[baker_chick]

Also please forgive my typos, **** smartphone keyboard....lol

[seastar]

I had a copper IUD inserted almost four days ago. I too consider my self pretty tough. I went through cancer and chemo at age 19 am a runner, yoga teacher, dancer..Just wasn't quite ready to be thrown for a loop...it may be an emostional thing,but I had no threshold for the pinch and cramping. it was much worse than the pap smear I had to get when I decided to do this . I've been married 2 1/2 years and needed dependable BC We'll se how this goes. today was the first day I felt pretty normal but I, unlike many people it seems can tell somethings in there!

[AussieDogMom]

I'm glad to read that someone else has positive things to say about the copper IUD, it was the main reason I joined this forum to share my experience. I've been on hormonal birth control for the past 5 or so years (since my boyfriend and I began dating.) I'm 31 years old and have never had children, but I also know I don't ever want to have kids so I wanted a long-term form of birth control. I was also having pretty nasty side effects from the pill - I absolutely COULDN'T lose weight, my skin was always breaking out and I was a moody/anxious mess, not to mention I had VERY little interest in sex. My boyfriend, who also does not want children, considered getting a vasectomy but the doctors in our small town were rather reluctant because he doesn't have kids and we're not married (apparently EVERYONE should want to get married and procreate...) but I digress...

My insertion was less than ideal, it actually took three tries before I was able to have it successfully put in. The first time my doctor told me that my cervix was way too tight for her to even insert the measurement tools, I was giving a prescription for Cytotec and told to insert it vaginally two nights before, and one night before my next appointment. On the second attempt my doctor told me that because my uterus was so tipped that she wasn't able to insert it. She sent me for an ultra sound to make sure that there was nothing else going on that would prevent the insertion. Once my ultrasound came back all clear (no issues, just a SEVERELY retroverted uterus) I went in for appointment number three. This time I had the chief gynecologist doing the insertion. I was again given the Cytotec only this time was told to take it orally a couple of hours before my appointment. I was shocked that when the IUD was finally inserted it was relatively painless - as others have mentioned the measuring and prep for the insertion are the most uncomfortable part. As for the after effects I took the whole day off of work because I expected to be in pain and really uncomfortable and frankly I wasn't. I could have gone in and worked all day, however I had taken a Xanax to ease the nerves and it makes me really sleepy.

I've now had the IUD for three months, my face is clear, I lost about 7 pounds the first month (all water weight) and in general feel much better. I too was worried about the increase in bleeding during my period, but I've never had very heavy periods so it hasn't been too unbearable. I did notice some increased cramping the first month after I had it inserted but nothing some pain reliever couldn't help. Also, I've started increasing my exercise right before and during my period and it definitely lessens the cramps. I have noticed that throughout the month I have some discharge, but I was told by my doctor that it's completely normal and it doesn't really affect me at all. Most importantly I have a sex drive again!

I think the birth control/hormonal pills are wonderful for people who can tolerate them (and remember to take them)! However, for those of us out there that have adverse reactions to them I think this is a fabulous alternative that many more people should consider. I now have three friends that are considering switching since I've told them about my experience. Again, even though my insertion wasn't quick, easy and painless it doesn't mean I wouldn't do it 100 times over!

[smellymelly]

copper iud fitted 6days ago

I am on day 6 since having had a copper coil fitted. I'm 35 and have never had children. I don't want to take away from the positivity, but so far I'm feeling a little down about it all. I've considered this option for a long time and realise I have no other choice - as I too cannot use any BC method involving hormones and, as I'm sure many of you also experience, condoms just dont cut it for me and my boyfriend!!

Anyway, so I've gone for it and am just hoping and hoping it works out as it seems such a clever and potentially trouble-free contraceptive method. However it was very painful for me to have it fitted (and I'm famed for my high pain threshold!) and I am still suffering 6 days later. I had three days of severe craps and those have eased a bit (I am no longer doubled up) but I don't feel well at all. The bleeding is minimal (I'm used to long heavy periods) but I feel exhausted and don't want to move around too much (im a very active sporty person), plus feel sore and sensitive and muted, like my worst period day really but all the time.

Has anyone else had this and then it be ok a few months in? I think I am hoping for someone to tell me it will go away and I will be normal and can keep it in. I really want it to work. Does it hurt to have sex? Right now I can't imagine wanting to have sex and that is not like me at all!

hi Nomad, im 22 with no children, had the copper coil fitted 6days ago under general anesthetic. woke up with extream cramps in my ovaries and lower back so was given mophine shots in my drip. day 2 period pains had a full pack of Ibuprofen over the course of the day. day 3 pain wasnt as bad and now day 6 im still having cramping pains in my ovaries. feel okay other than am very tiered, dont feel like riding my bike (which i do everyday about 5miles) and im kind of not as horny as i was before but think this is down to the crampy feelings im having. has urs settled down yet? i bled for the first 5days like a period and now im just getting a yellowish discharge but it doesnt have any odour and its quite thin. just want some advice am really hoping it will settle as i cant have hormones and this is my last resort to contraception.

Melissa