IUD Copper or Mirena?

Airynn Chica · April 2014

Those of you with IUD experience, what are the pros/cons between these two options? I know with the copper one you have periods (maybe heavier than before) and with the Mirena you don't. Just looking for personal accounts and experiences. Thanks!

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

You may or may not have a period with mirena. I did not but allegedly only 20% of women don't. I liked mirena a lot but everyone responds to hormones differently.

buffyjsa · April 2014

Thank you for posting this. At my appointment last week, the midwife asked me about post partum contraception. I was on the pill before, but know that if I want to breastfeed, I would need the mini pill or something else. I was given some information on IUD's, but only remember the little bit from sex ed or wherever I last heard about them. I know they require clinician insertion and removal. I also thought I heard or read somewhere that they can slip or cause complication with future pregnancy. I would also be very happy for others with experience to give some suggestions.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

They can migrate, perforate the uterus, or fall out. But those risks are pretty low, like the risk of blood clots with the pill.

cwm11985 · April 2014

I had the mirena after my first, planning to get it again. I didn't have periods or gain weight; insertion/removal was a cinch, too.

MrsMeatball41 · April 2014

I didn't have any issues and loved it. Took it out and was pregnant 2 month of trying. I did feel the wire the first few months, like if I got up too quickly or something. But after that I would forget I had it (mirena)

mandacann · April 2014

I had the mirena and really liked it. I never had periods and I didn't have a lot of emotional side effects I tend to have on the pill and it's nice not to have to think about bc as long as it's in. As long as my insurance covers it okay, I plan to get it again.

pete0121 · April 2014

I had the Paragard twice. Had it removed after a year and a half to get pregnant again and got pregnant within 2 months. The first time I had it my periods were heavier and I was crampier during it but it was worth no hormones to me. Had a new one put in wen DD was about 6-9 months old. Loved it (periods weren't heavier or anything) until I got pregnant with it in there. When dr removed it after the positive pregnancy test she said she thinks it had fallen down out of proper placement and my strings were somewhat tangled so even if I did check my stings regularly (which I didn't) I wouldn't have known a difference.

moonsparkles · April 2014

I'm planning to get the mirena. I had the copper one before getting pregnant, and it made every period quite painful. The only good thing about that was that I had really good warning that I was getting my period (I don't run like clockwork). After having it taken out, I got caught out a couple of times because there was zippo crampy-type warning. But it was painful enough that I'm opting for the mirena this time.

Erikahenderson1 · April 2014

I had mirena and also had a period but it was very light in the end. Also, I had never had children before I got it so that may play into this, but it is not something I'd do again. I had to have my husband come pick me up from the doctors after it was put in, and then it took like a week to recover from the pain and bleeding. The next six months were very painful, and after that I either got used to it or it was somewhat better. Through out the 4 years I had it there were many times I would suddenly have a debilitating pain in my uterus, and sleep was the only thing that helped. I think it was when my muscles would contract. Once I finally had it removed I hadn't realized how much I was guarding that area from the positions I would sit in to what positions were ok during sex. That being said, it was the only birth control that didn't mess with my weight or hormones. I know plenty of people who had an awesome experience with it. But I clearly did not.

Sarahjess06 · April 2014

I had mirena after DS and Imo it's the devil. Ibled for a good 2 months straight at first and then it went tk a normal cycle. couldn't lose my baby weight to save my life, despite watching what I ate and running 1-2 miles 3 times a week. Also I was moody, and crampy constantly. Then to top it off the strings were "lost" so that was fun.

Within 2 weeks of getting it taken out, I felt normal again and had dropped 10 lbs. The rest of the weight fell off over the next 3 months.

I know a couple people that loved it... but it definitely did not work for me at all.

selina1113 · April 2014

I had paragard for 1.5 years and "hostile inflammatory environment" is exactly how I would describe the feeling it gave me. I also developed adult acne because of no hormones (which help me to not have acne normally). That said, I also was at my lowest weight while on it.

