Expert: Diane Cheryl - 2/26/2011

Question
Hi, and thanks in advance for your time and help!

My husband and I are expecting our first child in July. Even though it was a long struggle through infertility (due to PCOS and recurrent miscarriages) to get here, we are young and we know we will not want any more children for at least several more years. After researching my options, I am interested in getting an IUD after the baby is born, but I am having trouble choosing between Mirena and ParaGard and was hoping you could help me decide.

The hormones are my main concern with Mirena. Before we started trying to conceive, I was on the pill. The hormones gave me headaches and made me bloated and irritable, so I decided to try the minipill. Bad idea -- I bled constantly for the three months I was on it and ended up anemic before going back on the combined pill. I am concerned that if I choose Mirena, I will have to have it removed for the same reason I stopped the minipill.

My main concern with ParaGard is related to my infertility issues. Because of the PCOS, I rarely menstruate without pharmaceutical assistance (usually once every 4-8 months). I know that the risk of endometrial cancer is increased when you cycle rarely, and I want to keep my reproductive system in working order in case we decide to have another child. Would it be an option to go with the ParaGard and take Provera or Prometrium every three months or so if I am not menstruating spontaneously?

Answer
Dear Amanda,

I can't really recommend either of these options. I definitely don't recommend any kind of birth control method that is hormonal so the mirena IUD is definitely hormonal.

I went to the paragard site to get some more information on this but couldn't exactly figure out how it works. I sent for some information in the mail so hopefully I will get that soon. Could you email me at CHERYL51@aol.com and then when I get the info, we can keep in touch.

So hope to hear from you soon. When you email me, put ALLEXPERTS in the subject line of your email. Bye for now.

Diane Cheryl

P.S. You really sound like you have researched this subject extensively. I admire your diligence.