Discussions

I want to know people's experiences with it. Good and bad experiences welcome.

Had the copper heavy flow but less days, bad cramps had the mirena broke out in acne something bad, never knew if period would come that month, has hormones like the pill does so possible weight gain. I would go back to copper.

I am a health care professional and have had a number of clients who have had the copper IUD. Generally, the 'cons' have been slightly heavier periods, some increased cramping around their periods, some spotting and cramping between periods for the first few months. 'Pros' have been not having to think about birth control for 5 years, it is the only form of birth control (other than condoms) that has no hormones, periods are still as regular as before it was inserted, and cost is fairly cheap (and available free through the Sexual Health Program at Public Health for those who meet the requirements of that program).  
 
Edited by curlysister, 2016-04-21 16:07:34

Make sure your doctor isn't an idiot and that he or she can tell the difference between a 1 year, 3 year, 5 year IUD depending on what you get. I've heard a story of a woman ordering a 5 year and receiving a 1 year while the doctor in Brandon told her it was a 3 year. The first year was fine, but it caused painful ovarian cysts immediately after the 1st year. These continued until the third year when it was scheduled to be removed, but the poor girl didn't know the IUD was the cause of her cramps until she had it removed. Just before that the sexual health nurse checked her file and it said it was a one year IUD the doctor put in. Apparently he's illiterate.

Just make sure you understand how it works and that you're okay with it. Some people don't realize that it doesn't prevent fertilization, only implantation.

Is it possible to have it inserted through public health?

No, there isn't anyone at Public Health who can insert one. You can get a prescription from your regular MD/ NP, or you can call Public Health and ask for an appointment with someone there who can prescribe it (only available certain days/ hours). You can then get the actual IUD from Public Health with the prescription- but you will need to have it inserted by either an MD who inserts them (not all do), an OBGyn (they all insert), or one of the midwives. The Public Health nurses can help you with the referral and appointment to the most appropriate person to insert it for you (may depend on your situation and personal preference). You can PM me if you need any other help with the process - I may have made it sound more complicated than it really is!

Thanks for the info!

I have had the copper IUD for the last 10 yrs. Love it. No weight gain, no acne, no mood swings. It is very tiny so it doesn't hurt compared to the other IUDs. It is very quick to have inserted and very quick to replace. Less than 3 minutes.