IUD's??
TeagansMom609 wrote: Has anyone ever had an IUD inserted? I was planning on getting one at my 6 wk. postpartum visit but now im thinking twice. My sister has a copper IUD and loves it, no complaints. My OB suggested that I have the Mirena IUD inserted which has a low level horomone in it but is stays localized in the uterus. Well I found a few forums regarding Mirena and ALOT of women, especially women in the UK had ALOT of negative things to say about it. (UK especially because it was put on the market there about 10 years ago compared to a 2001 release here) Just wondering if anyone has one or knows anyone with one and your opinions on it. Thanks! 
PrairieMom replied: I don't know anything about specific IUD's but I know that they aren't for me. They don't prevent conception, they just prevent implatation, and that idea just bothers me.
Personally, I am going to stick with the Pill until I am ready to get DH snipped. 
What were some of the other womens complaints?
ediep replied: I agree with above poster on IUD's in general
TeagansMom609 replied:
I personally cant take the pill because I dont react well to it at all. I get bad morning sickness from it, depression, etc. I was on depo a few times but gained alot of weight and had horrible mood swings, loss of libido. Then I tried Micronor, a progesterone only pill for BFing women. Its a very low horomone pill. Well that didnt work well...I got pregnant. So this time im interested in something long term effective, and something I dont have to worry about taking at the same time everyday.
The women on the boards I was reading complained about weight gain, loss of libido, severe cramping, long wacky periods, etc. Enough to freak me out. 
jacobsmama replied: http://www.mirena-us.com/index.html
this is there webiste..I don't agree with that it just prevents implantation because it also stopps the realease of the egg and if you do release one it then prevents the sperm from fertilizing it but all that should be done before you even get to implantation.
There is alot of women we have on it they do vrery well. The main complaint is cramping. But you can have spotting. I think the Mirena would be a good choice works very similiar to a pill with the hormones.
Just my opionon though.. 
coasterqueen replied: I've heard complaints about heavy cramping on IUD's too (Mirena specifically)
Kelly - as far as Micronor, you can get pregnant on it if it's not taken at the SAME TIME (LITERALLY) every day and you can't miss a day. Much different than the regular pill for sure. Obviously you know you can get pg on it. But if you weren't taking it at the same time very day that could have been why. I ditched the thing after a couple of pills because I couldn't take it at the same time every day. I barely remember to take it let alone at the same time, lol. I hear you shouldn't go past a 1/2 hour in time difference with them.
JP&KJMOM replied: If you really want to know the truth about Mirena I can tell you my experiences with it. First, just know that everyone reacts differently but if you have had bad reactions to the pill then IMO don't do Mirena. I had it inserted in May 2004 and I had it removed in November of 2005. My side effects included severe depression, absolutely NO libido, very short tempered, bloated all the time, could not stand my husband on most occasions, cry at the drop of a hat, kids made me nuts and acne that I am still trying to get rid of. I am 30 years old and had the completion of a teenage that just hit puberty. I did like the fact that I did not have a period for almost year but in place of that I had terrible discharge all the time that made me want to have a period instead.
I hear that lots of women like it but it did not agree with me. The worst part for me was that 3 different doctors told me that it was not the mirena making me have all these terrible emotions and feel so bad all the time. We moved to South Texas and when it was time for my yearly I of course had to find a new doctor and she assured me that it was causing all my side effects and the only time she uses it is when someone absolutely demands to have it. Otherwise she uses the copper one with no hormones. And one more thing..the day I had it removed I felt like I lost five pounds and for some reason realized just how much I love my family. I am currently seeing a dermotologist to try and get my completion back to where I am not embarassed to go wothout makeup atleast in front of my own husband.
Good luck with making the right decision.
TeagansMom609 replied:
Wow, thanks.  Maybe I should talk to my OB about the copper one.
MomToMany replied:
It DOES prevent implantation:
From http://www.contraception.net :
What is an Intrauterine Device (IUD)?
The intrauterine method of birth control is different. Intrauterine simply means "inside the uterus". In this method, a physician carefully places a flexible plastic device with a copper wire inside the uterus. At the bottom of the IUD is a polyethylene string. Since the IUD is shaped to fit snugly into the uterus, you never feel it.
How does it work?
The copper wire changes the chemistry within the uterus and prevents the sperm from fertilizing the egg. It can stay in the uterus for up to five (5) years. Interestingly, the IUD is also used for "emergency contraception" to prevent ovulation within seven days of unprotected sex. While the precise mechanism of action of copper IUDs is still not certain, most likely the primary action is preventing the egg and sperm from meeting. The IUD may also interfere with the implantation of a fertilized egg.
How effective is it?
Although hormonal methods are considered to be the most reversible, reliable methods of birth control, the IUD has proven to be highly effective (98%) at preventing pregnancy.
Are there side effects?
Sometimes. These may include:
periods that are heavier or more painful than usual
increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease during the 3 months after insertion
An IUD may be ideal for you if:
you want a contraceptive method that is reliable
you are at low-risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
you are breastfeeding
you do not want to use hormonal methods such as the pill
It may not be for you if:
you plan to have multiple sexual partners
you suffer from a health condition that affects your immune system
you are allergic to copper
you have heavy and/or painful periods
from http://www.contraception.net
From iVillage health:
I am considering using an IUD. My doctor gave me pamphlets on a copper T-shaped IUD. I had always heard that the IUD prevented implantation of a fertilized egg. He said that new research indicates that the copper interferes with sperm motility, which prevents the sperm from ever reaching the egg. How exactly does the copper do that? Like many women I know, my only major objection to the IUD was that it prevented a viable fertilized egg from implanting. If what my doctor said is true, this will open up the use of IUDs to many women.
