(Cathy Weeks) wrote in message . com...
OSPAM (Naomi Pardue) wrote in message ...
but the copper IUDs
cause periods to be heavier and more painful than they would otherwise have
been.

Actually, I was JUST going to post a question about IUDs.
We've been using condoms for a few years now, and I've been considering asking
my gyn about switching to an IUD. My concern is that my periods have been real
weird lately (infrequent and heavy, with lots of spotting in between.) Will an
IUD make this worse? Anyone know? I will certainly ask the doc about it at my
appointment (tomorrow!), but experiences are always welcome. I can probably
live with heavier periods, since they ARE infrequent, but don't really need
more spotting.
(Progesterone-only, like in the hormone IUDs tends to increase spotting,
right?)

Yes, this is right - one of the most common side-effects of the Mirena
is persistent spotting, and it's from the progesterone.


No, I don't think so. Progesterone IUDs tend to lessen bleeding,
rather than increase it. The amount of progesterone is TINY, and not
taken systemically (though I'm sure some does get into your system).

But it still effects the lining of the uterus (obviously, since that's
how it works), and the spotting can continue forever (a published
side-effect).


You'll probably spot a little bit at first, on and off for a couple of
weeks. But once your body gets accustomed to it, it shouldn't change
things much.

Cathy, can you please tell my body this? :-) I'm actually having my
Mirena removed in 2 weeks because in the 3 months it's been in, I've
been having what they call "spotting," but what I call incredibly
annoying bleeding. Like mid-week period bleeding. Constantly. For 3
months. Yes, I'm one of the lucky ones for whom the "spotting" does
not subside right away. It *could* stop if I would like to wait for
the 6 month mark, but I fear I'll have died from anemia by then. Sigh.
I was so excited about this too...

Anyway, to the OP and Naomi, if you are thinking IUD, unless you have
a specific reason to choose a hormone-based one (like very heavy and
very painful periods, or a known issue with copper), I'd stick with
the copper-T. The spotting issue is not trivial (I believe my info
said that 30% of people have this side-effect), and I can tell you
that it can be unbearable. I got the Mirena because I have very strong
reactions to metal, and my doc (and the copper-T folks) felt that
without allergy tests it would be a bad idea to use it. So we thought
"what the heck - why not just go with Mirena then?" I wish I could
turn back the clock and have a do-over of that moment.

m.