Myths About IUDs

[@lucysour]

I got pregnant with a Skyla IUD and when I got it replaced with a Mirena my hair started to fall out. My best friend has had a Mirena for 5 years with absolutely no complications. Bodies are different.

[@laurenhanson5108]

I wish every woman who’s thinking about an IUD could see this. Wish I saw this first, gave me so much peace of mind! My mom has been filling my head with rumours my whole life, such a relief to have straight facts.

[@CashAndSpanglish]

I've had a Mirena for a year now. Insertion was painless, just a bit uncomfortable, sort of like a pap smear. I've only had period-like cramping once, and spotted once as well, a spot the size of a nickle. I can't have children due to severe endometriosis, the doctor recommended Mirena in order to stop my heavy menstrual periods and so also stop the edometriosis from getting worse, and it has worked. I've not had any more pain (endometriosis pain is very debilitating and almost incapacitating), so I'm very happy and I thank my doctor for coming up with this solution.

[@audrasupernova]

That's awesome that it helped your situation (:

[@starlinguk]

I hated my Mirena. The side effects were awful. Not physically but mentally. The hormones screwed with my brain.

[@starlinguk]

I hated my Mirena. The side effects were awful. Not physically but mentally. The hormones screwed with my brain.

[@jmatwood]

+starlinguk That's pretty unusual! Sorry you suffered with that. I hope you're completely recovered now. I started using Mirena because I was really sensitive to oral hormonal contraceptives and they were really messing me up (in ALL the ways!). I found even with my sensitivity, I haven't been systematically affected by Mirena. I've had two devices over the last decade. I don't say this to discredit you or tell you you didn't experience what you did, I just wanted to be able to tell others who were worried about this that it's not necessarily going to happen to them as well even if they're as sensitive to hormones as I am.

[@LinnersC]

When I was on the hormonal birth control, it basically took away my emotions. Sure I was happy sometimes, and sad sometimes, but I was more or less always on an even keel. Sometimes I went off for a month just so I could cry at a sad movie. Coupled with that is that my normally very high sex drive went down to 0. I complained to my Gyno, and he recommended the Mirena IUD. I've also had it for a year and my emotions and sex drive are back to normal, pretty much instantly! For me, it was quite painful to have it put in. More than I imagined it would. I was crampy for about 5 days after, but then was good. The first 3 periods I had cramps, that were back to my normal, non-pill-cramps, which were debilitating. And for the first 6 months I had really irregular periods. One lasted 2 weeks, and then the next happened only 2 weeks later and lasted a full week, and then 5 weeks later was my next. But after 6 months I started having regular periods that we re really light and only lasted 2-3 days. After another 5 months of that, they more or less stopped. I've realized I still sort of get them though. At one point I get a "Is that gas?" pain, and then a day or two later when using the toilet I have a tiny amount of brown on the toilet paper. Its never in my underwear or anything though. So really inconsequential overall, period wise. I have normal emotions and sex drive again, and I don't have to worry about being consistent, like with the pill! Win win win! Barring any complications, I plan on keeping it for years to come :).

[@MaydeOfDreams]

I received a hormonal IUD implant that has practically saved my life. I couldn't go to school or to work because of my period and PMS symptoms. This added to my depression, so it just was not a good time. The IUD reduced my period until I no longer had one. It is the biggest blessing in my life. While it's primary purpose is to act as birth control this device gave me freedoms I haven't had since I was prepubescent. I love it.

[@zaiimint382]

MaydeOfDreams the hormonal IUD helpped with ir depression? or ir worsened

[@lyrablack8621]

@@zaiimint382 Not the original person, but I think it helped with the depression, albeit it indirectly. Basically, the pain of their period was worsening their depression, so getting rid of that pain made their depression that much more bearable.

[@kylebaxter7777]

As a sexual health educator on my college campus, this video is extremely useful and refreshing. Most people only ever consider condoms and pills when it comes to birth control. IUDs are a great tool to use to prevent unwanted pregnancies. I've heard so many of these misconceptions when people have came to our office or events on campus and it's great to have channels like these help me research topics so that I can clear these misconceptions up.

[@catlady2375]

I personally love my IUD. It was painful at first but within a month it was fine. After two months I stopped my period. I have had it almost a year now, still really happy with it.

[@RealLifeInLA]

Which did u get ?

[@catlady2375]

@@RealLifeInLA Mirena

[@TreeCamper]

dude didn't really address the PAIN issue. he mentioned it but didn't give studies or numbers or possible causes or reasons women claim pain. My wife said it was uncomfortable all the time and unbearable during sex. They tried to suggest physical therapy but she instead opted to remove the IUD and after a month it was pretty normal.

[@SuperOlivess]

Did she have the copper or hormonal one?

[@TreeCamper]

@@SuperOlivess It was Mirena, a hormonal. The doctor tried to "trim" it but it didn't help.

[@Unholywooder]

I've had a hormonal IUD for four years and I love it. There was cramping and pain in be beginning, but it disappeared over time and eventually stopped. I also have not had a period the entire time, which is lovely. I love this thing and cannot recommended it enough. I did have to fight to get it though, since I've never had children I went to three different gynecologists who all turned me down for it before Planned Parenthood would put it in. I had done research and contrary to what my gynecologist said, previously having children is not a prerequisite for getting the device. But they sure made it difficult. (I was 25 at the time for context)

[@Greyghostvol1]

Too bad Planned Parenthood is going to be defunded, hard. Go vote in your local elections people!! (didn't mean to turn this political)

[@M0rbidCuriositea]

+Danielle Ramos I haven't had a period for more than five years with the Mirena. I recently had it replaced and the pain and cramping was intense, it didn't last nearly as long as the first time. I have never had to fight to have one placed, despite being nulliparous. That's another one of the myths - that only women who have given birth can have them. I believe that may have arisen from the initial research because the sample only included mothers.

