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.