Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Ramona Quilter

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sarannwrapp wrote at 2006-11-25 17:00:54
I know it is late to advise the author of the original question, however, I feel the need to explain how it works from the perspective of one who is currently getting off of the Merina IUD.  



Getting it implanted did hurt, partially because I was a virgin and the doctor was careless as the the size of the probe she used, but also because I have a tilted uterus which she had to maneuver.



Please, if anyone is thinking of getting the IUD, don't.  I have been constantly worried that I was pregnant because I didn't have blood except old blood every three or so months.  My doctor never told me about this.  Also, I've learned that the hormones used are the same as the mini pill.  This type and dose of hormones allows the egg to be released, and usually effects implantation.  For me and my husband, we feel life begins at conception, not implantation.  Since this is our belief, we feel guilty for all the possible pregnancies we might have unknowingly aborted just because my doctor (and all the material she gave me) did not tell me how or when it worked.



We are still looking for a method which would only effect the release of the egg, so that if it failed, we would not be the cause of an early miscarriage.



God bless your choices.

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faith&family wrote at 2007-09-26 19:42:25
Books such as "How to Choose the Sex of Your Child", describe methods to detect your fertility.  Even if you are not trying to have a particular gender with this next pregnancy, this book is a good start on methods to detect when your body is fertile, such as the Billings method.  I'm sure a search on Amazon would turn up some excellent resources for you.  You may also consider the Clear Blue Fertility Monitor.  It retails for $200 give or take but can be found on ebay for pennies on the dollar.  You use the kit just like a pregnancy test, urinate on a stick, put into the monitor and it will tell you if your fertility risks are low, high, or almost definite.  You can avoid intimacy during almost definite times if you are trying to postpone pregnancy and then change your timing when you both are ready for another child.  It is not 100% but if you are diligent (and you pee in the a.m. anyway) it's statistically as effective as all the other options out there but WITHOUT dangerous side effects, from mood swings, bloating and weight gain to blood clot, strok, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.

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Tate's mom wrote at 2007-11-12 04:13:14
I just had the IUD inserted. I actually just had a baby 6 weeks ago. I chose it because you can have it taken out at anytime and start trying right away to have a baby. I was worried it would be painful. It did not hurt at all. I tried the pill in the past and the patch, both made me feel sick.

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LynK wrote at 2008-01-27 02:14:38
To the person who answered this question:  Why would you even answer this question if you don't even have a clue to an IUD or to the Merena?    You may want to help but your answer is not helpful whatsoever and to that I would like to say "Don't answer a question if you have no knowledge".  I hope I made myself clear...people like you need to keep your thoughts to yourself.

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Braum wrote at 2008-03-05 09:52:20
I have the 5 year merena and I can honestly say it does not hurt when it is inserted.  Also, you have no periods after a few weeks, some people continue light periods from what I understand.

My friend had hers taken out recently and got pregnant right away.

Did you know that this type of birth control dates back to thee early A.D.  They used to use rocks for an IUD in camels to keep them from getting pregnant and increasing the animals time working or something. Crazy, huh?  My Dr. told me that and he is a very smart man.  OBGYN/DDO

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Donna wrote at 2008-03-07 04:46:18
I have merena I didnt feel a thing when they inserted it. It took all but 3 mins. maybe a day after insert u may have minor cramps but thats it. U may spot for a good little while after.

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Dancer Mom wrote at 2008-03-11 13:05:23
LynK...what are YOU talking about?  The previous poster (Tate's mom) stated quite clearly in her post that she just had an IUD inserted, and is also able to compare it to two other methods.  I think your post helps very little.  

That said, I have chosen to get Mirena (let's spell it correctly, people!).  After having my two children 10 years ago, I had a copper-T IUD inserted, and it has been fabulous.  I am now due for a new one and am choosing Mirena because I would like my periods to be light.  I have also used the pill and the Depo shot in the past.  The pill was fine, but I don't care to take hormones now.  I disliked the Depo shot (no sex drive whatesoever).  As it was explained to me by my OB/GYN, the hormone (levonorgestrel) in Mirena stays local - it does not become systemic, as do the pill and the shot (and the patch).  

