Iud - Needles, CA

Updated on April 10, 2007
L.B. asks from Needles, CA
19 answers

After my son was born I had a copper IUD put in. I had this done in October of 2006. Since then I have been experiencing prolonged bleeding. Sometimes for as long as 3 weeks. I had it put in at the Health Clinic. I asked two different nurses there about the bleeding and they both seemed to ignore my questions. I am very agitated and concerned. If anyone has experienced anything like this I would love some advise. Thanks.

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So What Happened?

Well my Doctor put me on antibiotics and told me to come back in 3 weeks. He said if I'm not doing any better then it will have to be removed. I will let you all know what happens. And thanks again for all of the feedback.
Well I did the anibiotics and they didn't work. So I had the IUD removed. My doctor told me that it was very close to the end of my cervics, so that means my body was dispelling it on it's own. So now I'm on the pill. I will never get another IUD. I was for me a horrible experince and I never want to do it again. I just wanted to thank you all again for your feedback.

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D.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had the same thing happen to me. I thought I was gonna lose so much blood I'd be a prune. Not to mention trying to keep the flood under control I ruined a lot of underwear etc...

After talking to my best friend (who has the copper iud) and the Dr. I found out it's totally normal. It takes 5-6 months for you body to regulate itself. But even then it will still be heavy. I couldn't hang personally and I had that copper one taken out for the plastic one. My periods were much shorter (3-4 days) and super light. If I would have known this before the copper one I would have never gotten it. I hope this helps. Good luck

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T.W.

answers from San Diego on

Hello I have a IUD too .Ihad this done in october too i have been bleeding ever since then. I will have mine removed in a couple of weeks the bleeding really never stops.Next i will try a birth control shot. Hopefully that will work but sometimes you will not have periods with that. Iuds are not for everbody you will either love it or hate and i hate this.
Good luck with the IUD. T.

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V.H.

answers from Las Vegas on

I was told by my doc that the copper iud can cause more bleeding than normal I also read this online.

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E.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I too had a copper IUD after my son was born. It increased my period lengths and increased bleeding.
I eventually developed an ovarian cyst that burst (hurt more than childbirth) due to the lack of hormones in my system.
The OB/GYN put me on BC Pills so I had the IUD taken out as there was no need for it.

After my daughter was born I used the NuvaRing for a while but decided I wanted something more permanent. This time I got the Progestin IUD. Because of the hormones in it the cysts should no longer be a problem. It only last for 5 yrs vs 10 for the Copper, but most woman end up having a short to non existant period. I needed to overlap and still use the ring for the first month which caused a lot of break through bleeding. But a few months into it now and I am very happy with it. I do have my period for about 3 days, then it disappears for 2 days and back for a few more. I am very happy with it. Also the bleeding is very light...another plus.
I would definitely get rid of the copper IUD as some people have no problems with it and some do. I would call and ask to speak with your Dr directly.

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A.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi:

I had one put in as well, right after my daughter is born. From what I remember, heavier bleeding is normal, but not 3 weeks worth with full flow. I would talk to a doctor, not a nurse about it. My periods are 5-6 days total and 2-3 days of heavy flow, which is more than it used to be, and my doctor said that is normal. I also spot between periods sometimes for a day or two. I hope all is ok, and congrats on the baby!

A.

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C.G.

answers from Modesto on

A few years ago I had a copper IUD put in and the bleeding, cramping, and pms was unbelievable! I had it for 3 years until the Marina IUD came out on the market. It's a hormone IUD. It slows down your periods (sometime stops it), I no longer have cramps or pms. I barely know that I am on my period. It doesn't really have any side affects like weight gain,break outs.... One difference though. The copper IUD is good for 10 years. The Marina IUD is good for 5 years. When I had the old one taken out, I was "unproptected" for a month. My doctor had me wear "The Patch" on my hip. I'm VERY happy I made the change!

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J.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have never heard any good feedback from women with IUDs. They cause all sorts of other health problems. The bleeding is definately caused by the IUD. If I were you, I would get it removed ASAP. I wish I could offer you a better birth control method-but the safest thing I have found is birth control pills, which I do not like to take but do. Actually, condoms are the safest but how many of our husbands/boyfriends will use those ? Not mine! Good luck sweetie!

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D.P.

answers from San Diego on

Hi L.,

I also had that problem with the copper, After my 2nd son was born I had the copper IUD inserted, it was bad for the whole 3 months until I had it removed. Then I had the Mirena inserted, it still is giving me the same problem, I had it inserted Dec "06", 4 mo now and still I get irregular bleeding, not like with the copper, but there is still the spotting, they say it is from 3-6 mo of spotting, after 6 mo if it still continues then I will have to remove it and start the pill again (which is a hassle :( ) I can understand how you feel, it's frusterating, and it (in my side) hurts your sex life, especially if your spouse does not like to have interruptions. I am to the point where I don't even want to have sex, because I feel dirty all the time. I am seriously considering what one of the lady's has said about it being a abortion every month, I really hope that is not happening to any of us, but I suggest we all look into it closely and make sure what is happening to our bodies.

