ParaGuard or Mirena IUD?

M

melimcn

Cathlete
Hi ladies,
Wondering if anyone has had any experience they are willing to share. I'll be delivering our second child in August, and DH and I are done having kids.
I'm weighing the differences between hormone free (ParaGuard) or Mirena (low dose progesterone).
I was on the pill for YEARS with no issues/no real side effects. It suited my body fine. But now I'm sick of taking pills every day.

ParaGuard seems like a nice solution, but I'm reading about heavy bleeding, cramping, and a slightly higher risk of pregnancy on it.

For Mirena, most of the feedback seems very negative. Weight gain, acne, bouts of uncontrollable rage and hormonal imblances. But this feedback also seems to be coming largely from women that have not had children, or have had a rough time with hormones in the past anyway.

Does anyone have any experiences, thoughts or research they can share?
 
I used the Mirena before we had our first baby and again after deciding to have her. I love the light almost absent periods, not having to take the pill and pay for refills, the hormones are easier on me than when on the pill, the Ron Popeil mentality-"set it and forget it" has been so great.
The first one I kept for the full five years without any problems, just had it checked at the yearly schmear vist. I didn't notice any more acne or weight gain. My little girl just turned one, so the new one has been in almost that long and no issues with this one either. I say do it!
 
I've had the Paragaurd for about 8 yrs now, and no more babies :D I picked that one over the Mirena based on Dr recommendation. Its also good for 10 yrs, vs the 5 yrs w/ Mirena. The Mirena is hormone based, and I went off the pill bc of headaches caused by it. So, no hormones for me. My periods have always been long - 7 days to the minute, so that didn't change. Every 3 or 4 months I'll get a heavier one w/ a little more cramping, but I'm generally not prone to cramps and such, so that may be why its not real consistant. I'm glad I got it, and think I will replace it with another one when the time is up. I'm also looking at Essure, though, for permanent sterilization. We don't want anymore kids

Nan
 
I don't know why you'd consider going with the mirena if you want to be off of the pill -- I don't understand the advantage there (except for having to remember to take the pill). I have the paraguard and never had a problem. I've had it for more than five years.....
 
Thanks everybody! I'm leaning towards ParaGuard, based on what I'm reading and what you all have said.

Bitmover, the only reason I'm considering Mirena is because my OBGYN seems to pushing that. He never mentioned ParaGuard, I came across it on my own. So I'm trying to go back with more information for the next conversation.
 
I have the Mirena and I have not really had a period since I got it. No side effects that I can tell.

I had to go off the pill because I had blood clotting issues and my Doc. recommended the Mirena. About 8 months have passed and I'm liking the no period thing. I do, however, still get PMS.
 
I know it's not on your list but I thought long and hard about Mirena and decided on Implanon which is a low-dose, hormonal contraceptive that is inserted under the skin on the inside of your arm. It lasts for three years. I've had mine for six months and am loving it. I do have cycle related migraines though so some hormonal control is a plus for me.

Lisa
 
I just recently got a paragard after being on BCPs for almost 8 years, because I was sick of the contradiction of avoiding eating unnatural or processed foods but popping my synthetic hormones every day. I was a little afraid because I read so many horror stories about looooong periods, heavy bleeding, killer cramps... but so far I have not had any of those complications and am very happy with it.

Getting it inserted was one of the most painful things I've ever done, but I've never been pregnant. My sister, who has had 4 kids, didn't feel a thing when she had hers inserted.
 
I have Mirena, for about a year now.........almost absent periods, maybe transient acne for 3 months.....I LOVE it. After my insurance I paid 40 bucks for 5 yesrs of 99.9% effective contraception and almost zero periods!!!
 
I've had the Mirena for 5 years and it is one of the best things I have ever done. I have had no side effects and no periods for 5 years. It sounds like either would be a good option.
 
another vote for paragard

I also just recently had a paragard iud inserted...1st period was crampier than normal, but I love the fact that it has zero hormones and lasts 10 years...AND if I change my mind and want to have another baby, once removed I could theoretically start trying with more success than with a Mirena as the hormones thin the endometrium and conception may not be easy for anywhere from 2-12 months (what I've seen so far)
Good luck with your decision...what's important is what will work with you and what you feel most comfortable with. OB/GYNs tend to favor the Mirena over the paragard...not sure why...but in our office more Mirena iuds are removed within the first year for adverse reactions (prolonged bleeding, pain, cramping, bloating) than with the paragard (only ones I've removed are for people wanting to conceive)
hope this helps!
julie
 
Can you go on ParaGuard if you have never had children? I am 39 and have been on the pill for 20 years with no problems. I have been on the same pill for 20 years. Not that I have an issue with the pill I was just curious it would be nice to not have to think about taking something everyday.
 
jharris said:
Can you go on ParaGuard if you have never had children? I am 39 and have been on the pill for 20 years with no problems. I have been on the same pill for 20 years. Not that I have an issue with the pill I was just curious it would be nice to not have to think about taking something everyday.
Click to expand...

You can. I have a paragard and I've never had children. It is more difficult to insert - it took about 6 tries and two devices to get mine in, and I won't lie.... it REALLY hurt. I almost passed out. However, after about 30 minutes that subsided to pretty much the level of a normal menstrual cramp, and by later that evening, I was fine. I think it was worth the discomfort.
 
I hated the mirena IUD!! I bled/spotted for 7 months straight. My obgyn finally took it out. If you know you are finished, your husband could have the "Big V." That is what we did. And, it works great ;)
 
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