I've been on the pill for about for about 6 years. Since I was a long distance runner all through high school and college, I was never regular, only getting my period maybe 4 times a year. Obviously, ever since I started on the pill, my periods became regular and all was good and happy in my girly parts. I loved that I could put off my period for another month if I wanted to, just by starting my new pack a week early. What I didn't love was the queasiness I always felt when taking the pill and also having to remember to take it every day. I got smart and started taking my pill right before I went to bed so that I wouldn't feel the queasiness, but remembering it was another problem. We want to have kids, but not anytime soon!
Last year, I started looking into other birth control options. I've heard horror stories about Depo-Provera so I knew I didn't want to go down that road. I also didn't want to get Norplant; the idea of having those little bars under the skin of my arm kind of freaks me out. I wanted something semi-permanent, something that I wouldn't even have to think about. So that's when I started researching the IUD. Yes, it got a bad rap back in the 80's due to all of the bacterial infections, but the modern IUDs have come a long way.
In my research, I came across the Mirena and decided this was the one for me. It lasts for 5 years and there's literally nothing I have to do with it except get it checked by my OB/GYN at my annual appointments. Plus, most women end up not getting their periods at all after a year of having it in. I was sold! I was actually all set to get one, but this was right before my wedding and I didn't want to mess with anything in the girly parts around this most important time in my life. Plus, my insurance didn't cover the cost of the Mirena, so I didn't really feel like paying the couple hundreds of dollars out of pocket when I was still functioning fine on the Pill.
Fast forward to last month, and I was finally ready for the Mirena. Jon's insurance actually covers it and we're happily married now. I first had to order the Mirena myself, direct from the company, and have it shipped to my doctor's office. Then, I had to schedule my insertion appointment. Make that, had to schedule my appointment for a day during my period. When the nurse told me this on the phone, I was like, "Whhaaaa????" Yes, I was going to have to have this thing inserted while I was having my period because apparently your cervix is dilated during that time and it's easier to insert. Ugh! Gross...not to mention mortifying!
So last Tuesday was my appointment. As I was getting my blood pressure checked out, I asked the nurse, "Umm...so Dr. T does know that I'm having my period, now, right?" And she said, "Oh, yes, don't worry!" Right...I love Dr. T and all, but my god, my period is personal! But I reassured myself by thinking that he's had to have seen worse. I mean, he is an OB/GYN and all.
So imagine my surprise and dismay when Dr. T walked in with his med student following him! So great, not only would Dr. T be poking around down there while Flo was in town, but his med student would be too! Now, for anyone who ever wondered about IUDs and how they get them in there and all that good stuff, let me tell you. First, they measure your uterus. OH MY GOD. That was painful. It made me so crampy and felt like he was trying to poke through the other side of my uterus. And this guy is a gentle doctor so I can only imagine how much worse it could have felt. After he measured my uterus to make sure that the IUD would fit, he got ready to insert it. Oh, but before that, he had to clean up my cervix (eek!) so he could place it correctly.
The device that they use to insert the IUD actually reminded me of the tampon concept. The Mirena is flexible, so they basically draw it back into a long hollow tube, insert the tube (which has measurements on the side) into your uterus, and then push it into your uterus until it matches the measurements which your doctor took earlier. And that's it, you're all done! The insertion is actually quite painful though; it feels just like the cramping from the measuring, except it doesn't go right away since they're leaving the IUD inside you. Oh, and you get a pelvic exam right after the insertion to make sure that your uterus wasn't perforated. Bonus points if you have a clumsy med student doing your pelvic exam and it feels as if she has her whole arm inside you.
I went back to work after my appointment, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're really sensitive to pain. I popped a few ibuprofen and the cramping was all but gone by the next day. And I feel great now. No more remembering pills, no more nausea. I love it! My doctor prescribed an antibiotic for me just in case there was any infection but so far so good. Now I just have to go back and see him after my next period so that he can make sure all is well in girly parts central. But that's it! I'm so excited! True, I won't be able to plan my period to happen at more convenient times, but I'm hoping I'm one of the lucky ones who won't get it after awhile. And if Jon and I decide we want to have babies before the 5 years are up, my doctor can just remove it and the rate of pregnancy will be the same as if I was coming off the pill.
Oh, and did I mention that it's one of the most effective forms of birth control? Norplant (and abstinence, obviously), is the only one that's more effective. One other thing I should note is that usually the Mirena is for women who have already given birth. The reason for this is that their uterus is stretched a little from having carried a child, but as long as you are measured properly, you shouldn't have a problem. I'm a very tiny woman and if it fits me, I'm sure it will fit just about anyone. So anyway, I'm pleased so far. A day or two of cramping is well worth it in my book for the convenience and effectiveness of the Mirena. Oh, and if you were wondering, your significant other won't be able to feel it. This has been confirmed ;)
