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glefe t1_ivh9fda wrote

Reply to comment by Mercuryblade18 in Researchers have found that having more babies reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. by IMBatUQ

Are there side effects to progesterone secreting IUDs?

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivhcyow wrote

1:1000 risk of uterine perforation, which isn't as exciting as it sounds.

If you get pregnant with an IUD you do have a higher rate of an ectopic pregnancy than other forms of contraception but your rate of ectopic is still lower than the general population.

You don't have the "first pass effect" you get with combined oral contraceptives. It has less side effects that other systemic exposure birth control.

Every obgyn I know has an IUD as their form of contraception.

EDIT: Unfortunately every single medication and treatment has side effects, you should discuss them with your doctor. If I didn't prescribe things because someone somewhere had a bad time with it... I would never prescribe anything or ever operate on anyone.

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Potanko_Prime t1_ivhf811 wrote

Got one when I first started transitioning cause of doesn't affect testosterone like other birth control options, and it's fantastic

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivhwefr wrote

Yep, no drop on libido either from it.

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stepfordexwife t1_ivjexwe wrote

Ehhh that’s not true. I definitely had a drop in libido but it was still worth it for the ease of use. Everyone’s miles will vary but side effects are usually mild if people experience them and go away over time.

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sigzag1994 t1_ivhkh0i wrote

I’ve had one for 3 years and unfortunately for me it has destroyed my sex life. Sex is now very uncomfortable and I have low libido, still (I was told these issues would resolve over time). I have gotten checked to make sure it is positioned correctly, and it is. I also have super painful (though light flow) periods that last like 10 days. Barely any blood but lots of cramping.

Most people seem to like IUDs so maybe I’m just unlucky.

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivhx620 wrote

Sounds like aommething else is going on that may not be the IUD, I'd ask your doctor about pelvic floor physical therapy or evaluations for other causes of low libido and pelvic pain. You can also have it removed and try a different form of contraception to see if you have better results.

Very little hormone becomes systemic with the IUD hence why it has better side effects profiles that pills, rings, shots or the arm implant.

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sigzag1994 t1_ividilo wrote

Was never an issue before the IUD

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LowlyScrub t1_iviozcy wrote

You could have pissed some muscles off during the insertion. Have something shoved through your cervix is quite jarring. I was cramping terribly for 2 days.

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sigzag1994 t1_ivircpa wrote

2 days sure, but multiple years?

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LowlyScrub t1_ivirzva wrote

I don't know, muscles are wild down there. Not saying your suspicions aren't reasonable, just that you shouldn't discount your pelvic floor causing issues. I feel like I am constantly fighting the keep my hips, lower back, and lower abs loose.

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivilqgn wrote

Why do you still have your IUD? Remove it and see if your symptoms improve.

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sigzag1994 t1_ivir96r wrote

Fair question. The insertion process was so horrifically painful that I was afraid of the removal process. Also I never had a good track record with BC pills, so once I had the IUD in I tried to stick it out

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[deleted] t1_ivhl0mm wrote

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivhwtsu wrote

It can affect acne for some, but it did not cause weight gain. Every medication has potential side effects unfortunately. IUDs seem to have the lowest.

There's no such thing as a "better form" of progesterone, that's just marketing. Slynd contains the same progesterone as Yaz. Mileage will very, that's why it's important to experiment with what form works with you best.

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[deleted] t1_ivjezvo wrote

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Mercuryblade18 t1_ivjjy7e wrote

Yes I'm aware Slynd doesn't have estrogen. But everyone's body will respond to different forms of contraception. You shouldn't make your birth control choices based on other's anecdotes. You should talk to your doctor about potential side effects and what the quantitative risks actually are and see what's right for you.

Edit: I should add- Drospirenone is also likely the most thrombotic of the progesterones, probably a lower risk than estrogen containing pills but I wouldn't recommend using it if VTE is a huge concern- It's likely safer to take a different form. However, if it it's the one you tolerate the best it may be reasonable to assume the small but higher risk of a VTE, the data is still murky.

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cheshire_kat7 t1_ivhp0o7 wrote

I tried a progesterone only pill for while. I ended up having bleeds every other week - it was like my menstrual cycle was just 2 weeks long.

I went back on the regular pill and it took a year before my uterus fully settled down. Technically, being on the pill is risky for me (age, weight and a family history of DVTs) but this point I'm afraid to try anything new in case it plays havoc with my cycle again.

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