HTH

Jmblue · April 2014

I had paragard (copper IUD) because I don't do well w hormones. I mostly liked it, only complaint was having heavier periods and bad menstral cramps. But I'd take those side affects over how hormonal bc made me feel. I plain on getting it again. I feel like it's my only option since for me I can't do hormonal bc.

Airynn Chica · April 2014

Thanks everyone! Definitely mixed reviews but good to hear. I am also leaning towards Mirena, but I am not sure the cost of it here. I've never taken bc so I have no knowledge of the affects it will have on my body.

csmily51 · April 2014

I have PCOS and am debating as well. We had to use Clomid to get pregnant, and I'm afraid of putting any hormones in my body after being on BC for 7 years, and issues getting pregnant etc. But I'd love to know if anyone else has similar issues and what they plan to do.

ETA I will not use condoms...they suck.

DemoDoll · April 2014

I've had the paraguard twice now, once before babies and once after babies. The insertion before having a baby was painful and I had heavy periods and bad cramps for 3-4 months. They eventually returned to normal and it was just like I wasn't ever on anything. I liked being able to track my cycles so that when we were ready to TTC, I knew what was going on with my body. I got pregnant the month after it was removed. After having my first daughter, I had the paraguard inserted again. I couldn't even feel the doctor put it in. I was BFing at the time and didn't get my period until a month after I weaned. My periods were never affected by the Paraguard that time. I had that one removed and got pregnant the month after having it removed. We are on the fence about a third baby but don't plan on it for 3-4 years. I'm contemplating the mirena this time to hopefully avoid periods but I'm still On the fence about the hormones (mainly gaining weight).

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

I didn't gain weight on Mirena, but I do wonder if it made it harder to lose. I had it removed and got pregnant right away, but lost like 3-5 pounds in the interim. I'm holding off on insertion this time for a few months to see if I can drop a little. Last time my uterus was still too big at six weeks, anyway, so I had it put in at twelve weeks.

Rrrrrachel · April 2014

And I gained a TON on depo, which is the same hormone. It certainly wasn't all the depos fault and the hormones in Mirena aren't supposed to be systemic in the way other bc is.

WifeofaComposer · April 2014

I've had Mirena and Paragard, and both caused me to develop severe infections and led to emergency removal after 7 weeks with Mirena and 3 weeks with Paragard. I have been recorded as being in the "1%" category of women who cannot use IUDs.

Also, one of my best friends had a Mirena put in after the birth of her daughter because she and her husband decided they didn't want any more children, but neither wanted to be sterilized. Their daughter was 7 months old when my friend started having cramping and nausea, so her doctor did an ultrasound to check the Mirena, and found a little 8 week fetus growing next to her dislodged Mirena. She had surgery to remove the Mirena when she was 10 weeks pregnant, and now has a beautiful, healthy little boy. She got a tubal ligation a few weeks after he was born.

nikki912 · April 2014

I'd really like to try paragaurd since I won't use hormones but DH is uncomfortable with how it prevents pregnancy due to his religious beliefs. From what we have read it prevents an already fertilized egg from being implanted. Any chance we read that wrong so I can convince DH?!

Airynn Chica · April 2014

nikki912 said:

I'd really like to try paragaurd since I won't use hormones but DH is uncomfortable with how it prevents pregnancy due to his religious beliefs. From what we have read it prevents an already fertilized egg from being implanted. Any chance we read that wrong so I can convince DH?!

I read that the copper kills the sperm before it reaches the egg--so most of the time no fertilization is happening.

heids4787 · April 2014

Thanks for posting this! I can't take hormonal birth control due to my history of blood clotting. I've wanted to try an IUD (Paragard), but only after having my first baby since I hear insertion is easier after this point.

@csmily51‌ - I, too, hate condoms, so the IUD route is attractive, except for the physical side effects that could occur! I hope I don't have a rough time with it, but I guess I can always have it removed if the discomfort is too much.

beautifulstr13 · April 2014

I had the mirena after DS. The insertion and removal were painful for me. Once I got it in I was fine. It took 9 months for my periods to stop. I never noticed any crazy hormones or weight gains that I could blame on it. It was easier for me to lose weight once it was removed. I'm getting it again.

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