What To Do And Look For At Home
- You may have some cramping or a small amount of vaginal bleeding that may last several hours to several days after the IUD removal. You may use a sanitary pad or a tampon if you need to until the bleeding stops.
- It can take up to 3 months after the IUD removal for your normal menstrual cycle to return.
- After removal of your IUD, you no longer have birth control. It is important to talk to your health care provider about another method of birth control if you do not wish to become pregnant.
You Can Actually Use The Copper Iud As Emergency Contraception
Many people dont realize this, but the copper IUD is an effective form of emergency contraception as long as its inserted within five days after unprotected sex, according to the ACOG. A 2012 meta-analysis published in the journal Human Reproduction looked at 42 studies and found that the copper IUD had a pregnancy rate of only 0.09% when it was used as a form of emergency contraception.
The copper IUD causes inflammation in the uterine lining and may prevent implantation of the developing embryo, Dr. Worly explains.
Of course, this isnt necessarily the most convenient form of emergency contraception. If you werent planning on getting an IUD, pill-based forms might make more sense for you depending on how easily youre able to access them versus an intrauterine device.
How To Prepare For Getting An Iud Inserted For The First Time
If you have decided to try an IUD, there are several things you can do to prepare. While not necessary, consider scheduling your IUD insertion on a day off or at the end of your workday. This gives you time to rest after the insertion. Another thing to consider is getting a ride to your appointment, as some people can feel a little unwell afterward.
Here are other suggestions that can help the IUD insertion go smoothly and comfortably:
-
Take or an hour before your appointment.
-
Have a small snack such as peanut butter and crackers.
-
Make sure you are well-hydrated.
-
Sometimes it is appropriate to use a medicine called that softens the cervix to decrease your pain. Ask your provider about this if you are interested in trying it.
-
Avoid unprotected sex for the 2 weeks before your IUD insertion.
You may want to schedule your IUD insertion while you are on your period. This will ensure that it is effective immediately. It may also make the insertion less painful because the cervix is slightly dilated during your period.
Read Also: Signs To Know Your Period Is Coming
When Do I Need To Get My Iud Removed
The timeline for IUD removal varies based on the specific type of IUD and how long it works.
Heres how long hormonal IUD options are recommended for use:
-
Mirena: recommended for up to five years
-
Kyleena: recommended for up to five years
-
Liletta: recommended for up to six years
-
Skyla: recommended for up to three years
As for the copper Paragard, which doesnt use hormones? That superstar is recommended for up to 10 years of use, the Mayo Clinic says. Remember: You can always get your IUD removed earlier than any of these benchmarks if you want to get pregnant or if youve decided another birth control option makes more sense for you.
What Happens To Your Period After You Remove The Copper Iud
Copper IUDs can make periods heavier and crampier at first, but for some people, that abates, while others deal with more intense periods the entire time they have the IUD, the Mayo Clinic says. After getting a copper IUD removed, your period might become lighter and less annoying or not change much at all, the experts explain.
Users should always seek professional advice relevant to their particular set of circumstances from a qualified health professional or other relevant professional organisations. Ive missed a period with the copper coil in even though I had a normal period last month.
Also Check: Having A Period For A Month
Iud Stuck In Uterine Wall
Very rarely, an IUD may have become stuck in the uterine wall and it cannot easily be pulled out. Your healthcare provider can use different techniques, such as ultrasound, hysterography , or hysteroscopy to determine if this has taken place.
If your IUD is stuck in your uterus, your healthcare provider may have to dilate your cervix and use forceps to remove your IUD. If this happens during your IUD removal, it is very likely that your healthcare provider will give you a local anesthetic to help reduce any pain or discomfort.
After You Get The Copper Iud You Might Have Worse Periods Than Before And This Effect May Or May Not Last
Lets talk about possible copper IUD side effects. The copper IUD might increase your period pain and bleeding or cause bleeding between periods, the ACOG says. Thats why its not recommended for people with conditions like endometriosis that can already cause heavy and painful periods, Dr. Shirazian says.
