Ladies--Birth Control Question

[PlaneJoy1]

I have had the Mirena for 4 years and I absolutely LOVE it! I would highly recommend it if you aren't sure about further children. We weren't sure we would have anymore but I wasn't ready to do anything permanant just in case.

I have been nothing but happy with the Mirena and recommend it to everyone to consider if the subject comes up. If you have any questions, just ask!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I hear a lot of women say this, but every gynecologist I have ever been a patient of has assured me that there is no medical reason to NEED a period.

That's probably true, it was just my opinion.

 

[curiouser]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's healthy for your body to be stopped from having regular periods.

I've actually read some articles that state that its better to slow women's periods (4x yearly) to decrease risks of (cervial? ovarian? I can't remember, I'm sorry) cancer and endometrosis. The reasoning behind it is that women are ovulating longer now (starting earlier and entering menopause later) and that's causing problems for women.

Just some things I've read though. Science is always contradicting itself these days, it seems.

 

[Beth76]

That's probably true, it was just my opinion.....
Personally, I wouldn't do it. I don't think it's healthy for your body to be stopped from having regular periods.

I understand it's your opinion to not stop your periods, but it's not unhealthy. It's perfectly healthy and a godsend for some women.

 

[Briarmom]

I've had the Mirena for about a year and a half. I love it. I have spotting for a few days a month and I never have to think about birth control.

 

[Jpgirl]

I'm not sure how far IUDs have come in the last years but please research it especially if you're moral/religious convictions would keep you from having an abortion. Waaay back in the "old" days(30 years ago) and IUD was placed in the ueterus (sp??) to prevent the zygote from implanting-it did not prevent conception. Maybe the hormone factor in the new ones prevent conception. I found this out information out from my Doctor who discussed various birth control and their pros and cons. At the time I remember being shocked that that's how the IUDs worked especially with all the debate about abortion-IUDs were legal but abortions weren't. Not here to make moral statements/judgements just wondering what's diffferent from 30 years ago.

 

[Hercules10]

I found the "Point and Laugh" method works best on me.

 

[Belle2667]

Did you consider the Nuvaring? I've been using for 3 years now and love it. It's the same hormones as the Pill, but you don't have to think about it everyday. You put it in, and it stays in place for 3 weeks. You remove it, get your period (very very light) and then replace it with a new one. (When I started, I even got a little timer with an alarm to remind me when to take it out and when to put it in.)

So, the side effects and benefits are the same as the Pill, without the daily trouble.

As far as continually taking your Pill (or ring) to prevent having any periods, yes it can be done. The problem I have is my insurance doesn't pay for it that frequently, so I only do it when my period is due over my vacation.

 

[Christine]

My cousin has had a Mirena IUD for 5 years now and LOVES it. She basically got it because her flow was very heavy and was contributing to her menstrual migraines. She can't say enough about how she loves this thing.

She did have one problem with it though. After she had hers in for about 3 years, her GYN could not "find" the string during one of the exams. Basically, whoever had inserted it had cut the string too short. Apparently doctors don't like this. So, they did an ultrasound and they located it but the string was very short (going to high in the cervix). So they removed it and then she had another one placed in.

 

[Melissa M]

I've had a Mirena IUD for two years and LOVE it!! I haven't had a period since. The only side effect I don't like is that my skin broke out. However, that has nothing to do with the IUD...it's because I stopped the Pill.
What convinced me was that most of the nurses and female doctors at my doctor's office have one.