I'm curious what problems you have in mind. Of my friends who I know use an IUD, 4 out of 4 say some variation of "how could you consider using anything else?" The only complaint that I heard from this admittedly small sample is a day's worth of discomfort following insertion.

As far as IUD's, let's not forget there are two types: paragaurd (copper) IUD and Mirena (levonorgestrel eg hormonal) IUD. There are different side-effects associated with both although I have anecdotally heard that paragaurd's side effects are mild compared to oral contraceptives. Should someone not wish to use hormonal BC or if they cannot for various medical reasons-->paragaurd is what you are stuck with. And its great in many ways (no babies, no babies and no babies), but many women experience periods that last over a week and spotting in between as well as extremely painful cramps. I was on it for 6 years and I'm so happy I finally got it removed. In summary, IUD's are of course a great form of BC, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue more options. I don't think I'm stating anything earth shattering when I say, women wouldn't mind more non-hormonal based BC options.

I'm not sure how that would inform my awareness of the fact that IUDs provide effective birth control for women for 10 years after insertion. But I'm in medical school, so you can make a guess as to how many of the women that I know happily use IUDs (hint: many).

> rudiger: When you say you know these women, do you mean in the biblical sense?

This crass garbage has no place on HN.

As always, it depends on the woman; I know one who swears by them, though I've never had sex with her so I wouldn't know for sure.

You only believe what women say when you've had sex with them? What?

The OP mentioned a change in sensation for men. He's suggesting that he is not qualified to comment on that.

"Have you ever had sex with someone who has an IUD. Or talked to a woman with an IUD to see her opinion on it? Because it's not all you make it out to be."

Where does the OP say anything about a change of sensation in men?

Yes; I was conceding that I've never had sex with someone who has an IUD, only talked to them. You'd have to ask nekitamo what exactly one should learn from having sex with someone who has an IUD.

As someone who has sex on a regular basis with (one) woman who has an IUD, my experience has been that it has no impact whatsoever if installed properly. The uterus (where an IUD lives, naturally) is not typically involved in the act of sex.

I figured as much. You'll have to ask nekitamo what he was on about.

I've never noticed the IUD, but I did notice the NuvaRing (it wasn't bad or obtrusive, just "uh, wtf is that?")

Um, read the comment I was replying to for context.