Question:
So.....After some research, I am seriously considering using an IUD as a form of birthcontrol. Due to my age and the fact that I occasionally indulge in cigarettes and cigars, my nurse practioner thought this might be a good birth control tool for me, as well as help control my periods (they have gotten really heavy since I have been off the pill. )

My NP knows my herpes status, but never mentioned if there might be a potential risk for spreading it into my cervix during insertion. I started to think about this a few days ago, have tried to research it, found nothing. Although I rarely get outbreaks, and they tend to be on my labia and not internally (although who knows THATfor sure) it really made me stop and think about the potential of spreading the virus to my cervix. Who needs THAT?

I would imagine she would have mentioned the risks if there were any, but who knows!?!? With such a lack of knowledge in regards to herpes and its transmission, maybe she doesn't know of such risks (if there are any.)

SOOOO....if anybody on this MB has any knowledge/insight, it would be greatly appreciated.


Ouch

ps. After reading what I have on mirena/iud, I am now reconsidering THAT as well...sheesh, can't win man. Just give me back my good ole birth control pills. I LOVE them!

Answer:
what about the iud makes you have this concern? is this about the procedure involved in inserting it or something else?

Answer:
Mainly the insertion procedure itself. I am sure they are very careful, but you figure they do slightly dilate you to do the insertion. Now, lets say for example you are "shedding" or having an outbreak along your vaginal walls (I am not even sure if I DO have an outbreak there, I don't think so, but who knows?!!) and as they are inserting the IUD, it somehow brushes up against the lesion or shedding area. Wouldn't that potentially cause the herpes to spread up into the cervix?

I would have asked my NP about all this when I went in for the initial consultation, but it never even crossed my mind until recently.

And at first I was really sold on this product (the mirena iud) but having read some of the side effects and complications women have had, I am having second thoughts. The herpes aspect is the icing on the cake.

UGH! What is a woman to do when she is no longer a fabulous 20something about her reproductive choices!! Getting older stinks! I loved being on the pill...love love LOVED it. Now that I am 35, and a "part time" smoker (oh, I have tried to quit over the years, I smoke about once a month....my one and only vice! But apparently it is enough so that my NP doesn't want to put me on the pill..which, kudos to her for being so thorough and astute!) my reproductive choices are slimming down. We use condoms too, but I like the hormones from the pill as they negate my menstrual cycle to damn near nothing, AND help with my pms!

Answer:
I am not a dr or nurse but do have some basic understandings of medical procedures.

I would theorize (only because I cannot be 100% certain) that the iud is contained in a sterile insertion case that once inserted through the cervix is then released. (I had one years ago and wished I could remember what they did as far as a local anesthetic etc.) They would more than likely open the vagina with the speculum which covers part of the external vaginal area and aim the device through the cervix which would be clearly visible no reason to fish around. The insertion device would then be removed. It is a sterile procedure. I think it would be unlikely that they would insert it in a manner that would be disturbing the cells in the vagina in such a way as to cause the hsv to be relocated.

I fail to understand how an iud would help control your periods. The iud's function is to make the uterus environment inhospitable to the implantation of a fertilized egg and doesn't contain hormones.

Answer:
I might add that when I had mine I don't think they dilated my cervix. It caused me problems and I had to have it removed. That was maybe 20 years ago. I had the old fashioned copper 7. I had pain when it got cold and break thru bleeding and it scarred my uterus etc.

You are young are you planning to have children? This might influence your decision.

I am going to look up the iud you mentioned as I am curious about what is different with it.

Answer:
looked it up. wow they have hormones in them now. in that case it would help with the period.

Answer:
My sister has the Mirena coil fitted,from what i have learnt,the mirena coil is a hormone coil that lasts about 5 years, i am sure it is eostregen based, and is said to be 99.9% effective, saying that i know someone who caught for a baby, while it was still fitted inside!!!

I am sure you don't have periods after a while with it fitted,
It can really sort PMT out, my sister swears by it,but due to her finding a lump in her breast which was benign, was advised to have it removed.

I think if you cant take the pill, this is the 2nd best contraception, just remember to have it changed as your 5 years is coming to an end,as it runs out of the hormones.