I have been using IUDs since my daughter was born 29 years ago and I still use one to this day...

The first time you go to have one inserted you must be on your period( third day I think) as to ascertain you are not pregnant. Only the first time! The procedure is, if done by a good gyno takes 5 minutes. While it is being inserted you will first feel cramping somewhat like when you get your period. I compare it to very very mild cramping of early labor but that only occurs because the cervix is opened in order to insert the IUD. After you may or may not feel increased cramping, it depends on your makeup and no one can say for sure whether you will have them or not. Most women do though...It is like all forms of birth control. Some have adverse affects on people and some don't. If your cramps get increasing worse to the point of being unbearable, then it is best to discuss the removal of the IUD with your doctor. The doctor will tell you how to tell if the IUD is still in place(LOL I think I checked every time I went to the bathroom for the first while) and you must have a follow up one month after the procedure to assure that it is indeed still there. I was advised to use a condom too until my revisit to the doctor just in case it came out. It never did. The doctor told me I would know by the discomfort whether the IUD was being rejected by my body.

Some women's bodies do naturally try to expel anything inserted in the uterus but it is not as common as in years gone by.

I have not once had a problem with using this form of birth control and I highly recommend you go and talk to your doctor in order to educate you on this little contraption.

I noticed that for a couple of months after insertion(the very first time) that my cramps were somewhat more intense but that subsided and my periods did tend to be a bit heavier but that too did not last long. I was also told to avoid sex for a week or two after the insertion to enable my cervix to completely close and avoid the chance of it coming out. Also no tampons for the first period after insertion...unless that has changed.

Some people feel comfort in using just a condom for birth control....I didn't and still don't. I definately don't think of having an IUD put in place as being a drastic move at all....it will provide that extra comfort of knowing your not pregnant Where as we all now know to use condoms in new relationships to prevent STDs having an IUD in place is like double protection for not becoming pregnant for condoms do break at times.

Hope this info has helped....