Mirena or Paragard?

[isabel]

Anyone have an opinion on these? I had my 6 week post partum check up yesterday and these are the two IUD options she gave me. I can go back in about a month to get it put in.

I was previously on the pill for over a decade and didn't have any problems with the hormones. I don't necessarily care about that aspect of it. An IUD just sounds more convenient.

So, what do you have and why did you choose it?

[badtzmaru22]

I have mirena. My OB thought this was the better choice for me, because I have PCOS and rarely get periods. She said if I don't have periods on Mirena it's fine because the hormones keep your lining thin. If I was on Paraguard and didn't get a period, she would want me to take provera to induce a period every 60 days anyway. This may not apply to you at all.

FWIW, I like it ok. I spot infrequently, which can be annoying, but much less annoying than any of the alternatives, IMO.

[wambam]

I chose Paragard because I didn't want to use a hormonal option. Also, I would be in a constant state of shear terror if I didn't have a period to tell me that I'm not pregnant. I would be peeing on everything and anything to make sure.

I am pretty happy with my decision. I've learned a lot about my body and my cycle because I had never had a "natural" period since I was 18 or so. I do have some more period symptoms though, but none are really life altering.

[Doggy Mommy]

I have paraguard, which has been good, but when it's replaced next year I want Mirena. I don't want periods.

[SpartanGirl]

I love my Mirena. I've had it a couple of years now. No periods. No side effects. It's been great.

[osulori]

I got a Mirena. Like you, I'd been on BCP for ages before going off them and getting pg so I didn't mind the hormonal aspect plus I liked the convenience of an IUD. I freaking love that thing-insertion was super easy, it didn't affect my BM supply, and aside from the random bits of spotting for the first year or so I've had zero periods. It's been awesome for me.

[Deleted]

Mirena. No periods!!!

[isabel]

May 19, 2015 8:14:24 GMT -5 osulori said:

I got a Mirena. Like you, I'd been on BCP for ages before going off them and getting pg so I didn't mind the hormonal aspect plus I liked the convenience of an IUD. I freaking love that thing-insertion was super easy, it didn't affect my BM supply, and aside from the random bits of spotting for the first year or so I've had zero periods. It's been awesome for me.

Whelp, I think you've sold me. Sounds like we have similar situations and I would love to not have a period.

[osulori]

May 19, 2015 8:23:24 GMT -5 isabel said:

May 19, 2015 8:14:24 GMT -5 osulori said:

I got a Mirena. Like you, I'd been on BCP for ages before going off them and getting pg so I didn't mind the hormonal aspect plus I liked the convenience of an IUD. I freaking love that thing-insertion was super easy, it didn't affect my BM supply, and aside from the random bits of spotting for the first year or so I've had zero periods. It's been awesome for me.

Whelp, I think you've sold me. Sounds like we have similar situations and I would love to not have a period.

I feel like IUDs are one of those things where some people have great experiences with them and some people don't...but I will happily share my experience with it with anyone that asks, because it's been awesome.  No periods FTW!

[DotAndBuzz]

I have the Mirena. Got it 4 years ago, and have no complaints. I do have regular periods, but they're not a big deal. Maybe 4 days, really light. Having it placed basically felt like labor contractions. Uncomfortable, and not fun, but nothing insane, and it was over really fast.

[vanillacourage]

May 19, 2015 8:13:35 GMT -5 SpartanGirl said:

I love my Mirena. I've had it a couple of years now. No periods. No side effects. It's been great.

This is me exactly.

[circa1978]

I love my Mirena. Insertion was NBD and I've only had spotting when I'd normally have a period since I got in Feb. I'm "hormonally sensitive" and I like it waaay better than the pill. Also, mine was free. Thanks, Obama!

[tootsie]

I chose the Mirena and it's great. I had light periods for the first year, then it completely disappeared. I had initially wanted the Paragard but my doc talked me out of it due to heavy periods being so common.

I'll get another Mirena after we have another baby.

[pittsmcgee]

I had the mirena for 5 years and now I have the paraguard. I wanted no hormones.
However, I wish I just had got another mirena in. I did not miss periods. Plus my cycle is kind of jacked up now. I had been on hormonal bc since 15, so I think my body is like WTF?

[jillybean222]

I got Paragard 6 weeks PP after kid #3 (almost 4 years ago). I have a period every 23-34 days and it is really heavy for 36 hours then light for another 2-3 days. I would prefer to have a more regular cycle and lighter period (or none at all) but I didn't want hormonal BC and I already had 3 kids in 4 years and couldn't take any chances!!! I have plans to discuss removing the IUD at my annual gyno exam and going with something else. Life is too busy for a heavy, erratic period.

[zelda25]

I chose paragard because it's non-hormonal and good for 10 years (as opposed to 5 with Mirena). My periods were super-heavy for the first 6 months or so but are now only slightly heavier than before I got it.

[nannersp]

I got Paragard after I had my first kiddo, and I chose it because I was worried about Mirena hormones affecting my milk supply. I hated Paragard so much. My periods were horrifically heavy for at least a year, maybe more. And I cramped a lot, which I never did pre-Paragard.

After my second kid, I went back on the standard pill. My husband is getting a vasectomy soon.

[nursewife]

In my area mirena is most used. I've seen tons of people incredibly happy with it.

[ProfessorArtNerd]

Paragard- I get migraines on hormonal bc and didn't want to mess with all that. It was good, I had some heavy periods for a while but they evened out around 6 months or so (right when the doctor wrote me a rx for something to help that- lol magic!!)