I've been researching the IUD like crazy after I remembered that I react badly to spermicide. I went through pains to get a diaphragm (very hard to get a hold of nowadays) and then when I finally got it, I had trouble getting it in and fought with the thing which killed every mood. But that's not the real problem. The real problem is the spermicide gave me a bad yeast infection. Now that I remember the last time I used spermicide, I recall that was my problem too. There's money I'll never see again 
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In any case, in researching the IUD, one of the most common complaints is heavier periods and more cramping. Back in my teens, I had BAD BAD BAD cramps to the point of vomiting. I went on the pill at 16 and continued until I was about 32. Of course, I had bad side effects such as troublesome fatigue where there were times I couldn't even get out of bed, depression, NO libido, weird hormonal fluxes, and those are just the ones I can remember offhand. My Patron Saint of all Idiots OBGYN (and I have others that will back up that statement) told me there was absolutely no way the pill could cause what I was experiencing and sent me home with a prescription for Zoloft *punch repeatedly*
So I get off the pill and suddenly I have energy like I haven't had in years and a libido to match. I also felt the compelling urge to get pregnant and did so shortly after (it was an actual physical urge believe it or not.) So fast forward to today. After we stopped breastfeeding my period came back. I've had two "normal" types of periods since stopping breastfeeding. The difference from when I was in my teens (which is the only time I had non-hormone influenced periods) is that I no longer have those horrible cramps. The period is relatively heavy and lasts for about 7 days to total completion (no pads at all) but except for a little discomfort, I'm fine, and I can hike through that discomfort. I'm wondering if the childbirth had something to do with fixing whatever the issue was with those cramps or if they're just waiting for me to become complacent before rearing their ugly heads.
So for those who have been on a IUD (going to use copper, NOT NOT NOT hormones, don't ever want those in my body again unless my only other choice is death), and especially if you've had at least one child, how much stronger are the cramps? I have a high needs little guy and run a business and a household and am trying to get this place in order after years of fatigue and depression, so I can NOT afford to be down for a day or two at a time like I used to be. Your thoughts?
:In any case, in researching the IUD, one of the most common complaints is heavier periods and more cramping. Back in my teens, I had BAD BAD BAD cramps to the point of vomiting. I went on the pill at 16 and continued until I was about 32. Of course, I had bad side effects such as troublesome fatigue where there were times I couldn't even get out of bed, depression, NO libido, weird hormonal fluxes, and those are just the ones I can remember offhand. My Patron Saint of all Idiots OBGYN (and I have others that will back up that statement) told me there was absolutely no way the pill could cause what I was experiencing and sent me home with a prescription for Zoloft *punch repeatedly*
So I get off the pill and suddenly I have energy like I haven't had in years and a libido to match. I also felt the compelling urge to get pregnant and did so shortly after (it was an actual physical urge believe it or not.) So fast forward to today. After we stopped breastfeeding my period came back. I've had two "normal" types of periods since stopping breastfeeding. The difference from when I was in my teens (which is the only time I had non-hormone influenced periods) is that I no longer have those horrible cramps. The period is relatively heavy and lasts for about 7 days to total completion (no pads at all) but except for a little discomfort, I'm fine, and I can hike through that discomfort. I'm wondering if the childbirth had something to do with fixing whatever the issue was with those cramps or if they're just waiting for me to become complacent before rearing their ugly heads.
So for those who have been on a IUD (going to use copper, NOT NOT NOT hormones, don't ever want those in my body again unless my only other choice is death), and especially if you've had at least one child, how much stronger are the cramps? I have a high needs little guy and run a business and a household and am trying to get this place in order after years of fatigue and depression, so I can NOT afford to be down for a day or two at a time like I used to be. Your thoughts?
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