Hi Divas!
I've been lurking around IUD Divas for a couple of months now and it really helped me in making my decision to have a copper IUD inserted on Monday, February 4 (appointment was originally Wed Jan 30, start of my period but the doctor had to reschedule).
Me: 21, NP, used combined pill for 5 years (Marvelon or its generic version, Apri), w/ monogamous partner for 2.5 years. Vancouver, BC, Canada. IUD: Liberte 380 ($90).
Reason for switching to IUD: I don't think hormones can be very healthy for one's system, and in the past year I've introduced improved eating and exercising habits (Primal eating, more cycling, and heavy weight training 3x/week) - this has drastically improved my quality of life by significantly decreasing seasonal affective disorder symptoms and anxiety symptoms (both of which I developed BEFORE the pill). The only side effects from the pill I've had: nausea in the first three months of use, moderate cramping for the first day of my period whereas before I never cramped, and I believe it keeps me at a certain body fat % despite improved eating and exercise habits (I can never go below 135 lbs no matter what!).
My boyfriend drove me to my appointment at a women's sexual health centre. There was a doctor + resident. At the beginning of my appointment, they discussed how the hormonal and non-hormonal IUD's work, what to expect, what is normal, and how insertion works. Both were clear, transparent, and kind :)
I took 800 mg of ibuprofin an hour before insertion. Insertion was worse than I thought it would be for myself, and I have my crooked cervix to thank for that. It was difficult for them to open up the last centimeter of my cervix, they tried 4 times and each resulted in a painful 6/7 cramp on a scale to 10. I had a few more cramps after that when they measured my uterus and inserted my IUD. They gave me a pad, and I was tender/sore/crampy for the rest of the night. We went home and just watched some Dexter and took some more ibuprofin.
I could only sleep on my back the first night, didn't bleed all night (nice surprise because I expected to). I started bleeding a little bit the next day, with a dull ache and some bloating but I had a busy, long day and it didn't bother me much. Today, there is very minimal spotting and no cramping or aches or bloating! I went to the gym today and it was fine. I was scared I'd get a horrible cramp or gush blood in the middle of the rep but it went well! I'm just wearing a pantyliner in case I spot/bleed.
I've bought some zinc and vitamin E to supplement while on the copper to balance zinc-copper in my body and vitamin E to reduce bleeding. Everything seems good and I hope it stay that way. We'll have to see if my period changes while still on the pill. I'll update again after my next period!
The doctor told me to keep taking the pill until my six-week follow-up or use condoms, whichever I prefer. So I can't stop hormones for another six weeks. I've also been instructed not to have fingers/tampons on my vagina for the next 7 days after the appointment, which I haven't. But I'm also supposed to abstain from intercourse, but I don't want to :p
Do you think I should wait the 7 days to have PIV?