One week update

A few minor updates:

On Sunday, I had horrible cramps for about an hour to an 1 1/2. Awful, had to stop what I was doing and live with the pain type cramps. Then, while wearing some white shorts, I got my period a few hours later! Luckily I was at home, so it was an easy clean up.

I also had unprotected sex that morning with no pain! Another win!

Today was interesting though. I had asked my doctor about using a menstrual cup with an IUD and she said it should be fine; I just had to watch the strings when I took it out. Well, today I learned that her advice was well founded. As I took out my menstrual cup, I had some of the worst pain I've felt since I expelled Mirena. Needless to say, I panicked thinking that I pulled the IUD down. The pain didn't go away for a while either, it was debilitating for a time. I called my doctor and got in later in the day. They did an ultra sound and luckily, my IUD was still perfectly placed. Phew!

Haven't had any pain since! It actually feels totally normal down there, like I don't even have an IUD! Maybe a weird tug is all it needed to be placed right. Who the hell knows.

Anyway, other than that, everything is going swimmingly!

Skyla Round 2, IUD #3

As of today, I have a brand spanking new Skyla resting in my picky uterus.

The pain of insertion wasnt't fun, but it was SO MUCH LESS PAINFUL than Mirena. Makes me think I'll never get the copper one! Yikes.

Anyway, I breathed through the pain and didn't let out a yelp, so I feel that is a win in and of itself!

The post-insertion cramps are super manageable too. They are just really mild period cramps not even worth taking pain killers. Maybe each IUD gets easier :D

My gyno told me I have to check my strings more often, and come into the office for a check up every three months. And I am totally keeping up on that this time, because before, I was really bad about that. Also about checking my strings.

One thing I totally forgot to ask about was how soon I could have unprotected sex. I was on my period when I got the first one in (and I like, wasn't having sex with anyone). When I got the second one, I was taking the pill 4 times a day to stop the bleeding right up until that thing was inserted. Well, I wasn't on my period (but I KNOW I am pretty damn close. If not from the handy app I use to track them but also because my body likes to let me know). I'm thinking I'll either wait 7 days or for my period to come.

It's rather sad but my boyfriend and I haven't had sex since our last discussion :/ I just felt so unsexy for different reasons and I figured we could just wait until I got the IUD.... so..... yeah.

Thinking of the next IUD

After almost 3 months of being off of hormones, I gotta say I feel great. My periods last 3 days, my cramps are minimal, and my cycle is regulating! I'm slowing shedding the weight, although I could have been better about working out and eating right. Still, progress is being made.

Now for the downside...

My boyfriend has been having a hard time finishing using condoms. This is getting frustrating to say the least. For the past 3 months, it has happened off and on, but he always attributed to one thing or another. Being to full, being a bit tired, etc. Back when I pushed out my IUD, he was so supportive of me going BC free, assuring me that he wanted whatever made me happy. And while I suspected he was a bit disappointed, he assured me condoms were 100% cool.

Well, after numerous occasions of him not being able to finish, I finally asked him if it was because of the condoms, and he admitted he had been struggling with it. He didn't want to say anything because I was so content without BC, but I think he is having a harder time than he thought.

I know what he means, I hate condoms too. I dry out faster, and I always have a smell after we are done. We go through lube a lot too. And while I always thought that men having problems with condoms was their own damn fault, I can't really say that for my boyfriend. We are 30 years old now, he has gone his entire sexually active life wearing condoms - as have I -  and this is the first time we've ever gone without one to finish. He isn't comfortable with starting without a condom and finishing with one, so that option is off the table.

So, now I am re-reading my posts, trying to remember the best of the bad bunch. The copper IUD kinda scares me, but is also tempting. Then I think of Skyla and how I didn't have a loss of sex drive nor did it effect the intensity of orgasms. It might have hindered by ability to lose weight but I also remember when I started to work out more, I was losing weight. It just took a bit more effort.

I do know that I will never do Mirena again.

All I do know is that this is a struggle and a decision I need to make soon. Updates to come....