S.C.
While an IUD will indeed prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, its primary method of action is preventing fertilization in the first place. The copper causes an inflammatory response in the uterine cavity. This prompts an influx of white blood cells that attack sperm. The white blood cells release chemicals that interfere with tubal motility, sperm motility and the sperm activation required before fertilization.
Although blocking fertilization rather than preventing implantation is considered the mechanism of action, IUDs may still be unacceptable to women who consider blocking implantation analogous to abortion.
I can't see how this got approved for use when they can't even explain how it works  . Not something I'd want to put in my body!
MyLuvBugs replied: I haven't ever had one, but I've heard from several people some not so good things about them. I'm not sure on which ones they had, but one lady said she had major cramping and ended up with like scarring or something on her uterus? I don't know if she was telling me the truth, but I don't know if I'd be comfortable with a T shapped piece of metal up my who who anyway. 
Have you thought about the BC patch or the new Nuva ring or maybe a diaphram?
C&K*s Mommie replied: My experience with Murena is the opposite, it is actually decent. AF eventually ended completely after several months, until recently it came back for a few months, when I was under alot of stress with my classes, but since the last semester ended in Dec- AF is no where to be found. My moodiness is normal for me, I am just one that reacts to my hormones, and they are predictable. I can almost tell you the day of the month, based on how I am feeling. Whether I am cranky, hungry all the time, craving sweets, or having no appetite at all is what I have known for nearly 16 years since AF began.
But Karen (JP&KJMOM) said it best. We all have different reactions to it. I know I love not having to think about contraception for the next 3 yrs. Until I go to have another replace this one.
HTH's some. 
edited to say that AF ended completely, until recently.
MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I have the copper one. And I have had absolutely no complaints. My first cycle after I had it inserted was a bit crampier than usual, but now, I don't even think about it. And I like that I don't have to think about it for 10 years.
CosmetologyMommy replied: I too was thinking about getting an IUD, but one of my co-workers said that some people can feel it. It would just be better for me because the bc pill gives me bad headaches and sometimes I am not very responsible and forget to take it!!!!!!!!!!! 
cassnbran05 replied: I personally have the copper IUD (Paragard). I got it inserted last September. I went a month and a half without my period. Then when I started it was heavy and very crampy. I usually dont have cramps. Then after that period which was the end of October, I went until January without my period and that month, I started my period, it was light and no cramps, and two days later the bleeding was so heavy I could not stand up and walk to the bathroom...(the heavy bleeding started at the movies, you can imagine what happened...my worst nightmare when on my period), so leaving the house for a week was not an option. I even made an appt for it to be removed at the beginning of this month. Then, I actually started my period and it was normal flow and 30 days from my last period. So I cancelled my appt to have it removed and we will see how it does this month. I told them that I would wait until May when I have my yearly and decide. Maybe my body just took a long time to adjust to it. I dunno.
With that being said, everybody reacts differently to it. So I am in no way saying that this would happen to someone else.
maestra replied:
I have had the exact same experience, and I am on my second mirena. My ob highly recomends them, and almost everyone in their office get them. I was able to get pregnant 6 weeks after having my last one removed. No heavy cramping, I was never able to feel it (dh either), and I get my af about every 4 months, and even then I would barely call it af.
Just wanted to share my experience.
Also- not to start a debate, after seeing the iud referred to as an abortificant (because it stops implantation- it also stops fertilization as you read in Mollie's post) but planned parenthood says this about The Pill-
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/porta...-control-10.xml
Facts About Birth Control
REVERSIBLE PRESCRIPTION METHODS
Combined Hormone Methods
The Pill — (Combined Oral Contraceptives — COCs)
The Pill is taken daily in a monthly series.
How the Pill Works
The pill contains both synthetic estrogen and progestin. They are like the hormones made by a woman's ovaries. Usually, these hormones prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation). They also thicken the cervical mucus, which would prevent sperm from joining with an egg. The hormones also affect the lining of the uterus, which, in theory, may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.
Just wanted all the facts to be out there.
dizzytizzy replied: I also have the Mirena implant and I hate it I now suffer from terrible cramps my periods can last as long as 2 weeks and the flow is alot heavier then it used to be I am planning on getting it removed but my doctor keeps talking me to leave it a bit longer now over 2 years enough is enough and it's coming out, my only trouble is what else to use I can't take the pill, the depo was ok but I really don't like needles (severe phobia) and nothing else really appeals to me. But from my experiance with mirena and some of my friends I really wouldn't recommend it.
ChandraG replied: MIRENA USERS PLEEEASE READ!!
Ladies, last Friday I went to my GYN to get my Mirena out. I had it less than 2 years (April 07 would be 2). I'm 34 & the plan was to take it out so we could start TTC. What should have taken 5 minutes is resulting in surgery!! I was on the exam table for about an hour - she tried every instrument in the building, numbed me internally, and after a LOT of pain decided to stop trying. She did an ultrasound to make sure it was where she thought it was. Anyway, I've still got it & right now the plan is to get it taken out on 2/16/07 under general anesthesia. I cannot believe how much of a sharp turn I've taken. I won't know about fertility & future "issues" until later. I want to share this with every woman everywhere so please share this with your girlfriends!!
BEWARE!!
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