[Mes T]

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]

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

[Mes T]

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]

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]

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]

Positive Copper IUD Experience

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.

[unpredictable]

My experience is just the same......I had mine inserted 2 hrs ago an am still happy that I did. I didnt feel any pain, just a bit uncomfortable you know with your legs up an spread wide with all that thing the doc has to do. I was a bit scared an feeling nervous about the procedure after reading others experience, but I must say that I had my pap smear in June an was much more uncomfortable than inserting my IUD. I actually had to ask if the procedure was done. Or was it the doctor who was gentle? After the procedure, there was a bit of blood......nothing heavy an I was advised that I should avoid sex for 7 days an return in 6 weeks time.

I then return to work after my lunch break an I continue to function as normal.

After not using any contraceptives for over 10 yrs, I was really on edge what to choose. But I guess the saying is really true......every person is a unique individual. We dont all respond to the same things, the same how. 2 hrs and climbing after my IUD insertion an all I can say is that I feel a little tingling, nothing to even talk about. An I feel great!!!!!!

[unpredictable]

I must say am still feeling good after having the IUD inserted for 6 days now. For the first 3 days, I had slight heavy mucus discharge with traces of blood an since that cleared up am telling you, I dont even remembered that I had that procedure done. Thanks for all those persons who had a positive results an posted their views to give me the encouragement to go forward. And to all those ladies whose body didnt react in a positve way to the copper IUD.....dont feel bad or beat up on yourself. We are all specially made unique individuals, we are of different sizes, shape an colour and we all have our different preferences and our bodies react differntly. There is a perfect contraceptive specially designed for women like you.......just explore all the other metthods and I wish you the best on your journey.

[Nomad]

Thanks to everyone for posting their experiences. It is surprisingly hard to find the support needed on this topic and encouraging to hear other's thoughts.

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!

This is all very unexpected. I hope there are more folk out there with positive over negative experiences.

Well done again to Fluterby for posting a positive comment.

[baker_chick]

I want to thank you for the post also. I had the copper iud inserted a few hours ago.

I have a long annoying history of various cysts in and around the vaginal area/bartholyn gland etc. after many painful trips to the e.r.to have cysts lanced, amd one week long admittance to hospital for a very bad case, i trudged onsusing the ortho-evra patch. I wad on it about 7 years and was on Aleese pill for a decade before that.

Finally i spoke with a nurse who told me i should never have been put on the patch in the first place since it is not recommended for women over 200lbs. (i was 280lbs when initially perscribed, now 245). Dozens of doctors, gynos and nurses over the course of years never put it together. This lede to copper iud consideration. No hormones, sounds good to me.

Side note...i am in canada where many copper options are available.

I was prescribed the Flexi T 300 copper iud. I am 31, no kids. The gyno gave e pills to take for two days prior fir softening the cervix. I also am two days after my period. The insertion was painless, one tiny pinch, like someone giving you a soft pinch on the arm. No cramps to speak of, and i feel ok.

I kinda want to say it feelslike i have a tampon in, except theres nothing there....and probably just from the dr spraying the cervix(for numbing it for dialation and insertion). The more time passes the less i feel like this. I ran a few errands after my appointment and didn't even think about it.

The doctor told me i can have sex right away, but i may have minor spotting for a couple hours to a .day. I go back in 3 weeks for . afollow up.
So far so good.

I recommend anyone considering the copper iud as a non-Hormone nirth control option to talk to your dr about it!

Mine cost 80.02$, 75$ of which ill get back from my medical benefits. Check it out!