Some methods of birth control only seem to make your period worse because theyre not improving it, but the copper IUD can actually drive up bleeding and pain in some people. This is because of the local inflammation it causes in your uterus, Dr. Shirazian says, which can lead to extra irritation and blood.
Everyone is different, and if you experience this copper IUD side effect, its hard to predict how long it will last. The good news is that for many people, this issue goes away or at least decreases after using the IUD for a year, the ACOG says. If youre at all concerned about how your period might change with the copper IUD, this is definitely something to bring up with your doctor.
Don’t Miss: Why Does Copper Iud Cause Heavier Periods
I Didn’t Have My Period Anymore And Generally Felt Really Good
It was a little painful getting inserted but then I never felt it. Plus I didn’t have my period anymore and generally felt really good with it. After 5 years I got the Mirena removed, because I wanted to have my period again and not be on any birth control, but just be âall naturalâ. That’s actually when I started using Clue. When I had the Mirena taken out I gained about 6 kilos , and also grew hair on my chin, which is annoying. âLena, female, 29, Leipzig, Germany
Trouble Getting Pregnant After Removal
Difficulty getting pregnant after IUD removal may often have nothing to do with an IUD. In most circumstances, birth control methods dont delay fertility.
According to a 2018 review of studies, contraceptive use regardless of duration and type doesnt have a negative effect on the ability to conceive after removal or discontinuation. The researchers also found that it doesnt delay fertility.
In fact, of the 14,884 women included in the study review, 83 percent were able to get pregnant within the first 12 months after contraceptive discontinuation. This includes the removal of IUDs, with 2,374 women making up the group of IUD users.
With that in mind, Scotchie says if you have any underlying fertility problems that wouldnt necessarily present when an IUD is in place such as ovulation irregularity, heavy and irregular periods, or pelvic pain your chances of conceiving may be affected.
Anyone with irregular cycles, heavy, painful menses, or who has been trying to conceive for 12 months without success or 6 months without success should see a physician, explains Scotchie.
Another reason you may have trouble getting pregnant after IUD removal, says Merhi, is scarring in the uterus from the IUD itself. This is especially true if you had any type of infection, which could cause difficulty conceiving and might increase the chance of a miscarriage, he says.
Read Also: How Do You Know If Your Getting Your Period
I Liked That It Was Long
I got a Jaydess in March 2018. Iâve always had adverse side effects to the pill and the implant was even worse for me . My doctor recommended the IUD because it contains a significantly lower dose of hormones and is localised to the area where it needs to be working. A copper IUD was out of the question for me as I already had heavy and painful periods. I liked that it was long-term but still reversible if I didnât get on with it.
The insertion was honestly the most pain Iâve ever experienced. I experienced bleeding and very intense cramps for a few days after insertion but it all subsided after a week. Iâm pretty scared to get it changed, but considering how well Iâve got on with it, that worry has subsided considerably.
2M+ ratings
Iud Cramps: Bottom Line
Cramps are a common side effect of IUD usage, especially copper IUDs. In most cases, IUD cramps can be managed with appropriate pain medication and stop after a while. In rare cases, you may feel unusually severe cramps with an IUD, which is a sign you need to consult with your doctor.
An IUD also has a number of advantages:
- Its one of the most effective contraceptive methods available today .
- IUDs have a very good safety profile. They pose no major health risks, including cardiovascular risks and risks of venous blood clots.
- Its a long-lasting method that provides 37 or up to 12 years of protection from unplanned pregnancy.
- An IUD can be easily removed, after which you can get pregnant very soon.
- A hormonal IUD can actually help your period cramps and make your periods less heavy.
Read Also: What Drinks Help With Period Cramps
Fist Things First: What Is An Iud
IUD stands for intrauterine device and its a small, flexible, T-shaped device made of copper or plastic that fits inside your uterus and works by delivering either copper ions or the hormone progestin as a form of birth control.
