix - the body is different at all times of the month, and I did read that at certain times it's easier to insert an IUD than others. The doc didn't mention anything about it to me when I had mine done, but it *was* something I'd read about, although nothing specified about what time of the month was best.

 

[SweetHoneyGirl]

I have friends who have had it done and the only complaint I've heard is that period cramps can be more uncomfortable and my bestfriend says that she can feel it when she has sex with her boyfriend. I think it freaked him out a bit at first but he got used to it.

 

[Tricialen]

I had the copper one and I had a terrible time with it at first. Then everything was fine. Until I got pregnant. LOL I guess it doesn't work for everyone

 

[Chicklet]

So what happened when you got pregnant?

 

[SlickTony]

I expelled every IUD I ever had, and the last one, I'm convinced, was accompanied by an early miscarriage. But YMMV.

Hey, Chicklet! Long time no see!

 

[SoleDesire]

I have one question though for people who are on the Copper IUD. Arent you suppose to gradually stop having your period? I've had it for about a year and still have extremely heavy periods and very painful periods<lots and lots of bad cramping-- -- Example - changing tampons every 15-30 minutes and in bed the rest of the time due to the cramps.
I wouldnt mind it so much but i feel so drained for the week following my period...then i get cramps from ovulation...then...pre-period cramps which arent so bad, but shortly thereafter i get my actual period. Its just a pain in the neck. I have an appointment to figure out whats going on on the 25th of this month so hopefully i'll get it straightened out.
I would have gotten the Mirena but i'm a smoker.

No, not at all. In fact, one of the most common side effects of the copper IUD is heavier periods. The IUD works (they think) by causing slight inflammation in the uterus, which prevents the zygote from implanting. That's why, if you do get pregnant, your chances of having a tubal pregnancy are so much higher -- the environment in the fallopian tubes becomes more hospitable to implantation.

I'm not a doctor, but if you're having horrible periods with that kind of bleeding, something's really wrong. In general, even without an IUD, repeatedly bleeding through super tampons in less than an hour is close to hemorrhage-level bleeding. You may very well be anemic after your period is over, which is why you feel so drained.

The periods you're describing, along with the cramping and bleeding after sex sound like either you're having a bad reaction to the IUD or something else is going on. (I have a friend with endometriosis and what you're describing sounds almost like her symptoms). I hope you can get some answers when you go to the doctor.

 

[watergirl]

I tried...

I used to be on nuvaring, but had bad reactions to the hormones in it. I wanted the copper iud, because it is hormone free & lasts longest. However, it didn't work out for me.

The doctor did a pelvic exam and said she felt what could be cysts or fibroids. I got referred and had a sonogram / ultrasound to get a clear image of what was going on. Cysts can come & go, as do fibroids (from what I was told) and they said if the fibroids were more along the outside walls of my uterus, they might have been able to insert it.

We tried to do the insertion... First they open you up with a speculum... a bigger one than usual. Then inside of that, they insert a second one which grabs around your cervix and holds it in place - the analogy my doctor made was that it was "like if you get your tongue pierced, they have to hold it with some kind of forceps - to insert something into your uterus, they need to hold your cervix in place."

They often do insertion during your period because the opening dilates more at that time of the month as you shed that lining of your uterus.

Anyways, before they insert the IUD, for me at least, she had to insert a metal rod called a sound to check the depth of the uterus, to make sure that they can get it in deep enough. For me, the fibroids blocked the sound from going in far enough, so they didn't even try to get the IUD in.

It sucked because it was painful & a let-down to not get one after all that. But now I'm on the 'mini-pill' - jolivete (sp?) - which is all estrogen, no progestin - and that's working really well for me.

YMMV, of course. I too was surprised I couldn't find a thread on IUDs when I searched!

Good luck, chicklet!

