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Hmmmm. I had a numbing agent applied. The effects can't last over a day, surely? Because unfortunately sex was kind of meh last night in a way it never has been, and it was pretty frustrating and also confusing. 
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Jan 21, 2012 00:15
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Medium Blue posted:Hmmmm. I had a numbing agent applied. The effects can't last over a day, surely? Because unfortunately sex was kind of meh last night in a way it never has been, and it was pretty frustrating and also confusing. Aren't you supposed to wait two weeks after IUD insertion before getting it on again? It might be best to wait for a while and let your cervix bounce back before anymore sexyfuntimes.
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Jan 21, 2012 00:51
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My doctor said a week, but yeah. Mostly it's to let your cervix heal a bit and reduce the risk of infection. The doctor also said no baths, tampons, anything in there for that week. eta: oh, I came here to post this: Obama Administration Approves Rule That Guarantees Near-Universal Contraceptive Coverage 
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Jan 21, 2012 00:53
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uberwekkness posted:So is applying some things to numb the cervix not a universal thing? I hear both people getting numbing spray (and gel maybe?), like when I got it, but then I hear stories like the above and it makes me wonder. I had my Mirena put in close to 10 years ago. My midwife didn't use any kind of numbing agent. She said if,for some reason something went wrong, how would you as a patient know if you can't feel anything? With my awesome tipped semi-bicornuate uterus, let me tell you that trying to measure my uterus with a sound was NOT fun. But it was over fairly quickly and there were no problems. I took 400 mg of ibuprofen before I went and then again 4 hours later and was fine after that. That being said, vasovagal reactions have nothing to do with being able to tolerate pain or not. My mom (a very slender, boy-shaped woman) had 4 kids with no pain medication, 2 of us being 10+ pounds. For whatever reason though, pap smears make her faint and/or vomit every single time.
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Jan 21, 2012 01:05
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uptown posted:
I think you are describing the sounding, which is what feels like a really strong cramp for most people (did for me), but you clearly had a vasovagal reaction with it going through your cervix. Many people do have that reaction to cervical stuff as just discussed in this thread. hTat and the 'clamping onto' the cervix as I've heard it described is what usually causes it for folks. I'm fairly sure the back/top wall of the uterus doesn't have any sensation that you'd feel?, but that it can start cramping in reaction to the prodding (someone correct me if I'm wrong!). Anyway that sucks, and I really hope it at least gives you years of worry-free BC for that pain it was and I'm glad your mom was there for you. I was given no numbing agent on my cervix and I was not prescribed that cervix-softening pill to take either beforehand, but I believe they told me to take ibuprofen a couple hours before. I think I was advised to have someone take me if I could, but I couldn't so drove myself, and luckily I didn't have any sort of bad reaction so I was fine driving myself home a few minutes later.
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Jan 21, 2012 01:10
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Well, the cervix was numbed, but I definitely felt things going on. It was just less intense than I'd assume it would be otherwise. Not like my whole vagina and uterus were numbed too, you know? And considering I got cramps pretty much the second the arms were extended (or whatever you call those things), I'd assume the abdominal pain that would have shown up if something went wrong too. But I dunno, man, maybe I have a really beefy cervix or something.
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Jan 21, 2012 01:12
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Oh. My doctor didn't say anything about abstaining for a while or about baths and things-up-there, and the little pamphlet they gave me before I left the clinic is equally silent on the matter. And well done the Obama Administration! About time for a country like America, seriously.
