Post-partum birth control (particularly IUD)

[rbp]

Had my six-week follow-up at the OB today. (BTW @carmensandiego, I had almost *missed* seeing Dr. J since M was born! LOL) We talked about BC options for nursing. He mentioned mini-pill, Implanon, Paragard, and Mirena. I'm leaning toward an IUD but don't know which one. He said that each of them has lots of fans. I'm interested to hear MMM's experiences with Paragard and Mirena. 

I know that Paragard can cause heavier periods while Mirena can cause lighter periods. My period was somewhat heavy before I went on BC years and years ago, but it was never problematic when I stopped BC for TTC. I was on NuvaRing for years and blamed some of my emotional swings on the hormones, but I didn't feel significantly different when I quit, so maybe I'm just a moody person. LOL. I think the hormones may improve my acne, but if it's estrogen that does it then it's a moot point. 

Advice, experiences?     

[winemaker06]

I went on BCPs at 14 years old because of horrible cramps and extremely heavy periods. I went off pills at age 28 and it wasn't as bad, surprisingly. Definitely no bad cramps. I guess age does help!

Got my period back at 6 weeks postpartum, which is so not fair when EBF. Got the Mirena inserted around 11 weeks PP. And then I bled for 6-8 weeks, pretty badly too. I went back in for the 6-week string check and told the doctor that I was starting to think about getting rid of it because, well, it sucks! She asked me to give it another couple of weeks. And sure enough it stopped completely not long after and I haven't had a period in the 3 months since. I'm happy with it now, and would recommend it. It's nice to not think about!

[biogirl21]

I have the Mirena. I got it at the beginning of May and so far it's been pretty good. I spotted for about 10 weeks after I got it but it was light, didn't really need a liner or anything. I've had I think 2 or 3 periods since I got it. I say I think because all I have is a day of light spotting. The only negative is that my emotions seem to be amplified with it. I've gone from super bitchy crying at the drop of a hat, usually when I have my period though.
Overall I like it because I'm pretty sure it wouldn't remember to take the pill. I do kind if regret it since we plan to TTC in January, but it was free so eh.

[anna7602]

Interested in responses. I am leaning toward the Paragard because it is non-hormonal. I stopped taking BCP seven years ago and felt like a new person. I'm not interested in going back. I'm tired of condoms.

[elocrates]

With your blood clot are you a candidate for hormonal birth control? IIRC, your clot was "provoked" by your immobility, but some providers will still shy away from any form of hormones. Also, with the paragard, I would ask your OB if they worry about excess bleeding while you're on the blood thinner. (I can delete if the info is too personal.)

I have mirena and really like it. I still get a period each month, but it is super light. Mood swings seem better as well.

[pinotgrig]

I got mirena inserted about 8 or 9 weeks pp. I had quit pp bleeding around 5 weeks but I began bleeding again with mirena. It was heavier at first, tapered off, and then stopped and started a few more times. It's been gone for a couple weeks now.

Insertion wasn't bad - just a little crampy afterwards. I was a little woozy, but I think that was mostly from my ob giving me the play by play the whole time. I could feel it a little bit, if that makes sense which my doc said was normal and would go away (it has). H has been unable to feel the strings during sex and the doc said they'll continue to soften and curl out of the way with time.

I had a f/u appt a few weeks ago to make sure it was still in the same spot, since if your body's going to expel it it does so within the first month or so. The strings were the same length so we're good to go.

[pinotgrig]

Also, I was worried I wouldn't be a good candidate for mirena since it's technically hormonal BC and I have blood clotting issues. My doc said it's fine as the hormones stay in your ute and are low dose. I've run across several other ppl who's docs have told them the same, as well.

Throwing that out there since it's relevant to you.

[Deleted]

I have a Mirena and like it. I did spot for a few weeks, which sucks as I had just barely gotten over post-partum bleeding, but now that's over and no periods in sight.

[womet]

Not a mom, but you know my story with clots last year. I got discharged from the hospital on a Monday, and had mirena inserted that Friday. The gyn said that there was less risk of clots with mirena than with other forms of bc. Insertion was a breeze, and my insurance covered it 100%.

ETA: i haven't had a period, except for some very light spotting. For me, that is the entire reason I got the IUD in the first place. i didnt want to worry about period bleeding being normal (=heavy) or hemorrhaging.

[rbp]

Sept 18, 2014 17:00:46 GMT -5 womet said:

Not a mom, but you know my story with clots last year. I got discharged from the hospital on a Monday, and had mirena inserted that Friday. The gyn said that there was less risk of clots with mirena than with other forms of bc. Insertion was a breeze, and my insurance covered it 100%.

ETA: i haven't had a period, except for some very light spotting. For me, that is the entire reason I got the IUD in the first place. i didnt want to worry about period bleeding being normal (=heavy) or hemorrhaging.

Talked to my OB about the clot. He's not concerned about BC because I had two risk factors for clotting that are both gone now. Apparently it's estrogen that can cause clotting, which I will be avoiding for BF anyway.

[rbp]

Sept 18, 2014 16:47:31 GMT -5 elocrates said:

With your blood clot are you a candidate for hormonal birth control? IIRC, your clot was "provoked" by your immobility, but some providers will still shy away from any form of hormones. Also, with the paragard, I would ask your OB if they worry about excess bleeding while you're on the blood thinner. (I can delete if the info is too personal.)

I have mirena and really like it. I still get a period each month, but it is super light. Mood swings seem better as well.

My OB is ok with me taking progesterone since I had two risk factors for clotting (pregnancy and childbirth are also a risk factor for clotting). But good point on bleeding while on anticoagulant therapy. I hadn't thought of that. I haven't been bleeding at all (had a dental cleaning and filling on Tuesday, no bleeding) but that is a good question for me to bring up to my OB.

