IUD’s….Caitlin Moran article

Had one fitted in 1979 after our first baby, as the consultant said at my age (mid thirties), I shouldn't be on the pill. Don't remember it being painful at all.
A different matter when it came to removal, (had decided to try for another baby), my GP could not get it out, so was referred to the hospital and had to have it removed under general anaesthetic.
Probably my worst experience was when I was being investigated for fibroids; had a womb biopsy with no pain relief. Nearly passed out.

I had one fitted after my 2 children were born. Very painful during fitting, husband could feel string during sex, and then I got terrible cramps when I got a period. Had it taken out after one month. Dr told me I hadn’t given it a chance!! DD has one now- no problems at all, though I hope she won’t get pregnant with it as she’s already got 3 children.

I had one fitted when I was pretty young early 20s, I don't remember the procedure being painful, but it had an awful outcome for me, I became pregnant, obviously unplanned, but that resulted in the un born baby dying somewhere early on, a lot of bleeding and being in hospital for a d and c. After that it was found that sometimes the device I had fitted renders some women infertile. Luckily that wasn't the case for me.

I was offered one when I had an unexpected period (we think it was caused by stress) and when I refused as there's a long family history of breast cancer, the gynaecologist yelled at me, saying that there was no proven link, and I was being silly.

I'd done my research and found loads of medical papers saying there was an increased risk.

I hasten to point out that the gynaecologist was male!

How interesting some people didn't experience pain, I found it very very painful and remember the doctor rushing off for the nurse. I couldn't live with the pain and had it removed about a month later.

I think the fitting probably was painful, but I think that was overshadowed for me by what happened later on as stated in my previous post.

A good friend of mine had one fitted, this would be the 1970's I think. It was so difficult and painful that she had an epilectic fit. She had never had one before , nor any since.

It is interesting how some women experience pain and others don't but I guess the point is, if it can cause considerable pain for a proportion of women, surely that should be taken into account before fitting one? Especially if they have been causing pain for 50 years

IUD are hormonal btw, I know there has been suggestion that they are not but modern ones are progesterone (sometimes synthetic)

Why is contraception always the woman's responsibility, hormonal and other dangers included, and pain?

Not always- after no.4 baby my husband had a vasectomy. I’d had the pain of childbirth so we figured it was his turn !

I was never able to take hormonal contraception so it has fallen to my husband. I suppose at least women now have a choice and are in control of their own contraception (in most cases hopefully) which is always a good thing.

That's quite rare though nanna I think it's about 5-10% of men have a vasectomy and the number is falling apparently.

My take on it was that, if anything happened to me my husband could remarry and have more children so I didn’t expect him to have a vasectomy. However my reluctance to take the pill and then inability to use IUD probably led to my marriage falling apart, especially as he was so insensitive to how upset I was about the problems the IUD had caused me. His only comment being, when it dropped out being ‘well, for the amount of sex we have it doesn’t really matter does it’, and he just walked away leaving me holding the coil in my hand and fighting back the tears .

It’s the women’s responsibility as we are the ones who get pregnant! I don’t expect a man to have a vasectomy for me as there have been cases when the marriage ended and the man could no longer father a child with a new partner. While if I don’t want children I don’t want them now nor with a new future partner, therefore I’ll get myself sterilised.

I thought the fitting of the coil was horrendous, until the doc said that was just the measurement thingy, to size me up.
He suggested I could have a little op to insert the coil, but I was sure there wouldn't be any such kindness when it was time to remove it.

I did try the pill in the 60s, felt ill and I am allergic to condoms, really it is very painful as it doesn’t appear straight away, so not apparent.
The first IUD I had fitted wasn’t that painful, family planning clinic but taking it out was another thing. After having each child I had another fitted and taken out, painful. Moreover, since the early 90s the speculum medics insert now are disposable ones and I find the are more painful than the steel ones. I do worry every year before each check up, Pap test etc.

Oh lord.
I'm years past the time of my smear test being due.

Ps My first baby was 9lb 10 only with the help of gas and the two others nearly as heavy, withou a péridurale

MissAdventure I am 71+ but I still have check ups.

Jaxjacky

I had one fitted, probably 1981/82 no problems, I also have no issues with smears, both are momentarily mildly uncomfortable. Perhaps I’m fortunate, I do totally relax when smears are done.

yes you are fortunate

I'm in my 50s, so should still be having them, mokryna.
I'm just too cowardly, plus it really hurts me; not discomfort - deep pain!!!

As I see it, the person who doesn't want children has the responsibility to ensure there are none. If a man is adamant that he doesn't want to be a father, then he should get a vasectomy and not leave it to his partner, therefore if a woman doesn't want them then the responsibility falls to her.

MissAdventure I am sorry you suffer so much. Can’t you explained to your doctor and get them to refer you to a specialist? Surely they will take you seriously as it a health concern. Just kick up a hell of a fuss if they don’t. Would you give it a try?

I had a funny turn when it went in and passed out, then I bled continuously for six months afterwards, but after that it’s been fine

I thought they were wonderful, never any pain fitting or removing ( & i'm not stoic, couldn't tolerate pipelle biopsy at a gynae outpatients). Had one as soon as completed my family, the pill made me really nauseous, but IUD worked like a treat. Certainly worth a try. IUDs without hormones will make bleeding heavier, but MIRENA is used as a treatment for heavy bleeding because of its slow release hormones, so they're not all the same.