Member Testimonial

Wondering what it may look like to start birth control? Read about one of our members' experience with getting an IUD.

At the end of my freshman year, I decided that it was high time to go on some sort of birth control. I was leaving to study abroad over the summer, so I had a deadline to get it done by. Since Austin wasn’t my hometown, I didn’t have a doctor in the city. This meant I had to go to the UHS to figure out what my options were. The UHS has a separate Women’s Health Services office. Making and signing into an appointment for the Women’s Health Center is the same as the process would be for a general appointment. The Women’s Health Center has a multitude of different services, like contraception consultations, STI testing, and breast health exams. When going in for contraception, the first appointment was informational. During the consultation, the doctor talked me through different contraception types. I had my mind set on getting an IUD, but there were several different options to choose from. I ended up settling on the Mirena after hearing more about it. After I left, the Women’s Health Center reached out to my health provider to check what their policy was regarding contraceptives. A few days after the meeting, they sent me a secure message letting me know how much I’d personally have to pay for the procedure.

For the insertion of the IUD, a second appointment was made. Before the appointment, I took a recommended dose of ibuprofen. It was suggested that I have someone come with me and take me home afterward. Since I lived close by, I just asked my roommate to wait and walk back with me afterwards. The procedure itself was extremely quick, probably under 30 minutes. A major concern of mine was what the pain would be like when the IUD was inserted. Overall, I’d rate the pain that I experienced as akin to a period cramp. Additionally, the doctor did a wonderful job of preparing me by describing what she would be doing next. During the whole procedure, I felt comfortable and informed about what was happening with my body. I was given a schedule for when to take ibuprofen over the following few days. About two hours following the procedure, any pain I felt had waned, so taking medicine wasn’t necessary in my case.

Usually, a few weeks after the IUD is inserted, it’s a good idea to go back for a follow-up appointment so that the doctors can ensure that everything is okay. Since I was about to head off overseas for the summer, my follow-up appointment was pushed back to the beginning of the fall semester. Over the month and a half following, I did notice a change in my mood level. I found that I experienced more mood swings. I was more prone to crying and more prone to anger. This was something that I expected as most new contraceptives affect moods when the body is still getting used to them. I did bleed lightly for a little while following, but it has since stopped in its entirety. About 2 months after I got the IUD, I felt like my normal self again.

Getting an IUD can be a bit of a daunting task, especially with a doctor/hospital system you’re not particularly familiar with. But, the Women’s Health department of the UHS did a wonderful job of making me feel comfortable with and knowledgeable about the contraceptive plan I had chosen. I highly recommend at least going in for an informational appointment with the doctor. That being said, I can only speak on behalf of my personal experiences. It should be noted that not everyone responds to getting an IUD the same. Be sure to make the decision that’s best for you and your body!