August 08, 2005

• I'm not a woman, but I do have some anecdotal information, plus a little non-attributed scientific information. 1) I'm given to understand that, especially for the first several months, you'll have increased menstrual symptoms. Aside from that, not much by way of noticeable side effects. 2) You need to dig up the scientific data on this particular issue. Basically, there's this old wives tale that you will go sterile with an IUD. If you look up the actual stats, yes, there is a % chance of sterility, but there's actually a higher % chance if you don't have an IUD. Either way, it's not a high percentage. Dig around, the info is on the web, and if you can present the data to a doctor, then that should finish the convincing. Failing that, go to planned parenthood instead. They'll be a lot more sympathetic and knowledgeable.
• I Love My Paragard. (So I will be biased in my responses.) I got it 1.5 years ago when I was 22. I had to go off OCPs - about five years - after spontaneously becoming hypertensive. I have never been pregnant (and I'm very CF, so I don't intend to be) so getting an IUD was more the result of having two choices: IUD or diaphragm. I balked at the failure rate of the diaphragm and had to sort of plea with my gyn. She is, however, the awesomest person on earth and gave in. I got it because I refused the diaphragm and am in a LTR and thus at low risk for STDs. Why don't they like doing it? Three reasons: 1. They don't always fit in non-stretched uteri. 2. Uteri that haven't had anything in them may reject the invader and expel it. 3. The US never got over the Dalkon shield incident. The first one is something they can/will check prior to insertion by 'sounding' the uterus and measuring the depth. The second is, unfortunately, trial and error. (After the first X months you're generally clear, though.) The third requires a bit more explanation. The US is so sue-happy and so many practitioners have bad memories of Dalkon still that people are reluctant to use them. What happened was that women were getting IUDs who were not in stable relationships/practicing safe sex (this was the 70s) and were getting STDs. If you get an STD with an IUD in place it basically can get a lot worse a lot quicker. And if that happens, you can become sterile from the infection (obviously this can happen without an IUD, but it takes longer - but as my doc said, the real problems only happen if you're stupid and ignore the high fever that happens in infections.) So there were a lot of problems with that. This is why a gyn who knew me and knew that I'd been with the same partner for years and knew that I was a low STD risk gave me my IUD. I don't know how easy it is for others. So your primary way of getting one is to have a sympathetic practitioner and a handful of reasons to get off systemic hormones. They may suggest a low-dose/mini pill instead. Preferably someone who does them a lot. Why I like my IUD: One, first and foremost, I have a libido again. The hormones were killing it (acting as a double-dose of BC.) Second, I can check to see that it's in place. It's a little thing, but feeling the string coil is reassuring. Yet I don't have to remember it daily. Third, I had generally weird reactions to the pill. I was getting really depressed and was Dxed with PMDD - poof, went away. I was gaining weight. Almost constant yeast infections. I had long periods (8-10 days.) I needed to get off the damn things and the HTN was the kicker. Sadly, my skin went back to its old self. The only side effect from the IUD is that the first few periods SUCKED. Mirena does have hormones, as you know, and doesn't have the same side effects of potentially heavy periods and cramps - it lightens them, or so I've heard. I use those Thermacare pads when it's really bad, but I haven't had to use those since last summer. If you want more - including my even longer insertion story - you can e-mail me.
• What's CF?
• minda: CF=childfree.
• WTF? C9 really OD'd on the TLAs.
• How about a tattoo labeled "Boys Keep Out" on the inner thigh? /leaving...
• Lesbianism could be the solution to all my birth control problems, if only I could find the right girl. :)
• It was worse before I edited it, actually. Working in the medical field gives me bad habits regarding abbreviations.
• The worst part is, I didn't even notice the abbreviations. I must be at least as bad.
• MonkeyFilter: How about a tattoo labeled "Boys Keep Out" You probably don't want to hear my tale of How I Got Preggers On The Copper7, but it has to do with improper insertion anyway.
• BlueHorse...yeah, those are always fun stories. Myself, I was conceived while my mother was on The Pill. I've been a proud result of birth control malfunction for 21 years.
