Why Does Copper Iud Cause Heavier Periods

The Primary Benefit Of Getting A Copper Iud Is Pregnancy Prevention

Its important to acknowledge that there are lots of reasons to explore birth control options . That said, there are health benefits to birth control that extend beyond making pregnancy less likely. Theres evidence to suggest that hormonal birth control can regulate periods reduce the risk of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers and reduce pelvic pain from conditions like endometriosis, among other benefits, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . This is because of estrogen and progestin, the hormones in various forms of hormonal birth control, the ACOG explains. Since the copper IUD doesnt contain hormones, the main benefit of using it is contraception. But, lets be honest, preventing pregnancy is a major benefit.

The Copper Iud Doesnt Protect Against Sexually Transmitted Infections

When it comes to birth control, only internal and external condoms can prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections. If youre using the copper IUD and are at risk for STIs , youll still need to use some form of protection like condoms or dental dams. You should also get tested regularly. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommendations for your STI screening schedule, depending on your circumstances.

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.

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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.

Iud Insertion Pain: Overview

Its normal to feel some tolerable IUD insertion pain. It occurs when your doctor or nurse touches and dilates your cervix with special tools and pushes the IUD through the cervix into the uterus. Some people describe it as a bit harsher version of cramps you may feel during a pap smear.

The process of IUD insertion lasts only a few minutes, and cramps often become better in 1520 minutes. To manage the pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers in advance, for example, ibuprofen. You can also ask your provider for a local anesthetic to numb the cervical canal before the procedure.

Some professionals may use ultrasound guidance to show you the insertion. This may distract you from possible discomfort and help you feel in control of the procedure. Ask your doctor about their approach.

Women who have had a vaginal delivery usually feel less IUD insertion pain. For others, the insertion may be more painful. Some doctors prescribe a local treatment to soften the cervix, make insertion easier, and cause less discomfort. Please discuss this with your doctor.

You may experience dull or throbbing pain similar to menstrual cramps for a few days after your IUD was installed. And like menstrual cramps, IUD cramps can usually be managed with pain relievers or a heating pad. However, if your cramps suddenly became severe or you feel a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, its best to consult your health care provider immediately.

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What To Expect From 6 Months On

Your periods should get lighter after the first six months, and you may have fewer of them. Some may find that their periods continue to be more unpredictable than they were in the past.

About 1 in 5 people will no longer have a monthly period by the one-year mark.

Copper IUDs dont contain hormones, so you wont see changes in the timing of your periods. But you can expect more bleeding than before at least for a while.

Learn More About Paragard

• IUDs, including Paragard, have been associated with an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease . Dont use Paragard if you have a pelvic infection, certain cancers, a copper allergy, Wilsons disease, or PID.
• If you miss a period, have persistent abdominal pain, or if Paragard comes out, tell your healthcare provider . If it comes out, use back-up birth control.
• Paragard may attach to or go through the uterus and cause other problems.
• Pregnancy with Paragard is rare but can be life threatening and may cause infertility or loss of pregnancy.
• Periods may become heavier and longer with spotting in between. Bleeding may be heavier than usual at first.
• Paragard does not protect against HIV or STDs.

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See A Doctor If Your Periods Are Irregular After The 1

Your periods should settle into a normal rhythm after one year. A small percentage of people using a hormonal IUD will stop getting a period altogether.

If you havent gotten a period for six weeks or more, call your doctor to make sure youre not pregnant. Theyll assess your overall symptoms and administer a pregnancy test to confirm that youre not pregnant.

If the test is negative, you shouldnt need to return unless you begin experiencing early pregnancy or other unusual symptoms.

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.

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Extreme Bleeding Wasn’t The Worst Of My Problems

“Extreme bleeding wasn’t even the worst of my problems, because I also suffered from constant cramps throughout my entire cycle. These would obviously get worse just before and during my actual bleed. I’m talking can’t get out of bed, painkillers barely take the edge off kind of pain. I experienced low-level cramping all month long, sometimes with extra sharp random twists of pain, too.”

“I felt so gross and unsexy all of the time”

“The cherry on top of the cake? These super-heavy, super-painful, energy-sapping periods didn’t just come around once a month. Rather, these bad boys came every two weeks.”

“The maths was pretty dire: seven days of extra painful cramps, followed by seven days of bleeding every 14 days. Essentially my life was one long period, and it was a nightmare.”

