Anyone know much about IUDs?

[MrsWho]

I am looking at contraception that doesn't involve Hormones , any more suggestions ?

Mommalove,

I have and willcontinue to recommend them. As I said lower down, if after a few months it still dosn't suit you have it removed...what have you got to lose???

I've had mine for the last 3 years, my periods are lighter and less painful . Does anyone know if you have to be on a period to have it removed too?

I had a copper one in between dd2 and dd3 and although I liked it as there were no hormones involved, my periods went from normal to very heavy. The most absorbant tampon I could find may lasted as little as an hour. Couldn't have even contemplated taking dc swimming in 1st couple of days of period. However, if this happens to you there is medication that you can take to hopefully slow down the bleeding. I changed to a mirena this time as although it contains hormones they mainly act locally in the womb.

Few other points about the coil - it does work by preventing fertilisation as the copper in the actual coil provokes a white cell response which "kills" the sperm and the egg so they don't get to meet each other.

Also you can have it removed at any time in your cycle but if you don't want to get pregnant you need to use a condom for 7 days before this.

HTH

As I said lower down...the period thing is so that they know you're not pg. As hellomama said it may make it slighlty more comfortable as cervix is already a litle open...was particularly uncomfortable when it was put in?

there is no way id risk a mirena coil. i had a dvt when i was 19 due to the pill and it was scary. the mirena contains hormones just like my pill did
and i just dont like the idea of artificial hormones anyway.

Another thing to consider (which I have only recently found out - nobody actually warned me) is if you are breastfeeding when you have it inserted there is an increased chance that it will perforate through your uterus (although this risk is still tiny).

Thanks x

how the coil works

I was lead to understand that the white cell response is a secondary issue (which does work to some extent) but not how it was designed to work.

Regardless...we are all agreed that it does work and it costs you nothing to try it.

I had my mirena taken out because I hated the constant PMT I felt (although I loved not having periods), and - one baby later - I now have a copper coil in - it went in 6 weeks ago.

I must admit I was pretty shocked by my first period a couple of weeks back: the cramping started a couple of days before the bleeding and lasted the whole week and period was heavier (though blood loss not as bad as I feared). I have always had pretty light/painless periods with only maybe a day of cramps (if that) so it was a real shock to have full-blown pain lasting that long and needing to take painkillers. BUT I can honestly say I think it is still worth it relative to all the other alternatives.

Oh, and ignore the doctors when they try to steer you towards mirenas (they really laid it on thick with me when I asked for a copper coil, and I had to fight to get copper) - lot's of people love the mirena and haven't had the side effects, but I swear that it affects some people terribly - my mood lifted overnight when I had mine taken out....anyway you can find all the mirena threads on MN if you want more ammo for the doctors.

Blimey Squiffy...what a nightmare. Have to say I didn't have any problem getting the copper coil...I said I wanted a hormone free contraceptive and that condoms were'nt for us...although bizarrely DH said he was quite happy to go back to using them...urgh!!

Meant to say...initially I had the sme problem squiffy but now seems to be calming down although period is longer than before (but I was on pill for so long I can't really remember). Hope it gets better.

nailpolish - you could have a Mirena - it is a progestogen only method which means it has no DVT risk, and in fact it would be perfect for someone who is unable to take the combined pill (which contains oestrogen) due to blood clot risk. It is the oestrogen content of the combined pill that puts some people at risk of clots, and particularly if you had a clot before, you would never be recommended to take the combined pill again. However you could use an normal IUD, a Mirena IUS, Implant, Depo injection, a progestogen only pill (mini pill) to name but a few methods.

I am sure you don't want a Mirena coil anyway(!), but lots of people think once they have had a clot, or a breast cancer risk, and quite a few other health problems, that they can no longer use ANY form of hormonal contraception in the future, and this is not true.

thanks, i didnt know that.
and neither did the gp, as i discussed it with her over a couple of appointments! tsk

Well I have decided to go and speak to family planning people but have to wait til I am kid free so may be a while!

I had one for 10 years as I am allergic to the pill and wanted something reliable. A bit painful when inserted (even tho it is during your period), and slightly heavier periods, but otherwise completely hassle free. Be ready for very painful period pain for the 24-36 hours after you have it inserted, I'd take paracetemol in advance!

Somtimes they suggest using a condom as well if you have more than one partner, to avoid potential infections , which are nastier if you have a coil.

I'd also get a professional check up every couple of years (from family planning clinic), but then I'm a bit neurotic!