Just had the copper IUD fitted! :D

**Mes T** · 03-21-2011 04:36 PM

I had yeast infections about twice before that, each time cleared up just fine with antibiotics. I'm not sure if those two times left me sort of predisposed to further infections... From what I researched on the internet at the time, seems like the strings of the IUD may have been retaining bacteria that the vagina was trying to naturally clean out. Since having the IUD removed, the infections have ceased but I have to take probiotics on a regular basis.

However, my best friend also got an IUD shortly after me, and she never had this problem despite having a bout or two of yeast infections in the past. She did end up with bad acne though and had the IUD removed for that reason.

**viola** · 03-22-2011 01:32 PM

She must have had the hormonal IUD then. The copper IUD has no hormones and wouldn't cause acne.

**Mes T** · 03-22-2011 02:45 PM

No she had the copper IUD. She couldn't find conclusive evidence of copper IUD causing acne, but she went for the removal anyway and it has since disappeared.

**TurkeyVulture** · 05-04-2011 03:39 PM

I also registered today just to say THANK YOU to flutterby for posting her positive experience, and to the rest of you who have posted your positive experiences with the copper IUD. Flutterby, it really set my mind at ease to know that you have never had a kid before but still has a positive experience with it. It seems all the (very few) posts I've seen here and elsewhere about having good experiences with IUDs have come from women who've had kids before. I am 31 and have never been pregnant, and am considering my options for effective birth control. I have struggled with bad acne throughout my adult life and have FINALLY made my skin mostly clear -- hormonal BC is not really an option for me because it will mess up my skin all over again. I don't want kids, but I might some day, so permanent measures aren't something I want to do yet. The copper IUD was really my only option (other than condoms, which my boyfriend and I hate but use if we have to.)

I was starting to despair because all I'd seen was negative, negative, negative. Even though I know rationally that most people are only going to share a negative experience, not a positive one, it still seemed overwhelming.

Now the only thing holding me back is wondering whether feeling the IUD strings will be an issue for my boyfriend, who is -- uh -- well endowed. I don't want to do something that's going to make sex less pleasant for him. But I guess there's no way to know how that will work for us until we try it. I'll be planning to get the copper IUD a couple of months before he's back from his deployment...so THANK YOU flutterby and others for helping to set my mind at ease! I think it's worth trying.

Now I just need to save up enough money...(no insurance, unfortunately.)

**TurkeyVulture** · 05-04-2011 03:40 PM

Also, I just wanted to point out that although the copper IUD doesn't have anything in it that will cause acne, some women's bodies naturally will react to a foreign object in the uterus by cranking out more natural hormones that will cause acne. Something the acne-prone like me have to consider.

Fortunately I think that reaction tends to be pretty rare with copper IUDs.

**havee** · 08-15-2011 08:12 AM

Hi All,

After tireless research, I opted for a copper IUD for the no-hormone aspect. I have never been comfortable with hormone options for a number of reasons. I was concerned about the threat of heavier and more painful periods with the copper option, but I gave it a go ... approx 4 months ago.

I am very pleased with this IUD. Insertion was very quick, a little pinch on insertion, nothing crazy. I had mild cramping that afternoon and mild spotting for 3-4 days afterward. My first period was quite heavy and more crampy than usual; and there was some mild discomfort once in a while throughout that first month. But that was it! After that first month, I never thought about it again, which is the whole point I would say. My period comes about 3-4 days later than it did before, and lasts about 1 day longer (it was only 3 days before), and there is a heavier flow on the first day, but a very small price to pay. I have sex with my partner very regularly and he is stoked! he hasn't felt it once, and has some serious peace of mind.

There you have it. Not for everyone, I know; birth control is a completely subjective experience. But, I am so pleased it worked for me, because frankly, no other alternative appealed to me. It is so inexepensive, so worth a try, but the deal is you should leave it in for at least three months to give it a fair shake.