copper v's mirena IUD- what did you pick?

[crayon]

I am really thinking about getting an IUD- I will NOT get my tubes tied and my DH will not get his done either- Really I think we are not sure if we are done at 2 or if we will want more. He hates condoms and so do I. I really dont want anything hormonal but I am wondering why some here have decided on the mirena v's the non-hormonal copper one???

Thanks!!

[broodymama]

I had the copper IUD, but this was about 10 years ago and I'm not sure if the Mirena was available then. I plan on getting another IUD after we have a 2nd child and will choose the copper one again. My body just does not react well to hormonal birth control anymore so my whole reason for getting an IUD is to stay away from the hormonal BC methods.

[nonconformnmom]

I have chosen the Mirena IUD - twice. I used birth control pills and the hormones messed my body up really bad. I was determined not to use hormones; but my OB told me that Mirena's hormones are trace amounts and they stay localized within the uterus (I think this is right), so they don't enter the bloodstream. She also said the Mirena is safe to use while breastfeeding. I got my first Mirena 6 weeks after the birth of my now-3-year old. I had 6 weeks of spotting, then regular periods starting at about 6 months postpartum (I was still breastfeeding), and then by 8 months postpartum my periods stopped except for a day of very light bleeding. (The Mirena stops many women's monthly bleeding because it causes the lining of the uterus to become very thin, which is part of the way it works to prevent implantation.)

Well, a few months later, I decided I wanted another baby! s So I had the Mirena removed in late November, and was pregnant by February. Now I have my second Mirena in place, again inserted 6 weeks postpartum (it is most comfortable then since the cervix is still a bit open so the insertion is easier). I had more weeks of bleeding with the Mirena this time; have no idea why that is. But it stopped and I've had 2 regular periods now, as of 10 months postpartum.

[mamajessica]

Mirena
Copper has a tendency to make cramping worse, which I could totally NOT handle!

[BlueStateMama]

I picked the Mirena because I didn't want the heavy, painful periods associated with copper. So far, I love it (one of those, "I can't believe everyone doesn't have one of these!!" kind of loves )

[jane-t-mommy]

Paragaurd (copper). I've only had mine for 2 months. I'm not crazy about the extra spotting, or longer crampier periods though. Maybe in 9 years I"ll think about Mirena :LOL The cramping so far hasn't been any more intense than I remember before pregnancy though, and I was hesitant to add hormones. Good luck.

[pinkersmommy]

I just got the Paraguard also. I in no way wanted hormones. My body freaks out and i gain a bunch of weight.
Got it 2 weeks ago and so far so good. Havent had a period yet, but i would trade more cramps( i usually have none) instead of weight gain and funky moods.
I love it, dont know why more women dont go this way. No worries, no pills, i never think about it.

[MsMoMpls]

Love my Mirena... my second one as well. Used one for 18 months, took it out and got pregnant immediately, got the second at 2 months post baby and have had it since. I did have lots of spotting, both times but that seems like nothing now that I have almost no periods, and the only down side I see is that it is so easy, I constantly worry that it is gone. Boy- do I wish I had this option 10 years ago... I was so horrible about taking the pill, this is so much easier and so little hormone influence.

[winter_dawn]

I have the copper, I have no cramping at all anymore, and my AF is a little heavier, but not bad at all. This is the only type of bc I would even consider now that I've tried it.

[crayon]

Well, I did end up getting one- but I got the merina. For a few reasons...

1.) the cramping and bleeding tend to be less
2.) It was good for 5 years- the other one was 10-12 but I just figured I *should* know what we are going to do in 5 years.
3.) the planned parenthood I went to gets them for free from merina if you fill out a request and I really didn't want to pay or have them pay $400 for the copper one.

It was really easy to get put in- even when the doctor doing had never done one- she was getting trained and that worried me even more, but it was really not painful. I crampped for 3 days- the first night was the wrost and last night I realized I totally forgot I even have one It has been 2 weeks and I fell great!!! So easy and so much less worry!!

[tuhraycee]

To me the IUD is the perfect birth control for couples! I have the copper IUD because hormones and I didn't get along very well the years I was on BCP. I also had mine put in a 6 wks post pardum and wasn't phased by the procedure at all.

I've always had strong cramps but the IUD hasn't added to it. I just take an advil or aleve and its gone.

[Drummer's Wife]

I chose the mirena becasuse I was afraid of the cramps and heavy bleeding that can come along with the copper iud. I also liked the 5 yr option over 10 yrs. Of course either can be taken out at any time. I also felt weird about having something copper in my body, though I guess plastic isn't much better. I like mine, haven't had any complications and I am someone who does not do well with the hormones in bc pills.

[Brinda]

Originally Posted by nonconformnmom

I have chosen the Mirena IUD - twice. I used birth control pills and the hormones messed my body up really bad. I was determined not to use hormones; but my OB told me that Mirena's hormones are trace amounts and they stay localized within the uterus (I think this is right), so they don't enter the bloodstream. She also said the Mirena is safe to use while breastfeeding.

This is the exact reason I got mine. I get horrible awful migraines from messing with hormones. But my doc told me the same, they are trace and localized, don't enter the bloodstream. I didn't have any extra migraines, so it worked!

[babycarrier]

Anyone not do well with hormonal bc and go with the Mirena anyway? My doc assures me that the amount is so minimal that it will not affect me. Now I have the Mirena and I don't know what to think! I don't know if I feel like this because this is me or because I have the damn IUD. I think I'm not loving this and need to explore options....hmmm....anyone go with the copper and really have the super heavy crampy periods?

[monkaha]

I have a copper one, and haven't had bad cramps at all. My last period was very heavy (changing super tampons every hour) but the one before that wasn't. : I think my body's still figuring out what normal is-I've always used the pill in the past.

[Sharlla]

I chose copper both times because I am extremely sensitive to hormones and didn't want to take a chance with the mirena. I havn't suffered any kind of side effects by using the paragard. I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[crazy_eights]

I had a MIrena for a year and had it taken out b/c I got acne, weight gain and zero sex drive. I don't think these are common complaints but I just saw in another thread here someone complaining of the same side effects.

[rianna]

I have been looking for this kind of thread!!!!

I got the para IUD yesterday and so far I am a little freaked out. Implanting a foreign object into my body scares the #### out of me. I have been cram[ping a little but nothing major. I seem to be able to feel it though.... maybe its just in my head ? So you all have had decent experiences? Please let me know.

[crayon]

rianna- I got mine in Sept, and I also cramped after for a few days and also felt like I could feel it. I don't know if it was in my head either- but I know what you are saying. I also don't like having things in my body- but then again, I don't want to be pregnant, not sure if I am done, and the truth is I am too lazy to do anything else.

I don't have a huge sex drive- but that is normal for me, I am BFing and I think that kills it anyway. I have been having major weight loss so, I have not had problems with that. I did have spotting about 6 weeks after I got it but that has been it- no period or anything yet.

I did notice that I get crampy or can have that feeling like I can feel it when I have sex in certin ways.

[shelbean91]

I just had the paraguard inserted this past Wed. It was slightly crampy for a couple of days. I sometimes think I feel it, but I mostly think it's in my head. I keep thinking it's a tampon that needs to be replaced. I've noticed more discharge than usual (it started like spotting, then pink, then brownish). I haven't had sex yet and I'm a bit worried about that- also in my head mostly.