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Jan 21, 2012 01:24
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Marshmallow Mayhem posted:I think you are describing the sounding, which is what feels like a really strong cramp for most people (did for me), but you clearly had a vasovagal reaction with it going through your cervix. Many people do have that reaction to cervical stuff as just discussed in this thread. hTat and the 'clamping onto' the cervix as I've heard it described is what usually causes it for folks. I'm fairly sure the back/top wall of the uterus doesn't have any sensation that you'd feel?, but that it can start cramping in reaction to the prodding (someone correct me if I'm wrong!). Anyway that sucks, and I really hope it at least gives you years of worry-free BC for that pain it was and I'm glad your mom was there for you. I don't know, the worst pain was when the arms of the IUD were extended, so maybe it was my uterus, or maybe that's when the reaction was at the most intense of its painfulness? I don't know... Well whatever it was, it was horrible. I'll ask the doctor what the hell was going on when I go in for my follow-up, at the end of my period next month, and report back then. On a happier note, I'm back feeling 100% fine, no residual cramping or anything. My doctor told me that I can't use my DivaCup or tampons until after my follow-up, so she can check on where the string/wire is sitting and trim it if necessary, which absolutely sucks. I haven't used a pad since junior high.
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Jan 21, 2012 03:08
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Eggplant Wizard posted:eta: oh, I came here to post this:  Also came here to post this! I heard the story on NPR. They were discussing how Obama is giving religious hospitals, universities, and insurance providers an extra year before they have to comply with the act. Some representative for the Catholic organizations was saying how Obama was forcing people to buy birth control and how it's a form of religious persecution.  What it really means is that these organizations will no longer be able to impose their religious beliefs on their patients, students, and employees. It's not like the Obama organization is enacting mandatory sterilization, they are simply making the #1 medication used by women available to everyone. I truly believe this is the most important step in women's reproductive rights since Margret Sanger's crusade and the pill revolution in the '60s.
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Jan 21, 2012 04:34
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I never heard of the sex or bath thing either (I've been talking baths all week  )What I was told is that you can have sex as soon as you feel comfortable enough to do so, as long as you have a backup birth control for the first week. Didn't matter so much to me, as my husband is in a different timezone right now, but whatever.
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Jan 21, 2012 05:05
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My doctor told me I could have sex that day with no back up but she didn't think i'd want to and she was right. I wasn't interested in sex for about 2 weeks after the insertion. (paragard)
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Jan 21, 2012 05:09
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fork bomb posted:
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Jan 21, 2012 05:12
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Kerfuffle posted:This is fabulous news and that is a perfect gif. I can't wait. Also that article made me extremely annoyed for a second because I forgot how god drat Viagra has more coverage privileges than birth control I mean what the gently caress. Completely agreed. I can't think of a better example of patriarchal institutionalization than that. Viagra et al allows men to have more sex. Birth control allows women to have sex while controlling pregnancy. Only one of these is "offensive" to the religious right. Sorry to get all feminist derail up in here but I feel this has been a long time coming.
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Jan 21, 2012 08:26
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Hey, birth control thread! I recently switched pharmacies and they both have different generics for my birth control--I used to take Gianvi, and now I'm on the equivalent that the Rite-Aid stocks which is Loryna. I've been skipping my period for about two months now just 'cause it's been convenient! And I, uh, I'm going on a third. So is it safe to say the increased spotting is because I've been skipping so many periods?  I've never skipped more than two sequentially, and incidentally I've never spotted so much.
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Jan 21, 2012 08:46
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Swillkitsch posted:Hey, birth control thread! I recently switched pharmacies and they both have different generics for my birth control--I used to take Gianvi, and now I'm on the equivalent that the Rite-Aid stocks which is Loryna. I've been skipping my period for about two months now just 'cause it's been convenient! And I, uh, I'm going on a third. If I'm reading this right, you switched to a different pill at the same time that you started skipping placebos? That makes it hard to guess whether it's your body adjusting to a new type of pill or if you're having breakthrough bleeding. Are you going to continue skipping? I know that when I was on Depo I eventually lost my rag, so I was period free for 2+ years. You could continue skipping your placebo week and hope the spotting goes away!
