IUD’s, what’s right and what’s wrong?

[Clharaim]

Hey, so I’ve searched on here but struggled to find much regarding IUD insertion or IUD follow up etc. I did read a few threads but they were more personalised and not so much generic as is what this post is about. I see there is a lack of generic informative access or generalised peer related issues surrounding IUDS. The information available doesn’t let women discuss how the explanation from medical sites is extremely dismissive of reality. I turn 30 next month and I’ve had 4 iuds (various reasons). I’ve had one very traumatic experience, one okay experience and the other two what I’d consider standard. I’d love for this thread to allow people to discuss their IUD experiences whether it be purely contraception, following child birth or following abortion and everything in between. I think anyone that has had an IUD while conscious might agree that is it a horrific procedure and this practice needs to change, while i completely agree with this, I’d just like to say this post isn’t about changing the procedure or law, it’s a place for people to share experiences and/or guide anyone thinking about it. I personally have so many questions even after using IUDS for 15 years and I’ve searched forums and google and even went as far to pay for subscriptions for answers and I havnt found anything that makes me feel very safe or trusting, so I’m hoping this thread can do this for not just me but for everyone I’ve spoken to over the years who feels lost surrounding this.

I don’t know how to sign off 🙈 love to all xx

i've had two iud's inserted both totally uneventful. i do experience some mild nausea when my cervix is prodded but only mild and temporarily.
the second iud was inserted post delivery while my cervix was still soft and there was some post partum discharge. which i gather helped make the process easier.
both removed smoothly with zero discomfort (the second one while i was in the early weeks of what grew to be a healthy pregnancy).
although it took a tiny bit longer than a standard pap smear it was only slightly more uncomfortable. both times by older very experienced gynecologists.

After struggling with the pill I had several coils from early 20s through to age 35 when I decided to have a family. After DC1 I had another fitted then another after DC2.
Then I had a mirena coil around age 40 and 2 or 3 more through to after the the menopause age 55.
Every one was extremly painful to insert but it's a small price to pay for years of uneventful contraception. I have a retroverted uterus which seemed to make it tricky. Plus the additional benefits of the mirena in taming atrocious bleeding. All done by GPs.
It was never a thing which I gave any thought to apart from the day of the appointment.

My first was okay, painful but not horrific. However I have had 3 children, which means the cervix is not as tightly closed.

It was removed and replaced under GA as the strings had disappeared due to a fibroid shifting it. I do think that it should be done with local anaesthetic in general. There is no reason we should suffer any pain for insertion or removal.

I had one fitted effectively after unprotected sex with my long term partner as I forgot to start a new pill packet whilst on holiday. I was quite young and hadn’t yet had a child. I wouldn’t say it was particularly pleasant but it was fine and uneventful. I can’t even remember having it taken out so I could start a family so it must have been really uneventful.

It’s not the most pleasant procedure but then neither is a smear. I’ve had one and the GP was lovely as was the nurse talking me through the process.

I suppose the thought of local anaesthetic inserted with a needle in to the cervix is as if not more traumatic for some women. Whilst it will numb the area and make the coil fitting easier, having an injection up there sounds as horrific and makes me want to pass out.

My cousin had to have the cells removed as they were abnormal. Burnt off etc and she was only offered gas and air so I think if they do that to women without local anaesthetic then it’s not surprising getting the coil fitted isn’t a priority.

Neither is great and if it were men that had to go through this then they’d be gently out to sleep and wouldn’t feel a thing!

I've had three insertions. First two were at my GP and fine, but the last one (at the sexual health department of my local big hospital as my GP let their training lapse over Covid and seem disinclined to renew it), was horrific.

The insertion itself was fine, but I went into cervical shock afterwards and nearly collapsed in an empty corridor (hospital being like something out of a dystopian sci-fi movie). It was about half an hour before I was able to stand, and nobody found me and I couldn't stop crying (part of being in shock).

I know that this was an unusual experience and by no means the doctor's fault, but I am dreading next time, although I imagine that will be my last, given that I'm in my early 40's now.

Had four in total, though three were only in for a short time.
Hurts like hell for a few mins, spend the rest of the day trying not to pass out from th touching of the vagus nerve.

Fine the next day.

Doesn't stop periods, doesn't stop cramping or ovulation. But minimises menopausal bleeding.

Don't use it for contraception only HRT. Though I suppose it would work as contraception too!