Birth control hormones......?

What do hormones do to your body? What are side effects from using birth control with hormones? Do you think the copper IUD (no hormones) is better than the Mirena (hormones)?

It is a matter of personal prefernce really. The amounts of hormones in the Mirena are very low, much less than those you find in the pill or injections.
Try http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/iudinf... to help with some of your questions or comparisions.
Paragard

Copper containing IUD

Lasts 10 years

Is 98-99% effective

Women usually have heavier periods & more cramping

Cannot be used by women allergic to copper

Cost is about $150 + insertion fee




MIRENA

Progesterone containing

Lasts 5 years

Is over 99% effective

Women usually have lighter periods with less cramps, than without an IUD

Most women have three to six months of irregular spotting in the beginning

20% of women don't ovulate or have periods at all

Cannot be used by women with breast cancer or liver disease

Cost is about $400 + insertion fee

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/utah/iu...

Common negative side effects of hormonal birth controls can be spotting between periods, having a period that lasts much longer than it should, weight gain, breast tenderness, blood clots (risk increased in women over 30 who smoke), headache and nausea.

However, hormonal birth controls can also improve your cycle by giving you lighter, less painful periods, and some women have reported weight loss.

What side effects you get just depend on how your body reacts to the combination of hormones in a hormonal birth control.

The only negative side effect of the copper IUD, ParaGard, is that it often causes periods to become much heavier and longer.

These are side effects of the IUD:

"Possible Side Effects

Possible side effects that usually clear up after the first several weeks to months include 鈥?br>
* changes to menstrual flow
o Spotting between periods is common with IUD use.
o ParaGard may cause a 50 to 75 percent increase in menstrual flow. In some cases this may lead to anemia.
* menstrual cramps or backaches"

The only other major difference between Mirena and ParaGard is that ParaGard can last up to 12 years and Mirena can only last for five years. If you've had problems with hormonal methods in the past, I would discuss Mirena with your doctor as an option, as most of the hormones in it are released locally, meaning it won't affect the rest of your body as much, making it less likely to have other negative side effects usually associated with hormonal birth controls. If you've determined in the past that your body cannot handle a hormonal birth control (whether you're allergic or what have you), ParaGard may be a better option.