Those with IUD who have no kids?!
Question: I've read/and doc said used to give IUD only to women who've had a child. My doc said it's not that way anymore. What is the reason for this? Are my odds of perforation higher b/c I haven't had kids? I'm grateful to hear about any experience with IUDs. I keep asking ?s about it, because I'm trying to decide to get Mirena or not. I'm so anxious to see what my body does without birth control!
Answers: I've read/and doc said used to give IUD only to women who've had a child. My doc said it's not that way anymore. What is the reason for this? Are my odds of perforation higher b/c I haven't had kids? I'm grateful to hear about any experience with IUDs. I keep asking ?s about it, because I'm trying to decide to get Mirena or not. I'm so anxious to see what my body does without birth control!
They've changed the guidelines for IUD insertion. Women who've never been pregnant can get them now. I think this may have changed because IUDs are smaller, and less likely to be expelled, than they used to be, but you might ask your doctor about this. Your body will be a little more likely to expel it than if you'd been pregnant in the past, but the risk of perforation won't be higher.
Be aware that the Mirena does emit a small amount of hormones, so it can cause weight gain, mood changes, and less interest in sex. If you want to go without hormones, get the ParaGard IUD instead. It can cause more bleeding and cramping, though.
I had a Mirena for a year, and I've never had kids. The insertion took 20 minutes, since my cervix is tiny, but it really hurt for only a few seconds. I had to have it removed because it caused a major pelvic infection. This doesn't happen often, though.