[@lemonlemonster]

+Danielle Ramos I got mine from Planned Parenthood too! I was living in California at the time and was unemployed. Birth control was getting really expensive for me and I started to research IUDs. I ended up getting one there without having to ANYTHING because of my low income. I cannot express how thankful I am to have my IUD and it makes me just love Planned Parenthood even more. My little copper friend will be with me for at least another 5 or 6 years and I cannot recommend IUDs enough to others. If you're considering an IUD do the research but don't get /too/ freaked out by horror stories, as these are the vast minority.

[@Unholywooder]

I've gone to Planned Parenthood since I was 15, I love them. I've had health insurance intermittently, and I always end up returning to them because they always treated me with respect, unlike some of my Gynos. I did have to pay for my IUD, since I have a decent income and my insurance wouldn't cover the procedure at PP even though I was refused by several doctors. I get mine removed next year and I am damn sure getting another one.

[@caitlynjones2147]

+Bumbleriffic My doctor told me when I got my Mirena that they prefer to give it to women who have had children because their cervix is wider, and he said initially Mirena was only approved for mothers because the IUD itself was bigger when they fist came out :)

[@jnsnj1]

Lets be real, dalkon shield sounds like a super villain plot. They knew that was going to end badly.

[@modestalchemist]

that's what they're going to call the Space Wall.

[@danalovesyeshualiberalanti15]

LOL.

[@LauraWilson19952014]

#4 isn't really a myth. There's women (like me) who had pain during and after insertion and an increase in periods.

[@laela6289]

he just said that it decreases overtime.... Maybe you didn't watch the full video before commenting? Sometimes I do that.

[@LauraWilson19952014]

+Kæla Brown​ Actually I did, thank you very much. All I'm saying is #4 isn't a myth because everyone is different. But it doesn't matter because this comment is pretty old, and I'm past the IUD stage. Found something much better.

[@laela6289]

Glad you did. Hurrah! :D

[@kaetunkhlynne9883]

I'm fairly certain /late, he said the context needed to be addressed. IUDs do NOT commonly cause extended periods of heavier blood flow, they can simply stimulate a short period of heavy bleeding, normally 1-3 months, in women whose horomonal balance is adjusting. The pain after insertion is, also, incredibly normal & akin to period pain we already experience. That typically lasts no more than a week & then you should never experience it again, or might only for a half hour or so during what would normally be your period cycle. Using the first 1-4 months as an estimate of how IUDs affect your body long term is ridiculous, scientifically speaking, since female hormone balance changes incredibly slow; so his point stands. IUDs do not, statistically or scientifically speaking, cause unusual long term excessive bleeding or pelvic pain. Their INSERTION causes short term adjustments to your body that are unpredictable & completely personal to yourself. But if you're telling other women not to get an IUD because of some mystical horrible interminable pain & rivers of blood that don't actually ever occur...you're harming their sexual health because you're assuming whatever happened to you in the introduction period is somehow going to continue forever. Which would be a shitty thing to do, & is something many women DO in fact, do. Most women who have IUDs removed, citing pain or bloodflow, usually do it in the first or second month, also, which is in no way a good time span to estimate how a long term device will act. *All You's are general, obviously.*

[@LauraWilson19952014]

Kaetun Khlynnë​ Okay, I moved on, it's time that you do the same. I already gave my experience on it. Everyone's different. I'm now using depo, which I love and is much better. Let it go already. Have a nice day

[@iwantmyfriescrispynotburnt3981]

Man, I have to watch this again because people experience in videos are making me feel bad for getting one. I just received my paraguard yesterday,.. and after watching this I feel better once again. So thank you. People don't understand that doing research and knowing not to go to your appointment blind thinking your doctor is going to tell you EVERYTHING they aren't. So if you want to make the appropriate choice in your contraception, please do your research, know your risks, know what to look for, know the benefits. We can't all have the same experiences as someone on here. I don't want to feel like I made the wrong choice because someone else had complications, pregnancy, extreme side effects....when they in general didn't know what they were getting into prior. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!!!

[@leahmckeen8180]

I'm glad to see these episodes on the IUD. With the last myth Dr. Carroll didn't really talk about the pain part, just the bleeding. I use a copper IUD and I agree that the bleeding isn't a notable issue. It went back to around where it was before after a few months. The pain, though, is something else. I have never had cramps and random sudden pains like the ones I've experienced since getting the IUD. It is the only thing that makes me semi-regularly consider getting it removed. I gather this is less of an issues with the hormonal IUD from what I've read and people I've talked to, but I didn't know about the risk of increased bleeding and cramps until after I had the IUD inserted (I was very literally told about it minutes after having the IUD inserted).

[@AnnekeOosterink]

+Leah McKeen Hmm that isn't good. I was warned about the side effects of my IUD (I have a copper one too) and I chose to do it anyway. I'm not good with hormones. Anyway, for me the bleeding the first month was super heavy and painful, after a month or two it was back to normal, and after that became even less. It's back to normal again now (5 years later). I have experienced some cramps, but I noticed these are much worse if my bowels are swollen or full. As in, they press on my uterus, that's what it feels like anyway.

[@earthsprite]

No, it's not just the copper that can increase cramps. I rarely had cramps until Mirena. 2 years into it I suddenly had extreme cramps (couldn't sleep) and had it removed the next day. Listen to your body :/.

[@AllegrettoATempo]

I switched to the paraguard IUD because I was having trouble controlling my moods and weight while on the pill. The pain I experienced during the insertion was incredible, worse than anything other than recovering from my ATFL repair surgery. It also took well over a year for the heavy bleeding and horrible cramps to go away. I stuck with it not because it wasn't so bad but because I prioritized the mood and dietary stability over the physical discomfort. I think it's dishonest to call this kind of pain an IUD myth just because it's not as bad for some people, especially since pain is a pretty subjective and personal experience.

[@AnnekeOosterink]

+AllegrettoATempo It is true that pain is pretty subjective. But your experience doesn't have to be the norm. My copper IUD has been painful about three times. The placement was painful, as was the first menstruation after that, and once I had super heavy cramps. But that was all, mostly I feel as I did before the IUD. I think that if all women experienced so much pain, many would reconsiderther IUD. I know I would.

