BritanniAmerica

I'm not sure if this should be in a special women's health section, but thought it was worth sharing because of its relevance.

When my DH and I were looking at birth control options in the UK we noticed there was a much larger range of products being offered here than in America, especially the range of IUDs. IUDs are the most common form of birth control in the world, can be used for 5 to 10 years after insertion, take little to no daily or monthly maintenance, and under the NHS (regardless of your immigration status) are 100% free.

There are two basic types of IUDs - hormonal and copper, which are both around 99.9% effective. After I'd done a bit of digging I found out that the US has only approved 1 form of copper IUD, whereas the UK has approved 10. IUDs were traditionally made in T-shaped or coil forms, but more recently there's been a movement to make IUDs in various shapes and sizes to accommodate the many variations in uteruses. One that caught my eye immediately was the Gynefix, which was invented about 15 years ago by Dr. Wildemeersch in Belgium. It's a single, knotted string with either 4 or 6 copper beads hanging on it. The knot is pushed into the top of your uterus and the string hangs down, which allows for much greater flexibility and less discomfort. Because of its smaller and less intrusive design it was widely approved for women who hadn't had any children yet, and also has barely any side effects, unlike other IUDs which can sometimes cause cramping and heavy bleeding for half a year to a year after insertion.

It's been researched and tested extensively and is being used in at least the UK, most of Europe, and Canada, and I'm just hoping the U.S. will start being cooler and approve it soon, too. I don't know if anyone is interested in it, but I just wanted to mention that if you have disregarded IUDs in the past, you might want to take another look. Here's a link to Dr. Wildemeersch's website: http://www.wildemeersch.com/ned/home

And just as a cool aside, when I was in the US I needed to get an MRI for research purposes, but the university didn't have documentation showing that the Gynefix specifically was safe in the machine so they weren't able to perform the MRI unless it was an emergency situation. I gave them Dr. Wildemeersch's website and email address, and emailed him myself, and he replied to both of us immediately and exchanged a few emails with the university showing the studies that had been done and proving that the Gynefix is safe in an MRI machine. I love when people take the time out to be nice like that.

I really want an IUD. Infact, I really want a copper IUD. I'm still a bit hazy about how to go about it but thank you for this post!

Ooh, I can help. The first step I think would be to find a sexual health clinic in your area by searching on google or phone books. In the mid-sized town near me there are at least 3 GUM (Genito-Urinary Medicine) clinics that I know about. Then ring up asking (1) if you need an appointment and (2) if they have a doctor trained in inserting Gynefixs. Even if you don't go for a Gynefix, it might be good to have more options available when you decide. The clinic I went to had 3 doctors who had been trained in Gynefixs, which is why I chose it, though I'm sure the other two clinics would have been good choices too.

The first appointment is really mostly informational so no matter what you decide, I'd urge you to go to one so you can talk things over with a doctor. I'd done research beforehand so knew pretty solidly what I wanted, but the doctor still made sure it was the right choice for me and made sure I knew the benefits and risks associated with my decision. Then in that first meeting they tested for STIs to make sure that by inserting an IUD they wouldn't indirectly make anything worse.

I had to wait about 2 weeks to hear the results back from the STI test and they actually texted them to my cell phone which was pretty cool. They had a few different contact methods available and that was the one I chose.

Then after the results were back I made an appointment for the IUD to be fitted, and as long as they're 100% positive you can't be pregnant (either by using birth control up until that point or by abstaining from sex since the time of your last period) then they'll fit the IUD then.

Here's a livejournal community called IUD Divas that was incredibly informative and helpful as I was making my decision: http://community.livejournal.com/iud_divas Also feel free to either ask more questions here or private message me if you'd like more information.

Since everyone on this board is on a variety of visas I just want to say again that Family Planning services in the UK are free to everyone. I got mine when I was here on a visitor visa and never had to show any identification whatsoever in the process.

Attempting to move this to pregnancy and then re-naming pregnancy "Pregnancy & Women's Heath". I think.

Thanks for posting this, Rue! I've been considering an IUD lately. Good information!

Hmmf. All my searching has left me empty handed. I have to see the nurse tomorrow for my b12 jab, may just ask her to point me in the right direction as to *where* I can get one inserted.

I don't like the idea of them although I can see why others would. I admit I don't know all there is to know about them but the thought of one being inserted in me puts me off.

Mezoti, I'll PM you the email address of a woman who helped me find a clinic in my area. If anyone else wants her email address just let me know and I'll send it over to you.

The idea of insertion can be offputting, but doctors usually use a local anesthetic and you're encouraged to take mild painkillers beforehand. Plus it just takes a few minutes, and in the UK the doctors have been known to offer you a cup of tea afterward.

If you're interested or even just curious I really suggest browsing IUD Divas because it has so many personal experiences about the whole process, plus is good for just getting more knowledgeable and banishing a few preconceptions that I know I grew up with because doctors in the US always seemed to steer me away from IUDs.


ETA: Best website I've found for finding clinics in your area is http://www.fpa.org.uk; here's a link to their clinic postcode search: http://www.fpa.org.uk/Findaclinic.

Rue - I love you ♥ thank you so much for your help.

Also: are you an LJer, then? I'd love to add you.

Thanks. Glad I could help. Unfortunately I don't have a livejournal, just stumbled across that one when I was looking for IUD info.

aww, too bad! Thanks for all the info!

I'm considering having the Mirena coil. Two women at work had them inserted, but they're both 20+ years older than me. I asked if they had any side effects, and they both said no, they are more relaxed even (because the pill that my GP put me on last year is much stronger than the one I took in the US and I have been an emotional, rollercoaster wreck since).

But I read up on it, and some of the side effects are depression, mood swings, weight gain, etc....and I don't any of that anymore.

What do you ladies think?

Those side effects are listed exactly the same for every birth control on the market, so I think its a crap shoot really. The only way to know what side effects you will encounter is to try it. I have no experience with the coil (my uterus feels weird at the very thought!) but I'd imagine they could remove it early if need be.

Do you have any specific reason for considering a hormonal rather than a copper IUD? Afaik they're equally effective, and I've always preferred the way copper ones act as a spermicide without having to change any of your body's hormones. If you've had trouble with hormonal birth control in the past you really might want to consider copper. In my first post I mentioned how I'd gotten a Gynefix and I still would recommend it to virtually everyone considering an IUD. I think it's brilliant and carries the least side effects following insertion, as well as being better designed to be the least intrusive longterm by being thin and flexible. After the first few days I've never felt mine at all and haven't had any side effects whatsoever.

If you want to read up on more experiences I really recommend http://community.livejournal.com/iud_divas. They have keywords on the left so it's easy to search for all posts about the gynefix, mirena, etc. Also once you've done a little research it might be worth making an appointment at a clinic here so you can talk out your particular situation and medical history with a doctor to see what they recommend.

Thank you, Rue! I checked out IUD Divas last night, and brought some of the things up with one of my co-workers that has the minera coil in, and she said "Do you see me with those side effects?! (Just what you said, N ).

So I will do more research, and see. I must admit, today I feel less teary, and my body doesn't ache like it did a few days ago, so that's a good thing, I suppose.

Will let you know what I come to a conclusion with.