Who’s got an IUD or Mirena IUS?

I have used most forms of contraception, but have had an allergic reaction to most of them... including an IUD, yes it did hurt, I remember getting one done at family planning and it wasn't the most pleasant experience, are you meant to have a local while these are inserted? Anyway a few days later I woke up in a sweat, and was hallucinating (sp?) so out it came.

Yup I sure do.
I love my Mirena!
It is a huge investment. Around $400 if you do it with Family Planning. Thats including the before and after check ups. If you do it at a gynae add about another $50.

Insertion wasn't very painful. It took about 20 minutes to put in and they provided a nurse to hold my hand in the painful bits. It was a pinchy kind of pain and didn't last long.
I was crampy for about 2 days afterwards, but not too bad.

Good things for me:

It lasts up to 5 years.
It doesn't affect your fertility, i.e when you take it out your cycles should immediately return to normal.
No periods. I just had my first period in the 9 months I've had it, and it was 2 days of light spotting. Bliss compared to the 8 heavy, painful days I had before!
No PMS. I was a scary hormonal witch with PMS before.
Hardly any side effects. I had random dizzy spells and a little nausea in the first few months but nothing serious enough to worry me.
Not having to worry about contraception, taking the pill on-time (I was really crap at taking the pill regularly) or condoms

Bad things:

Random spotting for 3 months after I got it inserted.
Constant pregnancy fears because I don't get periods.

I have never heard of anyone getting preggers with a Mirena. It is super-effective, like 1-1000 chance of pregnancy. There is a slightly increased risk of ectopic pregnancy with it though so you do need to be aware of any strong cramping on one side etc.

I hope I've answered your questions! Feel free to ask if you have more

Hey, you chicks are awesome -- thanks for sharing the nitty-gritty about all that. You told me exactly what I was wondering! I am thinking it's going to be the Mirena for me. I understand about the investment -- I'll probably do it at Family Planning, and my GP is trying to see if I'm anaemic enough to qualify for the subsidy so it doesn't cost as much (apparently if you're really, really anaemic, you can get a subsidy on it because it reduces blood loss with periods). But I'll just pay for it if I don't qualify. It's the pregnancy fears that freak me out -- I am totally not ready for another one, but the injections scare me a little bit because there's no telling when my fertility could come back, and with the IUS/IUD it sounds like it's pretty instant. Anybody else want to weigh in?

I know a woman who had a Mirena inserted, and she got pregnant with it in - but she then found out it hadn't been put in properly, and in fact was growing it's way in to the muscle. She had to have an op to get it cut out. BUT that is a rare rare occurence, and everyone else I've heard about having one has raved at how great it was.

Hi Katherine,

I have the Mirena IUD and am really happy with it. I had it put in January last year and so far no complaints. I had mine inserted in Australia by a gynaecologist.

I would highly recommend it as a long term contraception.

L
Mummy to B & L.

Hi,  I have an IUD. OOPppss just got a Skye, better go!

I've got an appiontment this week to get a mirena. Family planning came and talked to us and she said make sure the dr you get it done by does at least 8 a week. They are as reliable as a vasectomy the family planning lady said so thats why we are getting it.

newmum wrote: I'm thinking of getting one inserted after this baby is born as my midwife can refer me to have it done for free! Good to read this thread! Thanks for sharing

How come you can get it done for free???

Apparently because I have a very low iron count and the IUD is supposed to help periods get a lot better (I have very heavy ones)? If I am referred within 6 weeks of having baby I can get it done.