IUDs
 

Trying to find a birth control method. Too many side effects with birth control pills, Ortho Evra won't stay on my skin, Nuva Ring isn't available in Canada yet. My doctor suggested I think about getting an IUD put in. Anyone ever try IUDs?

As far as I know, you can get two kinds of IUD's. A copper one that has no hormones and lasts five years and a hormone one that lasts ten years. The way the copper one works is that it irritates your uterus, so your body wont let the fertilized egg stick to the wall, you just expell it. And it doesn't fuck up your period. The hormone one works the same as the Pill. Here at the Planned Parenthood, the copper one costs about $200 for the whole procedure. A good bargain when you add up how much your birth control is gonna cost you for the next five/ten years. I have a friend who had the copper IUD in and she said that she felt uncomfortable for the first few days, but then her body got used to it. I guess you have to go in for regular check ups to make sure it's still in the right place, but other than that, you're all set. I think that's the route I'm gonna go (I'm pretty sick of Depo). Hope this info helps.

I wanted to get one. My Dr said she would want me to go off of my BC pills though until my period went back to its' normal schedule to make sure I didn't have the same kind of severe cramps that I used to have before pregnancy. The kind of IUD with hormones in it can be used to help calm down the cramps. The regular kind can make your cramps worse which in my case prior to pregnancy would have been a VERY bad situation. For now I'm not going to bother. I may someday go to it though.

The IUD prevents fertilization of the egg by producing a sterile inflammatory response that kills sperm. Some IUDs release progesterone, which prevents fertilization by affecting how the sperm or egg move. The hormone also makes the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky, so sperm can't get through to the uterus. Progesterone IUDs may also prevent implantation. The copper in the most commonly used IUD, the Copper T 380-A, seems to increase the number of white blood cells in the uterus and cause other changes that kill sperm. WebMD

My sister in law got a IUD and she has no problems they even took some of her fat away as a gift kinda lol.
Have you tryed ortho Low???? I have a $10.00 off coupon for it, it looks like it would be good.

I am on the Depo shot right now, and I've heard some bad weight gain stories. The IUD sounds really good and I wish I could get it, but I am not sure Planned Parenthood would allow me to. StormBerlin, do you know anything about this?

And qtpie, how did they take some of the fat away?!?!?!

Um, I think the only reason Planned Parenthood wouldn't let you get an IUD is if there were some kind of medical risk? Is that what you're referring to? Because I just talked to the nurse about it, and she didn't seem like it was a big deal at all. Very reassuring and stuff. I would just go and check it out.

I've been reading about IUDs the last couple days and the major issues with them for me would be the increased risk of PID (which might compromise my ability to conceive naturally later on), and the potential for increased menstrual bleeding and cramping (I have too much trouble with those as is). So, I dunno... I think I'm going to go see a gynocologist and figure out what to do.

I tried Depo about 5 years ago, but had constant bleeding (not just spotting, actual bleeding) the entire time it was in my system. The doctor I spoke to the other day said that that can be controlled by adjusting the dosage and/or frequency of injections.

Well, StormBerlin, I'm 18 and I have the card that allows me to get birth control for free because I have no income and my dad can't know that I'm on birth control. :( Do you think I could still do that??

I know you didn't direct the question to me but I found this earlier. Here's what the Planned Parenthood site says about IUD's. It doesn't sound like there is much there that would prevent them from allowing it for you.

PP
Who Can Use IUDs
An IUD may be right for you if

you want a very effective, long-term, reversible method of birth control
you have not had pelvic inflammatory disease, gonorrhea, or chlamydia within the past 12 months
you are not at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted infection
you are breastfeeding
you cannot use combined hormone methods because you smoke or have certain medical conditions, such as uncontrolled hypertension
Young women who have not had children can also use the IUD.

You should not use the IUD if you are pregnant.

Yikes. I'm not going to get an IUD. I just read up about it, and it can be expelled. NO THANKS!!

I talked to PP about an IUD just last month because I wanted to try it. They said they don't suggest women who've never had children get one because insertion can be VERY painful and there's a greater chance that your body would expel it (which I guess you found out, la petite!).

So I just stuck with the pill.