I have been looking for an alternative to the Pill for awhile. A few months ago I looked in to getting the new Merana IUD, but my Ins. wouldn't cover it. In December, I received a letter from my HI saying that as on Jan 1'st they would cover it!

So, tomorrow I am having it inserted! I am a little nervous though! Of course, I have read way to much about - stories ranging from it being a "little pinch" to excruciating pain! 

In the long run I think it will be a good alternative for me - no more daily pill induced morning sickness, no forgetting to take it, no more heavy, crampy periods... Plus, I will save the $40/month co-pay!

Let us know what you think!  I am very interested in it too!

Since others are interested, I will be brutally honest - it hurt like hell! I very nearly passed out - my Dr. made me drink a juice box because I was really dizzy!

Now, 4 hours later, it still hurts! I am having cramps similar to early labor. She didn't prescribe anything, and the Motrin isn't cutting it. Fortunately, I had a few prescription tylenol left over from dental work I had done last summer!

On the positive side, it only took her about 30 seconds to insert it! She said that it is very normal to have some contraction like cramping for the first day - since the Uterus isn't going to be happy about having a foreign object inside of it - it is normal to want to expel it. She said for most women this only happens for the first day.

Assuming that is true, it is well worth 24 hours of pain not to have to even think about birth control for 5 years! Plus, after about 6 months I wont even have to deal with periods anymore!

I am so excited! It will be like menopause without the bad parts-  hot flashes, mood-swings, and loss of sex drive! 

I hope you have a good experience with it - sorry that it hurt so much though...I know a few women who have it and most love it - only one had a bad experience and it was rare, I think.

Thank you all so much! I have to admit the first day and a half were tough, but I woke up this morning feeling much better!

My Mom told me she had one of the older, copper, IUD's years ago, and she was in horrendous pain for 3-4 days following insertion. So, I guess 24-48 hours isn't too bad in the scheme of things!

Now that the pain is gone, I already feel better than I did on the Pill - much more clear-headed. I also am not having any of the excessive bleeding problems I had read about, I had it inserted near the end of my period, and it is ending pretty normally for me.

For those of you who are considering getting it too, I will update this thread again next month about any PMS issues, or if anything else comes up.

Thanks again for all of your support!

Pain is gone?  Horray for you!!!   

That makes sense! Thanks!