[Danny L]

I am seriously thinking of getting a copper IUD. I've heard really bad stories and some good ones, but I'm still scared. I read on Mary Stopes website that they have one called a gynefix, which has little copper beads on it, and doesn't make you bleed as bad, and they attach it to your uterus with a nylon thread.

How do they do this? Also, how big is an IUD. I'm really not comfortable with taking anything hormonal, to many deaths due to breast cancer in my family, as well as heart problems and strokes. Is this the way to go? Is it really that risky to use just condoms? I feel really confused, and I'm scared about how much it will hurt to get it inserted. But I did give birth, and if I can do that, I'm sure I can have an IUD inserted. Any advice or experiences?

[ItsASecret]

I'm really not comfortable with taking anything hormonal, to many deaths due to breast cancer in my family, as well as heart problems and strokes.

I am very pro drug when it comes to helping people but in this case I will have to agree and say that hormonal should be avoided due to your family history. An IUD will easily be the best choice for you in regards to actually reliable birth control. Condoms are okay, but not great. They will keep you in about a 90% effective range if used correctly while an IUD is easily 99% effective. Keep in mind when it comes to side effects the major ones that you will see reported on blogs and personal "bad case" forums will be rare, very rare. Are the side effects non-existent? Absolutely not, they are absolutely possible which is why your doctor will let you know of them as well they are printed in the manual about the IUD. The most common would be cramping and bleeding which makes sense as there will be a foreign object placed in your body and your body will be thinking "wt* is this in me?" and it will wish that it was not there. But yeah do your research, and make sure you are aware that when you read of very extreme bad side effects it is because people like to over exaggerate cases in order to make people not use a method (this is common with people terrified of drugs). The bad things do happen, no one can tell whether or not anything negative side effects will occur but it is still your decision.

[Danny L]

Thank you so much, I'm hoping I'll be lucky in that my side effects won't be unbearable. From what I've read, they should die down as my body gets used to it anyway. Thanks for the advice.

[kira]

They don't attach IUDs to anything. They just slide them in and the strings hang out so they can easily be removed again and you can check the strings to see that your iud is still in position. If the strings change in length or you can't find them you are to call the doctor.

Whether it will make your periods lighter, heavier, or not have any impact is pretty much random. You cannot know how your body will react so you just have to take a chance. My body completely rejected my iud and bled for weeks before managing to push it out. Other people have gone through multiple iuds without a problem.

If you google "iud size" you can find pics of people holding them.

[Danny L]

Thanks, I'll do that

[WildChild]

I had a non hormonal IUD for years without any problems. You won't even know its there. No muss, no fuss, they are great!

[Danny L]

Thanks, I'll be going to the clinic as soon as I have the money:-)

[Danny L]

Also, I know this might seem blonde, but does it impair your ability to exercise? I would think not since you can have sex, but it just seems to me that its held loosely in your uterus, and that any jumping or running or any vigorous activity would cause it to poke you or change positions, or bounce around in there. Just checking. You can still wear tampons hey?

[ItsASecret]

I know this might seem blonde, but does it impair your ability to exercise? I would think not since you can have sex, but it just seems to me that its held loosely in your uterus, and that any jumping or running or any vigorous activity would cause it to poke you or change positions, or bounce around in there. Just checking. You can still wear tampons hey?

No it is not going anywhere unless you physically pull the strings to make it come out.

[lizzardb63]

Just a correction. Condoms are 98% effective when used correctly...not 90%!!!