IUD replacement (positive experience)

I wanted to hop on here and share a positive story about my iud replacement last week as I saw a lot of horror stories prior to my appointment and really wound myself up. I feel like there is more positive stories needed.

Firstly, my first IUD was not a pleasant experience (which I won’t get into), probably due to my practitioner and the lack of prep and education I had prior to my first insertion. I also had a lot of side effects following my first insertion that lasted up to 4 months (severe cramping, spotting, etc), I almost got it taken out but I’m glad I powered through. The IUD has been the most convenient birth-control I have experienced.

I originally had a kyleena and replaced it with the same. If you have access to a planned parenthood in your community, I would highly recommend the practitioner was super sweet and patient with me.

Tips and tricks that made the second experience way easier:

-take Advil and naproxen prior to the appointment (obvi ask your practitioner what the appropriate dosage and meds you should be taking) this is something I didn’t do the first time that I wish I did!
-if your anxious like me see if they will prescribe you a prn or anti anxiety med. honestly I probably didn’t need it but it helped with the anticipatory nerves and kept me relaxed.
-MAKE SURE THEY USE THE NUMBING SHOT. Honestly this made the biggest difference for me. I barely felt the needle she explained to me your cervix doesn’t have that many nerve endings it was so easy the worst part was when she injects you there is burning for about 5 seconds and you are immediately numb.
-Advocate for yourself. I asked my practitioner to tell me everything she was doing and it really helped compared to the first time where there was no communication.
-if you have someone who can drive you there that’s helpful, I probably didn’t need it the second time but I didn’t the first time and had to drive home feeling really uncomfortable.

Removal and replacement experience
-the removal of the old IUD was a very light cramp nothing too crazy, took less that 2 seconds. The measuring tool was slightly more painful but manageable and took about 3 seconds. The most painful part was the reinsertion which was a sharp cramp that lasted about 6 seconds followed by milder cramps (totally manageable). I was able to do everything I normally do after. I didn’t go back to work but that was mostly because I took the anti-anxiety med and was sleepy.

After care:

It’s been a week and I feel pretty much back to normal aside from very light spotting and a few cramps here and there nothing major (basically feels like a period which I haven’t had in months). I will say two nights after my appointment I forgot to take some meds before bed and I woke up in some pain but as soon as I took the naproxen and Tylenol I felt much better. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad for the cramps this will be your bestie for a few days. Remember to keep up with meds for the first few days to avoid any uncomfortable cramping.

One thing I was really worried about was that I would have symptoms like the first insertion (intense cramping and bleeding) I think my body was used to having something in there because this has been a way easier experience. I’m only a week out but I feel way better than last time.

Overall, I am so glad I got it replaced as I really contemplated just getting it removed after my first experience. Everyone’s body is different, this is my experience but I thought I would share as someone who had a bad first experience. I was sure the replacement would be just as horrific but I am pleasantly surprised. I now understand both sides of how an IUD insertion can go. In my situation the prep, communication and the NUMBING SHOT (seriously get the numbing shot) made a huge difference when I compare the two experiences. Seriously the IUD is a great form of birth control and it is a little bit of pain for 5 years of not having to think about taking a pill everyday.