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Jan 21, 2012 09:41
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Swillkitsch posted:So is it safe to say the increased spotting is because I've been skipping so many periods? When I used to be on the pill, after a few extended cycles (one period every three months) I decided to experiment with skipping the placebo pills completely. At first it worked fine, but about a month after I was "expected" to have my period, I began spotting nonstop. The only way to stop the spotting was to give myself a period during the next placebo week. So to answer your question, yes the spotting could be a reaction to you skipping your periods. Be warned though, your next period may be SUPER-heavy! If you are looking for a birth control method that can completely stop your period, I cannot recommend the Mirena enough. This thread totally converted me. It's awesome, except for the insertion day but otherwise awesome 
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Jan 21, 2012 09:52
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uptown posted:
I hadn't used pads in years either when I got my IUD in, and my vagina had apparently become violently opposed to them in that interim. I got ridiculous itchiness and rash and was miserable until I could stick my cup back in.
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Jan 21, 2012 18:05
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Absolute Evil posted:I had my Mirena put in close to 10 years ago. My midwife didn't use any kind of numbing agent. She said if,for some reason something went wrong, how would you as a patient know if you can't feel anything? With my awesome tipped semi-bicornuate uterus, let me tell you that trying to measure my uterus with a sound was NOT fun. But it was over fairly quickly and there were no problems. I took 400 mg of ibuprofen before I went and then again 4 hours later and was fine after that. I'm surprised you were able to get a Mirena. My doctor said absolutely not with a bicornuate uterus...because of perforation of the uterine lining and decreased effectiveness.
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Jan 21, 2012 18:40
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Skywriter posted:I'm surprised you were able to get a Mirena. My doctor said absolutely not with a bicornuate uterus...because of perforation of the uterine lining and decreased effectiveness. Strange. I had mine in for a few years with no problems. I didn't have to deal with periods anymore, which for me was a godsend. I did still get cramps and they remained bad. I ended up getting it removed after only a couple years, but not because of any trouble with Mirena itself. Apparently it was nice and effective. My now-ex-husband and I never got pregnant while using Mirena (I had gotten pregnant with our son while being on the pill). Apparently my uterus wasn't completely split. It is very mildly heart shaped so that could be why I was able to get it. It was apparently split enough that neither of my kids would/could get into the normal head-down position. One breech, one sort of in between breech/transverse.
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Jan 22, 2012 02:49
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I am enjoying my mirena thus far, but I'm still spotting and it's a bit annoying. How long did you other ladies with mirena spot for?
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Jan 23, 2012 05:48
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eggrolled posted:I am enjoying my mirena thus far, but I'm still spotting and it's a bit annoying. How long did you other ladies with mirena spot for? About a month, for me. Now I have regular, but extremely light, periods.
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Jan 23, 2012 05:58
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I spotted for about ~3 weeks. No actual period since before the insertion (it literally stopped the second they put the Mirena in!) and hopefully it'll stay that way.
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Jan 23, 2012 06:41
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How consistently were you guys spotting? Aside from a few hours after insertion, I haven't really had any at all.
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Jan 23, 2012 07:42
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uberwekkness posted:How consistently were you guys spotting? Aside from a few hours after insertion, I haven't really had any at all. With me, the spotting didn't begin until a few days after insertion. Then it was pretty much on/off for the next couple weeks. Some days were lighter than others, but I did have a day or two where the amount was like a super light period until it stopped again a couple hours later. Bodies are weird.
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Jan 23, 2012 08:00
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I'm probably getting Mirena next month (maybe March depending on work scheduling). Is the spotting you guys are talking about like pantyliner spotting? Or something a bit more substantial? I just want to buy the right supplies for right after. Will I be able to go back to tampons after the initial 2 week waiting period? I do not relish the idea of ever wearing a pad again.
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Jan 23, 2012 17:30
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For me it just requires a liner. I've had my mirena for around two weeks now. I have some normal pads as well but I've never needed more than the thinnest kind I could find. Also after the first week or so you can go back to tampons or even a menstrual cup if you so choose.
