Nuva-ring, depo shot or IUD???? - Page 2

[pumpkinhead]

Originally Posted by jeca

Thanks one and all! Definitly going to saty away from the Depo! I would like to try an IUd while I'm still nursing. DH soesn't think it's a good idea as it's suppose to be for four years but he wanst to have another baby in the next two( I wonder who he's having him with, but that's another problem).
I think I'll have a consultation for the IUd.

jeca, with the copper T IUD, it's at it's best, birth control wise, for the first two years. It's good for four years, but you don't need to have it in for four years! You can have it removed at any time with no ill effects! The whole 2 year vs 4 year thing was explained to me in this way: It's at it's best for the first 2 years, but tends to work just as well for the next two. Some women are concerned about the last two years and elect to have it removed and a fresh one inserted at the two year mark. There is a higher risk/rate of pregnancy with the removal and fresh insertion than with the leaving it for another 2 years. Something to do with uterine disruption? I'm not 100% clear on that...hope that explanation made some sense! If not, Lemme know and I'll try to clarify!

The point is, you're not committed to keeping it in for the 4 years! You can have it removed and start TTC at any time as there are no hormones or chemicals to get out of your system!

[jeca]

Thanks, I knew I didn't *have* to keep it in for four years but they seem to stress that overa nd over again that it is a "four year plan".
I'm not sure I want to TTC.

[pilllowhead]

Jeca,
Just make sure you don't get the IUD without hormones...I'm sure you'll be just fine

[1jooj]

I have the mirena IUD and, while it was not comfortable going in (or for about 24 hours after that but ibuprofen helped a lot), and while I spotted for a month after, I am now pleased as punch. No discomfort, no hormone surges my own body didn't make, no lessening of my already low (due to bfing) libido, no enormous appetite, crying jags, etc.
As an aside, my ob told me the copper IUD is now good for 10(!) years, mirena for 5. I wanted the "security" of a little hormone (weird, I know), so I opted for mirena. My next IUD will likely be copper, though.

[pumpkinhead]

Originally Posted by pilllowhead

Jeca,
Just make sure you don't get the IUD without hormones...I'm sure you'll be just fine

Why is the one w/o hormones bad? :

[mamangazelle]

Originally Posted by pumpkinhead

Why is the one w/o hormones bad? :

It's not that it's "bad", but it doesn't work the same way:
- if you have problems with abortion, some people consider that it is an early abortion since you still ovulate with the copper IUD, the semen and egg can meet, they just won't implant.
- the hormones make it 99.9999999999% sure, and I think the risk of ectopic pregnancy is close to none (not the case with the copper IUD)
- The copper T can give you worst menstrual cramps, a heavier flow, longer periods... It's the opposite with the mirena IUD (lighter flow, less cramping, a lot of women stop having their periods or have spotting a few times a year)

Of course, if you are uncomfortable having artificial hormones (even at a very low dose) in your body, the copper T is the way to go.

[Mamabug&co.]

New here But, please, think the Depo through!! I had it, and it was HORRIBLE!! I had bleeding for 3 MONTHS!! I also gained over 20 lbs.!! I broke out somewhat, and had no libido, plus I was extremely moody all the time. I was like a caged, wild bird. I had hot flashes, and I was miserable for the months that I had it in my system. Not to mention, that it totally messed up my fertility cycles for TWO years!! Our NFP counsler said its one of the WORST things a woman can take for bc. just a thought.

[natashaccat]

Jeca, can you make an appointment with planned parenthood for a consultation?

Dh and I used withdrawal for about 5 yrs. After (supprise!) dd was born I was so confused about all the new stuff out there. It was really helpful for me to have a discussion with a knowlagable provider who has tons of experience with a wide range different birth control methods.

I used a merina IUD (this is a plastic IUD that releases pergesterone for 5 yrs) for the 2 yrs after dd was born. It was great for me, absolutely no side effests, gallons and gallons of milk for dd , no AF, and nothing to remember. When I was ready to start TTC it took a NP less than a minute to remove it. (OK the paperwork took 20 min to fill out ).

[~Megan~]

I used the Nuva Ring and liked it. I didn't have the same problems I did with BC.

I don't like the IUD for a variety of reasons. And the dep shot can be bad if your body reacts badly to it as its in your body and you have to wait for it to work its way out.

[Oregonicmama]

I have to say stay away from Depo too!!!!! Bad news. I tried Depo b/c I could never remember to take the pill. I bled heavily at my time each month, and spotted constantly in between, had awful cramps, gained 20 lbs., BIG BAD mood swings, and completely lost my previously raging sex drive!! It actually changed me so much the guy I was engaged to couldn't deal, and we broke up. It was awful. Deffinitely not worth it.

I am pregnant now, but looking into BC for after the baby is born. I found the IUD section on the Planned Parenthood website very informative. I also looked at the Paragard website. www.paragardiud.com This one is supposed to be good for 10 years!

Does anyone know how long you have to wait after birth to have the IUD inserted? I didn't have a cycle for 16 months after DD was born, does anyone know if having the IUD inserted will bring on my cycle? I'd like to keep it away as long as possible!

One question specific to the Mirena-- The hormones in this one are supposed to only cause a thicker mucus in the vagina/ uterus. Are these the same hormones that can cause crazy mood swings? I am very sensitive to hormones and mood swings are usually the result. But I would feel better knowing the hormones were there too, just incase. I would imagine they wouldn't cause it so much as BC pills do, since they are aimed for a different result. Anyone?

Thanks!

[1jooj]

I HAD crazy mood swings on Depo, nothing with Mirena. The hormone's affect is "local," i.e. in the uterus and not systemic--not in your brain!

My OB had me wait until 10-12 weeks post-partum, so the uterus can shrink back down and not flex the device back out. She also was interested in getting it in before AF came back, with the hopes that AF just might not come back, ever. I must say, I like that idea--although I had spotting off and on for a month or so. It's been 4 months now, and it's great.

I like this so much that, since we're "done" having kids, I think I'll do Mirena every 5 years. It's so simple, and I feel so good on it. I have never been excited about bc, but I really rave about it. I have recommended it to 2 girlfriends IRL. Both have trouble with OC. One is getting Mirena with her next cycle, the other is looking into it.

[Oregonicmama]

1jooj,

Great! Thanks.

Is AF your period? What does it stand for exactly?

[1jooj]

Aunt Flo

[Oregonicmama]

Oooohhhhhhh, I get it. :

[natashaccat]

Originally Posted by lovelocks

One question specific to the Mirena-- The hormones in this one are supposed to only cause a thicker mucus in the vagina/ uterus. Are these the same hormones that can cause crazy mood swings?

Thanks!

No merena mood swings for me either, not much sex drive during that time though but I was also nursing a breastmilk junky for two years and dd isn't much of a sleeper.

[AnnMarie]

I have to say stay away from the IUD. I had problems and had to have it out 3 weeks after having it put in. I felt immediately better after having it out and of course got my period the next day. :LOL