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IUD if you haven't had a child? And compared to the pill/shot/whatever?
Virum
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
My lady and I have been discussing various forms of birth control since she really does not like how condoms feel... While we're experimenting with different kinds at the moment, we are also giving thought to using a different form of birth control with no "doubling up" as it were - so it needs to be highly effective so things like cervical caps and sponges aren't going to be considered.
Up front, neither of us have health insurance nor a lot of spare money - I'm not sure how big of a deal that is or not but I'm sure that means the stuff will be a lot more expensive.
I know the pill is the most common method, but I've seen what the pill can do to some of my family, so I really don't like the idea of hormonal based contraceptive. I was looking at the Mirena IUD - it seems like it'd be more cost effective for us, I like that the hormones are a very localized small dose and don't have nearly as many side effects, however the website implies you had to have a child to consider this. Planned Parenthood did say that it was more likely to slip out of women who never had a baby, but didn't say anything besides that. I realize it's a large upfront cost, but considering how long it lasts I am willing to pay that.
Any women or boyfriends/husbands with sexual partners that use it? Any feedback on it, is it worth it compared to other forms of birth control? Any thoughts would be helpful.
Up front, neither of us have health insurance nor a lot of spare money - I'm not sure how big of a deal that is or not but I'm sure that means the stuff will be a lot more expensive.
I know the pill is the most common method, but I've seen what the pill can do to some of my family, so I really don't like the idea of hormonal based contraceptive. I was looking at the Mirena IUD - it seems like it'd be more cost effective for us, I like that the hormones are a very localized small dose and don't have nearly as many side effects, however the website implies you had to have a child to consider this. Planned Parenthood did say that it was more likely to slip out of women who never had a baby, but didn't say anything besides that. I realize it's a large upfront cost, but considering how long it lasts I am willing to pay that.
Any women or boyfriends/husbands with sexual partners that use it? Any feedback on it, is it worth it compared to other forms of birth control? Any thoughts would be helpful.
Virum on
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I've been on the pill for years and have never had any problems. It cleared up my skin and stopped my cramps entirely, and my cramps were so bad that older relatives of mine used to get morphine injections for them. However, if you don't have insurance, I believe the cost can get a bit steep.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
i know there are different versions though (copper and plastic? hormonal and non-hormonal?) - i don't know much about them, i just know my partner's was the non-hormonal version and it worked out really really well.
edit: i'm reasonably sure she's never had a kid, for what it's worth
That said, the insertion hurt like all hell, but was over really quickly. The doctor also said that removal/inserting a new IUD would be less painful than the first insertion. The entire appointment took ~10 minutes, and the actual procedure is probably about two or three minutes long, total. It was also a bit difficult to find someone to do the insertion; I visited three doctors who told me that they wouldn't give an IUD to anyone who hadn't had at least one pregnancy yet. Apparently this is because there is a slightly greater chance of rejecting the IUD in nulliparous women, even though the likelihood is still incredibly low.
Altogether I think it's completely worth it; I paid about $300 for mine without going through health insurance, and since the IUD lasts 5 years that's all my birth control expenses paid for. Paying the $20 per month that the pill was costing me would add up to way more than that. The ParaGard (copper) IUD is also an option, I'm not sure exactly how it compares for cost but it's effective for longer than 5 years.
Anybody with a bad experience, or only good ones here?
Oh and the other really nice side effect is that it completely stops the period for a large percentage of women. Happened to both of my friends and according to their doctors, it's not at all unusual.
Insertion is also about as painful as actually having a kid, I've been told. So, just something to consider, especially if there's a chance it'll just slip back out and it'll have been for nothing.
I was supposed to get one in, but the clinic tried -- and couldn't -- then the gyno tried, and I hit the roof it hurt so badly (worst pain i've ever felt - mentally and physically) that they opted to send me for anesthesia to put it in (1% of people need this, I was told) ... I couldn't go the first time they tried to schedule it, and they haven't called back since -- and frankly, I think I am going to tell them "no" when they do call back.
Cost-wise, though, the Mirena is the way to go. And yes I do know people who swear by it. But you ought to really talk it through a lot with your lady, make sure she's being honest about how she feels about it -- it's a very, very personal procedure and I know a lot of women wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of something being inside of them constantly.
Has she been to the Planned Parenthood? That's Step One for reproductive health care for people who don't have insurance or lots of money. They'll also talk with her about various birth control options and probably send her home with something to try. I got a year's worth of Nortrel from there for about $30, so it's very cost-effective.