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Jan 23, 2012 17:43
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I'm the same. Even now with my "regular" period, at most I have to use a panty liner or a "light" day tampon.
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Jan 23, 2012 21:12
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Thanks. I cannot wait to baby proof my uterus (as much as one can short of a tubal anyhow). edit: I am not 100% sure and I am researching and making calls, but my insurance, which is provided through a Canadian company might be breaking Nevada law by not providing some manner of coverage on an IUD. I'm sure there's a loophole, but I will pursue it. Geolicious fucked around with this message at 21:34 on Jan 23, 2012 |
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Jan 23, 2012 21:23
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Ok, I've posted about this before, but I have a question and I need to stop procrastinating. I can't take the pill anymore, and I don't want implanon or depo. That leaves the IUD as my main choice for reliable, long-term BC. Last year I chickened out on finally getting a Mirena after my first insertion attempt was unsuccessful. The nurse practitioner couldn't get it in, and said my cervix was tipped downwards towards my back and she couldn't get a good angle. She said they might have better luck if they put me on a surgical exam table tipped back and use "a series of dilators" since my cervix was completely cramped up. I have no idea what kind of "dilators" they are talking about, but it sounds painful. Does anyone have an idea how long they take with that stuff? Would it be unreasonable to ask for something stronger for pain/nerves for the insertion? I am not supposed to use ibuprofen or other NSAIDs because I'm on medicine for blood clots (higher risk of bleeding with NSAIDs), so her old advice of taking a huge dose of ibuprofen before the appointment won't work.
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Jan 24, 2012 01:44
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My insurance recently changed and my Nuvaring, which had been steadily going up in price anyway, suddenly jumped from being $20 to $50. I'm not sure if I can afford that each month. I use it for to not have babies, but mostly to stop my periods as a way to curb the pain from endometriosis. Pills never did much for me and I was always, always, always forgetting them (or I was not able to take them on time because I would be at work), making them unreliable. Depo threw me through a hormonal loop and basically hosed me up for the good part of two years, even though I only got one shot. IUDs seem out of the question, because every time I go into my gyno and read the thingy on the wall about prices, my eyes bug out of my head. Are they not covered by insurnace? Are they? Are those the prices insurance pays or what I have to pay after insurance has paid? The cheapest one is something to the tune of $1500. What other options do I have as far as birth control goes? Not condoms, because condoms won't stop my period?
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Jan 24, 2012 02:11
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That is probably the full out-of-pocket cost of the IUD. Insurance varies so you'll have to contact your insurance company. My insurance pays 70% plus whatever the doctor bills for the insertion office visit and I'm only responsible for the remaining 30% of the IUD's cost. Insurance companies usually negotiate a "maximum charge" with doctors/clinics, also. Last year an IUD would have cost me about $250 for the IUD if I'd have gotten it.
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Jan 24, 2012 02:54
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Are you in the US? Planned Parenthood and other clinics are good options for more affordable birth control since they charge on a sliding scale. I was quoted for a Mirena at around $300 when I was making a salary of about $32k. (I ended up with a paragard for slightly less.)
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Jan 24, 2012 02:56
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Insurance usually covers most of IUDs, you really have to ask the doctor's office to run your insurance policy through and see what it would cost you. My paragard was only $100 for me with my insurance, gyno office visits 1x a year was free (out of pocket anyway). If you have lovely insurance or low income, PP may be cheaper.
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Jan 24, 2012 04:39
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My insurance didn't cover my IUD. The company told me that it was only covered if the prescription explicitly said "to control excessive menstrual bleeding" or something of the like. If it was just to keep me baby-free, I had to pay for it all by myself. It was only $400 for me, though.