I can't speak to how it will feel to have Mirena inserted, but having my current IUD inserted was only slightly uncomfortable - a bit of crampiness.  

Do keep in mind that Mirena is recommended for women who have already had children (as are other IUDs).  That doesn't mean you can't have any more children, but I think it does contribute to the discomfort factor.

Finally, I think the reliability of this method is a good reason to choose it.  It is highly effective (99.9%), especially compared to some other methods suggested here ("Natural Family Planning" at 75%).

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she wrote at 2009-02-27 06:07:20
It does hurt I had it inserted a couple of days ago and you have cramps from it while your body adjusts to it. Remember it is inserted in your uterus and has to pass through your cervix all done without pain relief sedatives.

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marzena wrote at 2009-06-24 04:54:25
I had my second child 8 weeks ago and had merena put in a week ago. I was really nervous, thinking that it would be painful.  I can honestly say that it did not hurt one bit.  Afterwards, i felt a little cramping in my uterus but that was it.  I am going back to the dr tomorrow to check things out but otherwise, i feel fine. Good luck!

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glowdog wrote at 2009-06-25 18:48:13
Oh it hurt alright - but what my doctor failed to realize or ask me is that I had had two C-sections and never dilated once - so it HURT.  Then to boot, I didn't have a period for 10 months and now all of a sudden I am bleeding/old blood again and cramping.  I honestly wish I had not had it put in.

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Joy wrote at 2009-09-16 22:14:11
I had the Mirena placed today with minimal discomfort. I experienced a tad bit of cramping and was instructed to take Motrin for any further discomfort. I am having a bit of spotting, but nothing significant. I suggest you take Motrin or Tylenol prior to insertion it will help to relax you and help with any cramping you may have.

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littleone wrote at 2009-10-01 02:51:38
I had Merena inserted almost 4 years ago. I love it. It only hurts for a second while being inserted. It took about a year and a half before my cycle became almost non existent. I recommend merena

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meg wrote at 2009-10-19 22:25:09
I had my mirena put in last year two months after having my second child.After I had it inserted I had horrible cramps for two days..they were so bad i couldnt drive when I left my doctors office.Its been over a year and i have had my period the intire time.My periods get light but they never stop.

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Merena user wrote at 2009-10-23 17:56:24
I am a user of Merena for almost a year now and the only pain I had was a pince during insertion besides some mild cramping can occur. The best for me had been less bleeding during my menstral cycle (decreases over time). Also Merena can be removed whenever you want and can last up to 5 years.  Natural family planning does work if you are trying to have a baby but if you are tying to avoid having a baby natural family planning is not a good choice I know 3 people who tried it the natural way and they are all pregnant much to their suprise!

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Ruth wrote at 2009-12-28 14:27:02
I had this fitted 2 weeks ago, I've never had children, I found the fitting quite uncomfortable, this was I was told because I hadn't had children so maybe yours won't be so uncomfortable. I have had spotting since which is to be expected, but the coil that hangs down is annoying but I think that this just needs trimming.

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Christina wrote at 2010-04-29 01:39:27
I just had the mirena put in today. I have one baby girl.. and am not planning on having more children for just a little while... maybe 6 months to a year.  THE PROCEDURE WAS NOT PAINFUL AT ALL.  Just a little uncomforatable just like a pap smear.  You can take it out whenever you would like too.  Just thought I would let you know.. it does not hurt.. during or after one bit.  You get it in when you have your period.... and take two alive/advil before the procedure.  Afterwoods I didn't even feel any "period cramp" symtoms like they said you may.  I would recommond it if you would like to wait a little while before having more children.

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Angela wrote at 2010-07-10 04:35:21
I'm sorry but, yes, it will hurt. I just received the Merena procedure and it was quite uncomfortable. Though you may not have as much pain as I did considering I hadn't had children before having the procedure. There is definite discomfort but it only lasts a little while. For me it was definitely worth it to have the procedure done.



For me, I chose Merena because I have a chronic pain and bleeding disorder known as Endometriosis and my pain has gone down exponentially as well as my bleeding. There is spotting and irregularity for a little while but far less that I've experiences with shots and birth control pills.  

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