Contraceptive advice... IUD or IUS ??

[missy109]

I am looking for contraceptive advice, I am currently on the pill injection and would like to carry on having a long term type of contraception.

I have been looking at having a IUS put in however I don't know whether a IUD would be more suitable.

I struggle a lot with hormones and mood swings etc. I have continuously been putting on weight with the pill injection and would like to try something that will not make me feel like I am a looney and getting extremely fat when I first got the pill injection I weight 8st and I am now a shocking 11st 5 this is what I have put on just over 2 years.

[Galen70]

If you mean Depo Provera for the "pill injection" then yes up to 10% women can get weight gain. If your periods are normal and you don't suffer from major PMS then a copper IUD would be fine. If you do have those problems, I would suggest an IUS.

[Jembers]

I had constant problems with hormone based contraception for many years. I tried the combined pill, the mini pill, the implant...I bled on all of them and they were making me miserable. I finally decided the get the copper IUD. It was the best decision ever. I was frightened to have it fitted because it can be a bit unpleasant, but it really wasn't too bad at all. Now, I forget I even have it. Regular periods (a bit heavier than before) absolutely no other symptoms. 5 to 10 years (depending on your age) of not having to worry about contraception. I'd highly recommend it. : )

[yellowstar368]

If you don't suffer with heavy periods then the copper IUD is probably better for you. I had the copper IUD for around 8 months. Insertion was painful, but it is bearable and painkillers help. For the first month I suffered with slight nausea, but I managed this using various things such as peppermint tea and sugar water. The following six months were absolutely fine, although my periods did become heavier. At around month seven, I began to experience some bad cramping and pressure where my uterus is. Doctors couldn't find out exactly what was wrong so in the end I decided to have it removed because of the pain. I now have the mirena IUD, which I have had for a month and I'm not really loving it. I have started to notice changes to my mood and sex drive, which is something that I suffered with while I was taking the pill.

It seems like hormones don't agree with my body, but this differs for each woman. However, based on what you have said I would say go with the copper IUD. Just be prepared for heavier periods. My mood did not alter while I was on that though, which was amazing.

Hope this helps