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Birth control? Advice?
Started
by gcat
on April 22, 2010
What birth control do you guys use? I don't really want to stick hormones into my body, but I really don't want to get pregnant either. I am new at this. Please help!
I use the Paragard, 380A. It's a copper IUD. I switched to it after being on HBC for 5yrs...let me tell you, best decision I ever made. I had the strings trimmed today so I can use my menstrual cup with ease. Google it :D
How painful was it to put in? Does it make your period long and heavy too? Painful?
Does anyone have any advice for someone who hasn't already given birth? I read that the IUD is really only good for people who have already had a child. I was on the bc pill for a year and it completely messed me up, so I'm very against anything hormonal, and condoms just suck, so I'm stuck in a rut here. Let me know!
I'm with you Keri I have never had a child either. I wondered the same thing.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was something more simple? I can't take anything hormonal in pill or IUD form because I get migraines, I even seem highly susceptible to phytoestrogens! I've been advised by doctors against copper IUD because I already have bad cramping, although my last cycle was sooo much better, cramping and migraines, which I attribute partially to being vegan (for three months and this was the first time it was different) and partially to the acupuncturist/herbalist I've been seeing. Plus, I don't really like the idea of something inserted that I have no control over, especially since I won't have insurance in a couple months when I go back to school. Any other suggestions, ladies? Are there more of you who have had positive experiences with the copper IUD or something else?
I had a copper IUD fitted about three or four weeks ago and I've never had children or been pregnant. I'm not going to lie, it hurt... a LOT. But I wasn't prepared for it as I went to my appointment to enquire about it and they told me they could do it then and there -no time like the present, right? After the initial pain, I had to go straight home to bed with a lot of painkillers and a hot water bottle. I've heard some people go back to work afterwards but I was in no state to! And luckily I got it done in the evening.
As for periods I haven't had one with the IUD yet, but I keep on getting twingey period-type pains, and I am expecting the first few months to be pretty bad. For me, it's worth it to be free of the hormones though. I don't know if I'll still be saying that went I'm doubled-up with cramps though!
-Julia
Thanks for being honest, Julia. I'd really like to know how it goes the next couple of months.
No problem, I'm kind of intrigued to see myself! I'd previously been on the BC pill for about 6 years so my periods were never really a problem. I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what my body does naturally! Maybe I'm a bit of a sadist!
-Julia
I've been on HBC most of my adult life, and about a year and a half ago decided to get the Mirena IUD because it's a lower hormonal dose, and very effective. I've never had kids but they said that was ok. I was told to take ibuprofin (800mg) prior to coming in that day and was on my period which is supposed to help. Now, I have a really high pain tolerance, I mean I used to do heavy sparring with men and enjoyed it, so I was really not worried about the insertion.
It was baaaaddd! I turned white, had to throw up, fainted (naked aside from my gown) in the hallway, and couldn't walk for hours because the cramping was so intense. The next few months weren't much different, I had regular cramps that brought me to my knees. It changed my personality, and put a damper on my sex life. I finally had it taken out a few months ago, and immediately felt like a different (better) woman.
At the same time, I know women who LOVE theirs. But no one told me about the potential down-sides. The non-hormonal copper one can cause a lot of bleeding and cramping long-term too, so beware! Maybe your partner could get the snip snip? That's what I'm hoping for, but anyhoo. Good luck!
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