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What are you all using for birth control these days? We thought that a good companion to our discussion earlier this year about how to decide if you want kids would be a roundup of the best birth control options in 2018, so that's our topic for today. (We've also talked about planning your career for babies and shared the planner's guide to pregnancy and in general have had many posts about family planning and pregnancy, including a guest post long ago from a reader on why she chose an IUD).
Over at CorporetteMoms, we recently explained what to consider when choosing birth control after having a baby — but whether or not you've had kids doesn't have a huge impact on your contraceptive choices. Dr. Melissa Gunter, MD, an ob/gyn in Rochester, NY, says, “There is no method that is off-limits based solely on whether or not you've had a child.”
In addition to pointing out that the best type of birth control for you right now may not be the most appropriate choice for you a year from now (or five), Dr. Gunter recommends that you first decide on your must-haves for your ideal birth control: “Is it the method that you are least likely to get pregnant on? Then you want a Nexplanon [contraceptive implant] or IUD,” she says. “Is cycle predictability important to you? Then a pill, patch, or ring may be better. Do you prefer something which will also regulate or level out your reproductive hormones, or do you prefer how you feel with your own natural hormonal ups and downs? Do you want something you never have to think about, or are you OK remembering to pick up prescriptions and take your birth control every day, week, or month?”
Keeping those factors in mind, here are some of the best birth control options in 2018:
Birth control pill
- The combination pill (estrogen and progestin) is 99% effective when used exactly as directed — but with typical use, it's more like 91%.
- The pill can bring lighter periods, milder PMS symptoms, a reduced chance of ovarian cysts, clearer skin, and other benefits (as well as certain side effects, such as nausea, headaches, bloating, and breast tenderness — although some side effects may be only temporary).
- It's generally considered safe for healthy, non-smoking women over the age of 35 to take the pill (but that's for you and your doctor to discuss).
- Late last year, a new study confirmed previous studies’ findings that the pill increases women's breast cancer risk — and, of course, it made big news. How should women interpret these findings? “For most women, birth control pills will have a greater cancer benefit than risk,” says Dr. Gunter. “A woman who uses birth control pills, especially if used for 10 years or more, may reduce her risk of ovarian cancer by up to 50%. Endometrial cancer risk is also reduced in women who use birth control pills, especially for women who are obese or have irregular periods.” Gunter also notes that while 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, the pill doesn't significantly change a woman's risk, and added, “Much of the data about breast cancer risk and birth control pill use comes from women whose pills contained higher doses of hormones than most currently prescribed options.”
Just because the pill is the preferred contraceptive among many women, that doesn't mean you have to give it a try, Dr. Gunter says. “Many women still feel like they need to start with birth control pills first, and only switch to something else if they are bad at remembering the pill — while the pill is great for some women, there are plenty of other, easier-to-use methods,” she says.
IUD
- IUDs are extremely convenient and are 99% effective. Once they're in, you don't have to do anything other than remove or replace them in 3, 5, 7, or 10 years (depending on the type).
- “IUDs are safe and effective whether you've had children or not,” says Dr. Gunter, “however, some of the newer IUDs were specifically tested in teenagers and women who've never had babies before they received FDA approval.”
- ParaGard, the copper IUD is the only non-hormonal IUD. It can cause irregular, longer, and/or heavier periods, while the hormonal IUD (Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta, and Skyla) can lead to lighter periods (sometimes much lighter) and can make your cramps milder. Gunter stresses that hormonal IUDs work differently than other hormonal birth control — like the copper IUD, they prevent sperm from reaching the egg. “Other forms of hormonal birth control [prevent] a woman from releasing an egg,” she says. “The hormones in the IUD stay in and around the uterus, whereas the hormones in a pill, patch, ring, shot, or implant go all throughout the body. So a hormonal IUD will not help with cycle predictability, acne, PMS, ovarian cysts, or ovulation symptoms.”