[@alejandramendez6993]

Before i got the paragaurd iud i was terrified of the pain i would feel. I read too many stories like yours. So i brace myself... but i just felt a pinch and it was over. I even looked at the dr and asked, “that’s it??” N she said, yup, you’re all done.” I had mild cramps. I guess everyone is different. But, It’s been smooth sailing there after. I’m still paranoid about getting pregnant though. I’ve heard it fails sometimes.

[@user-go4be3nm2t]

Alejandra Mendez Im soon getting this one next week already I have heard so many stories of women getting pregnant I'm terrified of that, have you gain any weight on the paraguard I know it's non hormonal so you shouldn't gain weight but i have read reviews and some ladies have said they have gained weight

[@alejandramendez6993]

IB you know what? Now that you mention it, i have gained a little bit of weight. But i had not associated it with the iud. But i know i felt the weight gain was kind of sudden and out of the norm after getting the iud. I haven’t changed my eating habits at all. So it kind of made me think i might’ve gotten pregnant. Lol! But every pregnancy test i take is negative.

[@angelabordack]

I had severe pain from mirena for almost a year after insertion. Extremely heavy bleeding.

[@nonyabidness5708]

Angela Bordack Jesus. Get it out!

[@ashleylawrence3468]

I’ve never had an issue with the copper IUD. I had it for 3 years and had it removed to try for another baby. I got pregnant with identical twins on my second month post removal. I had another inserted I think around 2 months PP. I’m going on two years and forget it’s there.

[@syddlinden8966]

Are you going to do an episode addressing the risks involved with iud's? I was expecting to hear about that here, but you didn't address them. There is a listed risk of the device attaching to the uterine wall and of there being risks involved if you do get pregnant with the device. I'd love to know how prevalent these risks actually are.

[@sneakerbabeful]

Preferation of the uterus is _extremely_ rare. Yes it does happen, but it is very very unusual. And fewer than 1 in 1000 (one in a thousand) IUD users will become pregnant while using a hormonal IUD. The copper IUD is only very slightly less effective, but pregnancy is also very rare. Yes, it does happen, and the odds are very _very_ small.

[@iLOVEpicklesBRO28]

I'm gonna get an IUD placed in about two weeks so I'm really happy you made these!

[@skylargonzalez2331]

How has it been?!!?! Please tell ! 🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@startofalovelychange9414]

im getting one when mine when I get my period... which is in a day or two from today ;-;💔

[@angimellin]

I had heavy bleeeding with an IUD that increased over the 2 1/2 years before having it removed. By heavy bleeding I mean I saturated a super tampon every hour for 4 days before my period would taper off for a couple days. It was VERY HEAVY. Thanks for disregarding it because I kept expecting it to "normalize".

[@alicecairn4836]

I don't think saying that the bleeding/plain goes away after a couple of months is a strong rebuttle of myth #4. It's not a myth. It can cause immense pain in some women. It can cause a crazy amount of bleeding. And quite frankly I think we deserve better than a dismissive, ;it goes away after 4 months and people use it for long periods of time so it's fine.'

[@Haileysssssssss]

My paragard has certainly increased my bleeding and pain. As a menstrual cup user I can easily track how much I bleed per cycle, and not only are my periods about 2 weeks long, but I bleed between 15 and 40 ml a day! That’s how much many doctors say a woman should bleed in just one cycle. Honestly, bless the iud and how much it is helping my life for the next 12 years, but it’s been 7 months and none of my side effects have gone away. Not to mention since insertion I have had 3 cases of bacterial vaginosis/itis, and I had never had one before insertion. Coincidence? I doubt it since I’ve only had one partner. My advice to those interested in the device- expect your menstrual cycle to have changes. If you think you can tolerate those changes, go for it. Don’t give up on it, it works really well and is doing you a big favor.

[@muticere]

My wife used an IUD after our second child. The only real adverse reaction she experienced was reduced libido which she attributed to the way it changed her ovulation. When we decided we wanted to have our last child, we had it taken out, and that opened the flood-gates, in more ways than one.... Also, in regards to infertility, we had it pulled out in March and she was pregnant in June.

[@CashAndSpanglish]

Love to see a husband commenting on this topic!! I'm happy that everything worked out well for the both of you.

[@jmatwood]

+Brian Cole Interesting. Which type did she have? I have the hormonal one, but it doesn't affect ovulation.

[@SimpleLifeAlways81]

I find that sexy when a man talks like this .. hmmm!

[@OMGshinyobject]

I have had a copper iud for four months and I find the pain excruciating. Can't wait to get it removed and be able to function like a normal person again. If I could go back in time I would have chosen a hormonal one

[@kayness1]

+OMGshinyobject well that's scary.. :( I just had a copper IUD fitted yesterday.

[@LinnersC]

+Kay C Everyone is different. I know many people that love their copper IUD, and have heard of people that have similar pain from the hormonal one. I hope yours works well for you.

[@kayness1]

LinnersC​ thanks. I bled for the first two days but I feel fine now, no bleeding and no cramping.

[@letskii]

I had the hormonal one and the pain was still excruciating. Literally the second they took it out my body relaxed and the pain was gone. I recommend nexplanon.

[@laela6289]

I do not feel comfortable inserting anything in my arm and blood stream :I

[@leslier302]

Could it be possible that women use IUDs longer because they are more complicated/difficult to quit (have removed)?

[@zabelconnor]

Leslie R in my experience, doctors resist requests to take it out because, "advising" clients to give it more time to settle in, or that they want to figgure out whether the symptoms are related to something else (and then never being prepared to investigate further)

[@Vampir3Kaz]

no i know i don't ever want children and taking a pill everyday is a pain so getting this done and not having to worry for years is wonderful

[@user-ru9xy7zv8i]

I have the Mirena for 15 years. No period, no problems.

[@EarlLavenders]

Awesome

[@oceanspray6190]

Can it fall out

[@zalakii]

@@oceanspray6190 hello! sorry it’s been so long. there’s a very low chance of the iud expelling. the chance is the highest during the first few weeks to a month or so.

[@elenabob4953]

You know that not having period is not a normal thing, right?

