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• Fertility Awareness,
• Women's Health

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• 3 comments

Originally posted at re:Cycling, blog of the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, November 1st, 2012 

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  Reply

  Amanda

  10:20 amFebruary 2, 2013

  I had an awful experience with an IUD, Paraguard. I would not recommend them to anyone. I have tried several different pills over the years and have had several different, unpleasant side affects – headaches daily, more migraines, acne, cysts and so on. So, after doing some research my husband and I thought the non-hormonal Paraguard IUD would be a good option for birth control for me. It would also be a cheaper option as it only cost me the copay of having it inserted and could stay in for several years. (We were not planning on trying to conceive for a couple more years).

  After having it inserted I had horrible cramping and even heavier periods than I previously had. My period was very heavy on and off for three months. I also bled on and off throughout the month. I was told I would not be able to feel it, but I am sure I had this uncomfortable feeling the whole time it was inside of me and could feel its presence. I was also told to give it about three months to let my body adjust and my periods to get back to normal. I could not stand the pain and cramping anymore and had it taken out before three months was up. However, my pain did not go away and having the IUD removed was not the end of my troubles. I went to my GYN several times to try and identify the problem, but found no relief. Ultrasounds and exams did not identify any problems. More than once I was told it could be a bladder or bacterial infection and prescribed meds. The results always came back negative. At that point, my doctor thought I should see my family doctor as she no longer felt it was a woman’s issue. I saw my family doctor a few times and he became convinced it was endometriosis after doing some other tests and not finding anything. He talked to my GYN and insisted she should do a laparoscopy to identify endometriosis, but she refused and suggested I take birth control again. At that point, my pain became so bad I had to take pain killers and could barely get through the work day. Besides extreme cramping, I felt strange sensations inside and outside of my vagina and in my back. I had an intense pressure under my left buttock and where my upper leg meets. My legs and back would get numbing sensations on and off. Walking for long periods of time and sitting for a long time throughout the day would make my pain worse. The only relief I felt was after taking pain meds and sleeping at night. But after I woke up and the day went on my pain would come back and get worse. So, with my problems and pain only seeming to get worse and not finding much relief I had no interest in taking birth control again.

  I decided it was time to see another GYN and was given the name of a doctor that my family doctor went to medical school with. I had my medical files sent to my new doctor for a second opinion. After, seeing her a few times and having some ultrasounds she agreed to do a laparoscopy. I had my first laparoscopy in April 2010 and my GYN did in fact find endometriosis and removed all but one spot on my bladder. She found the most spots on my uterosacral ligament which was most likely causing the intense pressure/pain I was feeling where my left buttock and upper leg meets. My doctor also told me that the intense bleeding I had for three months from the IUD could have in fact spurred on endometriosis I already had. I had already suspected this, but my previous GYN insisted an IUD would not cause problems with endometriosis to worsen or cause any of the problems I was experiencing. As a side note, I previously experienced some pain with intercourse and another GYN suggested a laparoscopy for endometriosis. At the time, my pain was very mild and my husband and I decided against the surgery. That GYN was no longer in a convenient location for me and was the original reason I switched doctors prior to all of my problems. So, this is my third GYN I have seen in my area and she is not in a convenient location to my home either (my work though). However, I am happy to have a doctor that wanted to help me and has my best interest in mind. Most of my pain was gone after the endometriosis was removed. I still have residual pain from time to time and can tell the difference between cramping from my period and the endometriosis. For treatment, I decided against Lupron and went back on birth control. I was told I could try skipping my periods, but my body wanted to have a period, so skipping ever other one is what I was able to do. I had another laparoscopy in March 2012 before starting to try and conceive. The IUD seemed to be a good idea at the time because it did not have hormones and was a cheaper, semi-permanent option, but in the end it caused me a lot of pain and money. (I do have a friend that loves her Mirena IUD though. She has had a child before. Her GYN would only put one in a woman that previously had children. I am surprised to hear some GYNs recommend them for teenagers).

  Currently, we have been trying for nine months. I use the My Days App and watch my cervical mucous. My husband thinks I should start taking my temperature to be sure of ovulation now. So, that is probably our next step.

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    Reply

    Kati Bicknell

    2:27 amFebruary 5, 2013

    Hi Amanda,

    Wow, what horrible time you had with that IUD! I’m so sorry to hear that. :( But I’m glad you’ve got it mostly sorted out, and seem to have a system worked out.

    If you’re trying to conceive, charting your temperature can be a useful thing to do, as it helps you confirm when ovulation happens. (So you can see if you are ovulating) But don’t forget about cervical fluid. That’s actually a much better indicator or when you are fertile. I don’t know if you’ve seen this post yet, but it’s a good one to read when you’re trying to get pregnant.

    Best of luck to you!