[Deleted]

LOL! I still miss both of them.

I have the Paragard. It's fine. My periods are really heavy, but I have bad reactions to hormones, so I really felt like it was the only option. again, though, the periods are really bad. It's the reason why we went ahead with H's vasectomy so quickly. If it weren't for my bad reactions to hormones, I would have gone with the Mirena.

[caramia17]

I have a Mirena and it rocks my world. My periods are light/nonexistent and it has been great for me. I know that is not everyone's experience, but it has been mine. Great!

Good luck.

[redheadbaker]

I have a Paragard. Aside from heavy bleeding and BAD cramps the first two or three cycles, things are back to normal. Love the Paragard.

[redheadbaker]

Sept 18, 2014 16:47:31 GMT -5 elocrates said:

With your blood clot are you a candidate for hormonal birth control? IIRC, your clot was "provoked" by your immobility, but some providers will still shy away from any form of hormones. Also, with the paragard, I would ask your OB if they worry about excess bleeding while you're on the blood thinner. (I can delete if the info is too personal.)

I have mirena and really like it. I still get a period each month, but it is super light. Mood swings seem better as well.

I have a clot history and my doc was comfortable with me having a Mirena if that was what I wanted. It's such a small amount of hormone and it's centralized in the uterus.

[dragonfly08]

I've had a Paragard for about 8 years. Downside - my periods are often really heavy. Like go through a tampon an hour and definitely need a pad for back up for one day each cycle. Upside - overall, they're shorter. I'm pretty much done in 3, maybe 4, days other than some really light spotting when on hormonal BCP they were lighter but pretty constant for 6-7 days.

Despite the heavier periods, the Paragard has been the best of the non-hormonal options (something both my OB/GYN and I agreed was a good choice for me given my age), IMO. I might consider other methods when this has to be removed but I don't regret the decision to have gotten it.

[bunch]

I'm on my second mirena. It's not been as pleasant after baby (8 mos of spotting) but now I'm happy.  And I'm not pregnant

[indylady]

Mirena FTW

[winecheery]

Sept 18, 2014 17:24:21 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I have a Paragard. Aside from heavy bleeding and BAD cramps the first two or three cycles, things are back to normal. Love the Paragard.

Ditto the bolded.  No cramps here, just some light back pain during ovulation actually, who knows if it's linked to the Paraguard.  I freakin love having it.  The heavier periods weren't even that huge of a deal to me.  Mine are longer (5-6 days vs 3-4) but who knows if my pp periods would have done that anyways.  

fwiw, I was on the BCP for 10 years before TTC with no ill affects; I loved it.  But non-hormonal is my current preference since we'll be TTC again in 1-2 years and I wanted be ready to go whenever.  Took my body a cycle to adjust after coming off the pill. 

[UnderProtest]

I had the Mirena IUD after I had my twins. I bled for over 3 months and had horrible stomach/digestion issues. I had it taken out at 10 months and the stomach issues went away. I really wanted it for the lighter/no period which obviously didn't work out. Insertion hurt more than I thought and I immediately started bleeding, but removal was a breeze.

[Deleted]

Another Mirena fan logging in!

[runner09]

I got the Mirena about a month ago. My youngest is 14 months. I have had some spotting (enough to need a panty liner) and cramping. My periods are super light so the spotting is about the same as the end of my period. So far I like it.

I used the pill and nuva ring years ago. I didn't like eother b/c they made me emotional & get migraines. So far with mirena I haven't experienced this. I actually feel calmer (but I feel like that is in my head).

[rbp]

If you use Paragard, how are your periods compared to when you're off BC altogether?

[Deleted]

I've had paraguard since 8 weeks PP. Haven't had any problems (no spotting, insertion was so easy I didn't even feel it), but my period hasn't returned so I can't compare.  Hormonal stuff used to give me bad mood swings (and acne), so I'm glad to go with the hormone-free option.

[loskadoodle]

I go for my appt next week. I'm leaning towards paraguard cuz it lasts for 6 years and I'm 90% sure we are done. Also It is non hormonal and I didn't love being on the pill. I will discuss with my dr though. I did the mini pill last time but I felt like it messed with my supply.

Thanks for asking this!

[osulori]

I love my Mirena SO much. Had it put in at 6 weeks pp, insertion was a breeze and other than the odd cramp here and there I haven't had any issues. No periods and very little spotting, and my BM supply wasn't affected.

I imagine it's like a little tiny Gandalf (from LOTR) in my uterus. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

[Birdie]

I got the Mirena on the first day of my period last month. I then stopped bleeding about a day after and had a 31 day cycle (longer than my normal 25-26 cycle). I then started my period again and it's been two weeks now. It IS lighter, but it's just never ending.

But I have hope that it will eventually stop and my periods will regulate or disappear all together. And I've felt no effects from the hormones. They're very low I've heard. I was actually hoping the hormones would help even out my crazy PP hormone issues, but so far everything is status quo (hot flashes, etc).

ETA: I got it 5 months PP and did not feel the insertion at all.

[h]

I never had problems with heavy periods pre-kids, but after having babies they were really, really heavy. It was not pleasant. I got Mirena after DS3, and it eliminated the heavy periods, so I am a fan. Enough so that I plan to just use it until menopause and let H skip the v after all. I have never had issues with hormonal birth control.

[ringstrue]

I had Mirena for 2 years and liked it. I wanna try Paraguard due to the no hormones but if I'd really get heavy AFs that could be a deal breaker. Mirena just gave me a few light days where I'd need a panty liner.

If you are going from no BC to Mirena, you'll bleed longer than someone going from say BCPs. It's just a matter of how long the ute takes to she'd the lining down to where it wants it.

[minzy]

Thank you for asking this question... I meant to call today about getting an IUD but the day got away from me.