IUD or low dose pill?

lindalouriv · 07-10-2005, 01:45 PM

I've been on regular bc pills for about 12 years. In the last year or so I began getting really bad spider veins and yeast infections so my doctor suggested that I might want to switch methods. He said I should switch to low dose pills which would help with the veins or get off hormones entirely and switch to the paragard iud. I was a bit concerned when he said there was an increase in bleeding with the iud. Is that only during my period or heavy spotting in between as well? Anyone have any suggestions as to which way I should go on this. For a bit of info.....I am 42 years old - have no children and don't intend to have any.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

LivnLGNOmore · 07-10-2005, 04:12 PM

I got my Paraguard in May, and LOVE it. So far I haven't noticed anything different about it. I'm 27 yrs old, and have been on the pill since 16, but after my second baby switched to IUD so I could breast feed. Not much more I can tell you, except good luck

lindalouriv · 07-10-2005, 04:54 PM

Thanks!

slvrmoon77 · 07-15-2005, 02:42 PM

I've heard the paragard makes your periods heavier, so I went with the Mirena which is a low dose progesterone IUD - made my periods LIGHT to nonexistent. Basically, I spot for a few days - waste of tampons actually.

bebamom · 07-24-2005, 11:01 AM

Hi - just a lurker here- have you ever heard of Nuvaring? It's a ring that you

insert yourself every month and for me (I was having problems with all the regular

pills after my daughter was over a year old and done breast-feeding), it's worked

wonders. The company doesn't really do any advertising. The web address is

nuvaring.com. Maybe this will help - it's another option, anyway.

wannabeslim4life · 07-24-2005, 05:37 PM

I have had paraguard for 3 weeks and have had two long and VERY heavy periods in that time the first time I had cramps that felt as strong as labor contractions. Then the bleeding completely stopped for three days and now its back just as heavy but without the cramps THANK GOD! I am not sure if I am gonna stick it out and wait for a month or two to see if the bleeding subsides as its becoming annoying! Definitely imo go with mirena if you decide on an IUD I have heard nothing bad about that one.

ga_kimmie · 07-24-2005, 09:24 PM

I was on birth control pills from age 18 to 28. I got the Mirena IUD a little over a year ago and love it! My periods have pretty much stopped completely. I haven't used a tampon in a year. My gyno also has the Mierna herself.

Not only do I love it, but my insurance paid for it so I only had to pay the co-pay for my visits...over the next 5 years that's $1200 worth of prescription co-pays that I'll avoid.

I was always pretty good about remembering to take my pills but there were always those forgetful moments where I'd skip a day...I don't have to worry about that either.

Allison'sMom · 08-01-2005, 02:30 PM

I just got a paragard IUD in May. I LOVE not having to pay for and remember my pills, but since the IUD I've had bad cramping (both during my period and during ovulation). I've had very heavy periods too. I did read that it's supposed to get better after 3-4 months, so I'm holding out to see if it does get any better. I sure hope so! Anyhow, that's my experience.

Mrssillymom3 · 08-02-2005, 05:12 PM

Wow all this info is great.... Thanks ladies. I am going to the doctor on Friday to discuss BC options.
I had been on the pill most of my adult life...(cept when pregnant with our 3 kids), I switched to the BC patch about 6 months ago and I just recently heard about alot of people dying... It was enough to scare me..so I stopped using it. Now I need to find something that is very effective as I believe we are done having kids....I am almost 39 yrs old and our youngest is 2 yrs old. So I am really trying to go the NON HORMONE route. I was thinking going with IUD too since I don't have to think about taking pills, or ruining the mood with diaphragm etc......I have never had bad periods really....some cramps not much, and average flow....so i don't really want to increase the flow either, and cramps I don't think I want those either.
But I also dont' want too much hormones. Thanks again for all the info and feedback though.... very enlightening.!!

wannabeslim4life · 08-03-2005, 02:51 PM

same here allisons mom I am holding out praying that it gets better through the months! and I am praying it stays put, I love the convenience not having to worry about it and I am trusting in it to do its job! dd was concieved by me not remembering my pill...def. not going that route again.

