Austin Babies

Paraguard vs. Mirena

I'm planning to get an IUD, but I"m having a hard time trying to decide between the two. I know Paraguard has no hormones, which I like, but something about copper up in there makes me a little nervous. It's cheaper, too. I know Mirena has a low dose of hormones, but that's about it. What's your experience with either of them? Like it? Hate it? Would you do it again?
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Re: Paraguard vs. Mirena

  • I have the Mirena and really really like it.  Every now and then I'll have very light, random spotting, but nothing that a liner wouldn't take care of.

    When LRB got PG on her IUD (how's THAT for acronyms??Big Smile) I freaked my freak.  I talked to my doc and she said she's never had a patient get PG on an IUD.  She has seen a few in the practice (with 3 other docs) and they were all on Paraguard.

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  • I've yet to see a pregnancy on Mirena in the ER, I've seen 2 on Paraguard and one was a dangerous ectopic (all IUD's have the higher risk of ectopic). Thank you for reminding me to schedule my Mirena appt! My doctor only likes to do them 4 months or greater  PP.
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  • imageTaytee:
    I've yet to see a pregnancy on Mirena in the ER, I've seen 2 on Paraguard and one was a dangerous ectopic (all IUD's have the higher risk of ectopic). Thank you for reminding me to schedule my Mirena appt! My doctor only likes to do them 4 months or greater  PP.

    Why is that?  My doctor put mine in at my 6 week PP check-up. A lot of women I know with Mirena got theirs about that same time too. 

    Is there a lower rate of expulsion if you have it put in later?  

  • As pp mentioned, I had Paragard and am now pg.  I think I had it in for 6months or so?   My dr said that there have been quite a few cases reported through the drug company that produces it which he inquired about when reporting my pregnancy (my IUD was still in perfect postion, strings were correct length and was easily seen on the ultrasounds.  I did like it for the short time I had it though... no side effects and easy insert, etc.  I liked not having to think about anything which is the same with Mirena.

    So, to sum up, I'd go with the Mirena!  :) 

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    Jacob David (01/07), Matthew Isaac (12/08) & Kasey Elise (9/10)
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  • I have Mirena per the recommendation of my OB. I have not noticed any of the hormonal effects with Mirena that I did when I was on BCPs. I had it put in at 8 wks PP and have had just a couple instances of very light spotting, and other than that.. nada. Granted I am still BFing, so who knows what will happen when we wean but my OB said I will likely not have periods and if I do, they should be very light/mild. 
  • I'm glad this question was asked, because I've been thinking about BC after baby.  I'm pretty sure I don't want to be on BCPs any more and I don't want to do natural family planning because of room for error on my part...

    So, how does this "string" thing work??  Does it hang out like a tampon or is it inside?  How do you check it monthly?  TMI alert: I would seriously have a problem checking it if I had to stick my finger up in there.  Hence why I never did the cervix check on the natural family planning method.

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  • imageSpanishbeauty:So, how does this "string" thing work??  Does it hang out like a tampon or is it inside?  How do you check it monthly? 

    Its internal, and I wasn't told to check it. My OB checked it at a follow up appt and all was well.. I think I may be the only woman ever who wasn't told to check it, but I'm not disappointed. I have heard that some husbands complain about feeling the strings but the one time I've been a good wife since having it put in, DH didn't complain. My OB said DH would know if he felt 'em because they'll feel like fishing wire. Yikes.

  • imageMrsBeckO:
    imageSpanishbeauty:

    So, how does this "string" thing work??  Does it hang out like a tampon or is it inside?  How do you check it monthly?

     

    Its internal, and I wasn't told to check it. My OB checked it at a follow up appt and all was well.. I think I may be the only woman ever who wasn't told to check it, but I'm not disappointed. I have heard that some husbands complain about feeling the strings but the one time I've been a good wife since having it put in, DH didn't complain. My OB said DH would know if he felt 'em because they'll feel like fishing wire. Yikes.

    Ouchies!!  Wouldn't that be really uncomfortable for them?

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  • imageSpanishbeauty:
    imageMrsBeckO:
    imageSpanishbeauty:

    So, how does this "string" thing work??  Does it hang out like a tampon or is it inside?  How do you check it monthly?

     

    Its internal, and I wasn't told to check it. My OB checked it at a follow up appt and all was well.. I think I may be the only woman ever who wasn't told to check it, but I'm not disappointed. I have heard that some husbands complain about feeling the strings but the one time I've been a good wife since having it put in, DH didn't complain. My OB said DH would know if he felt 'em because they'll feel like fishing wire. Yikes.

    Ouchies!!  Wouldn't that be really uncomfortable for them?

    Yeah.. DH's eyes about bugged out of his head when he heard that. But we had no problems. You can go back in and have them trimmed if needed. Some girls on the national boards have said that their DH's feel them but aren't bothered by them, so I guess there are experiences all over the spectrum.

    I love having the Mirena - I don't have to think about BC for 5 years or until we are ready for #2, which ever comes first. There have been no ill effects, and DH doesn't notice it. Win win win. :) 

  • imageMrsRosie:
    I hated BCPs but love my Mirena.  I would have no idea it released hormones if someone hadn't told me first.

    This!  I absolutely LOVE my mirena!  I hated bcp with a passion but love my mirena!  I used to tell my dh that once we were done having kids he was getting snipped - now I will ALWAYS choose to have the mirena unless we were ttc.  :)  I have had it for a year and have been so happy with it.  I am only bf'ing 2x a day and still have not gotten AF - so I'm hoping I'm one of the lucky ones who never gets AF because they have the mirena! :)

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  • I have the Mirena IUD.  I love, love, love it.  I've had it for 2 years and haven't had any issues with it.
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