What Are The Benefits Of Iud Birth Control

Unlike birth control pills , an IUD provides continuous pregnancy protection until its removed.

In general, IUD contraception is:

• Safe: IUDs are considered safe for the vast majority of women, whether or not youve had a baby previously. IUDs are a great option for women who are advised against taking the pill due to certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure.
• Long term: After placement, IUDs work for three to 10 years, depending on the type and brand of IUD you use.
• Reversible: An IUD can be easily removed, should your circumstances or needs change. Your pregnancy protection ends right after IUD removal.
• Effective: IUDs are more than 99% effective. This makes them one of the most effective forms of birth control available today.

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Getting The Coil Was The Worst Decision I’ve Ever Made Here’s Why

“When I was 26 years old, I decided to get an IUD fitted. I can’t take the combined pill as the oestrogen gives me high blood pressure and painful migraines, so I’d been relying on the progesterone-only pill.”

“The problem with the progesterone-only pill I was prescribed is that it must be taken at exactly the same time each day – give or take three hours – to maximise it’s effectiveness. Despite setting multiple alarms on my phone, I really struggled with this. I’d rather not examine too closely what that says about me as a person.”

Why Am I Bleeding Heavily With Iud

Heavy bleeding with IUD birth control can occur, and it is good to know what to do if it does happen. An IUD is inserted directly into the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining. They are close to 99 percent effective if used correctly, and last from around three to five years, depending on the type you get.

IUDs are an easy method of birth control, because you dont have to remember to take a pill everyday or use a condom. However, complications can occur with their use. This article will discuss some of the complications and what you can do about them.

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What To Expect After Having A Non

Some women experience side effects for three to six months after getting their IUD inserted. Some of these side effects include pain before your period, heavier bleeding, and cramps. As mentioned before, over-the-counter pain medication can help you manage your discomfort.

For most women, these side effects dont last forever. As your body gets used to the copper IUD, you are likely to notice fewer negative side effects.

When Should I See A Doctor For Heavy Periods

Many women have come to accept heavy bleeding as a normal part of their cycle. This helps explain why over half of women with menorrhagia dont know they have it, or know that heavy periods are treatable. If left untreated, heavy periods can cause other health concerns like anemia, a red blood cell condition that makes it difficult for your organs to get the oxygen they need.

If your period affects your daily life by causing you to miss work or school, cancel social activities or plan your day around bathroom breaks, you might have menorrhagia. Heavy bleeding can cause other physical symptoms that can make you dread getting your period like extreme fatigue, very painful cramps, lightheadedness, anxiety and depression.

We recommend making an appointment with one of our womens health doctors if you experience any of the above symptoms. A doctor will be able to diagnose whats causing your heavy periods and recommend treatment options. If youre not sure whether your period is normal, just ask!

Our womens health doctors at HealthPartners and Park Nicollet are here to answer your questions. Well help you put an end to planning your life around heavy periods.

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Women At Greatest Risk Of Iuds Causing Heavy Periods

Certain women are at greater risk of developing heavy periods after getting an IUD than others. You may want to consider an alternative birth control choice if you are in one of the following categories.

Copper IUDs arent recommended for women with the following conditions:

• Heavy or irregular periods.

Copper and hormonal IUDs arent recommended for women with the following conditions:

• Current or previous pelvic inflammatory disease.
• A past abnormal pap smear.
• Unusual cervixes, uteruses, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
• Leukemia.
• AIDS.
• A history of narcotic use.

If you fall into one of the following categories, discuss your birth control options with one of the friendly Nurx medical team. They can provide personalized advice about the best birth control choices for you.

What If You Get Pregnant With A Copper Iud In

Becoming pregnant with a copper IUD is extremely rare. It happens to less than 1 percent of women. If you do conceive with the copper IUD, it means you may be at high risk for an ectopic pregnancy, which is when the egg implants itself outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. But because copper IUDs prevent most pregnancies, the chance of an ectopic pregnancy is much lower than it is for women who dont use this birth control option.

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Heavy Bleeding And Other Complications With Iud

All types of birth control may cause side-effects and complications. IUDs tend to cause more things inside the uterus or can have effects on menstrual cycles. Side-effects tend to be more common within the first six months after insertion, and should clear up after that.

Heavy bleeding with IUD often happens in the first few hours after the doctor places the device, and slows to light spotting in the first few days. It is important to contact your doctor if bleeding continues beyond a couple of days or if you soak more than a few pads an hour.