The coil/ IUD

[curiousjen]

Tonight was a fun night. After months of procrastinating I finally went to have my coil (IUD) fitted at our local family planning clinic. I was very nervous. Actually, it wasn't too painful or anything and the doctor was really nice and professional. But now I'm really crampy and it all feels very strange down there. I was just wondering if any other women here have/used to have/are thinking of having the coil as a contraceptive device and if you would care to share your experiences that would be very helpful. None of my friends use this method, they all seem to think i'm a bit weird and I therefore conclude that its a relatively unfashionable method. I could be wrong. However I was left with reletivly few options since I was advised that hormonal contraceptives (eg the pill etc) are unadvisable for manic depressives as they can trigger an episode. Whats a girl to do?

So yes, I was just interested if anyone else had been through it...so to speak.... Wish these damn cramps would go away

thanks

Jen

 

[dollface007]

None of my friends use this method, they all seem to think i'm a bit weird and I therefore conclude that its a relatively unfashionable method. I could be wrong. However I was left with reletivly few options since I was advised that hormonal contraceptives (eg the pill etc) are unadvisable for manic depressives as they can trigger an episode. Whats a girl to do?

IUDs are very widely used in the developing world. I believe that bc pills are more popular in the U.S. and Europe because drug companies push them more. You only need one IUD for years and years. Women on the pill must buy them monthly. Pills=more money. Go with what works for you! I personally think that the IUD should be used more.

 

[H0wl]

What are the side effects/costs etc?

 

[BirdsWife]

What are the side effects/costs etc?

The cost for mine back in 1995 was five hundred dollars, which my insurance at the time did not cover. The most pronounced side effect was pregnancy three months after it was inserted.

It was the most expensive birth control I've ever used, but the side effect has been a priceless treasure.

 

[kinkybrat]

they aren't "unfashionable"

I considered getting one last year, I opted for the tubal ligation instead cause i know i'm not going to have any more kids.



I've heard a few people who really disagree with the whole idea of them because they don't stop conception they just make it so that it can't implant.....so it depends on how the people look at life pretty much, if they think it starts at conception they don't back women getting IUD's.

 

[meeko]

I'm a pretty big proponent of the IUD (although I don't use it). The cramping is pretty normal. Some women have cramps for a few days after insertion, while some women will have cramps much longer. Anti-inflammatory meds should help. Most women I've talked to have grown to love their IUDs, but most were pretty uncomfortable the first month or two.

Most of the IUDs inserted in the States are progesterone secreting, and do appear to actually block fertilization, as opposed to the older ones that simply blocked implantation.

One or two studies showed an increased risk of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease among women with IUDs. I think there have been several studies since then that have shown there ISN'T an increased risk, but you should be aware of the possibility, especially if you aren't in a monogamous relationship.

Hope this helps.

 

[daiseelady]

I have a non-hormonal copper coil IUD. I love it. My best friend has it, too... and she loves her's, also.

We both have had some side effects... but nothing that isn't tolerable... mostly with the *amount* of bleeding and cramping every month.

My normal cycle, pre-IUD.... 1 day of spotting, 1 heavy day, 2light days and another day of spotting.

Now... I have 1-2 days of spotting, 2 heavy days, 2 light days and then a day of spotting.

The cramps are worse on the heavy days then they used to be, but not intolerable. I just take Ibuproffin and that takes care of it.

I will tell you that my best friend and I have tried herbal remedies to help with the cramping and the flow... She drinks a *woman's health* tea... and I take red raspberry leave supplements. They really have helped. Check with your Dr. to see if any herbal remedies you want to try will affect any perscription meds you are on.

The cramping that you are feeling now, could be gone by morning, or... it could last a few days. Every woman is different.

I get a lot of strange looks if I talk about having an IUD with my extended group of friends. It is definately not the *popular* method... but, I love it... and so does my boyfriend. I don't have to think about birth control... he doesn't have to think about birth control... and we both know... that when we are ready to make a baby together, the IUD can come out... and nature can take it's course.

Good Luck to you, enjoy it!

 

[Meat Whistler]

IUDs are quite inexpensive with insurance. If you have insurance, you will likely pay around $35.00 for the device and $15.00 for the visit. Not to mention, IUDs are much safer for the body, provided you don't sleep around. They don't omit chemicals or cause any odd hormonal problems.

However, keep in mind that for the first several months, stray from multiple partners, as the chance for disease is increased (STDs and other diseases).

The USA promotes birth control and how positive it can be for you because they want you to spend the money on chemicals that harm your body (first, for the $$ for pharm. companies and secondly, for the $$ from visits to your doctor to fix the problems that BCP cause).

 

[Georgia Girl]

funny side note....the very first post I made at Lit was about the IUD and here I am still talking about it.

Two types of IUD's are now available in the U.S.:

*the ParaGard® (Copper T 380A) — contains copper and can be left in place for 12 years
*Mirena® — continuously releases a small amount of the hormone progestin, and is effective for five years

Once inserted, the IUD is effective immediately.

Cramping or backache may occur for several days or weeks after insertion. Simple pain medication usually clears up cramping and discomfort. If bleeding or pain is severe and does not seem to lessen, tell your clinician.

IUDs are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the world. More than 85 million women use them.

IUDs may improve a woman's sex life. There is nothing to put in place before intercourse to protect against pregnancy. Some women say they feel free to be more spontaneous because they do not have to worry about becoming pregnant.

ParaGard does not change a woman's hormone levels.

Mirena may reduce menstrual cramps and flow. Flow stops altogether for up to 30 percent of women.