- While getting an IUD placed can cause discomfort, especially if you haven't had a baby, it only takes a few minutes. (Here's some information on easing the pain, from … another Dr. Gunter (!) — in this case, Jen.) The insertion and removal of an IUD is the same for both types.
Condoms (male and female)
- Male condoms are 98% effective with perfect use — but with all use taken into account, they prevent pregnancy about 85% of the time.
- Condoms are the only birth control method in this list that can prevent STDs — and they're a great choice if you want a non-hormonal option, too.
- If you or your partner have a latex allergy, other options are available. And whether you or not you're allergic to latex, you can choose female condoms, which are made from nitrile and are about as effective as as male condoms (95% with perfect use vs. 79% in real life).
Permanent birth control
- The old standby, tubal ligation, is more than 99% effective. If you're a young woman who doesn't want kids, though, it may be difficult to get some doctors to take your request for sterilization seriously.
- Essure, a non-surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes with metal coils and is 99% effective, will soon no longer be available.
- For a woman who doesn't want to get pregnant (either again, or ever), the safest and most effective permanent birth control option is a vasectomy for her partner (more than 99% effective); however (perhaps not surprisingly), the vasectomy rate in the U.S. is about half of the rate of tubal ligations.
Newer options
- This month, the FDA approved the first vaginal ring contraceptive that can be used for an entire year: Annovera. It won't be available until at least late 2019, so stay tuned.
- The FDA also allowed marketing of Natural Cycles, the first app that can be used to prevent pregnancy (although that's caused some debate — including worries about privacy concerns).
- And what about birth control for men? A recent CNN headline announced, “Male birth control pill one step closer to reality, researchers say.” Again, stay tuned…
Two excellent websites for finding out more about any of the options above, and about the other types of contraception, are Planned Parenthood and the NIH website Medline Plus.
The information shared in this post should not be taken as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor. As Dr. Gunter says, “Every woman is tuned differently, and our bodies also change over time. We have all of these choices for a reason, so discuss with your doctor which birth control method is the best for you, and don't be afraid to switch to something else if you are no longer happy with the method you are using.”
What is your preferred type of birth control? How long have you used it? What have been the pros and cons of the birth control you've tried? If you've switched, what were your reasons? If you're married, did you change birth control methods when you were no longer single? If you've had kids, did you decide on new birth control after becoming a mom?
Stock photo: Deposit Photos / jes2uphoto.
Anonymous
“however (perhaps not surprisingly), the vasectomy rate in the U.S. is about half of the rate of tubal ligations.”
I dunno, that’s pretty surprising to me. Vasectomy is a minor, outpatient procedure with essentially no risks. Tubal ligation is major surgery under general anesthesia with all the attendant risks.
We use condoms for now (friends laugh at me and say I’m like a teenager but they’ve been effective for us and DH and I don’t mind them). When we’re sure we’re done with kids, DH will get snipped.
Anonymous
That surprised me too. I thought it was sort of standard for married men to get the snip eventually.
Anonymous
Which only impacts a woman who is sleeping with a married man.
Kate
Oops, I guess I wasn’t clear enough in my cynicism/sarcasm! I was referring to the outsized (ha, no pun intended) reaction of some men to getting a vasectomy — I recently heard one example from my ob/gyn, who said that she’s been waiting for her husband to get a vasectomy for three years. You’re right that it’s definitely a minor procedure compared to a tubal ligation, and that’s why it’s too bad that some men aren’t willing to consider it (especially if their partners ask) beyond an immediate “NOPE, not letting anyone cut anything down there!”
Anon
I’m the tubal ligation response below. DH got snipped and it failed. He has some varicosities in the area that made it really difficult – and painful – to the point that he urologist wasn’t sure after the procedure that he got it. Which apparently he didn’t because samples never cleared.
So I went under the knife because it felt like my turn and I’m really happy with my outcome. It really was a piece of cake.
LaurenB
Agree w Anon that tubal ligation was a piece of cake. It’s my observation that women who have actually had them think it was NBD but women who haven’t think it’s a major deal.
