IUD's pro's & Con's

Cute_CNA, CNA · Jul 4, 2005

I don't know much, but I've heard they can be uncomfortable.

I wouldn't do anything just because your OB said so. Sometimes I think doctors receive some kind of benefit by pushing products onto their patients. I always wonder why my doctors have chosen certain products to give me, and if they have any motives other than my health and wellbeing. :angryfire

Info:

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/iudinfo.htm

http://familydoctor.org/319.xml

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/medicalinfo/birthcontrol/pub-contraception-iud.xml

SmilingBluEyes · Jul 4, 2005

what about alternatives?

the patch?

the pill?

the nuva ring?

is there a reason you can't use these? Why does your ob want you to have an IUD? Not much to go on here......but if you are unsure, you are right to question it. I would try talking to those who have IUD's (maybe someone here will help you) and find out what they think of them. Insertion and removal can be quite painful, but briefly. If you have any sort of problem with having a "foreign" body in your uterus, you won't want it, either.

In the end it is indeed up to you. Consider your feelings, medical history and the reasons for each method you want to consider (pro/con) and don't forget to include your husband/partner in the process!

Good luck.

RNLaborNurse4U · Jul 4, 2005

IUD's
I am doing some research on whether IUD's are still safe or not. I just had my 3rd child and my OB wants me to have one. I don't hear too many positive things about them though. The Mirena or the PAraguard. Any input.

IUDs received quite the bad rep because of the Dalcon Shield in the 60's or 70's. They have since been made to be MUCH more safe. Pregnancy rates are extremely low, and since Mirena was introduced on the market, has slowly been increasing in popularity.

An IUD is great birth control for a mutually monogomous couple, especially those with children already. If you have multiple partners, or the potential for it, then it might not be the best for you, due to the slight infection risk for PID from STD's.

Mirena - progesterone based, causes lighter to no periods. 5 year protection.

Paraguard - copper based, can cause heavier, painful periods. 10 year protection.

I'm on my 2nd Paraguard right now, and I LOVE IT! Yes, my periods were quite painful and heavy for the first 9-12 months, but they started thinning out a bit after that. But then again, I have heavy and painful periods without the IUD in. My last cycle, I barely cramped at all, and the bleeding was very reasonable. (To me, there is something a bit reassuring about having those 5 days of bleeding each month - then I know my IUD is working! Call me a glutton for punishment.)

Insertion is crampy, but not bad at all. Removal - well, I didn't feel a darn thing when I had my first removed (removed due to personal reasons - no longer in a monogomous relationship, wanted to avoid any infection risk.)

Return to fertility after removal is quick too, so you can always have more children if you want. I like it for this reason; and also because I wanted something that could be once and done, no daily pill to take, no shot every 3 months, etc.

My out of pocket cost was just my insurance co-pay of $20 for the visit for insertion. Some insurances do not pay for IUD's (another rant of mine.....they pay for childbirth and hospitalization, ranging from a few thousand on up, but won't pay for birth control???). The cost for an IUD is roughly a couple hundred dollars. Plus another $150-200 for insertion, and again, $150-200 for removal. All in all, a great investment if you go with a 10 year IUD, or heck, even the Mirena for 5 years. BCP's are roughly $20-30/month, times 12 months per year, x 5-10 years = TOO DARN MUCH MONEY.

....Just my humble opinion......

Jen

L&D RN :rolleyes:

babyktchr, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

:biere: I guess it depends on you and what kind of birth control you are looking for. Are you looking to not have any mor children, and your OB is looking at something that is more semi-permanent, meaning you don't have the maintenence say of pills, patches or rings? The IUD is something that, once it is in, you don't have to worry about it. Remember though, the IUD does not prevent pregnancy, it prevents implantation, although now there are IUD's that release enzymes to "stun sperm" or thicken cervical mucosa to hinder sperm. So if you have issues with abortion or wasting life issues, it may not be for you. I have heard thru the grapevine that the newer IUD's are much better than they used to be, but have no first hand knowledge, nor do I know anyone that has one.

