Can we talk IUDs AGAIN???

[doriswe]

I need to get on birth control....like yesterday. I have an appointment to discuss options with my NP on Friday and am leaning towards getting an IUD. My options are pretty limited because I'm *gulp* almost 35 and I have a history of migraines.

Anyway, I spoke to the RN today and she was giving me the possible issues after insertion and I wondered if you guys have any stuff happen. She said there could be bleeding, potentially off and on for 6 months. Thoughts???

[roselis]

Yes, there can be. I would have a period for 2 weeks and then nothing for a few weeks. Its been almost a year, and its leveled out. I have a light period every 6 to 8 weeks. It lasts a few days. Some no longer have them.

[dakotadangerdog]

Yeah the random bleeding is what keeps me from seriously pursuing them!

[stephbfan]

I got it like 3 years ago. That time, I spotted for about 3 weeks after the insertion. My periods were VERY heavy and cramps were bad too and I had it for 2 years. I have PCOS and was having some issues with it so I had to get it removed.

I got it again like 2 months ago and I spotted way less than the first time and my periods are not as bad as the first time. I had to try again with the Paragard since that and condoms are pretty much all I can use.

Anyway, its nice not having to remember to take a pill.

[doriswe]

So are periods always random?? That worries me!

[marigoldgirl]

I had spotting off and on for about the first month then it leveled out and and I have my period every 29 days. It is very short and very light. I have always been very regular and still am. The only issues with random spotting was in the first month. A lot of people stop having periods altogether. I am not that lucky.

[doriswe]

Okay...so those of you who don't have periods at all, don't you worry you could be pregnant ever? As much as I hate my period, I like knowing I'm not knocked up!

[stephbfan]

The periods are not random. You will spot at first but then at some point you just go back to your regular periods. Im talking about Paragard so maybe you would like to try Mirena.

[omeomi]

I have the Paragard. Initially, I spotted for about a month, off and on. Not too bad. It probably took about 3-4 months for me to get into more of a normal cycle rhythm. It's still not the same every month (2.5-3 years later), but it's close enough to where I can keep track and still know roughly when it's coming.

The periods I have now are a little longer and heavier than when I was on the pill. I tend to pass more clots now, too. But to me, the non-hormonal benefits justify that completely.

For me insertion wasn't all that bad. And I haven't had kids (should be easier for you since you've had kids). It was unconfortable, but it was a short procedure, so it wasn't anything that a little deep breathing couldn't take care of. I was crampy the rest of that day and partially into the next, but it wasn't any worse than period cramps I've had before.

[jojoandleo]

Okay-I got mine, what, 3 weeks ago? I bled during insertion, then nothing for a week, since then I have been spotting, which could last up to 28 days because Mirena sheds the uterine lining when first inserted. (GROSS INFO LOOK AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW: It's a real dark reddish/brownish because it is old lining/blood, so it is NOT like a period and it is SOOO light-it's like 1-2 panty liners a day light, so no big deal).

With Mirena-the majority of people don't have a period AT ALL. It is a VERY low dose of hormones. However, it can take your body to get used to for a while, so you may have sporadic periods for a few months and then nothing. Or you may just have a period once a month, but it will be lighter and shorter.

My doctor steered me away from non-hormonal (I think that's Paragard) because I have HORRIBLE periods without BC (we are talking 7-8 days, heavy flow, horrible cramps, passing out, and vomiting on occasion). So, he said Paragard your periods go back to how they were without BC and that would be bad for me.

[jojoandleo]

Insertion-There was a pinching pain up in my uterus area for about 3 minutes, then I had cramping for a day and NOTHING the next day and no cramping since then.

[udscoobychick]

Oct 30, 2012 16:39:36 GMT -5 jojoandleo said:

Okay-I got mine, what, 3 weeks ago? I bled during insertion, then nothing for a week, since then I have been spotting, which could last up to 28 days because Mirena sheds the uterine lining when first inserted. (GROSS INFO LOOK AWAY IF YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW: It's a real dark reddish/brownish because it is old lining/blood, so it is NOT like a period and it is SOOO light-it's like 1-2 panty liners a day light, so no big deal).

With Mirena-the majority of people don't have a period AT ALL. It is a VERY low dose of hormones. However, it can take your body to get used to for a while, so you may have sporadic periods for a few months and then nothing. Or you may just have a period once a month, but it will be lighter and shorter.

My doctor steered me away from non-hormonal (I think that's Paragard) because I have HORRIBLE periods without BC (we are talking 7-8 days, heavy flow, horrible cramps, passing out, and vomiting on occasion). So, he said Paragard your periods go back to how they were without BC and that would be bad for me.

That's good to know, Jojo. I was thinking about Mirena...my periods sounds like yours--heavy, really bad cramps, vomiting, etc. Hormonal BC helps tame them, but I'm thinking it might be even better if I get the Mirena so that I have fewer periods.