IUD vs. The Pill

[foolonthehill.livejournal.com]

I am new here *wave* and already have a question for you wonderful people.

I have been on the pill since I was a bout 17, and I am going to be 25 this September. I have never really thought about venturing away from the pill (though I did do a little stunt with the patch but that was quick). Recently I have been thinking about talking to my doctor about getting an IUD.

My problem is that I don’t know anyone that has one, or has had one, and was wondering if those who have or did have would mind sharing their stories with me, what sorts of side effects did you experience? Did it work well for you? Is it something that you plan on keeping even after you need to get a new one? Did it ever “slip out” (that’s my biggest worry)? How was the process of getting it inserted?

While I have been doing some research around the net, one thing that I don’t see listed as a side effect is weight gain. Is that a side effect that no one wants to talk about? Does this generally have more or less hormone in it then the pill?

I know these are all questions I could ask my doctor, but it will be a bit before I run out of my pill and wanted to learn a little before that time comes. Any help or advice would be great! Thanks!

Comments

[liquorlyles.livejournal.com]

I just got my IUD put in yesterday, I really recommend checking out the community iud_divas.

I haven't had problems with mine, although it was extremely (abnormally according to my doctor) hard to get it put in I love it now. I had severe cramping while getting it in and it took about an hour but after that my cramps felt like period cramps and they tapered off today. I haven't had problems with it falling out yet, or anything of the sort. There hasn't been any evidence supporting weight gain on the IUD either.

[foolonthehill.livejournal.com]

Thank you! What made you choose IUD over other forms of BC? Thanks for hte link to the community! Will have a lot of reading to do tonight!

[liquorlyles.livejournal.com]

I had a lot of problems with the pill and my stomach. My stomach would get really sick and I'd either throw up or even worse I'd feel like I was going to throw up for weeks on end and my Doctor finally figured out it was estrogen that is making me sick so she put me on the nuva ring which is suppose to have REALLY low doses of everything but then I lost my sex drive, hah, and I wasn't comfortable with the patch or the shot so I figured I'd try out the IUD and so far I love it. But its only been 24 hrs, hah.

[neaira.livejournal.com]

As IUD's aren't hormonal, they wouldn't be linked to weight gain. Generally doctors don't like giving women who haven't been pregnant IUD's as there's a greater chance it will be expelled, and a greater chance that you won't have enough room in your uterus for it.

But it's worth a shot to ask!

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

There are both hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs, and the tendency to dissuade childless women from getting them is particularly based in the US, and is declining. There are many many happy childless women with IUDs; iud_divas is a good place to read up.

[foolonthehill.livejournal.com]

So there is a good chance that my PP will work with me on this? (and joining that community thanks!)

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

Absolutely - and if you get turned down in one place, keep trying others. You're only a few months younger than me according to your userinfo, and I have a mirena I got in March of this year. It can happen - it's just a matter of persistence and finding the right doctor/clinic. Good luck!

[neaira.livejournal.com]

Argh, the evils of the US have misinformed me. X( I am most displeased.

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

Hey, no worries. We've all gotta learn sometime. :)

[teddybear115.livejournal.com]

thats actually false. IUDs are hormonal. the Mirena IUD has hormones and the Paraguard doesnt. doctors dont care about previous pregnancies since your cervix always contracts to the same point, etc. i learned all this at IUD_Divas.

[neaira.livejournal.com]

I was under the impression they all lacked hormones! Well, I suck. Sorry for the misinformation. T_T

[teddybear115.livejournal.com]

haha its okay...i only know since i have hormonal issues. i think the Mirena is new...relatively speaking..so i think alot of people still think of IUDs as non hormonal. i did at first.

[teddybear115.livejournal.com]

go to IUD_Divas for more info...they are great

[foolonthehill.livejournal.com]

thanks! Joining it right after I respond so far :D

[teddybear115.livejournal.com]

they've helped me alot!

[paperstar19.livejournal.com]

I was on HBC for a couple of years before I got my Mirena IUD inserted this January, and I couldn't be happier that I switched. Although I didn't have any big problems with side effects on the pill, the IUD has less (Mirena) or no (Paraguard) hormones, so the that is a concern for you, it will probable help you out. Also, it's way easier not taking a pill everyday and forgeting about BC for the next five years. Plus they are more effective than any other contraceptive, other than abstinence.

The only side effects that I've noticed we the complete disapperance of my periods (yay!), and a little bit of a moustache, but not enough for anyone to notice, except my sister and I (even my boyfriend, whom I live with, didn't notice). Paraguard can make your periods heavier and more painful, but many women feel like it's a small price to pay for getting the artificial hormones out of your body. There is also some post insertion cramping and spotting that I was suprised to find out lasted almost an entire month, but the ease of my Mirena has already more than made up for it.

If you are young, nulliparous (you haven't given birth), unmarried, and you live in the United States, it is in fact true that you might have some difficulty finding a doctor to do the insertion for you. There are some concerns that your uterus and cervix are too small or that if you're not married/in a long term monogamous relationship (which for some doctors is one in the same) the possible increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease when you aquire an STI. I am only 20 and it took me about six months of persistence to get mine, but it was well worth it. If your doctor is not being helpful, by all means go elsewhere.

As everyone else has said, iud_divas is a great resource. If you are seriously considering an IUD, they can arm you with information for your doctor and prepare you for the insertion. Good luck!

[liquorlyles.livejournal.com]

Thats a good point, some doctors aren't ...for doing IUDS on people who are younger and not married or haven't had a child. My doctor actually suggested the IUD and was pushing me towards it considering it seems every other method was failing on me and making me ill. So far so good! I'm praying the Mirena works with me, I've only had it in for 24 hours though.