Birth control questions and comments

[neighborboy]

My lady got the Mirina after getting a hard sell from her sister. She always had problems with cramping before, so she gave it a shot. The first two months were full of cramps, and she was just about ready to give up. But then like flipping a switch, it was nothing but smooth sailing, and she says she would never go back.

 

[Keroin]

I've had the Mirena for about 2 years now. Insertion was uncomfortable, but I had no problems with cramping or bleeding. In fact, my regular menstrual cramps pretty much stopped when my periods stopped at about 3 months. Except for one 3 month period about 18 months after insertion, I have only occasional spotting, usually more like a heavy discharge than actual bleeding. The one thing that I have noticed is that my breasts are much more sensitive during my monthly cycle, I'm guessing when I'm ovulating.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned, the nylon string that is left in the vagina can be a bit pokey for the first year or so. I've felt it when I was just walking around, and my husband mentioned it once or twice after sex. My midwife said that she could shorten it if it was a problem. After the first year, the string seemed to soften and stays tucked up out of the way.

As for a world without birth control, I shudder to think. My family is immensely fertile, and I'm pretty sure I got pregnant the very first time I had unprotected sex. Luckily, we were trying to get pregnant. lol Without condoms, I probably would've been one of those teen moms with a dozen or so children by now. I also would be either catatonic or on serious drugs. I am not wired for multiple children. lol

I have to say, though, that it was the STDs that scared me more than pregnancy. I was in college when a friend was diagnosed with AIDS. He went from healthy to deceased in about 6 months. It was shocking. Sex can actually be fatal.

I don't understand people who think that wishful thinking is a good sustitute for sex education and condoms.

Yeah, my biological mom got pregnant with me the first time she ever had sex. I have a feeling hyper-fertility runs in the family. I'm so thankful oral contraception was so easy to procure when I was young!!

Paraguard is the only IUD that I am aware of which can be used for up to ten years without being removed.

Keroin ---
Right, I got that. Thanks.
When I see mention of Merina, or any other IUD containing hormones, I put the info regarding Paraguard out there with it. Many browse these topics for information, and some (like myself) can't do birth controls which contain hormones. Many of those people benefit by knowing that a hormone-free alternative is available.

Thank you for posting your info - was just clarifying my needs. I think there can't be enough info out there concerning bc. I know doctors often have their own agenda and it isn't always about what's best for you. The reason I had the copper IUD in the past was because my body hates those hormones. Unfortunately, with my endo, the alternatives are worse.

The two go hand in hand. Facility for the female to control reproduction was, and is, central to women's rights. For us, the only birth control that worked was me getting snipped. Simple, effective, and thankfully final.

viv never tried an IUD, but the pill and condoms both failed on us.

Chuck's snipped too. Gotta love irony.

Me and He got STD tested just recently, wanting to stop using condoms (tests all clear, yay!). The clinic were doing a hard sell on Mirena on me. I had said to them that I was thinking of using the diaphragm but they poo-poo'd that, saying it's very old-fashioned and hardly any women use it these days.

Anyhoo I went home and googled and didn't like what I found about Mirena. Yes, I was reading the horror stories, but still, I doubt they are fabricated. I am fat and spotty and am a clinical depressive. I do NOT need a hormone putting into my womb that can cause weight gain, acne and depression, that you very much.

So I'm back to the clinic tomorrow to insist on a diaphragm. I know that once again I will get the hard sell on Mirena. But I am resolved.

If you don't need the hormones, don't bother. I will say, other than bad cramping, the copper IUD worked well for me.

My lady got the Mirina after getting a hard sell from her sister. She always had problems with cramping before, so she gave it a shot. The first two months were full of cramps, and she was just about ready to give up. But then like flipping a switch, it was nothing but smooth sailing, and she says she would never go back.

Glad to hear that. It looks like there are far more positive responses about the Mirena, here, than negative. Reassuring.

 

[neci]

I would absolutely love to try the Mirena. No chance of me getting pregnant, anyway, but it would be nice for menstrual control. My only fear is that I really, seriously get into some very rough vaginal play (fisting, double fisting, things that leave my cervix bruised, etc.). Now, aside from the fact that I'm sure that was TMI, does anyone have any experience with this? I'm almost certain the kind of play I like to engage in would make something like the Mirena out of the question.

i got the mirena IUD four months ago, and i love it. i asked my doctor about what types of objects could be inserted into the vagina after it is in place, and he said that there was no need to abstain from most sexual practices. it is not recommended if you are going to insert chains or other objects that could catch on the wires, because it could pull out. as long as your partner is not tugging on the wires, i don't think that there should be a problem (but asking a nurse or doctor would not hurt at all - i like my doctor because he is very understanding of my random questions.) the menstrual control is wonderful!!!! i have only had light spotting since i got it. as for tmi... you can feel the threads when you insert your fingers inside. they are very thin nylon threads, and are trimmed after insertion by your doctor. the cramping only lasted for a couple of days, and since then i don't even get monthly cramps anymore. i love it! and rough play has not effected it so far!

http://www.privateclinic.com.au/Images/Mirena-In-Uterus.gif

i did have to go back six weeks after insertion to make sure everything was in it's proper place, and then was cleared for "not so traditional" fun play.