• I had the copper 7, at least I think that's what it was. Awful. Horrible cramps, insane bleeding which eventually became full time until the doctor took it out. YMMV, of course, but I have loved my diaphragm ever since.
• I've been teetering on the edge of getting an IUD for the last couple of years. My GP is also my GYN, and she never batted and eye when I asked about getting one, even though I am childless. But she is pretty progressive and works in a clinic that specializes in urban women. From my research, I think the Mirena had fewer risks, but that may be due partly to the fact that it has to be replaced every 3-5 years, whereas the Copper T can be used to up to 10 years. I also have a stat that says IUD's are that most popular form of birth control used by female GYN's themselves. My primary concern was sex related. Like Cobaltnine mentioned, there is a short piece of string that is tied to the end of the IUD (sort of like fishing line)that extends out of the cervix. It's purpose is so that you can check periodically and make sure that it is still in place. So I wondered (how can I put this delicately)if it might be unpleasantly pokey for objects that might be bumping against the cervix. Care to weigh in on this C9 (or anyone else)?
• My mother and I had a chat about this, kimdog (a very. very. uncomfortable. chat). She started using the copper-7 after I was born. She said -- this is a direct quote. from my mother. "If a man is, ummm...very well-endowed, I guess you might say? Then sometimes, when you're having sex, he might be able to feel the string." She paused. "Your father actually CUT HIMSELF on my string. Really badly. it's like fishing line, it just cut him RIGHT open." Ooooookay. And that's why I stopped talking to her about it and came here. There are just some things you don't need to know about your own dad.
• I have learned two things in this thread: IUDs aren't horrible painful death-makers, and YMMV means Your Milage May Vary.
• I had the Mirena inserted 2 years ago when I was 27 and love it! I was on the pill before and was always forgetting to take it. I’m CF so it took going to 2 OB/GYNs to get it done because the first refused to do it (this was in Portugal – a very Catholic country). Be honest with your doctor – explain your plans and how you would like the benefit of immediate fertility when it’s removed which you won’t have if you continue using depo. I won’t lie – it hurt! But, the pain was gone in a day. I had an ultrasound the next week to make sure it was positioned correctly and that’s it. I bled heavily for about 10 days after the insertion, and then had very light, irregular bleeding for 2 months. After that, for about a year, I didn’t bleed at all. Now I bleed about every 6 weeks, and it’s very light, only a day or two. Before, I had heavy bleeding 5-10 days a month when I was on the pill. Weight gain hasn’t been an issue – in fact I’ve lost a substantial amount of weight (75 pounds through diet and exercise) while it’s been inserted. Kimdog- My OB/GYN said if I feel it during sex, it is not positioned correctly and to come in to have it checked. I've never felt it during sex.
• "Your father actually CUT HIMSELF on my string. Really badly. it's like fishing line, it just cut him RIGHT open." Ok, I ignored the warning Boys keep out, cuz I think I'm beyond that - - but that was *painful* to read, toooo much information! Regardless, I think this is a fine thread (no pun intended).
• I have anecdotal evidence that the IUD does not cause sterility: According to my mom, I was conceived while she was wearing one. (Dad got his tubes tied after that - no comment on their affection for me. They just thought three was enough.)
• Well, on the Paragard it isn't fishing line. It's probably changed recently - I think everything changed after the damn Dalkon incidents. It's more like cotton - at least, it feels like cotton to me, sort of like embroidery floss. After being in place for a few weeks it gets softer. Don't have it cut short and it will curl up and stay out of the way; I think mine's 1.5 inches. No injuries reported.
• Thanks for the info on my particular question... these are the kinds of things that you just can't find out through "sanctioned" sources (of which I am up to my ears) I am really tired of the pill. But I hate barrier methods, I am too appointment challenged for Depo, and I have too much body fat to use the patch. I've heard great things about Nuvaring, but my insurance doesn't cover it fully (which is incredibly ironic given where I work) and I would end up paying $40 a month. Way out of my budget, since I am only paying $5 a month for the pill. In fact, the long term cost of the IUD is one of the things that makes it so appealing.
• And to think of all those fellow stupid males that moan 'oh, it's a hassle to use them' about condoms... I have learned two things in this thread: IUDs aren't horrible painful death-makers, and YMMV means Your Milage May Vary And: musing's dad is a big boy. Ok, sorry, I'll leave now...
