30 years ago when I became a sexually active young adult I went to a local doctor in our central Florida town and asked him for a prescription for The Pill. He told me he was going to give me something even better--an IUD! He put it in and soon I was bleeding uncontrollably and throwing up, couldn't eat or drink anything or tell my mother what I had done because she would have kicked me out of the house. My mother the RN wheeled in an IV one day and hooked me up to it for awhile but after a couple of days gave up and took me to the ER. I was admitted to the hospital, shot up with Demerol which made me even sicker than I was before and still in SO much writhing pain. 25 years later I found out my best friend, now an MD, had the IUD inserted and bled 2 weeks a month before she finally had that thing yanked out. My hospital experience is probably why I still hate the taste of Gatorade; it's all they would give me for the nausea caused by the Demerol

I am a mother of 10 months old and opted for the copper-IUD after the 3 months of baby birth as this method frees me from all the worries about the pregnancy but the experience has not been so good as expected. The insertion of the device itself was a horrible experience as I felt cramps, dizziness and nausea during and after the insertion. I came home with the help of my mother in law. My sister in law is happy with her devices as she has used it thrice and has three children and she really feels happy about it but I am still not very satisfied as my period is different now. I feel pain almost 10 days in advance before the bleeding for 4-5 days and then slight bleeding starts before full bleeding though I do not feel pain during bleeding period as it used to be before pregnancy. I told this problem to my doctor (though I got the device fixed by some other doctor at my in law's place) but she did not put her ear on my problem, maybe she was unhappy that I got it fixed by some other doctor I do not have idea what to do as I thought maybe this is normal but after reading this article I have information now that how it works and what are the pros and cons of the device. Thank you.

I just had mine inserted today and I want to say that it wasn't that bad. The doctor measured my cervix first, then inserted it. Both felt like bad period cramps and I'm having mild cramps now. The doctor said it should go away within a day or so. I don't know how my body will handle it, but I hope it works out. I just wanted to get a positive review out there about the insertion.

I got pregnant a month after mine was inserted!! I thought it was the best option! My daughter is now 3 years old and I couldn't imagine a life with out her!!

I've read varying experiences in regards to the pain one experiences upon insertion of the device. I personally experienced quite a bit of pain. I have the copper IUD. I also had to set a second appointment because my cervix was too tight and I was given medication to remedy that. The pain varies per person. Just keep in mind the end result is no-hassle birth control! My procedure was over in less than 10 minutes and I have been taking ibuprofen for the cramps.

I wanted something that would be low maintenance and would have no hormonal side effects. I have had a copper IUD for eight years and LOVE it.

I have had an IUD in for 33 years and the doctor said he is going to remove it.

I've had and loved Mirena for the last five years. We are not ready to do anything permanent, and I am very happy with how Mirena helps with my periods.

I have had a horrible experience with the Mirena back in 2008 due to facial/lip swelling as an allergic reaction to the hormones. Recently I've tried using birth control pills and I've had the same reaction. I'm now going to opt for the copper IUD and hope for the best.