If you are looking for mindless birthcontrol, as I was...I would like to give you my two cents on the nuva ring. I think it is just wunnerful. You put it in and 3 weeks later you take it out. I do continuous therapy so that I don't have a period, and it works great. I have estrogen issues with withdrawal, and have had my share of problems with assorted pills. I tried the ring with my fingers crossed and I have had absolutely no problems at all. No spotting, breakthrough bleeding, headaches and it helps me with bloating. It is also a plus to do the no period thing. You may like it.

Do some reading on the IUD's available. I agree that you shouldn't do something just because your OB says so. There are many options. It is up to you and what you ultimate goal is. I personally like the vasectomy if you are looking not to have more kids. :biere:

hunnyluv_23 · Jul 4, 2005

I used the Mirena IUD for about 2 yrs and had it taken out in Nov 04 b/c I decided I wanted to have another baby. I found out in Jan 05 that I was pregnant and due to have my second the end of Sept 05. I had a wonderful experience with the IUD and will definitely get it again after this baby. I don't plan to have any more kids though. It was not uncomfortable for me at all except for the insertion there is a little cramping but nothing worse than normal light cramps. The removal was even easier, no cramps or pain at all. :rolleyes:

palesarah · Jul 4, 2005

I have a Mirena IUD and I have to say it is the best birth control decision I have ever made. I am really happy with it. My husband and I plan on waiting 3-4 years before we have children, so it fit our plans perfectly. Since nothing had ever been in or out of my cervix before (no kids yet) and my uterus is retroverted insertion was fairly uncomfortable! I had pretty severe cramps for about 20 minutes, and then was just just a little crampy for a couple days. I'm still getting monthly periods but they are very light. They last a couple days longer than they used to but it's just light discharge after the first day. I also still get a little crampy the first day. I have a coworker who had hers inserted in February, and hasn't had a period since March! My sister also had a Mirena IUD that she was very happy with- she recently had it removed to try for another baby :)

So, I only have good things to say about today's IUDs- they (especially the Mirena) are becoming a very popular choice for birth control again, and for committed monogamous couples they are considered very safe and effective (99.9% for Mirena, better in practice even than tubal or vasectomy). I have known many people now who have had them (both Mirena and Paraguard) and I honestly can't say I know anyone who was unhappy with. Once it's in it's such an easy and fairly maintenence free method of BC- several of the OB/GYNs I see themselves even have them.

BabyRN2Be · Jul 4, 2005

I got the Paraguard IUD placed about 2 weeks before I got married. You all who had little or no pain on insertion are lucky. I have a high pain tolerance and I was just about screaming. In fact, I remember saying to my then fiance, "NO KIDS! NO KIDS! I SWEAR, WE ARE NOT HAVING KIDS!!!!" I had A LOT of bleeding, and ended up in the ED on New Years Eve... (I don't recommend that).

But it is hard to tell what brought me to the ED, the severe cramps or the vomiting which was due to the worse stomach virus of my life.

A side note, my OB said that she tried to have it placed the same day that I did, and she, too, said it was EXTREMELY painful. She was begging to doctor to take it out. So I felt that my pain was vindicated. :)

BTW, it was not a smart idea on my part to have it placed a few weeks before my wedding. I continued to bleed for a few weeks after, and I should have had it done a few months before.

However, I've had it in for 6 months now (I've been married almost 6 months!! Where did the time go??) and beside from the insertion, I have no complaints. Yes, my periods are a little heavier but that doesn't really bother me. I don't have to think about contraception on a daily or weekly or monthly basis, and this one lasts for 10 years.

I tried to NuvaRing, but got headaches and nausea from it.

I was on DepoProvera several years ago (for non-contraceptive matters) and I had the worst headaches on it as well.

