What is your experience with an IUD?!

What is your experience with an IUD?

I am thinking about getting an IUD (Or my hubbie getting a vas). I am nervous about it affecting my mood (hormones,) about it staying in, about side effects, about checking it, etc. Please let me know what you think. (I don't want any more kids)

2 weeks ago
FYI: I'm 29, with 2 kids.

My experience as a doctor (gynae)

IUD is probably one of the safest & reliable mode of contraception. It is falling out of favour because of horror stories surrounding its use. I leave this part to other readers.

From a medical point of view, the (copper) IUD DOES NOT alter your female hormones in any way. It may cause increased menstrual blood loss but it never disturbs your cycles. Some women do complain of crampy pains. But mostly, these side effects are short-lived.

The biggest risk with an IUD is actually failure due to the thing slipping out. This occurs most commonly during the first menstruation after fitting. Therefore, your doctor will usually ask you to come back for a scan about a month after having one fitted.

You did not specify your age. But basically, IUDs contain either copper or a locally active hormone called levonorgestrel. The copper IUDs come in either 3-year or 5-year expiry tag. The hormone laced ones are for standard 5-year use. The hormone-laced IUDs take away the problem of increased menstrual blood loss associated with IUDs WITHOUT altering its effectiveness or disturbing your female hormones.

Typically, IUDs are changed every 3 - 5 years (depending on the type) but the last IUD, inserted after age 45, need not be removed until 1 year after your menopause.

As i said, you will hear many horror stories about IUDs. But its like airplanes - safest mode of transportation but fatal errors do occur.

Talk to your doctor about it.