Anon
I am glad tubal ligation was a piece of cake for you. My sister had complications and almost bled out. She spent weeks in and out of the hospital. Like most surgeries, YMMV.
woman power
But vasectomy relies on the man. What about birth control needs when not in a long term relationship?
Even though I’m using condoms, I don’t want to rely on those as my sole birth control if I’m not in a committed relationship.
LaurenB
Sorry, I think it’s dramatic to say that tubal ligation is major surgery. It’s outpatient, home by noon, sleep the rest of the day, take it easy for a day or two, back to normal. No big deal in the least.
Anonymous
Maybe “major surgery” isn’t the right term but anything done under general anesthesia carries a non-trivial risk. I wouldn’t go under general anesthesia while my children are still young unless it was medically necessary. There are many other birth control options, including permanent birth control options for the man that are way less risky.
Nesprin
Medically, a surgery that opens either the chest or abdominal cavity is defined as “Major”. Kinda like how even necessary, urgent surgery that is planned is “elective”.
Anonymous
I love the pill. Light periods, no cramps, zero PMS, clear skin, super cheap. I used to be a hormonal monster around my period. I have to take medications daily anyway, so it’s no hassle to remember. I am concerned what I’ll do when I get too old for the pill.
Anonymous
I use the birth control patch. Ortho Evra. You change it once a week x 3 weeks with 1 week off. Very convenient.
Anon
Tubal ligation. I f%#%ng love never having to worry about it again. I had it done when my second baby was 2 months old.
anon
Don’t forget about Plan B! You take it after unprotected sex (or if the condom broke) and it hugely reduces your chance of getting pregnant. I always thought you had to take it the day after sex (because it’s called “the morning-after pill” after all), but when I looked it up I found out it can be a few days later. You can get it over the counter, too. (Anyone else reminded of the Black Mirror episode?)
Anonymous
Unrelated, but I’ve always heard people use that phrase… “when it breaks.” I’ve been using them for almost 20 years and I’ve literally never had one break. Maybe we aren’t active enough gardeners, lol.
Horse Crazy
Lol right? How does one break a condom? Maybe it’s the geniuses who use two…
Anon
I know someone who claims they regularly break because he is, ahem, large. But it’s the guy saying this, so I take it with a grain of salt.
Anonymous
DH has to shop at big and tall clothes stores, but refused to shop for his friend in those sizes…I finally had to ask whether he was more scared of being a parent or seeming braggy in the checkout line.
Expired or improperly stored (usually exposed to heat) condoms can bread more often, because the materials become brittle as they degrade.
Also, some @Sholes really do saba tough them. Hard to believe, but it’s not a law and order SVU legend.
Anonymous
When a condom has broken IME, it’s a little tear right on the tip, I guess from friction? The thing doesn’t snap in half or anything like that.
Anonymous
I’ve had a couple break. It happens.
anon
I’ve done the following:
1. The pill
2. Got married
3. The depo shot
4. The arm implant (No period for years! I looooooved it), and then after 3 years another arm implant.
5. Took out arm implant, got pregnant, had baby
6. The depo shot
7. Discovered that my body chemistry changed after having the baby and depo shot made me deeply enraged all the time.
8. The arm implant
9. Discovered that my body chemistry changed after having the baby and instead of having no period, I bled constantly. Toughed it out way too long. Found myself googling bidet attachments for my toilet and made a dr. appointment to have the arm implant removed.
10. The patch
11. Which made me very queasy
12. Told my husband I was removing the patch in x number of months and if he didn’t want another kid, he needed to put his money where his mouth was.
13. Husband got snipped
It’s weird not being on anything after being on BC my entire young adult life. I am much more in tune with my cycle and the corresponding attitude towards gardening. I am extremely pro-gardening during the middle part and rather meh on gardening the rest of the time. It’s like my body knows how to try to get pregnant or something.
Anonymous
Yup. I’ve never been on hormonal BC and definitely notice an increased drive when I’m ovulating (even though I am 100% sure I don’t want another child).
anon
Vasectomy is the way to go.
