IUD...Anyone using it?
#251881 - 03/13/06 05:21 AM
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mickz
Reged: 09/07/03
Posts: 151
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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I'm considering the IUD to eliminate my period all together, thereby eliminating my IBS flare-ups due to ovulation and hormonal changes. Anyone else doing this?
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IBS-C, pain predominant
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An IUD will not eliminate your periods. In fact it will most likely make them heavier and longer because the uterus has a tendency to try to expel the IUD device. Trust me, the cramps are horrible with the IUD. The kind I used did nothing to stop ovulation and did not change the hormone levels. Maybe there is something new out there that I don't know about, but mine was just a small piece of metal(?). I did not keep it long as my uterus did not like it!
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Personally I don't think eliminating your period is a very healthy thing to do, and IUD's do not eliminate them. You can do more reseach about what method may be better for you at this website , and you should ask your doctor for information too.
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I've been taking the pill for a few years without getting my period. Basically I don't take the 1 week of sugar pills, but continue with the hormone pills. This was done on the advice of both my family doctor and gynecologist.
This has been the best thing I've ever done, I have my life back because of it. I don't know how it will affect your IBS, but for me it did help a little. Mostly it just helped with the actual symptoms of my period.
One of my friends was on the depo shot and stopped getting her period with that. However her doctor recommended she stop it because of bone-density problems they've noticed with it long term (a few studies came out around a year ago).
As for the whole not getting your period debate, there's more than one side to that for sure. Some argue that not having it is un-natural. Some argue that what is natural is for women to be continuously pregnant or breastfeeding (as in back in cave men times) and so not getting your period is normal. And of course many believe taking hormones or other medications is really un-natural. Either way its all confusing, there's always risks or side effects with medication, and should be discussed with a specialist.
Good luck, and try get informed before making a decision.
Kat
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Kat
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If it's not too personal, may I ask what medical condition you're using the pills for, other than contraception?
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Not using it for contraception yet... Sorry if this post is kinda long, just finished it and a bit too much detail maybe!
I was originally put on the pill with the normal cycle of 3 weeks - 1 week off. This was after years of complaining about pain, missing school, passing out, not being able to eat enough (I weighed about 80 pounds so missing a few days of eating properly was not good!). I was also very anemic and not doing well with iron pills. My period was just way too heavy, too painful, and lasted way too long. The pill taken normally helped shorten it a little, but didn't help much otherwise. I tried pain medications but those had to be taken with food, and I was too nauseated to eat enough. I took as much Advil or Midol as was allowed, which I don't think is very healthy to do that often.
After a couple years I finally went to see a gynecologist. She gave me 2 options: 1) do a laproscopy to determine if it is endometriosis (mother and both grandmothers have it and have had surgeries) or 2) go on the pill full time.
She suggested the second option mostly since I was really skinny and she didn't want to do the surgery on me, and even if I did have endo, this is a treatment option for it. Not getting my period will in fact halt production of more endo.
So, I have no idea if I have endo, or if that is affecting my IBS at all. What I do know is that I'm not anemic, don't have to take awful iron pills, don't miss school, and I have no pain. Plus, after finding this website and sticking to Heather's diet, I'm finally (IBS) stable.
Not sure if this pill option is for everyone. Some may have "breakthrough bleeding" or other problems. For some it may not help the IBS anyways (it didn't get rid of mine). It is something to discuss with a doctor as an option.
After reading a few posts on this site about a possible endometriosis - IBS link, I think I'll be bringing that up with my doctor next visit.
Anyone else here doing the same pill-thing?
Kat
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Kat
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Thanks for your reply. I'm mainly taking mine for pain, and shortening the length of time of periods. My doc never brought up the possibilty of Endo though, but 1-2 Advils the day before I start my t.o.m. seems to help along with the pill. They've worked so far...
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Good to hear that the pill is helping. As far as I know the only way to diagnose endo is by surgery.
One new thing that came out, Seasonale. The pill where you only get 4 periods a year. Haven't read up on it at all, but it's another new option out there.
Ttyl, Kat
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Kat
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For Kat
#252084 - 03/14/06 04:57 AM
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mickz
Reged: 09/07/03
Posts: 151
Loc: Jacksonville, FL
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Kat
What type of BC pill are you taking? I'm scared to start the pill because I tend to be very sensitive to hormones.
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IBS-C, pain predominant
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Maybe wearing the NuvaRing for a straight 28 days would work. What do you think?
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IBS-C, pain predominant
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