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This is inspired by TrueVeggie's Essure thread. On Monday I had a Paragard IUD placed in my Gyn's office. I scheduled it for the middle of my period (when the cervix is most open) and I took 1000mg ibuprofen when I pulled up in the parking lot.
I had planned on getting an Mirena IUD but changed my mind last minute for two reasons. 1) Mirena decreases bleeding during your period and sometimes elimnates it which I actually didn't want because I want to know if I am pregnant and my periods are not very heavy to begin with 2) my doctor told me that, anecdotely, she has seen more uterine perforations (eek!) with Mirena. So, I decided on the Paragard IUD which is copper, completely non-hormonal (maybe I'll get my libido back), and good for 10 years.
She said the greatest chance of getting an infection is during insertion. She used sterile gloves and coated the inside of my vagina with betadine once I was up in stirrups and had a speculum placed (the most miserable position known to woman?). Then she had to use a long metal tool to measure the length of my uterus. At which point it went ALL THE WAY through my cervix and hurt like holy hell (severe spasming cramps). That only lasted about 1 minute and after that the IUD placement seemed like just a cramp or two. The worst was over.
Then she checked placement with a vaginal ultrasound (which was uncomfortable but not painful). Placement was good. She showed me what the strings felt like and gave me instructions to check them frequently for the next few weeks because it is most likely to be dislodged in this time period. Then I am to check the strings after each period to make sure things are in place. She said sometimes with cervical manipulation women feel lightheaded and poorly. Boy, was she right! I suddenly felt like I was 300 degrees hot and about to keel over. I had to sit down for about 10 minutes and pray that I would not lose consciousness. I was sweating, to top it off. I do not recommend driving yourself home after this procedure (I did, but I shouldn't have).
The painful cramps started immediately after placement and lasted about 8 hours (I took a second large dose of advil) and I had as good amount of lower back pain as well. I now have intermittent mild cramps and the string between my legs is kindof bugging me (she said she'll cut it at the one month check). Otherwise, I feel normal and I'm excited to have such reliable, convenient birthcontrol. I'll keep everyone up to date on my experience.
One thing I will say...I think the IUD companies really downplay the actual insertion. They say things like "May experience some mild cramping." HA! It's really not a fun experience at all and they should just admit it. Was it worth several years of birth control if everything works smoothly? Hell yes!
www.paragard.com (non-hormonal)
www.mirena.com (hormonal)
I had planned on getting an Mirena IUD but changed my mind last minute for two reasons. 1) Mirena decreases bleeding during your period and sometimes elimnates it which I actually didn't want because I want to know if I am pregnant and my periods are not very heavy to begin with 2) my doctor told me that, anecdotely, she has seen more uterine perforations (eek!) with Mirena. So, I decided on the Paragard IUD which is copper, completely non-hormonal (maybe I'll get my libido back), and good for 10 years.
She said the greatest chance of getting an infection is during insertion. She used sterile gloves and coated the inside of my vagina with betadine once I was up in stirrups and had a speculum placed (the most miserable position known to woman?). Then she had to use a long metal tool to measure the length of my uterus. At which point it went ALL THE WAY through my cervix and hurt like holy hell (severe spasming cramps). That only lasted about 1 minute and after that the IUD placement seemed like just a cramp or two. The worst was over.
Then she checked placement with a vaginal ultrasound (which was uncomfortable but not painful). Placement was good. She showed me what the strings felt like and gave me instructions to check them frequently for the next few weeks because it is most likely to be dislodged in this time period. Then I am to check the strings after each period to make sure things are in place. She said sometimes with cervical manipulation women feel lightheaded and poorly. Boy, was she right! I suddenly felt like I was 300 degrees hot and about to keel over. I had to sit down for about 10 minutes and pray that I would not lose consciousness. I was sweating, to top it off. I do not recommend driving yourself home after this procedure (I did, but I shouldn't have).
The painful cramps started immediately after placement and lasted about 8 hours (I took a second large dose of advil) and I had as good amount of lower back pain as well. I now have intermittent mild cramps and the string between my legs is kindof bugging me (she said she'll cut it at the one month check). Otherwise, I feel normal and I'm excited to have such reliable, convenient birthcontrol. I'll keep everyone up to date on my experience.
One thing I will say...I think the IUD companies really downplay the actual insertion. They say things like "May experience some mild cramping." HA! It's really not a fun experience at all and they should just admit it. Was it worth several years of birth control if everything works smoothly? Hell yes!
www.paragard.com (non-hormonal)
www.mirena.com (hormonal)
