...and I'm kind of nervous about it. Did I make the right decision? Should I try one more type of pill? Would something else be an option? I always second guess myself with important decisions. My doctor and my mom both think it's a good decision, so I'm going along with it. I did my research too and it all looks good. The two kinds of bc pills I took before, neither stopped my super heavy bleeding, awful cramps, and 14+ day long periods. Of course today, my coworker had to tell me how her body rejected hers and "it felt like having a damn baby" when it came out, which didn't help my nerves any.

I'd like to hear some stories of how yours worked. GOOD stories. -_- Any things I should do/should not do when I get it and for the first few days/weeks/etc?

[edit] I decided against the IUD for multiple reasons, so I did not get it. I'm going to take pills without the placebo week and see how that goes. Ugh. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy I'm female, but my goddamned uterus and all that goes with it is just pissing me off.

My sister had a normal cycle (no medical hormonal issues or anything) but was VERY inconsistent with her BC pills/methods so she decided to get an IUD. She bled and was crampy for a little while (I think 1-2 weeks), as can be expected with any new form of BC as your body gets used to it, but after everything settled down she felt good!

I don't have any personal experience with IUD, I use NuvaRing and love it, but I may eventually switch to a more long-term BC method like IUD.

- Ah, so you have decided to go for the IUD. I hope it works out well!

Some things to know for the first few weeks:

1. You're going to be crampy for a week or two while you body adjusts. You'll also notice it's there and it'll be weird. To help cramps, try putting a heat pad or something that produces heat over your abdominal area. If you have extreme pain, take painkillers.

2. You might have spotty blood for a few weeks. I didn't when I had mine inserted, but I'm pretty sure I'm the minority.

3. No sex for at least a week. You're going to be sore, so that's most likely not even going to pop into your mind. XD And, you should probably avoid anything rough for a few weeks just to be extra sure your IUD is secure.

4. Make sure you go to the follow up visit with your doctor.

As for me, I've had no complications. I occasionally have cramps and what feels like me having a period (bloating, moodiness, hot flashes), but they're nowhere near being awful like they were before the IUD. (Before the IUD, some periods would leave me bedridden.) I've also saved a decent amount of money since I don't need tampons. Overall, it was a very good decision and has helped me a lot.

I personally don't have experience with an IUD, but I wanted to say good luck and please update me with how it went! I've never been on birth control, so I'm kind of scared of the pill and the IUD's, just because I freak myself out to much.

I ended up not getting it for a few reasons. The main one was that they wouldn't do it because I'm getting over a urinary tract infection (ugh) and they said it could cause problems. And then the more I thought about it, the more I wasn't really sure it was for me anyways. The thought of a foreign body just kind of hanging out in there and all the problems it might cause just turned me off. So I decided to try taking my birth controls 'straight' (skipping the placebo week) and see how that works out. I have another appointment later this month to discuss options. I wish taking the whole bit out was an option. Thanks for the good luck and the post though!

Hey I just want to tell you about my IUD experience.

I wanted one, I got it. I had to have it taken out within the year because if was making me pregnant in every way but with a baby. It was horrid. Morning sickness, lactation. It did make my PMS light to non existence but.. not at the cost. Also It pinched, painfully on the left side, it was in proper and all, but it hurt. Once it was out I felt a heck of a lot better. Aside for the back to OMG bleeding again. I was more pain then I had realized at the time.

My Doctor and I are now going the route of Ablation of the uterus lining.

Good luck with your journey.

oh boy! I get UTI's often too, because I have a cyst and it aggravates it. I'm glad you told me that though.

Okay I got the advice for you doll. As a mother I can tell you what I chose and what my sister in law chose. I chose not to get it, not because there would be any kind of health issue. Simply because, I am a wuss-puss haha. I can give birth and go through multiple surgeries, but certain things make me scared still.

However; my sister in. She got the IUD and she told me in comparison to everything else, it is the best option for her. She doesn't have to thing about it, until it is time to get it changed. The other options didn't do the trick and she ended up pregnant anyway. (She has four kids by my brother, he produces vikings I swear -.-;;) So it ended up being a life saver for her.

To be honest, I would probably get it done myself if I could build up the courage to do it myself. I already have a two year old so another kid right now, would not be of the good.

I hope I was able to help with any fears. As far as someone telling you their bad experience, unfortunately every girl has a horror story when it comes to this kind of stuff and they are going to tell it to anyone willing to listen. You're golden pony girl.

I use depo provera and it has been so great. I've been on it for the last 4 years and I would say my biggest complaint is that for me it lowers my libido. I'm horrible about taking daily pills so I couldn't do normal birth control and I really hate getting my period so that solves my second problem. I have no cramping, no mood swings, no period and it's fantastic. You only have to get a shot every 3 months and it's about the same cost equivalent to 3 months of pills or less if your insurance covers it. It's also nice because I just go into my doctors office, no appointment, and it's just a nurse visit (max 5 mins).

[edit] it's also non-hormonal, unlike every other type of birth control.