[@MsBeckerts]

I have had a mirena iud for 2 years now and im a huge fan. I told my health conscious sister in law recently about it and she seemed EXTREMELY concerned that i dont get my period anymore. She says its a necessary part of the cycle of a healthy woman. I would like to know if any professionals could give me their opinion on this. I trust my doctor even though she doesnt but i would like some more information. She does make a good point

[@karlaphant]

I love it. in about two years I'll be needing a new one.

[@gabrielle5822]

I'm paranoid that if I decided to get an IUD, it would tear the walls of my uterus.

[@jcathomas]

great episode! I wouldn't say that the new hormonal IUD's do not cause infections anymore because I had one placed for 2 years and it shifted within my uterus and caused pelvic inflammatory disease. I had to get it removed and have an ablation after I healed to deal with my heavy bleeding issues. Hope people take this into consideration when get it! I was very happy with it otherwise!

[@iLOVEpicklesBRO28]

I got an IUD yesterday and boy, the pain definitely was worse than what people say, but today it’s almost gone. I’m already pretty satisfied with knowing in 5 days im protected against pregnancy and don’t have to worry about taking a pill etc

[@csuharlim]

Hi Aaron! Can you explain more about the first study you cited. I think the research says nothing about IUD not killing fertilized egg. The HCG hormone monitored can only elevate after a fertilized egg undergo implantation to the uterine wall on day 8-9 of the fertilized egg's life. The fact that the hormones don't spike, just says that IUD prevents this implantation, thus killing the fertilized egg.

[@Gemini-ez5yi]

Christian Suharlim It prevents fertilization by thinning out the endometrium and increasing the mucus therefore an egg doesn’t become fertilized

[@happybobbiblue]

Gemini 2205 fertilization happens in the Fallopian tube though, which isn’t where endometrium grows so thinning it wouldn’t really stop fertilization.

[@Gemini-ez5yi]

CottonPuff Progestin is Released from the IUD thickening mucus preventing fertilization it also thins endometrium Therefore the egg is not fertilized nor can it implant

[@ewakowalska173]

I was told that it does kill egg if it does become fertilized

[@HaaheoMama]

Love when men, even if Drs, talk as if they experience what women do. #4 is very true. I bled continuously since Mirena was inserted, heavier than my normal, I used the IUD to help with my heavy periods, it brought me more pain, cramps, discomfort, and blood. My Dr agreed I was the minority that it didn't work for and he took it out, what is the point of waiting a year to see results...smh

[@HaaheoMama]

Happy for the women that it does work for though, which is the majority, wish it was me, but in the least, it made me appreciate my "normal" long, heavy flows because I've experienced worse...lol

[@veganbatman]

I know it's just anecdotal but my periods with a copper it'd were awful. Very heavy and painful. I kept it for 7 years because my fear of pregnancy and adverse reaction to hormonal birth control left me thinking there were no other suitable options. The other reason why women with IUDs keep them longer is because you need a skilled professional to remove them and I went for a while uninsured. After having it removed my periods went from needing to stay in bed all day the day before and 1st day with a norco rx and heavy flow (7.5ml/2h for 2 days, yes I kept records with my menstrual cup, then tapering slowly for the next 5-6days), to a 2-3 day painless period that probably only produces

[@xmellieex]

I have the mirena IUD and I love it. I can't talk about insertion (I had mine placed during surgery for endometriosis, which is the reason I have it) though my best friend said it was horrible. I haven't had any bad side effects at all. My periods stopped which is heavenly (especially with endo), my skin cleared up, my moods are stable, I have no pain (once I'd recovered from surgery). I will definitely be getting a new one placed after 5 years of this one.

[@theredjumpingspider]

I have a paraguard and I really love it! Some things to know... I had never cramped on my periods but for the first 3 months after insertion I had maaaaaajor cramps before my period! It's good now, but it does hurt. Just for those concerned if abortion through the removal of a fertilized egg is possible, it is "possible" but very unlikeley. The primary way the paraguard works is basically by creating a hostile environment for sperm to move in

[@loftyradish6972]

I am in love with my IUD. I'm celibate and I only use it to control my period. It has increased my quality of life so much.

[@keritaylor6581]

I had Mirena for three years and only had two very light periods. Removal was pretty painful but I think that may have been user error. It was removed 9 weeks ago, and I am currently 8weeks pregnant. No infertility here.

[@galilea7547]

Did you get pregnant during your use of mirena?

[@topstitchgirl]

I have a Mirena and I'm very happy with it. The insertion was excruciating but I knew that would happen, the doctor warned me about the initial heavy cramping but they lasted a couple of months, decreasing in intensity over that time. I've pretty much stopped having periods and yes, that is a bonus. My libido went out the window after four months but it came because I didn't let that dictate my sex life. I have no plans of removal until the expiration date unless a medical complication comes up.

[@ANTHONYRAPPISAGOD]

Great video, small criticism: women probably used IUDs for longer despite annoying pain and bleeding at least in part because of the upfront cost of insertion, and the desire to not waste money. I have an implanon, and I seriously considered having it removed for the first few months because of the changes in bleeding, but I waited because of how expensive insertion had been. I'm really glad I did, as everything calmed down, but I would argue that the desire to stick with a birth control method because you want your money's worth probably contributes to that 55 month number.

[@gdlywom]

As a former Paragard T user, I want women to know that yes, it does significantly increase your menstrual flow. And yes, I continued to use it for 20 years (twice), not because the bleeding wasn’t a problem, but because: a) I was told that I was in an at-risk group for hormonal contraception due to my high blood pressure; 2) my periods were always heavy. I was already anemic prior to the first insertion. Know that they are going to be even heavier with the copper IUD; 3) I didn’t want hormones and liked the convenience of the IUD; and 4) I was quite a busy lady in my younger days. My demanding schedule didn’t allow for research or constant trips to the doctor to obsess over my contraception choice. I now have a Mirena, because my menstrual bleeding during perimenopause increased to the point where it became a serious issue, health wise as well as lifestyle-wise. And taking a low-dose blood pressure pill worked to curb any side effects I might have from the HBP. Just thought I’d offer my two cents on why many women still continue to use the damned thing even if there are problems, and I found his reasoning for this quite flippant (though I know he didn’t mean for it to be).

