IUD Questions... « Back to Group Discussions

[meesh933]

I know several of you have or have had IUDs in the past....talk to me. We are considering doing this instead of permanent contraception for now, but I have only just started looking into it. Pros/cons? What about getting it placed? Is that uncomfortable/painful/what? I don't know that I'm 100% happy with the idea of an IUD, but I'm also not ready to make a permanent decision just yet...any other ideas, ladies?

[Mal85]

I just had mine put in at my 6 week check up. So, I've had it a little over a week now. It didn't hurt at all to have it put in. I didn't even feel it. My midwife said she likes to put them in postpartum for that reason. The cervix is still loose enough that it's not uncomfortable. There is a higher risk of it falling out though, but so far so good. She also said people who didn't recently have a baby or haven't had any babies tend to have more pain or discomfort when it's placed.

I've had just a little bit of cramping. Nothing worth taking any medicine for, it's really not bad. Just really mild menstrual type cramps. I've had some spotting that's still going on, but a very thin pad or panty liner is plenty. I've checked on the strings a couple of times. The paperwork my midwife gave me said to check the strings once a week, just to make sure it's not moving. 

That's really been it as far as my experience so far. I haven't had it long enough to see how it's affecting my moods, etc. 

[dashley111]

I was thinking about getting a Mirena.  I'm nervous about the idea, and worried it will affect my milk supply because of the hormones. 

[Mal85]

I was told it wouldn't do anything to supply because the hormones are so low and contained to the uterus. So far, I haven't noticed any dip in my supply. In fact, I just pump 4 oz from one side yesterday, so I think I still have plenty of milk!

[dashley111]

Good to know, thank you!

[FaithF]

I'm thinking about getting the Paraguard. It's hormone free which is awesome. I can't do hormones. I might get it done next week. Will let you all know how I like it.

[Jaimee]

I'm personally afraid of IUD's for several reasons.  My SIL had the paraguard put in and had a severe reaction to the copper.  I've also read numerous threads on MDC (in the fertility forum) about copper reactions that range from profuse bleeding to crazy mood issues to other even more bizarre side effects.  Professionals don't quite know why the copper IUD even works and that kind of makes me nervous as well.  The second main reason is that I know three IUD babies, which statistically should not be true, but it sounds like it's not too uncommon for them to migrate- even outside the uterus into the body, which really makes me nervous.  Overall, I just don't like the idea of a foreign object inside me, doing strange things that are not necessarily predictable or fully understood.

On the flip side, there are a ton of women that LOVE their IUD's, so it's a tough call.

[dashley111]

I think I decided against it after research.  I have a pretty cut and clean belief about when life begins, and I feel like it goes against my personal moral beliefs. 

[KaliShanti]

This is why I can't either.

Originally Posted by dashley111 

I think I decided against it after research.  I have a pretty cut and clean belief about when life begins, and I feel like it goes against my personal moral beliefs. 

[meesh933]

Originally Posted by dashley111 

I think I decided against it after research.  I have a pretty cut and clean belief about when life begins, and I feel like it goes against my personal moral beliefs. 

This is pretty much where I'm leaning, too. I wish there were something more reliable with less work than NFP that I could use for several years before we make a permanent decision...

[dashley111]

Originally Posted by meesh933 

This is pretty much where I'm leaning, too. I wish there were something more reliable with less work than NFP that I could use for several years before we make a permanent decision...

Yeah, Im pretty disappointed!   I had asked about the issue when talking to one of my OB's residents, and she assured me that I would not only not ovulate but that the cervical mucous would kill any sperm before they made it into the uterus/tubes.  But after researching it, it is very clear that is not the case at all. 

I think my next best option is the mini pill.  I hate pills.  I hate hate hate birth control pills.  My son was conceived while I was using birth control pills.  But I need to do something or I will be too afraid to ever have sex again...

[jbk21]

From the research I have done, the IUD prevents pregnancy by changing the CM as well as changing the lining of the uterus.  I believe this is where the ethical quandary is, yes?  Birth control pills ALSO change the lining of the uterus (as well as prevent ovulation- except the mini-pill only prevents ovulation consistently in half of women).  So if ovulation occurs with the pill (which is definitely possible, especially with progesterone-only pills) then pregnancy is still prevented in the same way as with the IUD.  

I have the same moral dilemma with those BC options, so I thought I'd share what I have found.  

So I think NFP, withdrawal, and barrier methods are the only options (besides sterilization) if you have moral issues with changing the uterine lining.  

[KaliShanti]

Originally Posted by dashley111 
Yeah, Im pretty disappointed!   I had asked about the issue when talking to one of my OB's residents, and she assured me that I would not only not ovulate but that the cervical mucous would kill any sperm before they made it into the uterus/tubes.  But after researching it, it is very clear that is not the case at all. 

I think my next best option is the mini pill.  I hate pills.  I hate hate hate birth control pills.  My son was conceived while I was using birth control pills.  But I need to do something or I will be too afraid to ever have sex again...

Birth control pills can be abortificients too... I too wish there was an easier option that is completely noninvasive other than barrier method and nfp! We'd like closer to 3 years in between this one and our next and then we think #4 would be our last.. but we won't do anything permanent. So I wish there were more options!!

[dashley111]

OH...man...sometimes ignorance is bliss

[FaithF]

I believe life begins at conception. So does the IUD in effect "abort" a fertilized egg?

[meesh933]

Originally Posted by FaithF 

I believe life begins at conception. So does the IUD in effect "abort" a fertilized egg?

From what I've read, it prevents implantation by altering the uterine lining to make it inhospitable. So, technically, yes.

[FaithF]

:-/ Egh. That's not an option then. Thanks for the info.

[jbk21]

Originally Posted by FaithF 

I believe life begins at conception. So does the IUD in effect "abort" a fertilized egg?

It *can*, in theory.  They are not sure if it happens in practice, but there is a chance.  As mentioned previously, it is also theoretically a possibility with BC pills.  The main way that BC pills AND the IUD prevent conception is via hormones as well as changing the cervical mucus.  All that to say, there is a small chance that it does make it so that a fertilized egg cannot implant in the lining.