07-10-2005, 01:45 PM	#1
lindalouriv Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 254 Gallery: lindalouriv WOE: Atkins Maintenance	IUD or low dose pill? I've been on regular bc pills for about 12 years. In the last year or so I began getting really bad spider veins and yeast infections so my doctor suggested that I might want to switch methods. He said I should switch to low dose pills which would help with the veins or get off hormones entirely and switch to the paragard iud. I was a bit concerned when he said there was an increase in bleeding with the iud. Is that only during my period or heavy spotting in between as well? Anyone have any suggestions as to which way I should go on this. For a bit of info.....I am 42 years old - have no children and don't intend to have any. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

08-02-2005, 05:12 PM	#9
Mrssillymom3 Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In My Happy Place.....:) Posts: 6,022 Gallery: Mrssillymom3 Stats: 282/240/180 WOE: My Way !!! Start Date: 1/7/04 *restart 10/17/06 hope it's the last time	Wow all this info is great.... Thanks ladies. I am going to the doctor on Friday to discuss BC options. I had been on the pill most of my adult life...(cept when pregnant with our 3 kids), I switched to the BC patch about 6 months ago and I just recently heard about alot of people dying... It was enough to scare me..so I stopped using it. Now I need to find something that is very effective as I believe we are done having kids....I am almost 39 yrs old and our youngest is 2 yrs old. So I am really trying to go the NON HORMONE route. I was thinking going with IUD too since I don't have to think about taking pills, or ruining the mood with diaphragm etc......I have never had bad periods really....some cramps not much, and average flow....so i don't really want to increase the flow either, and cramps I don't think I want those either. But I also dont' want too much hormones. Thanks again for all the info and feedback though.... very enlightening.!! __________________ Melissa Every month is Breast cancer awareness month!! Go get yourself a mammogram!! IT MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE!!!

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07-10-2005, 04:12 PM	#2
LivnLGNOmore MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: on a tiny rock off the coast of Maine Posts: 1,277 Gallery: LivnLGNOmore Stats: 320/286/170ish WOE: Atkins Start Date: restarted again 05/02/2005	I got my Paraguard in May, and LOVE it. So far I haven't noticed anything different about it. I'm 27 yrs old, and have been on the pill since 16, but after my second baby switched to IUD so I could breast feed. Not much more I can tell you, except good luck

07-10-2005, 04:54 PM	#3
lindalouriv Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 254 Gallery: lindalouriv WOE: Atkins Maintenance	Thanks!

07-15-2005, 02:42 PM	#4
slvrmoon77 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: In the Triangle - NC Posts: 4,364 Gallery: slvrmoon77 Stats: 280/215.2/165 WOE: Stillman's QWL Start Date: 02/23/05	I've heard the paragard makes your periods heavier, so I went with the Mirena which is a low dose progesterone IUD - made my periods LIGHT to nonexistent. Basically, I spot for a few days - waste of tampons actually.

07-24-2005, 11:01 AM	#5
bebamom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 60 Gallery: bebamom	Hi - just a lurker here- have you ever heard of Nuvaring? It's a ring that you insert yourself every month and for me (I was having problems with all the regular pills after my daughter was over a year old and done breast-feeding), it's worked wonders. The company doesn't really do any advertising. The web address is nuvaring.com. Maybe this will help - it's another option, anyway.

07-24-2005, 05:37 PM	#6
wannabeslim4life Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,093 Gallery: wannabeslim4life Stats: 177/163/120	I have had paraguard for 3 weeks and have had two long and VERY heavy periods in that time the first time I had cramps that felt as strong as labor contractions. Then the bleeding completely stopped for three days and now its back just as heavy but without the cramps THANK GOD! I am not sure if I am gonna stick it out and wait for a month or two to see if the bleeding subsides as its becoming annoying! Definitely imo go with mirena if you decide on an IUD I have heard nothing bad about that one.

07-24-2005, 09:24 PM	#7
ga_kimmie Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 587 Gallery: ga_kimmie Stats: 167/167/125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restarted May 2007	I was on birth control pills from age 18 to 28. I got the Mirena IUD a little over a year ago and love it! My periods have pretty much stopped completely. I haven't used a tampon in a year. My gyno also has the Mierna herself. Not only do I love it, but my insurance paid for it so I only had to pay the co-pay for my visits...over the next 5 years that's $1200 worth of prescription co-pays that I'll avoid. I was always pretty good about remembering to take my pills but there were always those forgetful moments where I'd skip a day...I don't have to worry about that either.

08-01-2005, 02:30 PM	#8
Allison'sMom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 380 Gallery: Allison'sMom Stats: 235/225/150 WOE: Low-Carb Start Date: 2/18/05/re-start 10/17/05, time #3 08/07/07	I just got a paragard IUD in May. I LOVE not having to pay for and remember my pills, but since the IUD I've had bad cramping (both during my period and during ovulation). I've had very heavy periods too. I did read that it's supposed to get better after 3-4 months, so I'm holding out to see if it does get any better. I sure hope so! Anyhow, that's my experience.

08-03-2005, 02:51 PM	#10
wannabeslim4life Guest Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6,093 Gallery: wannabeslim4life Stats: 177/163/120	same here allisons mom I am holding out praying that it gets better through the months! and I am praying it stays put, I love the convenience not having to worry about it and I am trusting in it to do its job! dd was concieved by me not remembering my pill...def. not going that route again.