[@hardinkristy]

Truth is: from what I understand, NO ONE is 100% sure HOW they prevent pregnancy (according to my awesome OBGYN), just that they do. Also, a fertilized egg not yet implanted, wouldn't have the hormone surge as I understand it. Please explain if I'm wrong. Thanks!

[@AnnekeOosterink]

+Ayesha Depay I heard that too. Copper is (as far as I know) also an antibacterial material. It kills sperm too.

[@jmatwood]

+Ayesha Depay also it makes cervical mucous a different consistency that prevents instead of enabling sperm to get through. the cervical mucous is the gatekeeper and usually when women are fertile it will change consistency to allow sperm through easily. an IUD causes it to act in the opposite manner. as well as reducing or eliminating the uterine lining.

[@csuharlim]

+Kristy Hardin I agree with you, an egg can still be fertilized (although harder now due to the thicker mucus), but IUD prevents the fertilized egg to be implanted. so all that HCG hormones cited in the study says nothing about it not killing the egg

[@dimgian1221]

This is exactly what I was thinking !

[@JustinJojoDemi1]

I know everyone’s body is different but Im shocked at the amount of people saying they had complications or pain. I have had an iud for 3 yrs+ and never had pain, my periods got light at the beginning and then disappeared for 6 months during my 2nd year.

[@loftyradish6972]

I think it is because satisfied people are much less likely to make a post. People who have good experiences don't think about or post about their experience, so it seems like the statistics of bad experiences are higher.

[@jayylad38]

Got my Mirena placed today. Most pain I've ever been through, and I have tattoos, piercings, have had dental work and surgery done without anesthetic, and have been stabbed before. My friend got hers done and said she didn't feel a single thing. Bodies are different. People are different.

[@destinymirasty3118]

I’ve had the smaller IUD called Kyleena put in and the pain was so bad, that even most heavy duty pain killers did absolutely next to nothing to help. I had consistent overwhelming cramping for 3 months straight before finally getting it out. Guess I’m just not cut out for them

[@tracythompson4798]

I love my IUD. No period, no pain. Wouldn't use any other kind of birth control!!!

[@april.w4156]

What kind you have?

[@AddisonHaileLegobuilds]

I've been using the copper IUD for a little over 3 years and there was pain during insertion for about 1 mins or less. Also my cycle went from 3 days to 9, I have spotting before my period and heavier flow for the first few days. There's pro and cons but I would recommend the Copper IUD

[@brittanygidonable]

A guy like Aaron is my type.

[@zabelconnor]

I must be one in a million because the copper iud for me got FAR worse the more time i had it. Before the copper iud, i had a short light period with zero cramping except for 2 bad episodes. For the 2.5 years i had it, my periods got so progressively heavy and painful and long that i was bleeding for 2months straight and my feratin levels were severely unhealthy. When i took it out, things got dramatically better. Doctors should be more informed and transparent about these things happening, own up to it and admit it isn't always a silver bullet solution.

[@zabelconnor]

I had the copper IUD for 3 years, it increased the heaviness and duration of my period from 5 days to 4weeks progressively the longer i had it, and i suffered from terrible cramping and lower back pain which i had never had in the least before the copper IUD. Once i took it out, my periods did not revert to the original shorter, light and painless periods before i went to the doc to get the hormonal IUD to reduce the bleeding. Once i put that in, i was NONSTOP bleeding for 6 months which the docs never warned me of potentially happenning. When i went to them about it, they said that after a year the bleeding should cease. It has been a year and a half and only now is my body more used to the hormonal IUD, i have very minimal spotting at irregular times and it is definitely a perk. Although now i worry about the hormonal IUD giving me lady related cancers :/

[@racoonface]

I have the kleeyna IUD and it did hurt , but totally worth it and the bleeding for me is not heavy at all .

[@leahjadethomas]

This video was really helpful and put my mind at ease about a few things. Thank you ❣

[@NotTotallyHopeless]

I strongly recommend the IUD Mirena. Small bit of pain upon insertion, but for me I haven't had any periods since the first month starting Mirena. No pain, no cramps, no problems, and most importantly no pregnancy. I used to have such bad periods that I'd have to miss two days of work every month. Now I don't have a period!!!

[@jones81381]

My ex uses a hormonal IUD and has no periods. It's a nice side effect.

[@CygnusExOne]

Will having a copper IUD increase your ability to conduct electricity? Will it increase the risk of being struck by lightning?

[@sion8]

+Milewide Probably by like ~0.0000000000000000001%, however the IUD is so small that any increase in your conductivity would be so minimal as to be insignificant to matter, unless you are into some freaky stuff that deals with lighting/electricity. (I don't mean to offend).

[@AnnekeOosterink]

+Milewide It IS advisable not to take any MRIs though. :P

[@user-go4be3nm2t]

This is actually a good question

[@lolalove1555]

Everyone's body is different on the mirena. In my case I've had the mirena for 5 years with no problems .

[@caitlynjones2147]

My period has stopped altogether since I've been on the IUD (I think it took about 2 months) but when I had it put it it was the worst pain I have ever felt, hands down. I've had mine for about 2 years and I can still feel it at certain times of the month and if I move wrong it'll send a sharp pain through my abdomen. I'm not the only woman I know of with this same issue, but honestly the peace of mind and lack of menstruation makes the initial and continued pain worth it. I just don't think I'll have another one put in once this one is done, I don't want to go through that again.

[@jmatwood]

+Caitlyn Jones Weirdly enough, each placement is a different experience. Usually the second one is better, especially if you can get the new smaller one. But I totally know the weird little random jolt thing. For me it's not really painful exactly and it only happened in the first year or so of the first one, but it didn't happen at all with the second one. The second one I had (well, still have) was a different kind of feeling, wish I could put better words on it. I want to say more uncomfortable, but that's not the right word. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was an adjustment, one I wasn't expecting. But it didn't involve any of the initial pain I had when I had the first one inserted. It's weird. But like you, peace of mind and lack of menstruation is UHMAYZING, so I'll probably keep having an IUD forever. The pain of my menstrual periods are MUCH worse (especially cumulatively) than the IUD. :/

[@caitlynjones2147]

jmatwood Thanks for this!! I'm dreading the day I have to get mine removed because the rational side of me says "c'mon, deal with the initial pain for 4 years of virtually no cramping and zero menstruation" but the scardy cat side of me is still petrified. I'm excited to hear my second one may not be nearly as bad, hopefully I'll have the same experience as you!