Anonymous
As a woman, I’m pretty sure I can’t get a vasectomy. So that’s a no go for a who lot of people.
Anom
The IUD was a success for me. I have the Mirena. I got it after I had my two girls and knew I didn’t want more children. Taking the Pill every day was no longer as easy as it was in the decade I took it before kids, and because I occasionally get migraines with aura, the Pill was no longer appropriate for me at age 40. I have no side effects with the IUD. And after a single very light period a few weeks after insertion, I haven’t had my period. I’m 42 now. I did think about asking DH to get snipped, but the IUD hasn’t been a problem, so no reason for him to have even the minor surgery.
AZCPA
I just became a participant in a long term study for a new permanent BC method – even more important now that Essure will be off the market. There are sites across the country doing it – look up FemBloc if you are interested.
I’ve been on the pill for 20 years, and in addition to concern about cancer risk, the pill gives me melasma. I’d wanted an IUD, but due it isn’t an option for me. And while vasectomy is great if you are comfortable relying on your partner, I wanted to be in control of my own fertility or lack thereof.
jwalk
I am deeply frustrated with birth control options right now. After being on the various pill formulations and then Nuvaring for almost a decade, I went off it because I wasn’t satisfied and wanted to get in touch with my body again before deciding what option to pursue next. Turns out, I LOVE not being on hormones. Gardening is exciting again and I know my moods are my own, not hormone-induced. Condoms, however, are a pain because the interrupt the flow of things. So I thought I’d get a copper IUD, but I simply couldn’t handle the pain. I had to make the doctor stop halfway through. I tried going back on the pill and was an emotional wreck by day 2, so off I went again. Now I feel either forced to go back on a hormonal option just for the protection, even though I don’t want the hormones, or staying off them and taking my chances with condoms which, again, are an annoyance. I am not happy with either of these options. Why oh why aren’t there more non-hormonal options that are both effective and easy?!
Anonymous
I would talk to your doctor about trying the IUD again, maybe with a strong pain killer beforehand.
Anonymous
+1
Anonymous
There are. Condoms. Get over it they aren’t hard.
jwalk
Wow, rude. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today, huh?
anon
What is the matter with you? Who hurt you?
AZCPA
That’s exactly why I participated in the study I mentioned above – not only was I personally unhappy with my available option, I wan t other women to have better choices as well.
jwalk
I so appreciate that! I hope something comes of it.
Anonymous
Look into the female condom, you can do the prep a little earlier than with the male one so it does not interrupt the flow as much.
I was an early field tester with the female condom and chose a partner with a lot of piercings there, lol. Just to really put it to the test. Good times.
Anonymous
Perhaps consider the Mirena IUD. Yes, hormones, but locally absorbed by the uterus and little to no systemic absorption, so far less to no hormone-driven mood changes.
Anonymous
Was on the pill for about 10 years, a low dose (Junel I think?) one. This was new when I went on it. Never had any problems, took it continuously and skipped my period for a decade! But read sooo many anecdotes of women trying different forms of BC and finding the ONE, having friends and sisters try various kinds, I decided to mix it up. I tried 3 different pills for a few months each. Horrible cramps, migraines, heavy periods. Went BC-free for a while. Same issues. Now I’m back on my OG Junel and will not stray. Why mess with a good thing.
Anonymous
I have done condoms, the pill, Paraguard (copper) IUD, Mirena IUD and now after our 3rd baby husband got a vasectomy. I disliked the pill and the copper IUD. I had no issues with Mirena and liked how it made my period pretty much non-existent. I am very happy husband got snipped though!
Ellen
I learned alot being with my ex. I now know the easiest form of Birthe Control is to JUST SAY NO! I do it b/f a guy get’s hot and heavy with me. After I dumped Alan, Gonzalo always was trying to stick his hands down where they did NOT belong, but I figured out what he was up to so I wore my Danskin and he could NOT get anywhere close to being abel to influence my thinkeing with his hand. FOOEY on him and his antics. I saw him with another woman on Lexington the day after he tried that stunt with me. DOUBEL FOOEY!
