https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:21:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719494 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:26:45 +0000 Jennibenni 2719494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: That was why I went with the Paragard because hormonal bc was just not worked by for me. At first it was ok other than the heavy periods but towards the end I had several weird symptoms that finally went away when I took it out. There definitely aren't any good long term options! I tried the mirena after I had my son and it was awful. My doctor insisted I wouldn't notice side effects but I had no libido, I couldn't lose the baby weight, and my moods and anxiety were awful. That all went away when I got it out. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719483 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 13:10:57 +0000 Anagram 2719483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: ugh...that sounds awful. It seems like there are no good long term options. I have always been very affected by hormonal BCs, so I was hoping copper was a good option. But my periods are already horrible now, so I don't need help in that area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719391 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:59:19 +0000 Jennibenni 2719391@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I can't remember the science behind it offhand but it's definitely true. I had a paragard for several years and my periods were horrendous. 8+ days of bleeding, heavy days I would go through super plus tampons in less than two hours. 😳 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719343 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:38:44 +0000 Anagram 2719343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonJack: I never heard about this side effect of the copper IUD and was considering one!?! Why does it make periods heavier and longer?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719325 Mon, 03 Apr 2017 09:13:23 +0000 GardenFloral 2719325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had my Mirena the full 5 years until it expired. The only reason I didn't have it replaced was because I knew we'd be TTC. I ended up not being on anything for 2.5 years that we just NTNP.</p> <p>For me insertion and removal was VERY painful, but I'm also a wuss and anything medical gives me anxiety. That being said I loved having it. I was one of those people that did not have a period on it, nor did I experience any crazy symptoms. I will definitely get another one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719213 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 19:24:57 +0000 mamabolt 2719213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on my second Mirena (had one after LO1 for 2 years and this one for nearly a year now). Insertion and removal was a breeze. This time around I have terrible hormonal acne though. Not sure if they are related but I'm guessing so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719099 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 08:21:25 +0000 Anya 2719099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My libido plummeted on the Mirena as well. I complained to my dr at the time, who tried to tell me that it was just a side effect of being in a long term relationship and nothing to do with the IUD. 🙄 It ended up partially expelling so I had to have it removed anyway and my sex drive greatly improved once it was out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719098 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 08:16:30 +0000 petitenoisette 2719098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: and I feel you on loving no periods and not having to worry about daily BC. I think that's why I never blamed it for my lack of libido bc otherwise I loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719097 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 08:13:11 +0000 petitenoisette 2719097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I had it in for about a year and a half- I got it maybe 12 weeks postpartum? Im sure when my LO was really young my lack of libido wasn't only due to the mirena but I definitely feel it was eventually the main reason for not being interested and like @Jennibenni: sex that was pretty uncomfortable for me at times. The difference since I've gotten it out was pretty immediate and very noticeable :silly: I wish I had considered taking it out sooner. </p> <p>I now have no clue what I'll do for birth control after we have another LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719093 Sun, 02 Apr 2017 07:01:19 +0000 gotkimchi 2719093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: thanks for the feedback. I'm really starting to wonder if that's whats going on </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719072 Sat, 01 Apr 2017 22:51:17 +0000 Jennibenni 2719072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gotkimchi: I had this same problem with the mirena. I got it six weeks post partum so I thought the zero sex drive was normal but when I removed it after about six months my sex drive improved. The thought of sex with mirena was actually physically revolting to me, I did not want to be touched, and sex was miserable if we did have it. The mirena also made me feel very disconnected, like I was observing my life from above. I just felt foggy. I will never get it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2719063 Sat, 01 Apr 2017 21:13:24 +0000 gotkimchi 2719063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: how long did you have it in? I got mine at 6 weeks after my second baby and he's nearly a year and I have NO sex drive. I've been attributing it to nursing, not sleeping, etc but I wonder if it's the mirena. I actually feel like I could care less if I ever have sex again and I don't remember feeling THIS bad after lo1. And I just went on the mini pill that time. So idk :( but I love having no period and not thinking about bc </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718561 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 16:19:39 +0000 LemonJack 2718561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had the copper IUD for almost two years after DD was born. Insertion hurt more than I expected, but it was at my six week follow up and I don't think I was completely healed.</p> <p>I really liked that it didn't have hormones, but gradually my periods became unbearable. They were super long and really, really heavy. I honestly don't know what I'll do once I have to make the decision again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718557 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 16:06:13 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2718557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@emilye519: I had the Skyla for just over 2 years and recently had it removed. It's the "little sister" of Mirena-smaller, and has slightly less hormones than Mirena. I had zero pain with insertion. I did still get a light period/spotting on it, but besides that I had no issues. I have heard some women say after the Mirena is removed they have a horrible first period. So far, though, this first period post-removal is heavier than it's been on the IUD, but not terrible. Can't tell you a lot about sex drive as I think having a little one at home/sleep depravation has more of an impact on that for me :wink: , but less hormones (and localized to your uterus vs systemically with the birth control pill) was awesome for me. Here's a link that compares Skyla to Mirena if you're interested: <a href="https://drjengunter.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/how-does-the-sklya-iud-compare-with-the-mirena/" rel="nofollow">https://drjengunter.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/how-does-the-sklya-iud-compare-with-the-mirena/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718432 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 13:08:09 +0000 emilye519 2718432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the responses ladies, lots of good info to think about. I have low libido anyways so that is sort of concerning to me, well I have since lo1 🙄 I had been on bc for so long prior to lo1 and only had 1 period between lo1 and lo2 that I'm not sure what they are like but long, heavy periods aren't appealing to say the least but neither is an unplanned pregnancy! So I guess I just need to go for it and if I don't like it have it taken out. Thanks again! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718357 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:28:41 +0000 petitenoisette 2718357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Blargh that is no fun. I've been on some form of "period reducing/eliminating" BC for prob 8 years minus the few months I went off before getting pregnant with my LO and now. So I feel like even just a normal 28 cycle is basically constantly getting one's period ha. </p> <p>Hopefully your DH will agree to a vasectomy sometime soon. We're about to TTC for #2 and my DH wants a 3rd (I don't right now) so I will have to figure something else post this not-yet-conceived baby... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718355 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:24:24 +0000 lamariniere 2718355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: pretty normal as far as flow and no more than 5 days. And since my cycle is pretty regular, I feel like I'm constantly getting my period. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718351 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 11:20:29 +0000 petitenoisette 2718351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Bummer about the periods. What were yours like before getting the IUD?</p> <p>@mfa_lady: Yup, I realized now that I basically didn't think about sex at all anymore. We did have sex bc it was important to me not to lose that connection but for months I never initiated bc I just wasn't thinking about it. Then finally my DH was upset so I was better initiating but only bc I'd be aware at how long it had been since the last time we had sex. Now that it is out it's like a light switch flipped back on. I hope you don't experience the same but I wish I had been more aware. I am still nursing and my LO didn't STTN til she was almost 2 so I thought that was more the culprit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718294 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:31:52 +0000 lamariniere 2718294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had the copper IUD for more than 3 years now. Insertion was painless. DH has no complaints. But my periods are very long, like 7/8 days and can be quite heavy during the heavy days. I'm hoping DH will get a vasectomy sometime soon so that I can have it removed and be done with BC. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718291 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 10:25:54 +0000 catlady 2718291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a Mirena about 2.5 months ago, at 8 weeks post-partum. Honestly I'm still on the fence about it. When I had my first LO, I didn't get a period back until 11 months post-partum. With this LO2, I figured the same would be the case, but I didn't realize that all the spotting post-IUD-insertion would occur no matter what. So I dealt with the normal month or so of lochia, then about 5 weeks of light bleeding/spotting after the Mirena was inserted, and now at 4 months post-partum, I'm getting PMS symptoms and wondering if AF is coming back. I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones to just not get a period for 5 years but I just feel like I've been bleeding and/or hormonal for like months on end now.</p> <p>Insertion was more painful than I imagined, but not worse than labor. I had crazy cramps afterwards but they went away after a few hours. I don't think my partner can feel the strings but we've had sex so infrequently lately that I don't really know. Poor DH. Like others mentioned, I think it kind of messes with libido (well, that plus all the bleeding, plus sleep deprivation from having a newborn). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718267 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:59:22 +0000 mfa_lady 2718267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: Ugh, I'm afraid this is happening to me. I got a Mirena at 6 weeks PP (DD2 is now 5 months old) because I could NOT deal with a daily pill or any other BC I had to actually think about....and although I do want more kiddos, I can't do a less-than two year age gap again. Ha! But....I have NO libido. Like, zero. I practically roll my eyes at my poor DH. And it wasn't like this after my first. I'm going to give it a few more months, but if this keeps up I might have to try another option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718259 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:51:44 +0000 pinkb 2718259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had A paraguard for about a year after my second child was born. No issues with insertion but my periods got bad. They stretched out to over 7 days and atleast 2 days was like I was bleeding out, full on massacre style. Leaked thru everything. I felt as if I was having some side effects related to it, daily massive anxiety, always felt like my brain was really cloudy and I had cramps a lot like more days a month than not. I had it removed and after a couple months everything seemed to go back to normal for me.<br /> I can't do hormones because of blood clots or else I would have gotten a mirena one. I do love the ease of an iud! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718238 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:36:55 +0000 petitenoisette 2718238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got my Mirena out a month ago. I had it for a year and a half. I loved it when I had it and never got a period postpartum until I got it out (though spotted for a while after it was put in). </p> <p>However, now that it's out I realize that it absolutely killed my sex drive and was responsible for some discomfort I d had with sex when I had it. When I had it in I thought it was just my new normal post baby and still nursing. I didn't even realize how bad my libido was until I got it out. So I won't get a hormonal one again. Prob do the copper one next time bc I did love the set it and forget it aspect.</p> <p>ETA: I still think the IUD is a great choice and I'm sure the hormonal one doesn't have the same effect on everyone. With the skyla available I hope that more women will start getting them before having a baby so they have a better baseline to judge its effect on them. It's really easy to blame no libido on other factors when you've just had a baby! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718230 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:32:03 +0000 mrsjd 2718230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a Mirena last week! So far so good. It was not painful to insert at all. A bit of cramping, but not much. If you've gone through childbirth and recovery, it will be NOTHING to you. I haven't had a period yet, but am still having irregular spotting that will go away at some point, I assume. I don't know if my partner can tell yet because I have a 7 month old who doesn't sleep so well. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718229 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:31:27 +0000 mrskansas 2718229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a Paraguard for 5 years before having my daughter and then for 6 months after she was born.<br /> Insertion the first time hurt for about 10 seconds and then it was over. Insertion after having a baby was nothing more than a little cramping.<br /> It didn't change my periods at all, which I liked. I hate hormonal BC so this was the best option for me.</p> <p>Oh and my husband couldn't feel the strings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-about-your-iud#post-2718225 Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:27:37 +0000 emilye519 2718225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So ds is 9 weeks old now and I need to pick an IUD, we are on the fence about trying for a third but I definitely need a break for a while so I think an IUD is the best option. I am debating between the skyla and the paraguard. Does anyone have any experiences good or bad with either of these? Was insertion awful? How are your periods now? Can your partner feel the strings? </p> <p>Thanks! </p>