[@jmatwood]

+Caitlyn Jones Yeah, and I didn't even get the new tiny one. It wasn't out yet at the time. I bet you dollars to donuts that thing will be MUCH more comfortable right from the get go. I'm almost excited to go and get it; the one I have is just about worn out and I've been putting off replacing it because I'm lazy, lol, but HCT helped remind me there's a new one for my never-been-baby-occupied uterus.

[@kataburgess4618]

I had the copper IUD and for my family history of inflammatory diseases. I do not recommend for people predisposed to autoimmune issues.

[@ThatMuslimDoctor]

If you have not had a previous pregnancy, miscarriage or abortion aka your cervix has never had to open then iud insertion will hurt even more! Just bear it in mind. It's more appropriate for those who have had something significant pass through the cervix as insertion should be easier.

[@BanAnna85]

In this video, you mention that women believe that the IUD causes bleeding and is painful but you don't cover the pain part. Being painful is one of the reasons I've never chosen to have an IUD. I've also heard that it hurts more if you've never had a baby which is true in my case.

[@juliannabutler3824]

I've had the iud for almost 2yrs. I got the mirena for extreme heavy bleeding during my cycle. But 8 months ago, I started getting odd side- effects: painful scalp acne, feet would fall sleep, my bouts with depression and aniexty have gotten worse, my vagina is extreme dry and sex hurts because of the dryness, and constant yeast infections. I never had any of the problems before the iud. ill be getting it removed very soon, so I can detox from it.

[@Rabbitthat]

A friend of mine (who hadn't had kids) said it was so agonizing she passed out when it was being put in. She is pretty tough when it comes to physical pain, in my experience. She said that it was sterilized in the autoclave in front of her and they didn't give it time to cool, so they accidentally burned her with it too (that wasn't why it hurt though, of course, when she said "ow!" they realized their mistake and waited for it to cool) . This was in Ireland. Put me off the idea of having one. The idea of not having periods sounds awesome though, this video in general has made me rethink it. Does it just stop the bleeding or does it stop the associated emotions and pain too?

[@adeliafrancisco7745]

I love my IUD had it for eight years now. I think every woman is different and we can’t all relate to it the same way but I always recommend it to friends.

[@themantrawomankey8514]

How does IUD negatively affects one's sex life? can anyone tell me please. Thank you.

[@tyrant-den884]

what about NEXPLANON?

[@tyrant-den884]

Casey Cameron thanks. I have read the Oh Joy Sex Toy webcomic on them, but would love a 2nd opinion.

[@emilyborealis7549]

+Tyrent Den Nexplanon really is the best form of contraception! If you look on the NHS website for the figures for contraception you can see it has a much lower pregnancy rate than even the hormonal IUDs! The insertion is done under local anaesthetic so it's relatively painless at the time. You will be left with a large area of bruising about the size of your hand after the procedure but that soon goes away and you don't have to worry for another 3 years. I've had 2 implants over the last 4 years and I've only had one (very light and short) period during that time. This does however vary per person just as it does with IUDs with some people experiencing very heavy bleeding or shorter intervals between periods.

[@ashleighwatson3084]

Camden Tausworthe im on month 4 for nextplanon i now have 2 week periods but i will be starting week 3 of my period from it. I now get itching and nausea almost everyday. I am thinking getting rid of it. this is the 4th birth control iv taken that has giving me long periods some of the other ones id have 1 to 3 month long periods and one time i even had it for 7 months straight.

[@USMCHolo]

Good episode. However, I was hoping that you would address an issue that my partner raises whenever we consider our contraceptive options. She is fearful of IUDs because she has heard of problems with IUDs becoming imbedded in the skulls of developing fetuses when the device fails to prevent a pregnancy. How much of a risk is there of this happening?

[@bobbyed5383]

+Michael Boyles The risk of becoming pregnant while using an IUD is very very small, and even for those who do, it usually (though not always) occurs because the IUD actually falls out. So if your partner decides to get one, she should definitely check regularly that it is still there, at least for the first few months. If she does get pregnant, and the IUD is still in place, it can pose a risk to the fetus, but the chance is very small, about 1 in 1000.

[@USMCHolo]

Thank you, Bobbye A. I don't mean to cast, doubt, I'm only looking to verify what you said, but do you have any medical research credentials or can you point me towards the study that gave you that 1 in 1,000 figure?

[@AssClappicus]

+Michael Boyles bfy.tw/1uPY

[@bobbyed5383]

Reasonable. Here's one I found, mostly talking about the Mirena vs. copper IUDs, though that's kind of where I got the number from since Mirena is what I use. www.firstwordpharma.com/node/1261828#axzz3mQPIcyVh

[@jmatwood]

+Michael Boyles My doctor explained that usually it's not an issue to remove the IUD without disturbing the pregnancy, and even if for some reason the IUD can't be located or removed, regular monitoring of the fetus with ultrasound will ensure that the IUD can't suddenly reappear and nab the baby without anyone being the wiser.

[@CupcakeCandy94]

I think the last one is only true because it's literally stuck inside of them and they have to make an appointment to get it out and some doctors won't even take it out unless they have a good enough reason.

[@kitsune0rei]

I don't think this allayed my discomfort with the thought of getting an IUD, especially hearing so many women in comments and other places who have had pain and complications. It's not a myth. It does definitely seem like it is a good solution for some, but not everyone. The reason for wanting one personally is primarily pain and period management to the point of hopefully having few to no periods. I'm currently on Depo and that mostly works, because it seemed like and easier solution for me than an IUD. Birth control pills no longer work for me and often make things worse now (I'd been on them a long time.) I have uterine cysts and likely endometriosis, and I have heard that these things can make it more likely to have issues with an IUD. I'm not willing to risk it. I tend to be a person who has pain with regular exams and ends up having complications.