Anonymous
I’m surprised you didn’t include the implant in the main list. Also, hormonal IUDs are also associated with increased risk. We’re back to condoms becuase:
-Pill – gives me GI issues. I used it for years pre-baby and was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel. No one made the connection. When I went back on it more recently, I realized it was the source of my irritable bowels, which had miraculously healed when I was off the pill
-Paraguard – very heavy long periods – bleeding 10+ days. I was willing to put up with this for a few years, partly because I was wearing pads daily for urinary leakage, but once I got that taken care of I didn’t want to deal with it anymore.
-Hormonal IUD – came out without me noticing it within days of insertion! Luckily I had it checked out when I could not feel the strings. I think this is a flukey thing, but this is why IUDs have a failure rate.
-Implant – bleeding 2 weeks/month, which did not go away even after 3+ months. I also was concerned it was making me more moody and slightly concerned about cancer risk findings. On the plus side, insertion/removal was easy enough at Planned Parenthood – much less painful than the IUD insertion – and IT CAN’T FALL OUT!
KW
Thank you for not making me feel crazy w/r/t GI issues on the pill. I had GI issues for a long time, vaguely diagnosed as “I guess it’s likely IBS.” I went off the pill when DH and I started TTC and generally started to feel better although I didn’t make the connection at the time. We ultimately had to do IVF and as part of the protocol, I had to go on BC pills for a few weeks. My GI issues returned, and I finally made the connection. Who knew. I had never heard of that as a side effect of hormonal BC.
Anon
I am deeply concerned about hormonal birth control and have first hand knowledge of two botched vasectomies. Because I am very regular, not highly fertile while nursing (which I will be doing to close to menopause) and we wouldn’t be devastated to have another child, we will do FAM (fertility awareness method). It has been extremely accurate for me even with less than hyper-vigilant monitoring. We would just use condoms, spermicide, or a sponge for risky periods.
Anonymous
I mean if you want to get pregnant have fun with that
Anon
When used consistently and correctly, many FAMs are about 99% accurate. Please do not be quite so ignorant.
Lillers
I used the sympto-thermal FAM for 4 years without any unplanned pregnancies. Then we got pregnant when we wanted to. If you know what you’re doing and you are diligent about it, it’s a very effective method of BC.
The problem is if you don’t follow the “rules”, you are choosing to have unprotected sex at exactly the right time to get pregnant. For us, we either abstained or used condoms for 5-6 days per month. Like other posters, I don’t necessarily like condoms, but for me, it was much preferable to being on hormonal BC.
Anonymous
“not highly fertile while nursing (which I will be doing to close to menopause)”
Wait whaaat?! You’re going to be nursing into your 50s??
Anonymous
Yes it’s insane
OP for FAM
I am pregnant with my fourth at 41 and have no issues nursing for three years, so yes, exactly what I said. I have only ever weaned to get pregnant or stay pregnant, so I expect I could be nursing until my mid 40’s at which point my fertility will take a nose dive (my egg quality is already poor). The women in my family were all in early menopause around 45.
LaurenB
I prefer being on the pill to not being on the pill. Reduces cravings, mood swings – and major health benefits such as prevention of endometrial and uterine cancer. I do the continuous pill even though I had a tubal ligation, and now it’s also gotten me past menopause with only minor symptoms (maybe 4 hot flashes total). My doctor is fine w me being on it indefinitely as hormone replacement.
