Has anyone had or know anyone who has had any experiences with the IUD? I know they are fairly uncommon in women who haven't had kids, However, my campus health clinic offers them for a reasonable cost to students who haven't had children so its an birth control option I'm considering.

Any thoughts?

I don't have any thoughts, but I'll be watching this post carefully. I may be switching from depo to the IUD later this year & would also love to hear what people have to say.

I've had an IUD for 13 years now and love it. But, I'd had my kids and didn't want more when I had it placed. I didn't get the one with the hormones (mirena, I think) as my reason for going off the pill at that point was the hormones and my age (I was 35). I got a copper 7 which has to be replaced after 10 years.

The first one I had placed hurt like he** going in, but I told my new GYN about that the second time around and she anesthetized my cervix and, no pain!

I did have longer and heavier periods at first (one the pill my period was 1.5 days, new IUD=7days, after about a year, down to 5 days.

I'm surprised IUD's are offered at a student health center. My GYN offeres them only to women in monogamous relationships that have had kids and are pretty sure/sure they are finished. I'd ask a lot of questions about having kids later before I had one placed.

Meg

I have one -- got it shortly after my last child was born -- and I'd never consider anything else at this point. I'd been on and off the Pill for years, HATED it, hated how moody it made me and no wonder it prevents pregnancy -- it killed my want to have sex altogether LOL.

I knew that I was done having kids, but didn't want anything permanent done to my body (hey, ya never know), so this was a great option for me.

There are 2 kinds on the market, as has been mentioned:

*one that has hormones that are slowly released into your sytem, must be replaced after 5 years IIRC

*the copper one mentioned above, all natural (so to speak) and replaceable after 10 years

It was an easy choice for me, considering I didn't want hormones, and 10 years!!! I don't have to think about a thing!

Personally, it didn't hurt me one bit to have it placed, no more uncomfortable than your typical ob/gyn appt. But then again, I've had 4 kids and perhaps have a higher pain tolerance?

Anyhow, the only person I know who chose this method of BC who had NOT yet had kids was my hair stylist, and sadly, hers fell out :eek:. Which might be the reason it's more geared towards those who've had kids?

It's not cheap, but when you consider the cost of other methods, it really is an economical choice in the long run AND you never have to think about it.

Shoot any questions my way -- I'm happy to help if I can :).

I would think hard about this one before you decide what you want to do. Not planning on having kids for the next 5-10 years? OK. Now, what about the risks of infection? IUDs can cause you to be more likely to get infections. In rare cases, they can even puncture the lining of the uterus. Ow! If you're not in a steady relationship, and you might want a child in the next 5-10 years, then condoms and birth control pills are your best bet.