According to Planned Parenthood, Its long-term, reversible, and one of the most effective birth control methods out there.
If you have an IUD already, you know that once its in, you cant even feel it. And while you may almost forget its there, one reminder that the device is working is the effect on your monthly period.
Many people who use IUD see lighter periods as a major upside. However, it can feel pretty strange to have your period for a long time and then suddenly not have one anymore. If youre wondering what the device does to your uterine lining , we asked docs to explain it to us.
Are There Any Problems With Iuds
The most common side effects of the IUD include:
- irregular bleeding for the first few months
- with the copper IUD, heavier periods with more cramps
- lighter and shorter periods with some kinds of progestin IUDs
- PMS-like symptoms such as moodiness, headaches, acne, nausea, and breast tenderness with the hormonal IUD
Rare problems include:
Expulsion. An IUD can come out of the uterus by accident . Sometimes a woman doesn’t know this has happened. If an IUD comes even part of the way out, it does not protect against pregnancy. A woman can check that an IUD is still in place by feeling for the string . After someone has an IUD inserted, she’ll need to go back for a follow-up visit to check that the IUD is properly in place.
Perforation of the uterus. There’s an extremely small risk that an IUD might push through the wall of the uterus while it is being put in.
Pelvic inflammatory disease . There’s a very low risk of infection from bacteria getting into the uterus during IUD insertion. Most such infections happen in the first 20 days after placement of the IUD.
You May Like: How To Know When Your Period Is Coming Again
The Iud Removal Process Tends To Be Fairly Quick And Simple
When youre ready to have your IUD removed, your medical practitioner will grasp onto your IUDs strings with forceps, then pull out the device. As the IUD leaves your body, its arms will fold in. You might experience some bleeding and cramping during this process and afterward, according to the Mayo Clinic. You can have your IUD removed at any time . Once the IUD is out, your fertility should get back to normal pretty much immediately, so if youre not ready to get pregnant, youll either need a new IUD or another form of birth control. You can typically have a new IUD inserted during your removal appointment if youd like.
The Risk Of Expulsion And Perforation Are Very Low But They Do Occasionally Happen
IUDs come with a small risk of expulsion, which is when your body starts to push the IUD out of you. There isnt a ton of research on this out there, but the average expulsion incidence rate is between 2 to 10% of users, the ACOG says. Risk factors include recently having had the IUD inserted, getting it placed right after childbirth, and history of heavy or prolonged periods, among others. Though you dont really need to stress about this possibility, if it were to happen to you, you might experience symptoms like bleeding and cramping, feel something hard coming from your cervix, or see the IUD somewhere outside of your body however, it is possible to experience an expulsion without any major symptoms.
IUDs can also cause perforation, which is when the device pushes through the wall of your uterus. It sounds alarming, but again, the risk is really low. According to a 2015 study published in the journal Conception, out of 61,448 people who had an IUD, only 20 with the copper form experienced a perforation. In fact, perforation most often happens due to an error during placement. Much like with expulsion, this isnt something that needs to keep you up at night, but if you were dealing with perforation, you would potentially experience pelvic pain , though you might not experience any major symptoms at all.
Read Also: Can I Get Pregnant 6 Days After My Period
Does It Hurt To Get An Iud
Most women feel cramping or mild discomfort during the insertion process. If you do feel pain, it usually only lasts a moment. After the IUD is inserted, you may feel dizzy or faint. I recommend taking an ibuprofen before your appointment. Making sure that your appointment lands during the last days of your period, when your cervix is naturally open, can reduce discomfort.
The process to put in an IUD begins like a pelvic exam. A speculum, the metal instrument used during a pelvic exam, is inserted into your vagina. This opens your vagina to allow access to your cervix. A small tube with the IUD in it is inserted through your cervix. The IUD arms are bent back in the tube and open once its in your uterus. The process usually takes less than five minutes.