• After I had a child, I had an IUD for years. I forgot it was in, basically. My new gynecologist had a bit of a cow when he found out I still had it (apparently it was supposed to only stay in for a few years), and took it out. It was just fine. I went back on the pill for a little while after I had the IUD removed, but the weight gain and moodiness sucked. The Today sponge is now available from Canada, thank God. Just as soon as I finish going through menopause I'll be able to forget about all this.
• I'm so glad that you posted this because I've actually been thinking about this. I recently went to a new gyn for my yearly appointment and we went over everything, and I explained that I had been married for over 6 years, we're not planning to have kids, and I'd never tried the pill because I have migraines. Well, she told me that I absolutely shouldn't have the pill, and that an IUD would be a much better long term solution (and cheaper than condoms.) She did not have a problem at all with the fact that I don't have children.
• If I decided the IUD was my best birth control option and my doctor didn't want me to have one without explaining a good medical reason (risk factors, side effects, contraindicated with medication, whatever), I'd find a new doctor. Seriously. I've never heard that IUDs affect long-term fertility, but I've never considered the IUD for birth control. By the time I needed to come off the pill the last time, I knew I was ready to tie my tubes.
• If you have a problem finding a doc who will do this for you at 21 (I'm still fighting for one at 23) try Planned Parenthood. I've had several friends have luck with them.
• This is a good thread, thank you. I had never considered an IUD because I had heard it wasn't good for young women (not that at 28 I'm so young anymore...:) Which is a real shame, because I did a couple years on the pill with a reduced sex drive and half the time having to use condoms anyways because I missed a pill. I've been using a diaphram for the last 4 or 5 years, but it's not the most convenient or reliable. I guess now that I'm married, no doctor could really object regarding unprotected sex. Not that I was ever any kind of swinger (I understand their concern, but dating one person for seven years in a very close relationship makes you tired of all the warnings - we wouldn't even have had time to cheat, what with essays and such). My big questions would be about cost - how expensive is an IUD? Or its insertion? I'm actually thinking of British price now, since that's where I will be for a year, but I'd like to hear American or Canadian, as I'm in both places a lot.
• NHS provides them free jb: sign on at a Well Woman clinic (attached to most health centres). It is the best place for all "women issues" and includes good advice and services.
• I've already violated the "boys keep out" fence, but I share your pain. I tried to get fixed at 23 and had a doctor refuse. I went apeshit like he had no right... he did. I've since been adjusted (fixed is such an ugly word) and I kinda like the thought. I'd like to see the day when birth control is as easy (sans latex) for either party. (and a whole lot less Maury Povich's "Hoosier Daddy" show because I'm too lazy to switch back to the cooking shows during this brief unemployed interlude...) Sheesh. Oi. Back on topic, I've found that a range of women react diferently to a wide range of BC methods and it's among the most personal of decisions for other than obvious reasons.
• jb - it won't cost you a thing. Contraceptives are free on the NHS - they want to stop us Brits breeding :) I had a horrible experience on two types of combined pill (weight gain and depression). When I saw my GP after I realised that the first type of pill was killing me, she said that this was common and I could try another kind of pill, which she prescribed. But she also recommended a hormone-free IUD - and she said this knowing that I am 26 and have no children. She said that not enough women consider this option. I hadn't even mentioned my relationship status (in a stable one). I liked the idea of hormone-free contraception, but opted to try the other kind of pill, as I preferred to think that I could stop birth control when I wanted to and not be dependent on going to the doctors to have it removed. Long story short - started the other kind of pill, nasty symptoms came back within a week so stopped immediately, now using condoms and therefore am watching this thread with interest!
• Not really an answer to the question, but as a long-time user of Depo-Provera, this might be of interest to you. Or maybe that's why you're switching away from it to begin with?
• I started menopause (all sorts of bad side effects) on deprovera. Nothing like menopause at age 24 to get you back to barrier methods. Plus, most hormonal methods affect my sex drive - I know abstinence is the best birth control, but if I'm using birth control I want to get some use out of it.