Some IUD questions about Mirena and Nova T...

[http://users.livejournal.com/fluidmotion-/]

So I stopped into my planned parenthood today to ask about IUDs. Of course when I came home I did some extra research, and I have some questions!

I am allergic to nickle. I've read some things about Paraguard having nickle in it, but the options offered at my clinic (and I'm in Canada BTW) are Mirena and Nova T/Flexi T. Does anyone know anything about the nickle content in Nova T/Flexi T? Also what is the difference between Nova T and Flexi T?

I have read a lot of conflicting things about how long IUDs are effective for. The woman at the PP this morning told me 5 years flat. Do they kind of wear out before the exact 5 year mark? Or is it just recommended you don't leave it in for longer than 5 years? How long after the 5 year mark would it start to be ineffective?

I've found a lot of info on the pain of IUDs going IN, but what about coming out?

She also told me that if your cramps aren't so bad, you'll be fine with the copper Nova T, but if you get bad cramps you'll want the Mirena. I've been on the pill for about 5 years, so my periods have lessened. How would I know what my cramp situation is like now?

For those who have tried Mirena or Nova T, how have you found your periods/how often? Has anyone had them go away completely on Mirena?

I'm on Alesse right now, and she told me it's the same hormone in Mirena as in Alesse but at a much smaller dose. Does this mean it would be the same reaction to the hormone in the IUD as I have on Alesse?

Whoa, lot's of questions! But I'm getting excited about this whole long term birth control thing without having to remember to take a pill everyday!

Thanks so much!


PS x-posted to iud_divas

Comments

[aine1039.livejournal.com]

i have the mirena in, i dont have any periods at all. i found it took ages to settle in for me, i had bleeding for about 2 months and intermittant cramps for up to 6 months but its settled now. it was worth it for me

[the-bone-doctor.livejournal.com]

I had the copper IUD, called Paragard. This one can stay in for up to 12 years. For me, it was fairly unpleasant- I had a constant and painful period, and I got PID with the insertion (maybe why it was so painful all the time). The insertion was fairly painful but taking it out hurt worse for me. HOWEVER! This is NOT a usual response. Getting an infection only happens in a small percentage, I was just one of the unlucky ones. I would definitely consider getting another IUD if I'm sexually active with men in the future. It did feel very empowering to know that I could have spontaneous intercourse any time I wanted and not rely on anybody else or my own memory. Plus, if you do keep it in long term, it is very financially worth it, especially compared to the pill.

I have had four friends with IUDs that report great success. Three friends have the Mirena and say that their periods are light/nonexistent with little/no pain. I have one friend with a Paragard who does have heavy periods, but not very painful and still finds it preferable to hormonal birth control or none at all.

I guess everybody has a different experience. I had a bad one, but I don't think that is very common. And, even though my experience was bad, I would absolutely do it again, because I think it was a fluke to get an infection.

[theladykatarina.livejournal.com]

That's a really good question about the pain of getting it out! I have never, EVER felt as much pain as when I got my Mirena inserted 6 months ago (honestly, I'm not sure I'd do it again, it hurt so much). That was the major stumbling block for me getting one -- is it really going to hurt as much as everyone says it does? Turns out that for me, the answer was YES! And even though I wrestled with that concern for months before I decided to go for it, never once did it occur to me that getting it out would probably also hurt :)

Anyhow, I've had my Mirena, like I said, for six months. It definitely hasn't settled yet, but the cramps are lessening. I've been having periods pretty regularly (I'd say about 4 since insertion). The cramps are really quite bad, and strike at any moment, regardless of whether I'm on my period or not. But they're striking less and less frequently, and one of these days I hope to be able to do minor exercise without cramps for the next three days!

On balance, I'm not sure it's felt worth it to me yet. Hopefully these were the roughest months and things will continue to improve. And it's absolutely AWESOME to not have to take a pill at the exact same time every day!

[faithed.livejournal.com]

I have the Mirena, and haven't had a period since I had it put in. However, prior to this I was on the depo injection and also amenorrhoeic.

I've been told that removing the mirena is a lot easier and quicker than having it inserted. It wasn't particularly pleasant, but it is a lot easier if you can relax and breath! I didn't go back to work after I had it done as I was supposed to be running a group seminar and really wasn't up to 'performing'. Had it been a desk based day I think I would have been fine, especially with a heat pad to relieve the cramping I had.

In the UK Mirena is licenced for use for 5 years, it was originally 3 but has been extended. A letter to the BMJ suggests it may be effective for 7. See here (although note the conflict of interest statement)
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/316/7145/1671

I plan of having mine removed/replaced after 5 years regardless of whether it may still be effective, I don't think there is enough evidence to leave it in for 7 years (I made a similar decision to have my depo injection a week earlier than I needed in case there was a problem which meant I missed my appointment).

[anardana.livejournal.com]

The Nova-t contains polyethylene (plastic), copper and silver.

[rose mohamed (from livejournal.com)]

I had nova T for 2 years and the period was so regular but heavy and stayed from 6 to 8 days and taking it out was painless no pain at all and was painful in getting it in and there was a bleeding for 10 days and after this so normal.