So I want an IUD. The current insurance will cover the doctor's visits but not the device itself so it will still cost.

Maybe check Planned Parenthood, see what their sliding scale cost might be, especially since you haven't found a job yet.

Just as another data point, I found the IUD messed with my mood a bit in the same way the pill did, at least for the first two years.

Mirena, or the copper one? I've heard a fair handful of stories from women whose moods got screwy with the Mirena, which I guess is from the hormones. If it is the hormones, maybe the copper IUD wouldn't do that. (On the flip side, the copper IUD makes periods heavier in a lot of women, versus the Mirena's awesome magical power to make the period go away.)

Hmm. Would an iUD let me skip periods but not make my hair straight? The pill is making my hair straight and it makes me sad. But my period gives me migraines.

The Mirena's hormone dose is exceedingly low, so while it's not outside the realm of possibility that it would make your hair weird, it probably wouldn't. Also -- and I admit that I haven't ever really looked this up to see how clinically true it is -- my OB/GYN said that because the Mirena releases hormones in the uterus and because they're such a low dose, the amount of hormones that gets into systemic circulation is very low compared to the BCP. (I asked her that b/c, the closer I get to 40, the more I get freaked out by the potential cardiac effects of the BCP. I know that odds are highest in smokers, and I don't smoke, but I feel like I already have the cardiac deck stacked against me.)

After doing some googling of IUD and bipolar disorder it looks like other women have had issues with Minera and there were suggestions of Paragard - which is the no hormone one.

I'm like 99.9% sure I don't want kids so maybe I should seriously think about getting my tubes tied.

Edited -the main problem i had with the pill is forgetting to take it. The main problem I had with depo was feeling short tempered and easily going on an edge, esp right after the shot. I'd go from fine to really fighting the feeling of HULK SMASH. Which sucks and made things like work hard to do.

I've been lucky with the IUD. I plan on keeping it until menopause if I can get away with it.

Mirena, or the copper one? I've heard a fair handful of stories from women whose moods got screwy with the Mirena, which I guess is from the hormones.

Yep, Mirena. Also, while I'm guessing the mood stuff was related to the IUD, truth is I was also dealing with a baby and a toddler and massive sleep deprivation, so there were other mood-depressors to consider.

If it is the hormones, maybe the copper IUD wouldn't do that. (On the flip side, the copper IUD makes periods heavier in a lot of women, versus the Mirena's awesome magical power to make the period go away.)

And I DO appreciate said magical power. It's the main reason I'm considering replacing it with the same.

Oh HELLS yeah. Not having a period is almost better than not having that nagging question in the back of my head going, "Was that condom REALLY okay?" t edit (Wow, I'm tired. What I mean is, there are 2 main benefits to me to the IUD: one is no period, and the other is damn near bulletproof birth control. And I almost think my favorite of the 2 is the no-period thing.)

Yeah. I R paranoid. Go on. Act surprised.

I share that paranoia, Steph.

We totally also still use condoms. We are a tense, suspicious couple when it comes to creating life and the prevention thereof.

Now go look at Connie Neil's link in Natter

If I ever start needing birth control again, I might have to consider the Mirena, despite my whimpering fear of the pain of the insertion. I hated the Pill, it made me crazy, and I'm allergic to latex, and I don't trust any other condoms.

despite my whimpering fear of the pain of the insertion.

Anecdata tells me that it's not that bad for most women. (Well, anecdata and the interwebs.) However, it was a sharp pain for me, worse than I expected, but over quickly. (That said, I gasped so loudly that I shocked my OB/GYN. Perhaps her practice is only for people who feel no pain.)

I'm curious if it will hurt the same amount this time. Obviously hoping it won't.