So many horror stories.. Here's an IUD success story.
I remember looking for success stories when considering birth control and only found a sea of horror stories.
If you're someone considering your options right now, here's a look into my decision making along with my experience on Mirena for 6 years!
I was 17 when I decided to go on birth control, and was only surrounded by the pill form at school. I never considered any other forms until I met with my gyno and heard there were options where I didn't need an alarm to go off at the same time everyday. I'm horrible at remembering to take meds, and with my graduation coming up, I needed something I could forget about.
My gyno was a middle aged man who was actually very informed and cautious when dealing with me. Another success story! But he proposed all my options from the pill to the rod to the IUD.
I had one consultation before landing on the Mirena IUD, and here's my breakdown why-
The Pill:
My friends were on this and disliked it- weight gain, emotional deregulation, and the forgetfulness to take it. I witnessed too many "close calls" of them being unsure if they took it- and controversy around whether to take the sugar pill or not. I said I'll skip it.
The Rod:
This has a name I cant think of right now. Nexa...something. It's a rod that goes in your arm. At the time, I was big into working out and weightlifting. It was suggested to avoid the rod if I were training my arms heavily (I was) so I skipped it. If I remember correctly, it also didnt last as long. I have heard 50/50 about the rod, but I think it ultimately depends on the person.
Copper IUD/IUD alternatives:
I understand the idea of doing hormone-less birth control, but the copper IUD was explained to me like it was a medieval torture method. Lots of blood, lots of cramping, lots of weight gain, and lots of emotional deregulation. I do not know anyone personally who chose this, and this is only what I've heard. I skipped it.
Mirena IUD:
This was pitched as a less-terrifying copper IUD. I heard it could have similar pill symptoms of weight gain, depression, etc.. But that it was generally lower chances. Yes, it hurts upfront, but then you're good for 8 years (again, this is how it sounded to me). I said great! Less chance of bad symptoms at the risk of being in pain upfront- deal!
Insertion:
This is what I wanted to focus on, because there are so many horror stories, and I'm extremely thankful my gyno listened to my needs. I requested general anesthesia to numb my cervix. My GYNO approved it, and was waiting on the nurse to drop off the vial it comes in, so he stepped out, and in comes the nurse... with no vial. I immediately call this out- which thank god- she was going to skip it!!
"It takes extra time.."
I felt quite frustrated then. I said what's the point in asking? She copped a little attitude about it before my gyno walked in and demanded it. He was the one who injected it near my cervix and it only pinched the first 2 times. In my opinion, I highly recommend general anesthesia. My sister had the same procedure done without it and said she couldn't walk/wanted to pass out.
After I was numbed, they went in with the grabbers to hold the cervix steady. This is what USUALLY really hurts, but the numbing made it way more tolerable!
Next, as they insert, your body attempts to push the foreign object out while they try to get it in the right spot at the top of the uterus. They describe these as "cramps".. those were not cramps.. those were contractions. I had 4-5 full blown contractions before the IUD landed in the right spot.
He then takes all his tools out, and we're done! I'm told to check the strings weekly (which I'm bad about.. sorry gyno lol) and to monitor symptoms.
The next 6 years on Mirena:
- No weight gain, if anything, weight loss.
- Emotions seem regulated, therapy helps ofc
- No period (AWESOME!!!) my favorite symptom
- Very few times, but periods of sharp cramps that came and went quickly
- Yes, uprotected intercourse (it's intended use) and no pain during
- (Strangely) in the early stages, my partner could feel the strings, just something to be prepared for
- No baby scares! My friends on the pill have had occasional baby scares, but the IUD gives so much peace of mind
This is my successful experience. I plan on replacing this IUD when the time comes, and find myself suggesting trying it to a lot of people. I hope this helps someone looking for information or relatable experiences. If you have any other questions about what Mirena is like, please let me know, I'm an open book.
TL;DR
I've been on Mirena IUD for 6 years and it's been a wonderful experience of zero periods and manageable, long-term intimacy. I wanted to share to throw a success story in the sea of horror stories which scared me when I was looking all those years ago.