Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

The unpleasant truth about IUDs

(Sarah Mirk/ Flickr)

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting an IUD, you should really reconsider. I thought I was making a well-informed decision, but the reality couldn’t have been further from the truth.

While I initially thought I was going to reduce the expense and general annoyance of traditional pill-based birth control, I was instead met with pelvic pain, jaw pain, back aches, chills, brain fog, neck stiffness, fatigue, depression, intense mood swings, tense muscles, joint stiffness, severe headaches and a period that did not stop.

I had been taking birth control pills for about four years but had decided that I wanted a change. My goals were to save money and to be on a form of birth control that I didn’t have to worry about every day. That’s when I came across intrauterine devices (IUDs). An IUD is a small T-shaped long-lasting form of birth control that is placed into the uterus that releases either copper or hormones. With an effectiveness of 99 percent, relatively low to no maintenance cost, a procedure that can be reversed at any time to have children, and a lifespan between five and 10 years, I found why the IUD is an attractive option for many people. After researching and debating between an IUD or an alternative, Nexplanon (an arm implant), I decided that the hormonal Mirena IUD was the right choice. Mirena releases a small amount of levonorgestrel (a hormone used in many forms of birth control) into the uterus every day, which thickens the cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching inside.

After discussing with my doctor the process and the side effects, it sounded reasonable to me so I decided to go through with the procedure. The operation took no less than 10 minutes, but as soon as it was over, I had felt terrible cramping that lasted 20 minutes. Other women say that it didn’t feel like anything to them, but for me it was probably one of the most painful experiences I’ve had.

The next couple of days I had abdominal and pelvic pain, but this was normal after insertion. Next came the stiffness of the muscles. I sometimes woke up as if I had done vigorous exercise the day before. It only got worse as I started to go through mood swings, but mood swings would be an understatement. I can go through five different emotions in a matter of seconds without even fully understanding why I would feel that way. Even worse is the extreme anger that can boil inside me from the smallest of incidents and cause me to feel furious, and then suddenly so depressed and guilty that I would feel suicidal.

All of this has affected my schoolwork because I have also been having difficulty thinking. At first, I did not think much of it, but as time went on I realized that my homework takes me longer to do, and when I talk to people or even write I have trouble articulating my ideas, as if the ideas are there but not the words.

After researching problems, I discovered that other people were having the same struggles as I did, some even worse, citing silicone poisoning and false brain tumor symptoms. There are a countless number of women who have had unexplainable problems only to find out that the IUD was the cause after they get it removed. Many official sources will not share this information with you. Even Planned Parenthood states that the side effects can include some pain, spotting between periods, irregular periods and some cramping a few days after insertion. They say that these side effects can go away after three to six months. The Mirena website warns people who have had pelvic infections, can get infections easily, have liver disease, breast cancer or are allergic to any of the products in the IUD not to use Mirena.

While my story may anecdotal in nature, I am not alone and this is one of the many stories that are out there regarding the harmful effects that an IUD can have on someone’s physical and mental health.  Online there are many stories and articles about how IUDs have given many women

Christina Yacono is a Collegian contributor and can be reached at [email protected].

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  • C

    CasandraSep 22, 2019 at 1:04 pm

    I had the mirena iud for 2.5 years and hated every moment. I had to go to two appointments to have it inserted but when they couldnt get my cervix Dilated they sent me to a specialis, it took 45 mins for him to insert it, worse pain I have ever felt. I had a period for the first two months straight, I went through planned parenthood and was told countless times that it was normal. Not even 8 months in I started developing major cyst. Doctors told me it was normal. I gained 120 pounds over the first year and was told it was due to hormones. It caused a spike in my blood pressure, but that was normal too.
    I had it removed 3 days ago, I was nervous because I’ve heard of the iud crash and the doctor told me it was a made up side effect. I haven’t been able to sleep I’ve had heavy bleeding, and serve mood swings. I cant eat anything because of the vomiting. I feel like I’m dying and I am being told that I’m fine. I would never reccomend the iud to anyone.

    Reply
  • P

    Pregna International Ltd.Jan 15, 2018 at 1:17 am

    This was a great blog to read as it is informing people and making them aware of the iuds and problems they can face due to IUDs, can be of great help to many young women’s.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  • T

    TravelerAug 5, 2017 at 2:41 am

    Wow @Alum do you sell Mirena? Because you are very eager to defend it. The article just invites people to make a more informed decision, and it recognizes that many people don’t have those side effects. If you swallow everything your doctor tells you go ahead, but don’t be mad against people who are making smart choices.

    Reply
  • C

    Charlize HungMay 2, 2017 at 1:18 am

    I am with you. I am one of the users who’s experienced the pain and I know exactly what unpleasant truth you are talking about. Three and a half year with Mirena IUD, I’ve been suffering from more symptoms than outsiders can possibly think of. An IUD would not have been my choice if I had options. Take good care of yourself, modern medical sucks.

    Reply
  • V

    Vj in ColoradoApr 26, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    Hopefully this helps some young women make more informed choices.

    Reply
  • A

    Alum With Common SenseApr 26, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    ” Many official sources will not share this information with you.”?? Wow Collegian, your editing team seems to have left early for summer break.

    The side effects Ms. Yacono discusses can come from any kind of hormonal shift – whether that’s an IUD, contraceptive pills, getting pregnant, giving birth, or many other ways. Not to mention that those side effects are exactly what health providers and the Mirena website will tell you. Her citations are totally misleading: the Planned Parenthood page she links to discusses the potential side effects of inserting an IUD, not the side effects of hormonal birth control.

    Birth control is not one-size-fits-all and while I’m sorry to hear that Ms. Yacono had an unpleasant experience, urging readers to “reconsider” getting an IUD is beyond her expertise and frankly, irresponsible on your part. Instead, she could have encouraged readers to discuss the potential for these issues with their healthcare providers. I am troubled by the flippant attitude of both the author and the editorial staff that resulted in publication of this piece.

    Reply