Take care,
D. ;)

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I have the same IUD. Since it was put in my periods have gotten longer and closer together. My periods tend to last about 9 days and are about 3 weeks apart. The last two periods seemed to have the normal 28 days (I didn't keep track exactly), but they were a little more normal. I also asked the doctor about the bleeding and she told me that it would get better. It seems like it is, although the cramping is worse than before the IUD. I think this is a trade off for not having hormones. You might want to call and ask about the three week bleeding because it could cause an iron deficiency, among other things. If you don't get the answere you are looking for ask someone else! Good luck!

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I.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

You know it's funny, but i experienced the opposite. I had a very light period for the first couple of months and then I stopped having periods. I had it for 3 years and took it out december '06 because I couldn't stop gaining weight. My mother had it and she had the same problem you did.I guess it's different in everybody, but if you don't feel good about it you should use something else.

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A.C.

answers from San Diego on

Hello, I'm sorry you haven't been happy with your IUD. I have heard from many many people that the copper IUD causes problems in many of them from more cramping to heavier periods, I suggest that if you still want an IUD, you try the mirena, I have had this IUD in for over a year I didn't have my periods for a year and now that i've gotten them again they are super light and they only last a few days, if even that. plus compaired to all the other forms of birth control the mirena is 99.9% effective. The few people i know who have it love it and because it is smooth on all surfaces there is less chance of it puncturing you and it lasts for 5 years. But the other birth control i've heard is good in the nuva ring. But take out your copper IUD because it sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

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T.

answers from Las Vegas on

L.,

I've never had an IUD but I think this is common. When I asked my OB about it, she said that bleeding and bleeding and bleeding is a common side effect. I also did a google search for it and here is what I found

Potential side effects from using an IUD include:

Mood changes
Acne
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Pelvic pain
Cramping (copper IUD)
Increased bleeding during menstruation (copper IUD)
Nausea

The Cons of an Intrauterine Device include:
Available only through a prescription
Irregular bleeding or spotting may occur during the first three to six months
Copper IUD may increase cramps and bleeding during monthly periods
May have hormonal side effects: mood changes, acne, headache, breast tenderness, and nausea (progesterone IUD)

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/iud....

You might want to go to a regular OB and discuss your concerns. The bleeding could be "normal" because of the IUD but if it were me, I'd want to know for sure.

T.

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B.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
i've worked for an ob/gyn office for 3yrs as a medical assistant. I know that a lot of women have had the same complaint about the iud. As far as i know its pretty normal(unfortunatly) your body see the iud as a foreign object and it tries to get "rid" of it the way it knows how which is bleeding. It can take a while for your body to adjust to this foreign object. Once you do you're ok. But keep an eye on the amount of bleeding and the time it last if it seem irregular of abnormal and you are experiencing really bad cramping contact your doc.

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L.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have an IUD as well and it's working out just fine for me. You need to go somewhere else. Don't go to the same place because obviously they don't know what they are doing. Try to get it checked out quickly because it can really do some damage especially if you want to have more kids. I'm sorry this is happening to you. It sucks when you're trying ot get help and nobody cares, especially when it's their job. Good luck.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had the same expirence I was bleeding for weeks after the IUD was put in. They gave me a hormone to stop the bleeding. They even gave me an ultrasound to see if I had retained placenta.(I didn't) Eventually the medication worked and I just have heavy periods everyother month. I would call back and ask to speak to a supervisor or directly to a doctor.

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M.W.

answers from San Diego on

HI L.
I don't have a copper IUD but I do have Mirena which is an IUD the difference is that it is very small and flexible. I had it put in the week after Christmas and had some break through bleeding the first sixty days or so and some cramping which they told me to expect for the first 3 to 6 mos. Since then i have had no break thur bleeding and my periods are almost non existant! They are very light and last maybe one day. I really love it. The mirena IUD also gives off a time release hormone which might be what helps in the process. You might want to go back to the clinic and ask to have your cooper iud replaced with mirena. My insurance paid for the whole procedure!
Good luck,
M.

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T.R.

answers from Fresno on

I have a friend that works in a dr. office. She told me that the reason the copper IUD's cause so much bleeding is because there are two small razor-like ends on the IUD that hold it in place. It moves around a little and cuts up the entrance of the uterus. That's why they give you antibiotics also, so that you don't get an infection. I'm not sure if the plastic IUD's have the razors or not, but you may want to do some online research if you can.

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N.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Well I have never had that done to me. But I have a friend who has high blood pressure and couldn't take any other type of birth control. I'm not sure it's exactly the same thing your taking. But her doctor told her, that bleeding is normal. She doesn't ever have a regular cycle, she just spots from time to time. But it should be different with everyone. But I would ask a doctor.

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L.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I personally have not experienced, but my sister has..
I wished she had a computer a home to have you email about it. I would go see a doctor again. it could be the IUD was puT incorret that is why you are bleeding or your body is rejecting it.

Well to make the story short.. My sister had the some problem. she didn't anything about it. she ended up pregant again!! Not only that, but she got infection becasue the IUD was places incorrectly. which cause a early labor and had to get a C-section to take out the IUD that was stuck on the wall of her ovaries ( I Think).
Well when baby was born, both mom and baby were sick for a while. Mom fighting the infection in her body and baby was born with a bad kidney
Not to scare you but it's the truth... Go get check out again. it might be nothing like the other girls say..
But it's better to be safe than sorry.

Good Luck!

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