Iud

[Claire_A]

Hi everyone,

After much research I have been thinking about the possibility of hormonal issues causing or contributing to vulvodynia pain, my Husband and I are considering a non hormonal option for birth control. As the only lubricant I can use without irritation is olive oil condoms are out of the question, they irritate me anyway.

I was wondering if anyone had had the copper IUD prior to having children and the implications of this on Vulvodynia and IC? I am 22.

Thanks,

Claire

[ginaaa22]

I have the mirena IUD and it has been a godsend. I do occasionally still have VV flares for an unknown reason but they are decreasing. When I didnt have my IUD i would flare every month when I had my period. Since aug of last year I have only flared 2x. My iud has also helped with alleviating some pelvic pain associated with my period and of course not bleeding like a bludgeoned pig. The only reason I did not get the cooper one is because I have heard that some people can have allergic reactions to the cooper in them and with me being very sensitive I didnt want to take that chance. I was told by my dr that once the IUD is taken out you can get pregnant almost right away. Before getting my iud put in I had taken every type of BC possible, pills, nuvaring, depo provera. It really depends what you want the iud for. For preventing pregnancy it works very good. If you have any questions let me know

[VCNJ84]

I am so shocked to hear that an IUD can HELP V. When I see the commercials on TV, I usually cringe at the idea of having a device inside me with all of my vaginal pain. Very interesting to hear.

[Claire_A]

Thanks Gina

I have the mirena IUD and it has been a godsend. I do occasionally still have VV flares for an unknown reason but they are decreasing. When I didnt have my IUD i would flare every month when I had my period. Since aug of last year I have only flared 2x. My iud has also helped with alleviating some pelvic pain associated with my period and of course not bleeding like a bludgeoned pig. The only reason I did not get the cooper one is because I have heard that some people can have allergic reactions to the cooper in them and with me being very sensitive I didnt want to take that chance. I was told by my dr that once the IUD is taken out you can get pregnant almost right away. Before getting my iud put in I had taken every type of BC possible, pills, nuvaring, depo provera. It really depends what you want the iud for. For preventing pregnancy it works very good. If you have any questions let me know

Did it hurt going in? Are there any complications if a women has not yet had a baby? I am concerned about Mirena because it still has hormones in it. I want to try and stay away from this. I went on the pill for heavy periods, now I wish I hadn't because of the link between that and v. I have lots and lots of questions regarding this.....

Thanks,

Claire

[Melanie526]

I know everyone is different, but I had severe complications from the IUD.

Long story short...had IUD put in, even though I had never had any children...it was extremely painful (I learned later the pain was probably due to the fact that I had never had children so it was harder to get the IUD into place...had to puncture a hole)...I ended up getting severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)...my doctor kept misdiagnosing it as a mild pelvic infection...next thing you know, I'm in the worst pain of my life and having emergency surgery...at that point, my insides were covered with infection and scar tissue (as well as endometriosis, which didn't help)...I had to have my tubes and ovaries removed.

I will never have children and deal with constant pain ever since my surgery...I always think, "What if I hadn't had the IUD put in?"

Please do lots of research and ask your doctor lots of questions before you have an IUD put in, especially if you've never had children...it was a decision I took so lightly, and my life is forever altered b/c of it.

Not trying to scare you, but if I can spare one more person from going through what I've gone through, it will be worth it.

[ginaaa22]

Melanie please dont take this the wrong way but what happened to you is fairly unlikely. I dont want claire to get the wrong idea that is it common. ANY procedure has risks but you have to outweigh the risks with the benefits. I'm so sorry that you had to go through something like that and I can only imagine how it makes you feel. I feel that way about taking depo provera. I made a decision lightly and have been paying for it so I know exactly where your coming from. I completely agree with what you said that you need to be informed about your decision.

I was iffy about the mirena having hormones in it too but my dr said it has a localized effect and doesnt go into the bloodstream.

Yes the procedure was uncomfortable but ive been through many uncomfortable things like instillation's, caths, blood draws, colonoscopy without anesthesia. I will take what pain I did have for the pain relief while on my period. That is why I decieded to get the mirena because of painful heavy periods. It has helped 100%. I now have no period this is the only form of BC that has controlled my period.

I have not had a baby and the only problem I did have with my IUD was that after I had it in I developed bacterial vaginosis. Although I had the same infection a couple months prior so not sure if it was a new infection or the lingering one.

Claire, I would be happy to answer any question you have. You can PM me or add me on facebook gina mclaughlin.

On a side not I have not heard that an IUD causes VV but I had my VV before I had my IUD put in.

[Melanie526]

I know it's uncommon, but it does happen...just wish someone had informed me of the risks...and it's not like it has minor side effects...they are major risks...I can't have children now, I'm in pain pretty much every day (and have been for 4 yrs), have huge medical bills, etc...very life altering. : (

Just don't ever want anyone else to have to deal with what I do.

I will say if you have a good doctor, that makes all the difference in the world though.

[ginaaa22]

Melanie I am so sorry this had to happen to you. Im begining to realize that us IC patients are the "1 in a million" that somethings happens to.

[Claire_A]

Thanks for your responses

I have decided against it for the time being. I am terrified of making things worse. The only reason for me considering the IUD is for contraception. Although I have horrible periods the pill was controlling this. I would rather deal with the periods and just use latex free condoms. I may reconsider at a later date, perhaps after children.

So sorry to hear of your troubles Melanie, and Gina you are right we do seem to be the 1 in a million that gets all the side effects or complications of these things.

Gina what are you doing to control you vv as of late?

I am in so much pain.

[ginaaa22]

Well some of the meds I take for IC are supposed to help. in my signature you can see what I take. My gyn prescribed me atarax for itching down there but it has helped both my VV and IC tremendously. I also use lidocain cream down there to numb it when it hurts. Also after sex is when it gets raw and inflamed so immediately afterwards I put a cold compress on it. I use aquafora when it is really raw and inflamed and at any sign of a yeast infection I take diflucan. I also take neurotin which is supposed to help neuropathic pain. Elavil also helps (so my dr says). Physical therapy also really helped but I stopped going because it is too much to handle with my work/school schedule.