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Jan 24, 2012 04:57
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lou reed posted:Are you in the US? Planned Parenthood and other clinics are good options for more affordable birth control since they charge on a sliding scale. I was quoted for a Mirena at around $300 when I was making a salary of about $32k. (I ended up with a paragard for slightly less.) Alternatively, I make less than 12k/year and paid nothing for my IUD through a state sexual health program (i think?). I don't get to see a regular doctor or anything, but as long as I'm making basically nothing then I can get my pap smear, std tests (if needed), birth control, etc for free.
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Jan 24, 2012 05:06
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Are IUDs ok for people with endo? Also my parents still claim me as dependant so I'm not sure if I'd qualify for assistance.
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Jan 24, 2012 05:46
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uptown posted:My insurance didn't cover my IUD. The company told me that it was only covered if the prescription explicitly said "to control excessive menstrual bleeding" or something of the like. If it was just to keep me baby-free, I had to pay for it all by myself. It was only $400 for me, though. That's weird. Couldn't you have lied and said you wanted an IUD for your period? Because that's the reason I'm on any type of birth control and my doctor actually encouraged me to get an IUD. Plus on Mirena's website and commercials and other media, they say that it's also approved for heavy/painful periods. I'm still on my parents' insurance, and my Mirena was covered through them. I paid a total of around $35, including the copay. Even though IUDs are meant to last for several years and require minor surgery, for lack of a better term, I'm somewhat surprised at what some of you had to pay even with insurance! That's just not right...
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Jan 24, 2012 06:39
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There's also the implanon, which is right around the same price as the Mirena and is a great second option if you have issues attempting to get the Mirena as I did.
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Jan 24, 2012 06:53
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BigGayLogan posted:Even though IUDs are meant to last for several years and require minor surgery, for lack of a better term, I'm somewhat surprised at what some of you had to pay even with insurance! That's just not right... My school insurance was particularly sneaky about coverage for IUDs. After a couple years of lobbying from the NPs in the student health center they agreed to cover IUDs! Wonderful! Except there was a catch. They would only cover them if they were inserted at the student health center. Ok, seems fine. The NPs had all done training to learn to insert them, and worked out an arrangement with a doctor with a lot of IUD experience to come in for more complicated insertions/removals (including mine). And then comes the catch. The insturance would only cover the IUDs if the devices were kept in stock at the health center. If they had to be ordered for each individual procedure, the coverage did not apply (because of some issue with the way billing for ordered supplies works). Because insertions were not common enough for the health center to keep them in stock (without risking losing a lot of money for ones that did not get used), they were stuck ordering them for each procedure and the insurance company was able to avoid paying for the IUDs. I know the NPs were trying to work out a solution to the issue when I left, but if they did manage to find one it came too late for me. I was graduating and moving to a new school and had to pay out of pocket for my second Mirena because of it. The device itself runs a bit over $800. It wound up being one of my graduation presents. I'd have been inclined to give the insurance company the benefit of the doubt and think they did not plan out the whole thing when they agreed to cover IUDs if they had not also tried to screw me out of coverage previously through similarly ridiculous routes (like applying the coverage rules from the previous year to a claim and then making me risk damage to my credit rating while they went through an several month long internal appeals process to fix their own mistake or refusing to cover allergy testing for my husband even when it was explicitly covered and jumped through all their hoops to get it done). Silversiren, Mirena IUDs are a great option for many women with endo, but you will need to talk to your doctor about your specific situation. They reduce or eliminate periods with a much lower dose of hormones than most other methods and result in less bleeding in nearly all women who use them. The copper IUDs would not be recommended, as they can actually make periods worse (heavier, more painful) and definitely will not make them lighter or less painful.
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Jan 24, 2012 07:41
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BigGayLogan posted:Even though IUDs are meant to last for several years and require minor surgery, for lack of a better term, I'm somewhat surprised at what some of you had to pay even with insurance! That's just not right... This is America. I had insurance through a very large high tech company when I got Paragard and it still costed me over $350 out of pocket. We prefer people to have unwanted babies here in America because babies is precious.
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Jan 24, 2012 07:46
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