How Long Can I Leave My Iud In
An IUD can stay in place for three, five or 10 years before it needs to be replaced, depending on the type of IUD. When you have it put in, the nurse or doctor will tell you when you will need to have it replaced.
You may be able to keep the IUD longer if you are in your 40s. If you get a copper IUD put in after you turn 40 or a hormonal IUD put in after you turn 45, your IUD may be able to stay in place until menopause. Ask the nurse or doctor if this is an option for you.
How To Use A Menstrual Cup With An Iud
Take these steps to lower the odds of your IUD coming out when you use a menstrual cup:
- Keep your menstrual cup away from your IUD strings. âBe sure the strings donât get caught in between the edge of the cup and your vaginal wall, where they can get pulled on when your cup is coming out,â Ghofrany says. They should be inside your cup.
- Watch for changes in your strings. Check your strings regularly. If you know how they usually feel, itâll be easier to know if something changes. If theyâre longer than normal, for example, it may be a sign your IUD has moved.
- Ask your doctor for shorter strings. They can cut your IUD strings to a better length for you. “Make sure your IUD string isnât so long that when you remove your cup, the IUD gets tugged out along with it,â Williams says.
- Break the seal. Your menstrual cup should create suction when you put it in. When youâre ready to take it out, make sure you break the seal first. If you donât, you may cause too much pressure, and that can dislodge your IUD. Try pressing your cup into a C-shape before you take it out so you donât have to pull on the base.
- Get the right size. Not all cups have the same fit. Some brands may sit lower in your vagina, while others are higher and closer to your cervix. Ask your doctor which one is best for you.
- Consider an alternative. Try a menstrual disc instead of a menstrual cup. Itâs less likely to affect your IUD because it uses less suction.
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Who Should Get It
The Kyleena IUD has been specifically researched with nulliparous women so, the FDA has approved Kyleena to be used by women in this population.
Kyleena’s product labeling states that this IUD can be used whether or not you have given birth to a child. But IUDs are not recommended for all women, so make sure you meet the criteria of being a good candidate and talk to your healthcare provider about any potential risks.
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Iud Cramps During The First Months With It
Hormonal and copper IUDs affect menstruation differently. A hormonal IUD can ease your menstrual cramps and make your periods scantier. On the contrary, a copper IUD can cause increased menstrual cramping and heavier periods. These symptoms usually improve in 36 months.
If IUD cramps continue to bother you and pain relievers dont help much, you may wish to consult your doctor. In rare cases, the symptoms can be severe enough to consider removing the IUD.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Unusually heavy vaginal bleeding
If you have any of these symptoms, its best to consult with your health care provider as soon as possible.
Its also important to check the IUD strings from time to time. If you feel that theyve become shorter or if you can feel the bottom of the IUD itself, it means that the IUD is out of place and you need medical attention. If your IUD is out of place, it may not provide protection from pregnancy, so you need to use a backup method of contraception.
Who Can Use Them
Most healthy women can use an IUD. Theyâre especially suited to women with one partner and at low risk of contracting an STD. IUDs don’t protect against STDs. You shouldnât use one if:
- You have an STD or had a recent pelvic infection.
- Youâre pregnant.
- You have cancer of the cervix or uterus.
- You have unexplained vaginal bleeding.
You canât use the copper IUD if you have an allergy to copper or have Wilson’s disease, which causes your body hold too much copper.
Hormonal IUDs are considered safe unless you have liver disease, breast cancer, or are at a high risk for breast cancer.
In rare cases, the size or shape of your uterus may make it tough to place an IUD. Watch a video on the truth about IUDs and their safety.
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How Does It Feel To Get An Iud Put In
People usually feel some cramping or pain when they’re getting their IUD placed. The pain can be worse for some, but luckily it only lasts for a minute or two.
Some doctors tell you to take pain medicine before you get the IUD to help prevent cramps. They also might inject a local numbing medicine around your cervix to make it more comfortable.
Some people feel dizzy during or right after the IUD is put in, and there’s a small chance of fainting. You might want to ask someone to come with you to the appointment so you don’t have to drive or go home alone, and to give yourself some time to relax afterward.
Are Iuds Effective In Preventing Pregnancy
Both types of IUDs are incredibly effective. Less than one percent of all women who get them get pregnant. In other words, fewer than one out of one hundred people using them will accidentally get pregnant.
IUDs are effective as soon as they are correctly inserted, and they stay effective for many years. They are great for women who are not yet ready to start a family. However, they can always be taken out by your medical professional. IUDs do not affect your fertility in any long-term way. You should be able to get pregnant very quickly after you remove the IUD.
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What To Expect From A Hormonal Iud
Everybody and every body is unique and will react to an IUD differently. It can take months for your body to fully adjust to this new form of birth control .
From insertion to the 6-month mark, your periods may be heavier or last longer than usual. About 20 percent of women using a hormonal IUD have periods that last longer than 8 days. Spotting is also common at the beginning.
After the 6-month mark, your period should become less frequent and lighter, or it could stop altogether.
What Are The Chances Of Pregnancy With An Iud
Thankfully, the odds of conceiving with an IUD inserted is extremely low. “IUDs are very effective,” says Dr. Culwell. “In general, less than 1 percent of women with an IUD get pregnant each year.” In fact, the five brands of IUDs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the U.S. are all more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, according to the companies.
Of course, you can further minimize the chances of pregnancy with an IUD by also using condoms, which have a 13 percent typical failure rate, according to the CDC. This form of contraception blocks sperm from entering the uterus and thus prevents pregnancy and, unlike IUDs, also prevents STI transmission, per the CDC.
