What is an IUD?!
Question: I am going to my obgyn in a couple of weeks and I am kinda interested in an IUD.
Can any one tell me what they are like, how they feel when being inserted (does it hurt?), any side affects, how much it costs, is it better than birth control (pros/cons), does it really work???
Thank you for your time!!!
Answers: I am going to my obgyn in a couple of weeks and I am kinda interested in an IUD.
Can any one tell me what they are like, how they feel when being inserted (does it hurt?), any side affects, how much it costs, is it better than birth control (pros/cons), does it really work???
Thank you for your time!!!
IUD stands for Intrauterine Device, they come in a variety of shapes, some have copper, some have slow release hormones to prevent ovulation. Unless they are the hormone releasing kind, they basically irritate the inside of the uterus so that if a fertilized egg comes along, it isn't a very nice place to implant and grow. They don't really prevent egg and sperm from getting together. Placing the IUD can cause mild to severe cramping and the doctor needs to show you how to check for the string so that you can check it yourself after each period to make sure you didn't lose it with the menstrual flow. I've known women with IUDs that love them and others that had so much trouble, they had them taken out. I've also known a few that got pregnant and then had to decide whether to leave it in and risk hurting the baby or taking it out and risk a miscarriage. The choice is yours, check into all your options first. Have you considered the Depo Shot?
I have never had an IUD, but here is a site that might help with information
http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/i...
a widget they stick inside of you. Inter Uterine Device. It can perforate your uterus and kill you. Might want to explore other options.
I have never had an IUD but also considered it several years ago and believe it or not I had a hard time finding a doctor that would dispense it and I live in Los Angeles! I do know a woman who had one and she had very heavy periods the entire time she was on it because technically, there can be a pregnancy while the IUD is in there, but the fertilized egg cannot implant itself. Her doctor told her that this is why she had such heavy periods when using the IUD. How much it will cost will depend on your insurance, and they must be inserted at certain times of the month, (usually during your period, if I recall correctly) so chances are you won't be getting it right away. I hope this helps but of course, your doctor will have all the info you need, just be prepared with all your questions in advance so you don't forget to ask anything.
An IUD is a metal coil with wire attached , they place into your cervix.It can be uncomfortable putting it in but once there you don't feel it.IUDs can lead to infections and other problems with the cervix. They have been known to fall out at the wrong time.They need to be replaced every year. I don't recommend them to young girls that are still growing(under age 21) as the risks are to high of the IUD becoming misaligned or causing damage.It is effective as far as birth control but the side effects of damage to the cervix and infection risk aren't worth it --- to me anyway.There is always the patch,you put a new one on every week,the shot (depo) you get every 3 months,the pill you take every day, the condom you use every time,or abstinence until your married.The costs very from place to place,Ranging from $20 a month to $150 for the IUD.My suggestion is the shot.It is very effective,you only need it every 3 months,and it is the most popular choice for birth control right now.
In short, Mirena is great because it's significantly less expensive and more effective than condoms or the pill. It lasts for five years, side effects are rare, and you can't put yourself at risk for pregnancy by making a mistake.
However, if you get an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) while using Mirena, you're more likely to get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is potentially fatal. You probably shouldn't get Mirena unless you're in a monogamous relationship.
------
I got the Mirena IUD in about 6 weeks ago. I'm 21 years old and have not had kids. Now that I've had it in for a while, I don't notice it at all.
I picked the Mirena because it's one of the most effective contraceptives on the market (99.7%, compared to 85% as a realistic estimate for the condom), because it doesn't require perfect compliance like the pill, and because it's actually the least expensive option when you consider that it lasts for five years.
1.) What are they like? you can't feel it inside of you at all, except with your fingers. There are two small strings that hang down from the cervix and feel like fishing wire. You can just barely find them in there with the tip of your finger, but they'll eventually soften up and curl against the wall of your vagina so that you can't find them very easily. 6 weeks in and mine are already getting hard to find.
2.) How do they feel when being inserted? It hurt me, but I was a virgin when I had it put in, and I haven't had kids. It hurt slightly more than a normal pelvic exam, and was over very quickly. I would suggest taking ibuprofin before and after your appointment. Since you haven't had kids, your doctor might prescribe Misoprostol for you to take to loosen up your cervix. Beware of this drug! I was the sickest I've ever been in my life for about 13 hours while it was in effect. Nausia, vomiting, diarrhea, severe cramps... seriously, it was awful. I'm glad my boyfriend was there to take care of me. I could not have handled it alone. My reaction was worse than most, but not entirely unusual. You might not get prescribed Misoprostol, but it makes the procedure safer and easier for women who've never had kids.
3.) Any side effects? One way mirena works is by thinning the lining of your uterus. That means it has to come out. You'll get bleeding and spotting for a while after it's in, and that's completely normal as long as it's not accompanied by severe pain. I had cramping and bleeding fairly regularly for about 3 weeks, until my first period. After that, no problems.
4.) How much it costs? Well, the cost will be the device and the office visit, and possibly any drugs you take. If you have insurance, it might be covered. The cost to me was about $70 for everything, which is great. I think the device itself costs about $300 without insurance. That sounds really expensive, but you have to remember that condoms are $8.00 a box, and the pill is $20-$50 a month. Being on the pill for five years would cost 20(pill)x12(months)x5(years)= $1,200. That's four times as much! I don't know about you, but I'd rather save that $900.
5.) Is it better than birth control (pills)? The answer to that question is different for everyone. Your body and my body are different, and our needs are different. I chose mirena because I've taken medication before and I know I'm not very good at remembering it every day. That's always bad, but with birth control, it's very bad! However, you should only ever get an IUD if you're in a monogamous relationship . One serious problem with any IUD is that if you do get an STI, the consequences could be a lot worse. You're more likely to get Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which can result in uterine scarring, organ failure, and death. Note that this isn't caused by the IUD, but by the infection. If you might change sexual partners, the pill is much safer. The pill doesn't protect you from STIs, but it doesn't make them worse! The only reliable protection fro STIs is condoms.
6.) Does it work? Oh yes! The mirena is the most effective form of contraception on the market! That's why I got it. I went through some regret back when I was cramping and bleeding those first few weeks, but now I'm over it and very happy!
----
As a side note, it is rare for an IUD to perforate the uterus. The walls of the uterus are several centimeters thick, and the device itself is very small. Perforation is more common among women who've had kids, because pregnancy can sometimes stretch and thin the walls of the uterus.