 

[Chicklet]

Anyways, before they insert the IUD, for me at least, she had to insert a metal rod called a sound to check the depth of the uterus, to make sure that they can get it in deep enough. For me, the fibroids blocked the sound from going in far enough, so they didn't even try to get the IUD in.

They did this for me, as well. I was sort of wondering what would happen if they'd put me through the entire ordeal and then decided I wasn't deep enough. The nurse said I was *barely* big enough - if I'd been one fifth a centimeter smaller she wouldn't have put it in.

 

[littlebitshe]

A friend of mine was using IUD for birth control and found out she was pregnant, recently. Once she found out she was pregnant the Dr. had to remove the IUD. The problem was that the IUD had attached itself to the embrio. So, removing the IUD caused her to miscarry a day or two later. The Dr. did say that this occurance is rare, but it can happen.

I know the purpose of having this thing in is to not get pregnant, but as with all birth control there is a small risk of still getting pregnant. With this device, if you do get pregnant with it in you risk losing the child and causing much emotional pain to yourself and your partner. I'm sure there are similiar risks related to other methods of BC. I just wanted to share her experience so u can make up your own mind about the IUDs.

 

[AgonySceneGirl]

I'm not a doctor, but if you're having horrible periods with that kind of bleeding, something's really wrong. In general, even without an IUD, repeatedly bleeding through super tampons in less than an hour is close to hemorrhage-level bleeding. You may very well be anemic after your period is over, which is why you feel so drained.

I've always been anemic. So that wouldnt be much of a change.

 

[pinball_fun]

I have had a Mirena in for 5 years now, and will be replacing it with another soon. My doctor waited until I was actually in the middle of my period to insert it, saying that this would make the cervix more open and cause a bit less discomfort.

I was warned that cramping could be a problem, and this worried me because I have occasional months with what I call "monster cramps." These are bad enough that I cannot function normally until I can get some strong pain medication and wait it out. luckily, if I take 2 aleve capsules I don't have to wait longer than a half-hour or a bit longer. With this kind of history (the first time they hit me I was only about 12, and I literally passed out from the pain) I was concerned. Happily, these cramps have not increased in either frequency or intensity. I was hoping they might just disappear, but no luck there.

I have 2 children, though both by c-section, but the insertion felt like a pinch, not too bad. I had some cramping that day, and have had occasional cramps since, but less often than usual. I will say that after about 4-5 months my periods essentially vanished. I get a little spotting for a day or two now each month, but so little that it's hard for me to even keep track of it. Very handy! I am told this is due to the hormones, and not exactly the IUD itself.

Another note, for those who have not had children but may want them in the future: my sister discussed this option with her doctor, but he recommended against it, as apparently any IUD has a small risk factor of causing infertility problems later.

For myself, I've been very pleased with it. It is the next best thing to surgery, with the advantage of being reversible. Hope this information is helpful!

 

[Recidiva]

I've had two IUD's, for maybe 15 years total. Worked fine.

Cramping was a bitch though.

Now I'm on a pill form because it cuts back on the cramping and I also had an endocrine imbalance that caused migraines, pill fixed that.

 

[Guest]

Any thoughts on IUD's and really rough stuff? I keep considering an IUD, but the thought of a thorough cervix bumping session while something is in there makes me feel a bit aprehensive.

Maharat

 

[southernsky]

Any thoughts on IUD's and really rough stuff? I keep considering an IUD, but the thought of a thorough cervix bumping session while something is in there makes me feel a bit aprehensive.

Maharat

I've heard that the first three months is when your body is most likely to expel it, if it's going to do it. After that, I'd say go for it. From personal experience only, I've never had trouble with it, and I've definitely had some thorough cervix bumping sessions (love that, btw)

 

[SoleDesire]

I've heard that the first three months is when your body is most likely to expel it, if it's going to do it. After that, I'd say go for it. From personal experience only, I've never had trouble with it, and I've definitely had some thorough cervix bumping sessions (love that, btw)

Ya, you can bang on it pretty hard with no problems, IME.