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How Iuds Cause Heavy Periods
Heavy periods are most commonly experienced by women with copper IUDs. Medical experts are still investigating the reasons why, but increasing evidence suggests prostaglandins may be to blame. Prostaglandins are fats made within the body at the site of infection or tissue damage, which can occur on the insertion of an IUD. These fats cause inflammation and increase blood flow to help the body heal. They also help control your menstrual cycle. So, while your body is healing after getting a copper IUD, periods tend to be heavier.
Women with copper IUDs tend to have periods that are 20 to 50% heavier for the first 12 months after their insertion. However, most women notice their period returns to normal within two years.
The insertion of a hormonal IUD can also cause tissue damage which triggers the production of prostaglandins, but heavy periods are less common with this type of IUD. Thats because the hormones these IUDs emit thin the endometrium which lines the uterus. When the endometrium is thin, it cant support a fertilized egg. There also isnt as much lining to shed in menstruation, so periods are lighter. Studies have shown women with heavy periods actually see their periods become 80 to 90% lighter within six months of receiving a hormonal IUD.
What Hormonal Iud Side Effects Should I Expect
Hormonal IUDs can cause side effects. But for most people, thats actually a good thing the most common hormonal IUD side effects usually help make your periods better.
Hormonal IUDs can cut down on cramps and PMS, and they usually make your periods much lighter. Some people stop getting their periods at all while they have their IUD . In fact, many people get hormonal IUDs to help with heavy or painful periods, to treat symptoms of endometriosis or PCOS, or because they just dont want to bleed every month.
Other hormonal IUD side effects can include:
-
Pain when the IUD is put in, and cramping or back aches for a few days after
-
spotting between periods
-
irregular periods
These usually go away within 36 months, once your body gets used to the new visitor in your uterus. And they dont happen to everyone many people use hormonal IUDs with no problems at all.
Over-the-counter pain medicine can usually help with IUD cramps. If you have cramping that doesnt get better or is really painful, talk with your nurse or doctor. They may need to check to make sure that your IUD is in the right place.
The changes in your periods while you have your IUD can make some people worry about how theyll know theyre not pregnant. But you dont really need to worry about being pregnant even if you dont get a period, because the IUD is really good at what it does its more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
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Are There Any Side Effects From Using The Hormonal Iud
Possible side effects include:
- When it is first inserted some users have period-type cramping that usually settles after a few days.
- Sometimes the IUD can come out. This is more common in the first 3 months of it being inserted.
- Your period will change. Spotting or frequent bleeding is common in the first 3 to 6 months. By 6 months around 95% of users will have a light regular period or no bleeding at all .
- You may experience tender breasts, headaches, skin changes and mood changes. These side effects nearly always settle with time. The hormonal IUD has not been shown to cause weight gain.
Other Factors That Can Make Periods Heavy
IUDs arent the only thing that can trigger heavy periods though. If your heavy periods persist, you may want to speak to a Nurx medical provider to rule out one of the following common causes of heavy periods:
A miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can also cause heavy bleeding which may be mistaken for a heavy period.
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Mirena Or Kyleena Iud Post Insertion
You can expect to have some cramps and bleeding/spotting in the first few months but may be worse in the first 1 2 weeks.
Treat the cramps with ibuprofen or Tylenol.
The hormone is like progesterone, it does not contain estrogen, and is about one fifth the dose in birth control pills, only so it seldom causes hormonal side effects. Uncommon hormonal side effects may include headache, acne, mood changes, ovarian cysts, increased vaginal discharge or breast pain. These symptoms often subside in the first 6 months.
Irregular bleeding/spotting can occur for 3-6 months after the insertion of a Mirena or Kyleena. Some users stop getting regular menstrual bleeding, this is a very safe side effect that some women enjoy.
The Tl dr On Pregnancy And Iuds
Becoming pregnant with an IUD inserted is “exceedingly rare,” according to an article published by the NLM, and it’s still one of the most effective forms of contraception. The pill, the patch, and the hormonal vaginal ring, for example, all have a typical use failure rate of 7 percent compared to less than 1 percent for IUDs, according to the CDC. That said, there isn’t one “best” form of birth control, and your needs may change over time, per the Office on Women’s Health. So if those risks of pregnancy with an IUD inserted make you feel uneasy, chat with your doc about your other birth control options.
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You May Have Cramping Lightheadedness And Other Symptoms
When your doctor puts in your IUD, you may have cramping, dizziness, or fainting. Sarah Baillie of Buffalo, NY, says her friends told her to expect cramping. âBut the lightheadedness caught me off guard.â
For some women, symptoms last a few hours. For others, it may be a longer. âI stayed in bed for 2 days because the cramping was so bad,â says Caitlin Jones, a personal trainer in Pittsburgh, PA.
You may have other symptoms like acne, breast tenderness, headache, and mood changes, but theyâre less common.
Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, a heating pad, and rest. It may be a good idea to have someone drive you home and take a day or two off from work.
How Iuds Can Affect Your Menstrual Cycle
Intrauterine devices are a highly effective method of birth control. These tiny devices are shaped like the letter T they are inserted into the uterus and can provide years of safe contraception.
There are two types of IUDs on the market: copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs, which gradually release the hormone progestin. Copper and hormonal IUDs can have different effects on the menstrual cycle. Understanding an IUDs potential impact on your period can help you choose the IUD that makes the most sense for you and understand what to expect after IUD insertion.
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