Birth control post-baby: considering an IUC

I've had the Mirena IUC for about 3-4 weeks now and I've been pretty depressed the whole time. I felt great before I had it put in but started feeling down and uninterested in things shortly there after. I've never taken well to the hormones in birth control and am definitely considering having it removed or getting a copper IUD w/ no hormones. My husband even admitted that he can tell a difference in my personality/mood lately. I've also been spotting for a couple of weeks now and have had some pretty sharp cramps every once in a while. I'm definitely going to discuss other options w/ my OB b/c Mirena is not working for me emotionally.

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hi ladies can someone please give me some advice as my brain is running hot thinking about having the mirena iuc fitted in april when i have my op for the treatment of endo. 99% of your comments are positive but it seems like it works better for people who have had children, i have no children would you recommend it to me, my consultant recommends it (but my consultant is a man) Any advice would be much appreciated

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Everyone I know who has Mirena loves it. Many moms stop having periods while nursing, or simply spot. I guess that's almost 10 moms using it that I know of - and all are satisfied. I personally use the copper T (IUD sans hormones) and pretty happy with it. It hurt at first, and I had break through bleeding but with nursing I kind of expected that with a cycle that wasn't regular yet - after 6 months or so that resolved for me. All in all, the success rate is high in Europe where they use IUDs and IUCs at a higher rate then in the Americas, and for those of us in a stable relationship not ready to get rid of our fertility entirely I think its a good fit.

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I've got one, and so far (inserted in May 07), so good. No period yet, but that could be either the nursing-on-demand or the IUD.

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I highly recommend it. I had copper T for a few years and then had it removed when I wanted to get pregnant. It's low-maintenance, long-lasting, effective.

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I had one for two years after my son's birth. It was a little uncomfortable at first (for like the first few days) but after that, I had no issue. I'd highly recommend it.

I got it taken out and about a month later was (still am) pregnant with my 2nd baby.

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I just had the Mirena inserted about a month ago and so far so good. THey warned me about break through bleeding but that hasn't happened yet. Its still new to me, so I'm hoping for the best, but like I said so far I love it.

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I had mine inserted in June 07 and while it was uncomfortable at first, I've not had any issues with it. I preferred it to my other choices, and while the occasional spotting is a pain in the rear, it's a great improvement over my Depo Provera experience. That one almost ended my relationship, it was *that* bad.

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I had the copper one in for about 3 years and had it taken out to get pregnant. I have an app't next week to have a new one put in (now that baby is 5 months old!)

I had some irregular periods for about 6 months (just spotting and heavier cramping than before) when it was first put in, but I think the success rate, coupled with the convenience is worth the few extra pantiliners and Motrin.

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I got a Mirena at my 6-week post-baby check-up after my 3rd was born. I only had it in for about 9 months or so. I would still recommend it, though, depending on what you want it for.

I started suffering from terrible PMS after my 2nd was born, and hoped that maybe the Mirena (since most women don't get periods) would help with that. For me, it didn't, and so I went back on the pill, which has helped immensely.

Otherwise, though, I liked it. I had some spotting a couple months, early on, but it was really minor and not a big deal.

The other downside, though, was that after I had decided to have it removed, my husband admitted that he had always been able to feel the strings. I don't know if that's common or if it was just a problem we had.

Really, though, as far as birth control goes, I liked this one. If it wasn't for the PMS (which for me was out of control) I would have stuck with it.

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I love my Mirena. I have had it in for one year - and still no period. (I am still BF a bit - mostly early morning and eves).

As for the strings - my OB cut them very short, so that my husband couldn't feel them. She said that feeling the strings is a common complaint, but since she cut them short, we have no other complaints!

I say go for it -- as long as you are in a committed relationship, without any extracurricular activity, IUDs are safe.

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I wish it weren't so angled and pointy. Ask if they have a version in tufted down. Or memory foam.

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In Germany people are not so content with Mirena. One of the side effects seems to be depression and changed personalty because of the hormons in Mirena.
I often heard of stable women crying all the time and even people getting a divorce because of the wife´s overwelming negative thoughts and depression only caused by iud.
Around here women go copper. No harmful sideefffects, as without hormones.

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I have the Mirena and it is great. I haven't had any problems whatsoever with it. I highly recommend it.

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I've had the Mirena for 6 months now and I love it. I haven't had more than 3 instances of light spotting in all of that time. Hubby felt the strings at first, but my OB warned me about that and told me to come in and have them cut shorter if it happened. Haven't had a problem since.

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I got one two months ago - my second baby is almost five months old. So far, I ususally don't even know it's there. So far, so good!

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I got a Mirena at my 6 week checkup after my second baby was born. I was really scared about the insertion because I had read all of these horror stories on the 'net (one woman said that it was so painful that she needed general anesthetic... Oh, whatever!). I went in expecting the worst, and literally said, "That's it?" when the doctor said "all done." I sat up a little too fast, and got dizzy, which apparently is pretty common, but it wasn't at all painful. The scariest part was actually the pregnancy test before hand (because we had jumped the 6 week gun). I wasn't sure what I would do with an 18 month old and a newborn if they told me I was pregnant again, I would've jumped out the window. Luckily, the doctor's office is on the 1st floor.

Anyway, I haven't had anything that I would call a real period since, but I'm breastfeeding and the kid is 9 months old, so that might have something to do with it. My husband could feel the strings initially, but they apparently soften over time, and now they're not a problem. The best part is that I used to get migraines when I got my period, and I don't get them as often anymore (because I don't get a period). Now I only get them when I skip my caffeine. Ugh.

I've been much happier with the Mirena than I ever was with the pill. I have had fewer hormonal side effects - maybe because it's constant? I don't know. But it works (so far) and I'm really happy with it. Try it, and if you hate it you can always have it removed and go with something else. Email me at prbabies@gmail.com if you have any more specific questions. Happy to help.

Amy @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com

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I've had the Mirena for about 6 months. I thought the insertion was very painful, but hopefully that's just me, and because I wasn't expecting to even feel it. Then I had breakthrough bleeding for 3 months, and have been getting my period every 3 weeks. At least they are lighter, and supposedly my body should regulate itself soon and return to a more normal schedule. I have noticed some other side affects: breakouts on my face, and insomnia. Both have improved the last few months, but in the beginning I practically begged my OB to remove the Mirena just so I could get some sleep.

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I have Mirena and love it, too. I had it "installed" eight weeks after my daughter was born. 10 months ago, I guess, and I don't have periods anymore.

However, I do have a side effect that is rather sucktacular. I used to be on the pill and PMS was minimized. Now, with the Mirena, PMS is a BIG DEAL. My emotions are out of control, my face is greasy and I break out. It's almost enough to make me consider going back on the pill, but not quite enough.

I know you're asking why I said I loved it and then trashed it. The thing I love is that it only cost me a co-pay for the dr. visit and I never have to think about it. $25 for five years of thoughtless birth control. Those are big points in my book.

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