Does anyone have an IUD? Need advice.

[LHK]

Hi everyone-

Since we think we are done having kids and wanted a long term solution to birth control, I got a Mirena IUD last Thursday. I felt horrible for a day or two (crampy, lethargic) and spotted for 4 days, but then today I began bleeding like crazy- like a heavy period. I'm nursing, so I didn't expect my period to start for a few more months (with DH it started at 6 months, but I'm only at 4.5 months now w/ DS). Plus I've had intermittant cramps in my uterus AND in both ovaries for the last week!
Does anyone know if all of this sounds normal, and when the bleeding and cramping might end?
Also, how satisfied are you with the IUD in general?
I hope all this calms down so I can enjoy 5 years of freedom!
Lisa
Mom of Alyssa 7/15/03
and Cole 6/5/05

 

[emy]

5 years of freedom? Is that how long an IUD stays in for?

 

[LHK]

I don't know about other IUDs, but yes, the Mirena stays in for 5 years.
The nice part is, you can opt to have it removed at any time, and you are immediately allowed to start "trying". Chances of getting pregnant are statistically the same as if you never had it. So that sounds good to me! Also, if at the end of five years you still want protection, you can just have a new one inserted that day and go the next five years. The website is www.mirena.com. It is really tailored and marketed toward moms of at least one baby who want reliable, effortless and reversible birth control.

Lisa

 

[lindzebird]

Hi Lisa,

I actually had a copper T (no hormone) IUD place after my first baby. I loved it! (It can be in for much longer than the Mirena.) I remember after the placement things were a little weird for a while...intermittant cramps and bleeding. I've heard with the Mirena you can actually stop having periods altogether, but with the copper T they are supposed to be worse (heavier bleeding, harder cramping). I was nursing so I didn't have periods for a long time so I didn't really worry about it. I nursed my son for about a year and a half and when I stopped and finally started having periods again it wasn't too bad. That said, I did have a period right after placement and then a random two other times when I was under an incredible amount of stress. My sister had the Mirena and she said at first she experienced horrible periods, but then as time went by they were shorter and less painful. Did you Dr. go over how to double check that the placement is correct? I would talk to your Dr. just to double check that everything you're experiencing is normal.

And yes, you can get pregnant right after removal...we were surprised to find out that I was pregnant right away. (The egg must have actually been fertizled and traveling when I got it removed...and implanted right after the removal)

Just noticed little Cole was born the day before my daughter Brianna. Little sweeties!

I hope all goes well,
Lindzebird

 

[LHK]

Thanks for your reply! I called the Dr late last week and told her how much I was bleeding, and she concluded that it was a period! She told me to go on ibuprofen for 48 hrs to inhibit prostaglandins, which I did, and now the period has ended (lasted 4-5 days). I wonder if, since I'm nursing, I might not get another one for a while, if this one was brought on by the IUD placement, and not my baby's age or the fact that I just returned to work? Time will tell. And yes, with a Mirena, they can disappear altogether after 6 months or so. That will be nice. It's also nice to know it didn't interfere w/ your fertility! Sounds like perfect birth control to me!
Thanks again,
Lisa