[@GeterPoldstein]

3:36 Typo here? "260 percent chance of developing primary tubal infertility." Do you mean 2.6 times as likely? So like, "260% the chance?"

[@marianus1388]

Hello! Can you explain about the toxicity of copper in the body? Is it a myth? Is it true? and what to do

[@TheHeathers87]

Almost everything he said was either backed up by biased statistics and studies, or he completely ignored the negatives of the iud (any kind).

[@Inamichan]

What about people who have IUDs that move around and end up somewhere they shouldn’t.

[@Lexiloooo59]

I’ve had my Mirena IUD for 3 years I’ve had bad acne that won’t go away, my period completely stopped which is great and scary because it’s hard to tell if you’re pregnant or not I’ve also become depressed and had to be put on medication for my acne and depression !! I feel PMS-y all the time too I’m super irritable always crying and my boobs are always so sore and I’m always tired( so you literally feel pregnant or about to get your period but you don’t get either the hormones have really gotten to me

[@Lexiloooo59]

ANDDDD!!!! I’ve been having really bad pain during sex not enjoyable at all it really sucks!!! Hey but no kid 🙃

[@Nancy-rk9zp]

What about copper toxicity for copper IUD? There a lot of women in online forums complaining about copper toxicity with Paragard. Is this real or a myth?

[@missjo2036]

Okay now I'm not so nervous about getting it done to relieve my pcos symptoms. Hope my doctor is right about it being best for me.

[@kimberlyrachels3566]

I had constant yeast infections after getting mirena inserted in 2011. After eight months I had it removed

[@baybeetinax3]

I personally don’t feel comfortable having a foreign object in my body. Pills all day. I like taking my pill.

[@Political-Haqq]

Got my iud yesterday and I wanna get it out already

[@Keebzoo]

@@Political-Haqq did you end up getting it removed?

[@kateplatt8479]

I am coming upon four years of having an IUD. I am now experiencing sharp pain in my pelvic area. No other explanation for the pain has been detected. Is this normal for someone to experience pain from the IUD?

[@yuzualuett717]

I have mirena and had heavy blood flow for about 6 months after insertion. The insertion was VERY painful and even now 10 months after i have SEVERE and random cramps they're so much worse than when i didint have an iud and I'm seriously considering using another birth control method because of the cramps

[@Nicoratboy]

Wow this Chanel is really smart why didn't I find this first?

[@zabelconnor]

The doctors consistently resisted my requests to take my iud out.

[@emilysmith1619]

My experience with an IUD: Pregnant with it in and self expelled ouch!! I had a difficult time with insertion of Liletta 8 weeks post partum (vegas nerve triggered, fainting, nausea) but ultrasound verified it was placed correctly. I was told my periods would get lighter or even disappear but mine became very heavy and crampy and showed up every month. After a year of having it in, I got PREGNANT with it in and my body expelled it on its own (ouch!!) Never again 😩

[@Skag_Sisyphus]

On the mirena, i bled continuously for three god damned months. After that, my periods basically disappeared along with the cramping that goes with it. There's some random cramping and spotting but it's practically nothing. Insertion was a bitch, though. Doable, but a bitch. It's like very intense menstrual cramps. I highly recommend the mirena to anyone.

[@whoopsies6432]

I got a pelvic infection with the iud ☝️ Although it went away when I took antibiotics soooooo.... it’s okay

[@robynmorales6778]

Some have tilted uteruses that make it worth it to remove it.. as the bleeding is for several months or the duration

[@OboeFiles]

Can u do an episode on MS treatment clinical trials and stem cell related treatments?

[@stnsafira]

What kind of editor did you use to make such animatons?

[@tessnf]

Did you ever consider the reason many women take longer to discontinue using an IUD as birth control is because: 1. It's way more of a pain to stop because you have to get it REMOVED (where as other forms of birth control you can stop anytime) 2. Doctor specifically warn patients that there may be some discomfort for up to the first YEAR of having it inserted and that symptoms of bleeding and cramping will go away over time. This gives a lot of women hope that they will eventually feel better and therefore will continue using it for much longer than any pill etc. They also might not even realize that the IUD is causing negative symptoms. I don't think it's fair to come to a conclusion based on an assumption you've made based on one study that excludes so many variables. There are also other common side effects of hormonal IUD's other than cramping and bleeding that you didn't mention such as: vaginal infection, headaches, feelings of depression or nervousness (Info taken from the MIRENA pamphlet).

[@Talliwa123]

Question! Is it true that for young women who have not had vaginal childbirth (or been pregnant at all) that insertion might be harder and that the IUD would be more likely to fall out over then long run? Also what do you have to say about young women being turned down for IUD like @DanielleRamos in the comments below?

[@CashAndSpanglish]

Hi. I've never had children, my insertion was pretty much painless.

[@jmatwood]

+Talliwa123 I think that expulsion chance is higher, yes, but generally if it's going to happen it will happen in the first month of having it in. I managed to expel my IUD immediately while the doctor was still cutting the strings, haha. She was all up in there with frickin' scissor things or whatever and she said, "....Oops." I said something to the effect of 'OOPS??? DON'T SAY OOPS RIGHT NOW!! THIS IS A TERRIBLE TIME TO SAY OOPS!' I didn't feel a thing when it came out, and it was painless to have the replacement put in. She was like, "You're such a trouper!" but I was thinking to myself, ehhh it's really not that big of a deal. But I like being praised for trouperness. ;) Personally I think it's possible she might have accidentally helped the expulsion along while messing with the strings. You're instructed to check on the placement for the first month or so, but once you've gone through a period or two with it staying in, you're pretty much set. I never had any future problems. I had it for over five years, then had a replacement installed I've had for somewhere around five years now. And yep, never been pregnant here. I think whatever issues with insertion difficulty have been eliminated with the new IUD specifically designed for women who've never been pregnant, too.

