Readers Respond: What Led You to Choose an IUD Insertion?

We are lucky that we have choices when choosing contraception. What led YOU to choose an IUD? Share Your Reason

Love my PARAGARD!

I just got my paragard inserted yesterday. It took like 5 min. Had a little cramping during the procedure only because I was on my period. I have 2 kids. I've been on hormonal bc for 12 years. I've been on every birth control that's on the market. From the hormones my cycles haven't been normal. My cycles were coming twice a month or I was spotting. I got sick and tired if it. I'm so glad to be hormone free and that I don't have to worry about bc for 10 yrs. Would definitely recommend!!!!

—Guest Hips

30 years of IUD's

When I was 19 years old, I tried the pill but the hormones caused too many symptoms. My ob/gyn suggested I try the 'Copper 7' IUD which I loved. But there were some problems and it was pulled from the U.S. market and for the next 2 IUD's, I had to travel to Canada. Finally, Paragard was made available in the U.S. and I have used it for the past 20 years. I am grateful for the natural, easy, trustworthy and inexpensive birth control method that I used throughout my life.

—Guest Mary

First IUD

I just had one placed today. I chose Paraguard because I have never liked the way the pill affects me. It makes me emotional and makes my breasts larger (which is a big problem for someone who had a breast reduction 4 years ago!). I have never had children so I knew going in that it would be a little painful/uncomfortable at first. I did faint which was a surprise for me. I have had 6 kidney stones so my pain threshhold is pretty high. The doctor told me the dizziness/fainting has happened before and she typically saw it in women who never had children. It also didn't help that I skipped breakfast. After about 15 minutes, a couple ibuprofen and some sugar water, I was fine. The discomfort right after had been nothing more than my typical period cramps.

—Guest Kelley

ParaGard because of Blood Clots

I got a horrible DVT in my left leg after a knee surgery, from behind my knee solid all the way to my pelvis. I also found out I have Factor V and Factor VII after that. So I was told I shouldn't use hormones anymore because they could cause more clots. My only choice was the Paragard. I got it put in 2 years ago, and haven't got any problems with it at all. Some of the other things that caused the DVT was hormone BC, Immobility after knee surgery, car ride form AZ to SC and back, Smoking, and the Factors. Please get seen if you think you might have a DVT! They can kill you, and almost killed me! I spent a week strapped to a hospital bed so I didn't throw it to a lung, then a year and a half on Coumadin for a blood thinner. Getting Paragard without having any kids was a little painful, but nothing I couldn't handle. It is extremely low maintenance, and I feel protected.

—Guest Emily

Paragard

I decided that hormone free was the way for me, it works with my body since I tend to be sensitive to hormones...I like the worry free IUD and my options are limited!

—Guest Emily

Hectic Schedule

My hectic work schedule doesn't allow me to take the pill regularly and I kept forgetting, also I don't feel comfortable being on the pill for 10 years, so I chose to get an IUD. Also my Dr recommended overlapping the iud with the pill for a month to minimize spotting.

—Guest Natasha

Reason for my choice of IUD.

I have has the IUD for two years and love it. I had postpartum depression. My doctor explained that other birth control would make it worse. This is the best birth control! Highly recommend!

—Guest Christina

Mirena

Just got the Mirena for the 2nd time. It hurt more this time than the first but only for a few minutes. Love it! No problems, and no periods. Highly recommend it.

—Guest DJ

iud

it was recommended because i have heavy flow, cramping, pms and long periods.

—Guest gyglygirl

Mirena

I had a pulmonary embolism due to Yaz, so Mirena was the next and best choice for me for an IUD. I am 24 and have never been pregnant. I have a low pain tolerance and was very worried about the pain factor when getting Mirena. Honestly, it was NOT bad at all...and I am the worst when it comes to pain. The worst parts were the night before after taking Misoprotal and having severe cramps, and the pinch that you feel when the cervix is opened. Other than that, it is just a WHOA moment when Mirena is inserted, some strong cramps for not even 30 seconds, and you are good to go. I am still having some mild cramps every now and then 24 hours later, but Mirena was the best decision I made for birth control and while everyone is different, my experience was not as bad as I was thinking.

—Guest Guest Lo

Lamictal (Bi Polar Medications)

I chose Paragard because the pill or any other hormonal contraceptive lessens the effects my bi polar medication. The absence of hormones may also decrease my mood swings.

—Guest L

Paragard

I had no choice but to go on paragard due to me getting a blood clot from the birth control patch. Though I have had some side effects, I would recommend it!

—Guest beenana

Paragard IUD

I decided on Paragard IUD recently because of complications from birth control pills after six years of successful use. Paragard is cheap, effective, and non-hormonal, which is great for me and my fiance, both recent college graduates in our 20's who aren't ready to start a family for several years. Insertion was painful, but only lasted a few minutes. 5/10 on the pain scale. The first day was miserable, no amount of pain reliever seemed to dull the pain. I would have liked to take some tylenol PM and pass out but instead bought some heating patches and powered through work, alternating different types of pain medications every few hours. After that day I felt much better. Overall, highly recommended.

—Guest Ace120

One Year with ParaGard

I was 25 and in a committed, monogamous relationship when I decided to look into getting an IUD. I had tried a few different birth controls, to include the NuvaRing, DepoProvera and pills, but nothing helped with heavier, irregular periods. I chose the ParaGard as a hormone-free alternative to other forms of birth control. Plus, the idea of not worrying about birth control on a daily basis (or for up to 10 years!) sounded great. It's been one year now and I love not having to take pills! Highly recommended long-term birth control alternative!

—Guest Kay

Love the Mirena!

I decided to have the Mirena put in after having my first child, over a year ago, because an exhausted mom = forgotten bc pills. Mirena has allowed me peace of mind and has caused little side effects. It didn't hurt when it was put it and I bled off and on for the first three months and now I get really light periods every month. I love it! I plan on trying to conceive in 1.5 years.

—Guest Beth