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IUDs. Good/bad experience?
Sex & Intimacy / 9:40 PM - Wednesday November 04, 2009

IUDs. Good/bad experience?

I'm thinking of getting one as I like the longevity of them and the lack of hormones. I'm 22 and not in a serious relationship if that means anything at all.. Is there anything in particular I should know about them that might have surprised you?

- Asked by bluebutton32, A Hippie Chick, Female, 22-25, Student

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My aunt had two children while using the IUD for birth control and a couple of miscarriages.
Diaphragm with spermicide might be more reliable. I used that for years and it worked.

- Response by A Creative, Female, 36-45, Who Cares?

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I had a Mirena 'installed' last October.

My experience:

I've never had kids, which means my cervix is clamped shut tighter than a gnat's butthole. They made one attempt, and sent me away to return the next day. They gave me some medication and told me to take a taxi both ways (yeahhhhh those were strong pills!) I vaguely remember the procedure, but not really.

I remember being annoyed that the taxi driver taking me home was talking and interrupting my trip. My "tripppppppppp".

So, for the first two months I had no period. Then I had a period for the next two months like normal. Then, the part they don't tell you about: the spotting.

"Spotting", the literature says, like it's some magical mystery tour. "You may experience spotting in between periods, or near the time when you normally have your period". Believe me, girlfriend, there are times when I've had my period and then SPOTTED for two weeks; it was like the never-ending period. "Normal", my gyno said. "Bullshit", says I. Spotting as in, Day 1 of your period type of flow. But then it will turn around and be normal. Since the initial two months of ahhhh no period!!!!!! I've not missed one. I have had a period at the beginning of a month and start again at the end of the same month. I notice more cramping now. My husband does not feel the IUD during sex, so that's good.

Invest in panty liners and dark underwear. You never know when Aunt Spot may come to see you.

And please, until you know about the person you might be with, continue to use condoms to protect against the nasties.

- Response by bathory313, A Creative, Female, 36-45, Norfolk, Medical / Dental

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Well, they're better suited for women who have had children. The copper one will give you heavier periods, while the progesterone-based IUD supposedly makes you stop having them. They also make it easier to catch an STD, especially for someone not in a monogamous relationship. Sounds like you fit none of this criteria so I don't think you should use one.

You should use condoms above all else and you might consider a diaphragm or a sponge for a barrier method.

- Response by A Cool Mom, Female, 29-35

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All I can share is my experience and I ended up in the hospital after having one placed in me. They can work their way into the lining and cause terrible infections and pain. I ended up with a massive pelvic infection that went up into my stomach, after only six weeks of receiving it.

I have also heard bad things about the ring that they place. The one you replace every three months and it has hormones in it. I have heard two different friends tell me that they had sex and then found it laying on the floor afterward.

All and all, I think the shot might be the best thing, if you do not want to take the Pill. But, I sure would think long and hard about whatever you decide to do.

- Response by randyl, A Married Girl, Female, 36-45, Who Cares?

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had a good experience with it but that was years ago.you need to use a condom getting pregnant isno longer the worst thing that can happen,aids is still out there .choose life!

- Response by bhindth8ball, A Thinker, Female, 46-55

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