please share you experience with mini-pill and IUDs

Izzygrim · June 2012

DH and I have not made a decision on longterm BC. We are using condoms for now and forgot how much we do not like them!

I had bad experiences with regular pills (mood, migraines, no libido, etc), and I want to continue BF, so regular pills are out. My OB recommended the minipill until I make a decision on whether I want an IUD. She thinks since they are progesterone-only and low dose that I may not have the problems I did with regular BCP.

I'd love to avoid anything hormonal, but at the same time IUDs freak me out a bit. If you took the minipill, what did you think? For those of you sensitive to hormones, did you have problems with the minipill or Mirena?

Tambcat · June 2012

The mini pill scares me because it's not as effective as some other forms of BC.

I have the Paragard because I've had bad luck (emotionally) with hormonal birth control. Why do IUDs scare you? Sure, there can be complications in rare cases, but the same is true with hormonal birth control - hello blood clots. Not to mention pregnancy! lol. It is really no big deal. Put it in, and it's good for 5-10 years, depending on which one you have.

Izzygrim · June 2012

Tambcat:

The mini pill scares me because it's not as effective as some other forms of BC.

I have the Paragard because I've had bad luck (emotionally) with hormonal birth control. Why do IUDs scare you? Sure, there can be complications in rare cases, but the same is true with hormonal birth control - hello blood clots. Not to mention pregnancy! lol. It is really no big deal. Put it in, and it's good for 5-10 years, depending on which one you have.

Yeah, good point! I don't know why they freak me out a bit... they seem so permanent or something. I think it's a mental thing I just need to get over. Has your experience with Paragard been good so far? I think I'd lean towards that instead of Mirena because of the hormonal thing and because after dealing with PCOS I've come to have a certain appreciation for getting a period

Steffie17 · June 2012

I am going on week 4 with the mini pill. No problems other than some break through bleeding. I can't do an IUD because of my medication. The meds impact the effectiveness.

SugarWorms · June 2012

I took the mini pill for almost a month and my milk supply tanked. I quit taking it and started producing more milk almost immediately. I know they say it isn't supposed to effect your milk supply, but if you are sensitive to hormones like me than it could happen. I spent a few weeks blaming everything but the pill...and then finally figured it out thankfully.

shouldbworkin · June 2012

I loved the minipill. Wish it worked as well for me when I'm not BFing! The big thing with the minipill is that you must take it at the same time each day.

I had an IUD and it only lasted 3 mos before I had it removed. I had lots of cramps, bleeding and spotting with it and ended up with an infection. not a fan.

Tambcat · June 2012

Izzygrim:
Tambcat:

The mini pill scares me because it's not as effective as some other forms of BC.

I have the Paragard because I've had bad luck (emotionally) with hormonal birth control. Why do IUDs scare you? Sure, there can be complications in rare cases, but the same is true with hormonal birth control - hello blood clots. Not to mention pregnancy! lol. It is really no big deal. Put it in, and it's good for 5-10 years, depending on which one you have.

Yeah, good point! I don't know why they freak me out a bit... they seem so permanent or something. I think it's a mental thing I just need to get over. Has your experience with Paragard been good so far? I think I'd lean towards that instead of Mirena because of the hormonal thing and because after dealing with PCOS I've come to have a certain appreciation for getting a period

I only had mine for a year before TTC, so it can definitely be a temporary thing too! It was covered 100% by my insurance, though. I can see why someone wouldn't want one for that short a period of time if they had to pay OOP. I had a pretty good experience with it and just got another one placed a couple of weeks ago. The only real side-effect I had was lots of discharge. Unfortunately, that seems to be kicking up again. :-/ But hormones make me crazy, and I feel sorry for my H having to deal with that. lol. And I don't trust condoms, so Paragard it is.

Christina_Diane · June 2012

I just started the mini pill this week. I chose that option for a couple reasons.

1. The iud scares me and we don't like condoms.

2. We plan to start ttc in a year, give or take a month, because we are aiming for another spring baby in 2014, so the mini pill seemed like the best option.

DiamondDani · June 2012

I've been on the mini pill for almost a month. Everything seems fine. However I'm really not ready for another baby yet so I'm getting mirena next week. IUD's scare me too. But I just met with my OB yesterday & she answered my questions so I feel more at ease about everything.

erniebufflo · June 2012

I chose an IUD because the BC pill always KILLED my sex drive. When choosing Mirena vs. Paraguard, my doc said Mirena would likely lessen or totally eliminate my period, while Paraguard would likely make it heavier and crampier. So I went with Mirena. Got it placed last week, and am having some spotting, but no complaints so far.

bbflynyc · June 2012

IUDs can be awesome! Not scary at all. I had a bad reaction to the hormones in Mirena even though they are very low. I LOVED my Paraguard and will get that placed as soon as possible.

Scary is forgetting a pill, taking it and getting the stomach bug and not knowing if you could get pregnant.

KFCupcake · June 2012

I was on the mini-pill years ago because estrogen BC caused migraines. One thing that was stressed to me back then was to take it every day at the same time. If I didn't, there was a higher chance of pregnancy. However this time my OB never mentioned it, and I've never seen anyone mention it on here. Is that still a worry or has it been debunked?

DragonflyBelle · June 2012

I am on the mini pill (still breastfeeding some and supply is crappy anyway, so I chose this) because of my ENDO and we will use condoms for sex until H's vasectomy is done and he's cleared for take-off. I had a super light first PP period with virtually no cramps, so I am pleased with it.

mumegs · June 2012

I am on the mini pill now because my OB won't give me an IUD until 12 weeks pp. I don't like it because if you don't take it at the same time every day, or at least within an hour of the same time it's not as effective, and I keep forgetting to take it. I can't wait to get the IUD and not have to worry about it.

tiannalee · June 2012

KFCupcake:
I was on the mini-pill years ago because estrogen BC caused migraines. One thing that was stressed to me back then was to take it every day at the same time. If I didn't, there was a higher chance of pregnancy. However this time my OB never mentioned it, and I've never seen anyone mention it on here. Is that still a worry or has it been debunked?

YES YES YES!! Please take your mini-pill at the same time everyday and if you miss a pill, use a condom. My son was conceived on the mini-pill because I was lazy about taking the pills properly.

Annie234567 · June 2012

My OB said he won't prescribe progesterone-only pills because they aren't super reliable as BC and they can also cause large ovarian cysts. He put me on the lowest dose BC instead. I'm EBF and he said there is not enough estrogen in even a slightly higher dose of BCP to affect LO. That part's not pertinent to your question since you said the hormones caused you trouble previously anyway, but I thought the bit about the mini-pill was interesting since it was the first time I'd heard that, or gotten a doc's opinion.

Izzygrim · June 2012

Thanks ladies!! I've been trying to research my options, but it's WAY more helpful hearing actual experiences. THANK YOU.

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