TTMA IUD's

[pivot]

Seems like a lot of us have just had one put in or are about to get one. I get mine in a month and am super nervous for a few reasons. So if you've had one in the past or just got one....

How bad is insertion? How long can I expect to be laid up afterwards?

Which kind did you get? I'm leaning towards Mirena but also looking into Paragaurd.

If you've had one before TTMA weight gain. I am TERRIFIED after spiraling through the interwebs about gaining lots of weight on one.

Anything else I should know?

[loves2shop4shoes]

I've had both Paragard and Mirena in the past.

Paragard: Insertion HURT. I was laid up for a night. Still got my period, but because I have severe PCOS, it made my already heavy and irregular periods unbearable. I was passing clots the size of my fist for about 6 months before I took it out.

Mirena: insertion was significantly less painful than Paragard. I stopped getting my period which was glorious. But I did have pretty bad cysts while using it. And then after two years and change, it randomly spontaneously expelled and was "crumpled up around my cervix, lacerating it" (according to my OB at the time).

In general, though, if it hadn't expelled on me, the Mirena would have been my favorite birth control of all time.

So yeah. IUDs hate me.

ETA: regarding weight gain... neither made me gain weight. The only birth control that made me gain weight was Nuvaring. I don't know a single person on Nuvaring who didn't get enormously fat from it. Like.... crazy fat.

[flyinghorses6]

So glad you started this thread. I'm also getting one sometime in the coming weeks.

My Doc says most people really love the Mirena. I would never get the paragard--I have not heard a single good thing. All I've heard is cramps, and heavy bleeding. No thank you!!

My two concerns with the Mirena is decrease in milk supply, and weight gain. Hoping I have neither of those two things happen.

[ls2012]

I haven't tried paraguard for the reasons flyinghorses6 mentioned. But I loved mirena. I had cysts issues before I went on it, so that wasn't anything new to me. Insertion didn't feel awesome but it wasn't unmanageable. Cramped and spotted lightly for a day, like a light period. Again, not unmanageable.

I had it the full 5 years and did not have a period. It was amazing. Takes a few months to get past the panic of thinking you might be pregnant, but I'll take it. And I actually lost weight on it. Not a significant amount, but it was a nice plus. And I found that my drive increased. No experience with milk supply- A was 5yrs old when I had it placed. Once I had it removed, it took about a month and a half for my cycle to return and I got pregnant 5 months later. Something to consider if you have plans for more kids.

All in all, no complaints from me. I'm looking forward to being back on it!

[musicallyinclined]

I just had my second mirena put in.

First time insertion was easy. Ibprofen was all I needed to ease the discomfort. My cervix bleeds, so that was a bummer. I had practically no periods after the first month. And I weighed the least I've ever weighed in my adult life while I had it in.
Second insertion was not great but it's because my cervix was clenched shut, but once it was in I had relatively no discomfort. I'm currently enjoying my first pp period, but it is much lighter than normal

I love my mirena. It is the easiest birth control I've ever had and the one with the least amount of side effects. It will probably be what I always get.

[billybumbler]

I got a copper IUD about two weeks ago. The pain from insertion was minimal but my OB said it tends to hurt less if it's placed after childbirth / while breastfeeding.

I wanted something non hormonal because I had the implant for years and while I liked it, when I took it out to TTC this LO I noticed a real difference in my energy level, well being and sex drive. So I want to go without hormones for a while.

[oldbaylover1024]

I had Paraguard and hated it. My periods were debilitating and so heavy. Like, a super tampon plus a pad every hour for the first 4 days, then, 4 more days of very heavy flow.

I had Nuva ring and didn't gain weight. I liked it a lot actually. But I did get frequent yeast infections toward the end, before I stopped using it. I was on it for 2 years.

[wildflower810]

I'm getting a mirena in a couple weeks. I'm nervous for sure. But, my sister has one and loves it and is currently still nursing my niece who is almost 20 months. I'm banking on the idea that we are biologically similar and will react in similar ways. It will actually be the first hormonal BC of any kind I've been on.

[Deleted]

I had a mirena placed on Friday. I told my OB if I gained any weight or if I'm my weight loss stalled I would be back within a month. I would rather use condoms for the next few years than deal with that. She said she promised me I wouldn't gain weight. I'm terrified though.

Insertion was NBD it was like the most mild cramping and that's it.

[pivot]

Sounds like the Mirena is the way to go. My period are pretty heavy normally so the paragaurd option doesn't sound like the best fit. That's what my OB and I talked about as well but I want to get some personal options before making the plunge! I'm excited and nervous at the same time 😬