Need Info on IUD - Page 2

[Jen123]

"I completely respect that many people would not use the IUD if preventing implantation of a fertilized egg was even a slight possibility. "

Likewise I respect someone who wants to use it. I mentioned it because most women are unaware of that fact.

"I just have not seen any research that actually decisively shows that prevention of implantation is actually the means of contraception when using the IUD. "

And you won't. They couldn't sell them if they were known as abortifacients.

[flitters]

Originally posted by Jen123
And you won't. They couldn't sell them if they were known as abortifacients.

Yes, I wouldn't expect the research to come directly from companies like Mirena, but I would certainly expect it to surface from other interest groups. The only third party study I found (and I'd have to really dig to reference it, I don't remember where it was) showed no evidence of fertilization.

I am aware that the IUD *may* function in part as an abortifacient, but I haven't seen any research that actually demonstrated this (and I've looked quite a bit out of curiosity).

[TrishWSU]

I don't know if this is a reason that you don't don't hear about them being abortifacients or not, but a pregnancy isn't medically deemed a pregnancy until implantation has occured.

My sister works for Planned Parenthood, and she said this is why the morning after pill says is doesn't help if you're already pregnant.

In other words, fertilzation may occur but no implantation- therefore, no pregnancy; medically speaking. Your personal opinion may differ as to when pregancy begins.

Just food for thought.

[anothermama]

ok, jumping on board hoping for some more input.........I posted on TAO but this seems more appropriate.......

I am thinking of getting an IUD as well.

I NEED birth control. I will not, cannot, and should not use NFP. It's not an option for us.

I HATE condoms. Another "not an option".

I'm having a baby in May that I'll be breastfeeding and I'm not going to rely on the breastfeeding because my fertility returned within a month of having my daughter regardless of my breastfeeding.

So my options are non estrogen b/c, a diaphragm, or an IUD. I would prefer no chemical inside me. I see women complaining about having a foreign object in them.......that doesn't bother me as much as chemicals in me does. I don't forsee that being an issue for me.

I think that the diaphragm would work for us, but I worry that we may slip here and there and, sorry to give TMI, but I worry my husband may hit it.....he's fairly big. So, I'd worry that would be uncomfortable for him.

My feelings are that if I have cramping or a bad fit with the IUD I can always get it taken out, but I really would like to try it.

If anyone has any other input on this, PLEASE share!!!!!!!

[mamangazelle]

As I told you on your other post, I my mirena IUD. I know you don't like chemicals, but I'll tell you the good side of it anyway (I'm quite stubborn )
-The hormone levels are a lot lower than those in the pill or mini-pill, so they almost don't get into the blood stream.
- The hormones prevent the heavy bleeding and cramping that usualy comes with an IUD, in fact, most women don't have periods anymore, and those who still have them say they experience less cramping than before, and that their period doesn't last as long and isn't as heavy as before.
- it is 99.9999999999999% effective (not the case with a regular IUD)
- it is safe when breastfeeding

It is more expensive than the copper IUD, but for me, it's all worth it.
I hope you find a good method for you

[anothermama]

Originally posted by mamangazelle
As I told you on your other post, I my mirena IUD. I know you don't like chemicals, but I'll tell you the good side of it anyway (I'm quite stubborn )
-The hormone levels are a lot lower than those in the pill or mini-pill, so they almost don't get into the blood stream.
- The hormones prevent the heavy bleeding and cramping that usualy comes with an IUD, in fact, most women don't have periods anymore, and those who still have them say they experience less cramping than before, and that their period doesn't last as long and isn't as heavy as before.
- it is 99.9999999999999% effective (not the case with a regular IUD)
- it is safe when breastfeeding

It is more expensive than the copper IUD, but for me, it's all worth it.
I hope you find a good method for you

I have to say I'm VERY VERY wary of using that one because I'm afraid that even the low level of estrogen will mess up my supply............

I know it's pretty new but I'm wondering if theres any evidence about this....

The main reason I dont want hormones is the baby but secondary, my whole family notices how much nicer I am when I'm NOT on the pill. So it makes me think that the hormones must really do a number on me............

[TrishWSU]

I use a diaphragm and I actually love it. I was really apprehensive at firt b/c I thought it would be annoying put it in everytime we wanted to have sex and I was worried dh would feel it b/c he always could feel my IUD strings. And I was also worried about it moving.

But, after 5 months I haven't had any problems. It's really easy to put in after the first few tries, like anything else you just have to get used to doing it. I've noticed (at least in my case) that if I can feel it, then it's in wrong. What I really like about it is that we get to choose when to use bc. Right now that's everytime, but when we ttc, I won't have to make a dr. appt. first. I guess I just like being the one in control of it. And I like that there's no hormones.

I also halfway use NFP; I only check my cf so I have a reasonably good idea of when I'm fertile. But we have still had sex during this time w/ the diaphragm and no oops. One more thing, and this is probably TMI, but you can even have sex during menstration w/ the diaphragm b/c it works as collector. I know you're probably not suppose to or maybe it's not recommended but we do almost every month.

So, there's my opinion on the diaphragm. HTH

Trish

[flitters]

just to add in my experiences with the diaphragm:

i didn't mind having to put it in before sex and it was nice that you could plan ahead if you knew you'd be getting some later.

it turns out i'm allergic to spermicide which made it miserable. i had minor yeast infections monthly when i used the diaphragm. it actually started putting me off sex (which i really enjoy!).

as for dh - my iud strings would poke him but i don't think the diaphragm bothered him. i think the cervix kind of stops the penis before it hits the rim which is the hard part. however, when he would go in deep with the diaphragm it hurt me. i think it would get pushed up and cause that "ouch he's in my throat" kind of feeling.

i can't believe i used the diaphragm for 2+ years before getting the iud. in retrospect i can't believe i put up with it that long, but i really didn't know there were any good options that would work for me until i started doing research and found the copper T iud (which did not give me heavy bleeding and cramping).

[Finnsma]

Just a word about bfing with the Merina. I've had the Merina for... gosh 18 months. It did not effect my supply at all! I tandem nursed my two for 16 months with it. When Gretchen (now 3 1/2) was nursing as often as Koen (now 1 1/2) I still had the supply of a nursing mother of twins! LOL Never mind my 'twins' were 20 months apart!

While I've loved my Merina in terms of having no side effects, extremely light af once it came back 15 mpp, and no pain or anything, I can not wait to get it out of me even though we're not ready for another baby! It's become a head thing.


Eva
WAHMama of 2 Sweeties
Gretchen 10-23-00
Koen 7-8-02

[momsgotmilk4two]

I had the copper t IUD for about 6 months and had a horrible experience with it. I had 10 day long VERY heavy periods. A girl who had hers inserted about the same time as I did had to have hers removed too because of 14 day long heavy periods. My mom had a bad experience with them too. It just seems like I know more people who have had negative experiences than positive ones. I was hoping to avoid the pill, but this just didn't work out. I was actually fine on the pill. I think that I'm going to go on the pill for the first year after this baby is born and then dh will have a vasectomy.