I have had both the copper -T ( 2 different cooper Ts) and Mirena IUDs. I liked that the Copper T was good for 10 years.
I had minor break through bleeding with both, more with Mirena. Minimally heavier periods with copper T.
Pregnancy after w/o any problems.
I am strongly in the camp of IUDs and will guide my own D21 to this option choice when the time comes. I have only used IUDs for birth control. 2 different copper Ts before D21 and Mirena after.
This is a great and timely thread for me. Thanks CC 
@romanigypsyeyes and @OrchidBloom thanks for your info and answering my questions! I have learned a lot more about IUDs here (not that I need this info, but it’s helpful for my D)
For those that say their partner feels the string; this isn’t typical. The string is trimmed by the practitioner after insertion, so if your partner is well endowed 
ask for the string to be cut shorter!
We use the Mirena for many teens as there is not the worry of them forgetting the pill and getting pregnant. Most love it and do not have to worry about birth control for 5 years; have light to no periods is a plus.
The IUD’s used now are not like the ones our age group used 40 years ago; these are much safer and have a good track record.
As far as the Paraguard; the heavy bleeding will slow down within 6 months, although we have had a few patients that have it pulled after a month or two as they can not tolerate the heavy bleeding. Once that passes, one doesn’t have to think of birth control for 10 years!!
Again, if a patient wants an IUD, that is our first choice. Many also like the NuvaRing as it only has to be inserted once a month. If one wants to avoid a period at all, the NivaRing as well as the pill can be used continuously; so exchanging the NivaRing every 3 weeks.
I had 3 Mirenas over about 12 years. Loved it. No periods at all.
My doctor actually had been recommending I get an IUD instead of the pill. I’ve been on the pill over 30 years, no problems, but she wants to put me on estrogen (I agree with her reasoning). But I’m 54, I’m too old to have to deal with an IUD, seems that I should be going through menapause one of these days. Can’t believe I’m hoping for that. 
^Menopause has been wonderful for me. I had night sweats for awhile, but that was my only symptom. Except for having a harder time losing weight, I don’t see any negatives.
^^ I’m the same way. It’s been MUCH easier than I anticipated. I wonder if menopause is easier on women who had easy periods? I’m among those who rarely cramped or felt bad during menstruation, and likewise menopause hasn’t been an issue.
To be fair, I did say that it only happens to some people.
Hope menopause is as easy for me as you guys, you are fortunate!
@romanigypsyeyes I didn’t mean to direct that to your comment; we have a few patients that swear their partner can feel the string, even when it is trimmed short. One patient actually had hers taken out ask her husband didn’t like it. I think with the string trimmed at an appropriate length, most men have no idea it is there.
Trimming the string shorter is the opposite of what you want to do. The shorter it is the more likely to be felt because it will stick straight out of the cervix instead of coiling around and lying flat. It’s when it sticks out that it can be felt. If it is trimmed to be completely inside the cervix then maybe, but I think the directions say one is supposed to check for the strings from time to time to make sure it is there.
DD has a Mirena. She wanted the Skyla but was convinced by her provider that the Mirena was the better choice as good for 5 years. She had terrible side-effects from pills, as did I. The IUD dramatically decreased periods (in most cases) and buying less tampons is an extra bonus. She has no ill effects from the IUD like she did with BCPs
Yes, it is suggested that the patient check the string; most do not. The provider will check the string at the yearly exam, which really is good enough. Unless a patient is having pain, or periods begin to get heavier, there is no reason to believe the IUD is embedded or has been expelled.
When I say cutting the string short, I do not mean too short; if too short, the provider would have trouble removing it when the time comes.
OP here, thanks for all the stories and tips! I will be doing more research and passing thoughts along to DD.
@eh1234 I don’t think my DD minds my oversharing. She’s made it very clear that she thinks it’s weird but harmless that I talk about her with strangers on the internet… and she prefers CC threads to me making embarrassing sappy FB posts in honor of her birthday!
Speaking of periods, D has two places she can get the IUD inserted here while she is home. One (local doctor) insists she must be on her period, the other (PP) says they prefer it but can do it if she isn’t.
From the research I’ve done it seems she ought to be able to have it anytime, provided a pregnancy test is done - and PP wants a Pap smear also, first.
Is it really necessary?
I wasn’t for any of mine.
My D’s doc insisted on her being on period for implants. Pain in the tail.
D’s doctor told her that it was preferred because the patient tends to feel it less.
I’ve been reading with interest. One of mine gets a progesterone only shot every 3 months. I asked her last night if her D talked about an IUD and she said yes but in her case they would only do a copper IUD. They pulled her off a traditional estrogen-progesterone pill due to her migraines. Her Dr won’t do the Mirena also due to the headaches. aaide from some weight gain she has been happy with the shot.