[@LinnersC]

+Talliwa123 I was 24 when I had mine in. Never been pregnant before. It was fine for me, though it did hurt a lot, the pain didn't linger and was worth it. I almost wonder, I have a retroverted (tipped) uterus, so it may have been the funny angle that made it difficult to get the right angle, causing pain? Cause honestly, my gyno lets me have a mirror to watch my pap smears, but I don't feel anything when he puts something into my cervix. So it must have been something different that caused the pain when it went in.

[@dancelaughlove1]

Got mine at 18, it was the worst pain ive ever felt in my life

[@biancamontilla5833]

Can we go to gym and do jumping exercises? Pls response thanks

[@Arri7979]

Yes. Some women may feel cramping with certain intense exercises or workouts, but usually people state that they can work out like they used to with little to no discomfort. Of course this depends on the person and everyone is different, but I would say listen to your body and probably ease into working out once you first get it inserted.

[@ICantSpellDawg]

so, they cause abortions but they don't cause abortions? how many times, out of 100, does normal the pill cause an abortion?

[@GoGoNeji]

+ICantSpellDawg Someone didn't take Biology 12

[@jmatwood]

+ICantSpellDawg No, just the first part. Where they don't cause abortions. Period.

[@ICantSpellDawg]

Did you watch the video? Every so often, they cause the fertilezed egg to abort, beyond what the body does already. 1/100 I believe he says in this video

[@jmatwood]

No, it doesn't cause the egg to "abort", it simply doesn't give it anywhere to implant. The failure of an egg to implant is something that happens extremely frequently even when a woman isn't using birth control. A woman isn't pregnant until the egg implants and begins forming the placenta and embryo. When an egg fails to implant, it's neither a miscarriage nor an abortion. It's simply an egg that never implanted. If a woman does become pregnant (fertilized egg implants and pregnancy hormones are present), the IUD doesn't abort the pregnancy. The IUD can be removed and the pregnancy will continue as normal. Even if the IUD isn't removed, the pregnancy can still continue as normal.

[@vaibhavgupta20]

good video but this video will probably not be effective in getting rid of these myths. its same as climate change various interest group will keep on spreading these myths.

[@Stefani1423]

So...basically...or product only works if you don't have sex with more than one person, but if you do, you're asking for an infection. Because that's what I'm getting from this. And I'd like to know why there are so many videos, articles, and complaints from women who have had them and ended up having to get them removed, yet their site claims there are almost no negative side effects. I know ten women who got them (women I grew up with) and all but one had to get it removed due to constant pain, one had an infection, and due to it migrating and cutting the tissue. I keep hearing how safe it is, yet all of my doctors (three in the city I grew up in, two outside of that city, and now three in Japan where I'm living) have informed me that it isn't a safe option for anyone with an active lifestyle due to it's tendency to migrate. That doesn't sound safe, especially when "migrating" ends up translating to "cutting the uteral lining".

[@MethCrystal666]

You say "...but haemoglobin levels stabilise" as if haemoglobin levels are the only problem with bleeding heavily from your genitals for several days. The "how long people use X contraceptive for" don't tell the whole story by a long way, and you really can't infer that "IUDs must be great because the average time for using them is longer than other methods." That long average could easily hide a small but important minority of women who have the IUD removed quickly because of increased bleeding and pain. Women have full control over stopping condoms or the pill, but they have to ask someone else to take their IUD out, allowing for that someone else to say "It often settles down, why don't you keep it for a few more months?" Finally, I expect some of the women using condoms wanted to get pregnant soon. If you want to get pregnant in the next five years, you're not going to opt for an IUD, you will use something like condoms, so you can easily stop using them when you want to start a family. Thanks for listening to women, so that you can say "some women don't like their periods stopping, but some love it." I hate hearing "women like this," and "women want that." I'm a person, not a demographic.

[@veronicawanjiku9651]

I had my paragard and no periods is it okey

[@lauragadille3384]

My doctor wants me to have one to help with my PCOS symptoms

[@BigBangMike]

Hahaha. that book plug doe.... I love you Caroll.

[@emmafrankly]

I've been so wary about going on a pill... I just don't think I'm the kind of person who could be depended on to take a pill every day at the exact same time. An IUD seems PERFECT for me. :)

[@jmatwood]

+Emma Frankly If you need any support, there are plenty of women out there who would be happy to cheer you on through it and give you all the details of their experiences so you know what you might (might! it's different for everyone) expect.

[@emmafrankly]

jmatwood Thanks! :)

[@emilyborealis7549]

+Emma Frankly I'd recommend the contraceptive implant (AKA the rod) personally. It lasts for 3 years and is much more effective than even the hormonal IUDs. Also you have no risk of vaginal or uteral infections from it's insertion as it goes in your arm. The only down side it has is the bruising you'll have on your arm for a few days but you only have to replace it every 3 years so I think it's worth it! (I've had 2 over 4 years and have only had one period since!)

[@emilyborealis7549]

It needs to be removed with a small incision made over the insertion scar using local anaesthetic. It leaves a scar only around the size of a lentil (unless complications arise). The new one will be inserted right next to where the old one used to be.

[@jmatwood]

Ok, that scares me way more than the IUD, haha.

[@kandylover139]

I think it's awesome that you're debunking IUD myths. Personally, I love my implant. However, I do question the reasons for that last statistic about how women who use IUD's using them for longer. Could that possibly be because the removal is so expensive? For example, I know that if I want to have my Nexplanon removed before 5 years are up,I have to fork over $200. That's 10 times what I paid to get it put in. Luckily, I haven't had any bad side effects, but I can't imagine what I'd do if I did.

[@BayBee_ASMR]

I have a question can anyone like ANYONE help? I got my skyla replaced with Kyleena within 5 min of the removal of skyla. I had unprotected sex exactly 7 days after placement. 1 how is the protection with iud to iud replacement. And 2 should i be worried that im pregnant?

[@insolentwretch]

Less blood, definitely a feature.

[@elenabob4953]

Having a period each 2 months it's not normal.

[@HalfMaskMan]

What's the difference between IUD and ROD?