Please tell me your experience with a copper IUD

wildfloweragain

I"m done having kids.  DH is supposed to have a vasectomy, but seriously, I don't know when he's going to get around to it.  I was an IUD baby, so I haven't really wanted to do it before, but I know they have changed. 

I don't want  to go full-on tubal ligation, because I don't feel like I should have to go through all that when DH could just have a snip.  Plus he's never home so it's all me with the kids.  (He's home most nights at bed time, though, hence the needed birth control!)

 

I do not want hormones. They make me emotional and acne-prone.

My doctor recommends essure, the nickel implant in the fallopian tubes, but I sort of don't want to do something that's so new.  Plus what if I'm sensitive to nickel?

 

SO I'm thinking copper IUD.  Experiences?

wifetoawookie

I have the paragard copper IUD.  The insertion was painful but it was over very quickly and the pain was gone.  The first four or so months my bleeding was heavier and the cramps were much, much worse.  I had some breakthrough bleeding but nothing major.  After the four or so months though it really evened itself out.  I now have very regular periods.  The bleeding is slightly heavier the first couple days but slightly less the last two days (mine only last about four days).  At this point, I am 10 months in and have no complaints at all.  I really like not having to think about it and knowing that there isn't much, if anything, that I can do to screw it up.  I would recommend it to others, especially those who hate the hormones like I did.  They made me craaaazy!  Good luck!

kickypants

I also have Paraguard. Insertion was very uncomfortable, but over quickly. Definitely take a few ibuprofen. I've had it over a year and my periods are a little heavier and longer than they used to be, but I've always had light, short cycles. I know one of the best things about Mirena is nonexistent periods, but I didn't want any hormones. I have no side effects whatsoever.

All in all, I've had a very good experience. I don't ever think about BC, and I love that it lasts 10 years. At this rate, I'll be past child-bearing age when I need to think about replacing it )

 

 

wildfloweragain

I already have ridiculously heavy periods after having Claire.  That part doesn't sound like fun.  And breakthrough bleeding - like I may be teaching in nice pants and all of the sudden I've got a spot on me? Or is it somehow slower/more predictable?

august06mom

I just got mine less than a month ago. The insertion barely hurt at all, but I had just given birth 8 weeks before, so that probably had something to do with it. So far, so good. I did have spotting for about a week and a little cramping, but nothing to write home about. But I haven't have had my period yet, so I don't know how it will be.

winomom22

I have had mine for over a year now and so far so good. I had some problems initially. You have to go back a month after it is inserted to make sure it is still in and mine was expelled-unbeknownst to me. It was half in/half out. I was quite horrified because we were having sex and could have gotten pregnant. My OB put another one in, which was immediately expelled in the office, so he tried again and the 3rd one stayed put and has for a year now. It sucked because insertion hurts like a b*tch. Luckily it goes quickly so take some ibuprofen.

I had the Mirena after DD1 and didn't like the hormones either so I went with Paragard this time around. I spotted minimally after insertion of the Paragard-only a week or so and with the Mirena I spotted for months afterwards. I didn't have periods with the Mirena which was nice. With the Paragard my periods aren't that bad. I hardly cramp at all and they start out light and get really heavy in the middle and lighten up again. They last a full week. I have some breakthrough spotting, but typically only when I wipe. Of the 2, I prefer the Paragard. I am keeping it in until DH gets the courage to get a vasectomy.

buffalo_buckeye

I had paraguard for about 6 months. Insertion was awful, it fell out without me knowing and I got pregnant (how I found out it fell out). Obviously not a good experience for me. I think I read 10% fall out within the first year, but most people know or find out at their f/u ultrasound, or just don't get pregnant.

smiley2

I had the paragard for about a year then had it taken out to conceive DD.  I've now had a second one in about a year.

- I've never had breakthrough bleeding with either

- insertion was not painful.  Maybe uncomfortable like cramping, but not painful.  The second time was easier than the first

- periods this time around are insanely heavy- much more than the first time.  To the point I'll mention it at my annual exam.  For one or two days of my period, I can maybe go an hour and a half with a super tampon (TMI, sorry).  It's really quite annoying and for those one or two days I have to be VERY careful to find bathrooms in time (I also wear a pad just to be safe).

But, I like not having to think about BC....  So I don't know.  I think every option has a sucky side effect.

kickypants

I've never had any breakthrough bleeding. As for the flow, it starts out light then comes on strong for a few days then tapers off. Cramping is minimal to none, though, which is nice. I used to have a day or two of annoying cramps, now nothing. I'm often surprised when my period shows up b/c I'm not expecting it!