Let's talk BC. IUD's

You'll find a lot of mixed reviews. Personally, I love my IUD. My periods have never disappeared altogether, but they are really light and short, and some months they don't show up. It's the only birth control that didn't drive me crazy. I know a lot of people who didn't have good experiences, though, and I'm sure you'll hear about it.

I can't chime in on using an IUD with hormones because I am vehemently against putting them in my body, especially directly into my uterus. I have a non-hormonal one.

How do you like the non-hormonal one?

I've had it eight years and it's been great. I had a mishap during insertion...the doctor accidentally got the strings caught in the scissors and pulled it out. I had to go back and do it over...it was terribly painful. But, ten minutes later I was eating ice cream and enjoying life. My period is not lighter because there's no hormones to make that happen and at first my periods were heavier, but after a couple cycles they leveled out. I'm happy with it.

I'm on my second Mirena iud. Love it. Seriously.

I bled (like a light to medium period) for almost two weeks after insertion both times (moreso right after  "activity" IYKWIM), and then, *poof*, no more periods.

I've had both of mine inserted two weeks after c-sections (so no giving birth to stretch out the cervix) and both times it felt like a sharp pinch, and then cramps the rest of the day. I took Advil before the second insertion, and it helped.

Having it removed took seconds. It took a few minutes to have it inserted. Mostly just prep.

I've had two Mirenas between babies. It was a quick, sharp pinch going in, and few seconds (with no pain) getting it out. Had some bleeding after insertion but no periods after that. It was wonderful.

OMG. I wonder how it ended up by your bladder. That is what I am afraid of, something freakish happening. I usually have all the freakish medical things happen to me.

Me too. I've had it almost a year. My "period" is down to less than a day, and it's just enough to say I have it. I don't even bother with panty liners, it's that light. Gosh, I hope that isn't tmi. I love the mirena and would get it again in a heart beat. 

I've had two IUDs. Both non-hormonal ones (Copper, I think? It's been awhile). My first was in for about 8 years. I went to have it removed and my family dr couldn't find it. Referral to OB. He couldn't, even with an ultrasound. I had to have a D&C to get it out. I vaguely remember him showing it to me in surgery, but I was stoned on sedative, but later he said it had twisted up on itself and was lodged at the top of my uterus. Cray-cray.

Number two was inserted after baby [HASH]1 was born. When we went to have [HASH]2 child, I went to have it removed, but somewhere along the line it "fell out" or something. I never did find it. And no x-ray could find it. You'd think you'd see something like that when it came out, right??

That said, it was a great birth control for me and my lifestyle. My mum had one put in in 1974 and not removed until she was well into menopause in 1999. Her doctor said it wasn't really recommended for that length, but hers was built to last!

Just remembered. When I was days away from my wedding, my mother, was making sure I would have the something old something new, something borrowed, something blue… didn't have anything blue so she looked in her jewelry case and handed me her old IUD. I know she was just trying to be funny, but I took it. (Clearly I am her daughter) I am sure that I still have it to this day tucked away somewhere. She passed away 18 months after my wedding and I treasure EVERYTHING she gave me. I never stopped to ask why she had kept it. Still makes me laugh.

I've had Mirenas since I had my second DD and she's adult now. They were perfect for me. I didn't have a period for many many years (although I am bleeding again now since I'm in perimenopause and presumably the hormones aren't enough to compensate for my own fading supply) which was bliss!
I liked that once it was in I basically forgot it for a few years. I was never aware of it.
The insertion makes me wince briefly and removal is the same, uncomfortable but certainly tolerable.
Best thing for me without a doubt and I don't have any negatives to report 

If you don't have bad periods but need some sort of birth control is this a good method? Does it hurt to insert? I can't imagine I would need the one with hormones but then again I don't know that. I asked my GP about an ablation and she said we could discuss it in 6 months though. It is now month 2. I am waiting...

I think the Paragard Copper IUD is a great set-it-and-forget-it method.  No, I don't think it hurts going in, a pinch but I was fine an hour later to go back to work.  I've had mine for almost 10 years and am starting to consider what to do next.  The only reason I'm considering other options is my period is getting longer and my cycle is getting shorter (I'm getting it every 21 days for a full 7 days and that really sucks).