This Is What It Feels Like To Get An IUD According To Four Women

So you want to get an IUD but you’re torn on the decision, and you want advice from real women and their experience with this form of birth control. Well girl, you came to the right place. Today four women share their advice and experience on getting an IUD, which was first developed and used in the late 1950’s. However, IUDs didn’t gain popularity until around 2013 when more and more women began using them. Scroll down to check out our IUD reviews so you can make the best decision for your body.

Makaylee’s IUD Reviews

I first started on birth control back during my senior year of high school. Like most people, I started with the pill — which didn’t last long! It was annoying having to remember to take it at the same time each day. From there, I moved on to the Depo-Provera injection. It seemed ideal, as I only had to go into the doctor’s office once every 3 months and it took less than 5 minutes. It worked really well, but after the first year I noticed lots of negative side effects overpowering the positive benefits. I gained a ton of weight, lost interest in normally enjoyable activities, became super depressed and anxious, and kind of turned into a hermit. Once it became unbearable, I went back to my doctor and she told me about IUDs. It seemed like a no-brainer — why wouldn’t everyone choose this option? The biggest truth is that the IUD is easier to insert into women who have already had a child. If you’ve never had a human child pass through your cervix, it’s going to hurt like a b***h! The good news is that the pain doesn’t last very long, and the whole insertion process is generally pretty quick. Depending which IUD you go with, you won’t have to worry about taking it out for years. I went with Kyleena. I’ve already had it in for a year and have another 4 to go. The biggest side effect I have experienced would be cramping each month when I would normally have a period. It’s nothing some Pamprin can’t help! My mood has also seemed unaffected by this form of birth control. In my opinion, the IUD is a super responsible and effective way of preventing unwanted pregnancy. If you are considering it, make sure to do lots of research, read more IUD reviews and prepare yourself!

“I gained a ton of weight, lost interest in normally enjoyable activities, became super depressed and anxious, and kind of turned into a hermit. Once it became unbearable, I went back to my doctor and she told me about IUDs.”

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Mercedes’ IUD Review

I am a woman who can tolerate a lot of pain, but let me tell you, getting an IUD was a different type of pain that I could barely handle at first. My advice for anyone looking to get one is to really research the risks and side effects and decide which one you want to get ahead of time by reading through some IUD reviews (there are several different types of IUDs). I got the copper IUD and the insertion was really fast. Literally maybe two deep breaths and it was done. But because I didn’t eat beforehand, I felt super dizzy and nauseous right after she was done. I literally felt like I was going to puke. So make sure you eat! As for the cramping afterwards, it wasn’t too bad at first. Eventually it was awful though, so make sure you have Advil next to you at all times! I took 800-1000mg each time I started to feel cramping and that was enough to calm the pain the first couple of days. I bled a bit, like a normal amount of light period blood I would say. I would just plan to take a few days off when you get the IUD and dedicate those days to resting and allowing your body to adjust to the new form of birth control chilling in your cervix. All in all it wasn’t awful (I mean I am sure there are worse things pain wise!) but I am happy I got it since I’m in a long term relationship. If I was single I don’t think I would have gotten it to be honest, I feel like I would’ve tried birth control pills instead. But hey, baby free for 12 years, heck yeah man!

Kelly’s IUD Reviews

I did not get my first IUD until I was already done having children, which makes my experience very different from the others who have shared here. I had FOUR children before my doctors discovered that hormonal birth control wasn’t effective for me and caused me problems with high blood pressure. I had tried the pill and gotten pregnant twice while taking it. My sons were born while I was quite young, only 18 months apart and I was told I must “not be taking it routinely or not at the same time everyday.” I was, but nobody listened to me. After the birth of my third child (which was planned), my doctors told me to try Depo Provera shots, since apparently I was deemed too irresponsible for the pill. Depo Provera made me gain 40 pounds in a relatively short period of time and made me, a normally calm and level headed person, depressed, anxious and emotional. And as a bonus, I got pregnant again. So after my fourth bonus baby, I tried the copper IUD. I will say that having it inserted is NOT pleasant. It feels like a very sharp internal pinch that is painful enough to make you momentarily nauseous and light headed. It’s an actual “breathe through the pain” type of feeling but it only lasts a moment or two. It helps if you know that ahead of time and take some Advil or Aleve or something beforehand. My OB/GYN actually recommended a Xanax beforehand. Bless her. (This is my BIGGEST piece of advice — take Advil/anxiety reducers/muscle relaxers before your appointment.) I had no significant cramping or bleeding immediately following the procedure, although I had noticeable spotting between periods for years afterwards and heavier periods overall for the life of my IUD. 12 years later, when it was time to remove it, I opted for the Mirena IUD after reading some IUD reviews. My OB/GYN assured me that the IUD placement itself and low dose of hormones would have a different reaction in my body than previous forms of hormonal birth control and be effective for me. It has been 6 years now and I am still baby free, and with the Mirena IUD I had no periods, less spotting, zero side effects (I may have gained a little weight but it also may have been aging?), and a great experience overall. It will be time to remove it soon and at my age, 44, I really don’t need to be thinking long term at this point. Overall, I think IUDs are a fantastic solution and I recommended one to my 18 year old daughter this year.

Gabi’s IUD Review

I used to have the Nexplanon implant in my arm. My sister also had the same and hers got infected, which freaked me out. When it was time for something new, I decided to go with the IUD. I would say the arm implant process hurts way more than the IUD process. I think especially now since I’m in college, I like that I don’t have to worry about taking a pill everyday and risk getting pregnant. I haven’t had my period and when I do, it only lasts for about 3 days and it’s super light. I definitely think the IUD was easily the best decision ever! 

Have you ever had an IUD, or are you thinking about getting one? Let us know in the comments below and share your IUD reviews!