The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD use is stopped.

****************************************************

The above came from Planned Parenthood.

I have had a ParaGuard for 7 yrs and had one for 6 yrs prior. Upon having the first one removed, I was able to get pregnant within 2 months. The second was inserted within weeks of my son's birth. Because hormonal birth control is metabolized by the liver I cannot take them, they cut the absorption of my seizure medicine by approximately 55%.

The ARCH Foundation is a not for profit organization that assists with the cost of insertion and removal of the Minera IUD for qualified low income patients whose insurance doesn't cover IUDs.

 

[AvaAdore]

My best friend got an IUD. No cramps or anything. She reacted badly to the pill - she got depressed from it and gained weight.

I'm on the pill. I've been on it since I was 16. The main reason is that I got terrible cramps every month. They were equivalent to labor pains, I've been told. They came in pulses, so my uterus was actually contracting). I got them every month without fail since I was 14. I would have to overdose on painkillers for them to have *any* effect at all (for example 3 at once rather than 1 every 8 hours). I would be stuck in bed all day. The last straw was when it happened at school so bad that I was laying in the sick bay moaning in pain and getting up every so often to throw up for 2 hours until my dad picked me up and took me to the doctor. They had to give me an injection of naproxen to stop it. Normally there would be a pause of a few seconds between "contractions", but that time there was no pause, just constant pulsating pain. My doctor said it was probably hormonal and that I should try the pill because it tends to control it. I did and I have felt fine ever since

 

[curiousjen]

Thanks guys

that was a great response and reassured me a lot about the choice I've main. I had no idea that 85 million women had gone through the same thing....

Well the cramps have pretty much stopped now and its all feeling a bit less strange.

My coil was free as it came on the NHS as did the pre and follow up appointments. (god bless the nhs)

Tomorrow I've got to "check for my threads" to see if its in place. This is quite exciting/scary (or am I being ott about this?) Are they quite easy to find/feel?

On a side note....it's brilliant being able to come to lit and find all this stuff out...other peoples experiences at your fingertips...it blows my mind.

 

[H0wl]

Sounds ideal for women who can't take the pill because of side effects.

funny side note....the very first post I made at Lit was about the IUD and here I am still talking about it.

Two types of IUD's are now available in the U.S.:

*the ParaGard® (Copper T 380A) — contains copper and can be left in place for 12 years
*Mirena® — continuously releases a small amount of the hormone progestin, and is effective for five years

Once inserted, the IUD is effective immediately.

Cramping or backache may occur for several days or weeks after insertion. Simple pain medication usually clears up cramping and discomfort. If bleeding or pain is severe and does not seem to lessen, tell your clinician.

IUDs are the most popular form of reversible birth control in the world. More than 85 million women use them.

IUDs may improve a woman's sex life. There is nothing to put in place before intercourse to protect against pregnancy. Some women say they feel free to be more spontaneous because they do not have to worry about becoming pregnant.

ParaGard does not change a woman's hormone levels.

Mirena may reduce menstrual cramps and flow. Flow stops altogether for up to 30 percent of women.

The ability to become pregnant returns quickly when IUD use is stopped.

****************************************************

The above came from Planned Parenthood.

I have had a ParaGuard for 7 yrs and had one for 6 yrs prior. Upon having the first one removed, I was able to get pregnant within 2 months. The second was inserted within weeks of my son's birth. Because hormonal birth control is metabolized by the liver I cannot take them, they cut the absorption of my seizure medicine by approximately 55%.

The ARCH Foundation is a not for profit organization that assists with the cost of insertion and removal of the Minera IUD for qualified low income patients whose insurance doesn't cover IUDs.

 

[watergirl]

hmmmm

does sound rather cool - I like the idea of the copper one. I wish I had a damn job with health coverage sometimes!!!! Instead I have my artsy fartsy fulfilling fun wonderful painting jobs.... which are good, but. But but.

Sigh.

May have to look into an IUD anyhow, see how much it would be. Sigh. Probably more than the $500 it used to be. Rythm method makes BF slightly less than comfortable, but I've been happy with it with my steadys for the past several years. But... hm. Commitment. It makes me consider different things.

 

[Georgia Girl]

If you look at the bottom of my previous post ... where it has the name ARCH Foundation underlined .... that is a link to their site.

They will assist with the cost of the Mirena.

I love my ParaGuard, just had it checked and all is well.

 

[watergirl]

Oh

Neat! I printed out the app & will do some talking with my sweetie about the idea. Seems straightforward at this point...

The idea of a IUD that releases any kind of hormones makes me nervous, cause my body & extra chemicals do NOT get along. I'm one of those girls that gets a UTI every time I have to take an antibiotic, and it just sucks. I tried a birth control pill for a while, and was such a manic mood swinging bitch from hell with dizzy spells, and faintness, and lots of pain in the ankles, that I just had to stop taking it. The idea of having them put in some metal thingy that releases hormones & would require an appointment & more potential pain to get rid of.... *shudder*

But - yeah... worth looking into, anyways! Thanks much much, Georgia Girl!

 

[jaded_lily]

be careful still because you can get pregnant on those i believe, my sister has an iud and she's thought she was pregnant twice already and she's been with the same guy for about a year i think.

 

[dawnofmarch]

As for checking the threads...I had a hard time finding them which resulted in a small form of hysteria on my part. I had visions of a perforated uterus and so on. But thank God my boyfriend located them for me and now that is his monthly job. As for cramps...my period is better than ever...no bad monthly side effects here. By the way...I have paraguard that was put in 2 yrs ago.