Anon
Pre-baby and pre-marriage we were using condoms and I used a sponge as well. Once we got married, switched to just condoms because I was much more comfortable having a baby in wedlock than outside of it if the condom failed (conservative values die hard I guess?). I tried to have a copper IUD put in (for various health reasons, I shouldn’t be on hormonal BC, even a hormonal IUD), but they couldn’t get it inserted given the way my cervix is shaped. Ever since, we’ve just been using condoms except when we were TTC, and post-baby we definitely just use condoms because with a terrible sleeper and all around handful of a LO means we don’t do that very often at all, will be interesting when we decide to try for #2. If we go for 3, I will probably have my tubes tied during my third C-section, but I don’t think we’ll be sure enough after #2 to go so permanent then. If we decide after 2 we are done, not sure what we will do, will cross that bridge when we come to it. My health is much better than my husband’s, and surgery doesn’t really bother me (2 knees, an ankle, a c-section, a gallbladder removal) vs. he’s never had surgery and doesn’t do well with doctors, I suspect I might even just do a stand-alone tube-tying and would consider discussing further options with my OB given family history of ovarian cancer.
Anon
Engaged and will be using the sympto-thermal method.
Factors that make this a good decison:
Regularity of cycle and lack of cramps, mood swings, etc.
Environmental effects of the Pill.
My age (mid-life 30s). If I get pregnant a month or so before we try… there are worse things to happen.
Regularity of ovulation (between days 11 and 12, like clockwork).
The need to not be on any type of long-term contraceptive (we do want kids).
This might change during post-partum (probably will use condoms until a pattern is established), but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Before the flaming begins, I fully support women who have different situations and do not think this would work for them. This would not be my advice to a woman who has had, for example, 3 babies in 4 years and is kinda done having kids but her body isn’t. Or someone whose spouse is not on board, someone in a bad relationship, etc.
Anonymous
Sounds like you’re ready for kids, so I don’t think this is crazy. But I just wanted to point out that you shouldn’t count on your age as something that will delay pregnancy. I got pregnant the first try (not just the first month, the actual first try) at age 36. And a good friend got pregnant after a one night stand at age 39. Sooo….
Anonymous
Agreed. I will just say that my husband and I did some natural family planning. In my 30s, I have not used protection/birth control four times, and we have three kids. Even the OB was shocked when I told her of the timing that was used when my third was conceived…. If I am not on my period, I will essentially get pregnant. (The three children were all conceived at very different points in my cycle.)
I have migraines with aura, and my mom died of premenopausal breast cancer when I was young. Also, I tried the pill briefly, and I did not react to it well. So, hormonal options are not a good idea for me. I am not really interested in bleeding forever with a copper IUD. I would like my husband to get snipped, but so far, he has delayed. So, for now, it is condoms, but given my fertility, that even makes me a bit nervous.
Anon
You’re either ovulating several times per cycle, or you’re ovulating irregularly throughout your cycle.
Women are fertile for the few days before we ovulate and when we ovulate – about five or six days a month.
Anonymous
Yep. BC fail at 38!
Anon
(Smiles) The sympto-thermal method isn’t crazy – it’s backed up by extraordinarily sound science and, depending on the method, is more effective than condoms. You can’t get pregnant when the sp+rm die before the egg is released.
It gets a bad rap because a lot of smug but ignorant people cannot tell the difference between it and the rhythm method. (Since I am fertile starting around day 6, if I used the rhythm method, I would probably get pregnant. A lot. Sympto-thermal tells me that day 6 is potentially fertile.)
Amy
I’ve been on the pill for 18 years. I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo for about 14 years with no problems. When I was diagnosed as bipolar, I changed to Ortho Cyclen (generic is Sprintec) so I could experiment with having a consistent hormone level throughout the month and then skip the placebo week. It made a huge difference because there was a link to my hormones and mood cycles. So now I have no more periods ever and my hormones don’t control me. I don’t have any cramps or PMS. I told my gynecologist that she changed my life and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my overall health. I’ve been doing that for about 4 years. I don’t plan on having children and my doctor will let me stay on Ortho Cyclen as long as my body is doing well. At some point my husband will have a vasectomy just in case, but there’s no rush. I also don’t have any problems forgetting pills and they’re free with my insurance.
