#iudmirena

[mytwentynine]

Good read before my insertion tomorrow!

[mytwentynine]

IUD Insertion Anxiety

Making this blog has certainly helped me to cope with the anxiety I am feeling about tomorrows IUD Mirena removal and IUD Paragard insertion. I’m hoping that this additionally helps those who are thinking about switching to RUMPs or perhaps what to have some insight on the IUD Mirena, the IUD Paragard, or the switch from IUD Mirena to IUD Paragard.

I feel bad about a friend I totally unloaded my mental bags on when she asked how I was doing. She hasn’t responded...haha.

[mytwentynine]

IUD Mirena Insertion

So yesterday, I was able to have an IUD inserted. For those who have already experienced it, you will already know that it feels like having the upper inside of your vagina ripped open.

When my doctor slid the opening apparatus up my vagina it seemed only harmless until the cervix was dilated...it felt like ripping, and I couldn't help but half-yell in pain. After that, the most weirdest sensations of cramping from my uterus about 3 times when the doctor measured the size of my uterus.

I almost felt like passing out afterwards when I attempted to sit up after the objects used to open my vagina and cervix were removed and the IUD was inserted, so the doctor and the nurse kindly gave me the highest dose of Motrin and Apple Juice to drink. I drank the entire container of course, after I was done feeling like weak jello...and the sensations that came with the drop in my blood pressure dissipated in about 10-15 minutes. Then I was able to use the restroom and have my blood pressure taken before proceeding to the Exit of Kaiser Permanente.

I bought Ibruprofen for the evening, since I knew that I wouldn't be sleeping just yet, which I took during dinner...but I found that I didn't feel any cramping sensations from the uterus after the 200mg Ibuprofen wore off. Not even today until now (17:31 or 5:31pm)...*knock on wood*

So far, I've been very satisfied with it...I didn't get any major hormonal changes as I did with the Nuva Ring or the Birth Control Pill...and I didn't feel any nausea. The doctor explained that this was because the hormones in the Mirena IUD are delivered straight to the Uterus and are not traveling through different places of the body before arriving to the Uterus. Which is super great, because I find that my appetite has not increased either! I'll be able to lose weight just like I want to :).

And although I won't be able to have sex or use tampons for the next two days, and not have unprotected sex with my partner for the next two weeks...it's worth it. Because it'll last for FIVE years, and I won't have to think about visits to the doctor until then. By then, I'll be working (fingers crossed, knocking on wood once more).

I'm glad that my friend suggested this to me, because now I can focus on my school work without having to worry about protecting myself from unexpected predicaments that can come from being human, and enjoying my sexuality with someone I deeply care about.

So I'd like to give a pat on my own back for taking the steps to undergo this operation. It was a little bumpy getting the appointment at the right time, but it was most definitely worth it. I am continually hoping for the best.

[roastedbanana]

IUD Mirena (Hormone) to IUD Paragard (Hormone-Free Copper)

End of Mirena Side Effects

I’ve now used the IUD Mirena for about 1566 days (4.35 years). Here is an update on my IUD Mirena Side Effects

Unpredictable severe mood swings that sneak up on you (incredible short day-long fits/periods of rage, frustration, anxiety, or depression; exacerbating existing underlying psychological problems)*

Amenorrhea (started within years 2-3 of IUD use)

Bloating, and significant engorgement of my breasts toward the end of my use (I’ve increased my breast size from an A cup to a C cup along my college years, and I was afraid I was pregnant…obviously, I’m not)

PMS and Mood Swings of unpredictable onset and length is the largest issue that I’ve had with the IUD Mirena. For the first year of the IUD Mirena I dealt with severe depression, and I was also faced with my traumatic past of child sexual abuse with no emotional and financial support from my parents to deal with this. At this first year I was considering suicide, and found it difficult to participate in school to be successful (I did it, but it was an incredible challenge to be motivated). If it wasn’t for my best friend dragging me to community psychological counseling, I wouldn’t have been able to overcome that year of depression and graduate nursing, and now be on my way to officially commission into the USAF as a nurse.

The PMS symptoms have been getting more erradic and worse towards the end of my IUD Mirena use, so I’m wondering if I’m going through the Mirena Crash while it’s still within my uterus (I’m not sure, not enough evidence out there to back it up, but others have attested to this)

With this, I have decided to switch from the IUD Mirena to the IUD Paragard, because it was such an effective and reliable form of contraception. I’ll be sure to document that thoroughly, as I know there isn’t much information to reflect the successful statistics of the IUD Paragard. I am also praying that I don’t become one of the people that undergoes the rare complications that come with the IUD as I’m deciding to to prolong the use of the IUD, just opting for the hormone-free version

Preparations I’ve made for the IUD Paragard (I have decided to go the eco-friendly chemical-free route)

Menstrual Cup (Diva-Cup)

Cloth Menstrual Pads via Etsy (4-5 Overnight pads 1-2 Regular, larger pads, 6 Intralabial Pads for heavy period days)

Midol Complete pills (pre-purchased and sitting in my drawer) for menstrual cramps

Hot water container for menstrual cramps

Downloaded a menstrual cycle tracking application (Clue for my IPhone 5s) to track my PMS and actual period…it will be AMAZING to have a normal and healthy period again (it kind of freaks me out that I haven’t been having my period at all…I know, call me weird or masochistic, but I just feel like I’d want my body to go through the healthy natural cycles that it’s meant to go through)

My removal/insertion appointment is going to be this Thursday 18 May 1030, I am planning to take 800mg of Ibuprofen about 30 minutes prior. This is going to be a unique appointment in that my strings climbed up into my uterus around the date of August 27, 2013 (about 3 years ago), when I had an appointment with my OBGYN to reassure me that my IUD Mirena was still in place.

As a result, they will be needing to remove the IUD Mirena a little differently (Here’s a YouTube video that I’ve found that demonstrates this well https://youtu.be/TAmL4WN3P54)…On top of placing the IUD Paragard in.

Yes, I’m nervous as hell, but also looking forward to it. I’m honestly looking forward to the cramping and bleeding…I’ll take that over the psychological torment that the IUD Mirena has put me through. Also…I’m pretty excited to start using the DivaCup and home-made menstrual cloth pads! Women these days are taking control of their bodies, and revolutionizing the way we think about periods, it’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been watching multiple videos from Precious Stars Pads and Amy Nix on YouTube, and they are such a delight.

We’ll see how this goes. I’ll keep you all updated, knowing there’s not much of this out there.