For me, aside from the initial insertion, this has been the right choice for me. We don't know if we are going to have kids yet, but if we do, it's good to know that I won't have to wait for fertility to return. Only time will tell as the cliche goes.

It was a good decision.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 4, 2005

I tried the paraguard IUD about a year ago. Personally, it was a big mistake. Insertion was painful. I have never had children but have had a colposcopy and biopsy before and let me tell you that the IUD was worse. I was in pain for about 2 weeks.

When the pain was gone, intercourse was unbearable. I had to get rid of it and try another method of birth control.

Like everything else, reactions and experiences will always vary from women to women. For me, it was a bad idea.

Good Luck, :)

JAHJF · Jul 5, 2005

I had planned to have a tubal after my second child (which my OB was against from the get go b/c of my age and he didn't want me to regret it later) and after an emergency c-section (general anesthesia and all) I don't feel like having surgery again. So under the recommendation of my OB and my desire to not have to think about birth control, I'm going to have a Mirena IUD inserted. One of his nurses had one placed after her baby several months back and she says she loves it. (I've also done research online).

My insurance covers IUD's at a cost to me of my $15 copay (that's a steal for 5yrs of birth control). :)

Just a side note: the company recommends Mirena for women w/atleast one child, wanting an effective and reversible form of birth control, and in a monogamous relationship. Hence the possibility of more pain on insertion for women w/out children.

http://www.mirenamom.com

rn2binca · Jul 5, 2005

I loved my copper IUD. I had it placed at my 6 week checkup after my 3rd child. We were pretty sure we didnt want any more children but weren't ready to make it a permanent decision. There is a risk of infertility from complications of the iud, but I had 3 kids I was willing to risk it. The placement was not painful at all and the removal was a light tugging feeling.

I had it in place for 4 yrs and finally removed it about a yr after my hubby had a vasectomy. As with anything you use or put into your body, do your research and be comfortable with what you choose.

Personally, I was quite happy with it.

Tracy

rn/writer, RN · Jul 5, 2005

I got pregnant with an IUD in place. Mind you, this was thirty years ago, but even back then, the Copper 7 was supposed to be 99.7 % effective. I'd only had it in for about three months when I conceived. My OB said it was more dangerous (infection, bleeding) to leave it in than to remove it, and if I was going to have a problem with the pregnancy, it would occur during the first two weeks following removal. I thought I'd made it through the danger time but on the 14th day, I miscarried. I was about six weeks along. I know some women have had to deal with tremendous grief with a first trimester loss, but I think my emotions were greatly insulated by the fact that after one normal cycle, I got pregnant again. I don't feel that the second baby replaced the first but rather that my focus changed.

I was only 20 when I had the IUD inserted and I already had two kids. My doctor was a very patriarchal sort who, more or less, told me I should have an IUD. Looking back, I think the message between the lines was clearly that I had no business getting pregnant again. I "obeyed" by getting the IUD, but after I got pregnant, I came to my senses and allowed myself to have the strong feelings I'd repressed regarding his judgmental attitude. Then I found the wonderful OB who explained the function of the IUD (preventing implantation but not pregnancy--which I would have opposed had I understood initially), removed the ineffective one, helped me through the miscarriage, and was a great doc throughout my subsequent pregnancies.

I don't know how today's IUDs function. I was upset to find out that conception could indeed occur with the kind I had, that the IUD only made the endometrial lining inhospitable to implantation. If I had to make that choice now and I knew that this was the current function, I could not choose an IUD. But at least one other poster mentioned IUDs that work differently to prevent conception.

I would also encourage anyone on any type of birth control other than sterilization to give a moment's thought to what you might do if your method failed. An IUD definitely has some advantages over methods that involve the user's actions on a daily to quarterly basis. In that respect, it's a much safer method than some. But speaking as a member of the 0.3 % club, surprises do happen.

I wish you wisdom in your decision.

Miranda F.