Anonymous
I was on the pill for about 10 years before I got the Mirena IUD. I’m young-ish (29) and have never had children. The IUD is truly a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I haven’t had a period since I’ve had it in, which is amazing. On the other hand, I’ve had countless yeast infections/BV issues and developed some nasty cystic acne. Before getting the IUD, I maybe had one yeast infection ever. The pill must’ve suppressed the acne. Anyways, I now have to take an acne pill and probiotics to manage both issues. I honestly don’t know if the benefits outweigh the drawbacks at this point.
Anonymous
Mirena caused acne for the first time in my life. I switched to Paragard and it’s been much better. The heavier bleeding and return of periods is less than fun, but I do like that it’s non-hormonal.
Anonymous
I’ve been using the NuvaRing for about 10 years now. It’s certainly the easiest for me because you only have to deal with it once a month, and I haven’t had any issues with it. I tried the patch first but found the higher dose of hormones I was getting from that was making me feel awful physically and mentally.
Anonymous
The language of “regulating” or “leveling out” reproductive hormones bothers me, since I don’t believe we actually have any medication that can do that.
ITLady
I wanted to go on the IUD post partum, but my lovely insurance is a grandfathered plan that doesn’t have to cover them. So it was going to be $700 out of pocket. My insurance is amazing on all other fronts, but man that pissed me off.
So its condoms for now but once we are done having kids hubby will either get a vasectomy or I’ll go back on the pill. The pill before kids controlled my PCOS really well, but I have no earthly idea what my hormones look like post nursing. They’re great right now (my first period post partum was a total non issue minus the 3 zits that popped up the week before) so I’m kind of hoping that a vasectomy will work out for us best. I really hate the roller coaster of figuring out what pill works for me, hence why I’m not on the mini pill right now.
Anna
I have Nexplanon and have liked it. It doesn’t seem to be talked about as much as IUDs, but I liked the idea of it more. Had 1 for 3 years and got a new one last year. Haven’t had a period since I’ve been on it, which I love and it’s so nice to not have to worry about it. I do sometimes wonder how it affects my mood, if at all. Insertion and removal is a bit unpleasant, but not terrible.
Yellow
My scary experience with cooper IUD: I had 3 of them previously, so after my second child turned 9 month I decided to go and install one again. I had success with them previously.
I started having strong pains after it was installed (but doctor assured she saw on ultrasound it was installed correctly). Well, after a week of pains I insisted on repeated ultrasound. They could no longer locate it!!!!!
I was sent for X ray. Surgery with full narcosis the same day. Cooper IUD punctured me inside and ended up in my abdomen. I was lucky that I was not pregnant at that point. And I was lucky they were able to take it out in one piece and it looks like it had not damaged other organs.
Surgeon thought that gynecologist has most likely inserted it too deep and partially punctured me – and IUD then moved further up with my mivement.
Gynecologist herself says she installed everything correctly, and she thinks it is me that was too soft inside (she thinks it’s because I am 9 month postpartum).
Well, I did not expect to be on a surgery table as a result of contraceptive.
IUD Queen
At 34 years old, I got the copper IUD almost a year ago, which was also when our son was 3 months old.
Getting the IUD was about 29 years too late!! Why didn’t I try this before? Why didn’t all of the women in my life tell me about this? Why isn’t this REQUIRED by the doctor?! Okay, I’m exaggerating. But this thing has been pure joy, no planning, no worrying, painless periods. Prior to the IDU, we were tracking my cycle with an app and using condoms. It was annoying and risky.
I got the copper IUD because I was nursing and concerned about the impact that unnatural hormones would have on my ability to produce breast milk. I also wasn’t trying to get preggo too soon.
Clark
I wanted to like the IUD but I bled for 10.months.straight and (TMI) smelled super funky so I went back on the pill. I never thought I had any issues with it but I saw someone mentioned it caused her melasma and I’m wondering if that’s a side effect of the pill. I’m not in a relationship right now, so I might try to go off it for a few months and see if there’s an improvement?
Anon
Tried the copper iud and willed out after a week of having it in. I could feel it there with every movement. My friend loves the mirena and says she can’t feel it at all.
I’ll try the diaphragm for now.