Super Heavy Periods After Getting the Copper IUD (Paragaurd)

Updated on May 25, 2011
S.R. asks from Saint Charles, MO
8 answers

okay, so ive asked my gyno about this and he was like, "yeah, thats normal."
GUH, i hate that guy, that was his reply for everything!

So i wanted to know if anyone else has had this or anything like this and how did you make it stop or did it ever stop? or anything else useful that you learned from your experience.

a year and a half ago i got the paraguard (copper) IUD put in. they told me i would bleed for six weeks and then my period will go back to normal. WELL after those six weeks were done and i got my cycle back i was bleeding SO heavy I had to use TWO super extra overnight pads and i STILL bled out of them in less than an hour!!!! that lasted for a week and a half. i thought i was gonna DIE!
each time i got my period it decreased slightly.
now im down to super heavy bleeding (at least an extra heavy flow overnight pad during the day) for two to three days and then two or three of light bleeding then a couple days of trickling. its been like that the last several times. i was hoping it would continue to decrease, but i dunno.
and heres another thing! I NEVER had a heavy period before getting the iud in. i also NEVER had bad pms symptoms and now every month for a week i feel like ringing everyones neck! LOL. its so ridiculous to me.
does it get better??

1 mom found this helpful

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Featured Answers

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I had an IUD for a short time years ago, can't remember what it was called but it was years ago. I bled and bled and was nearly week so had it taken out and was never so glad in my life. I would never have had another one and think they are not good to use. That's my opinion. I think anything that causes such bleeding and cramping is dangerous.

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L.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I've had my paraguard in for 7 years. I went through a year or so of having the very heavy bleeding for 2-3 days. I know how you feel and it was crazy! Good news is is that the flow slowly decreased and my periods have now been "normal" for quite some time. Not sure about the pms symptoms as the paraguard contains no hormones so it may not have to do anything with the paraguard. I say hang in there as it will get better!

1 mom found this helpful

H.V.

answers from Cleveland on

I got mine put at the end of October. Like you said, Yes heavier periods. the 1st one I got was CRAZY heavy. and yes very annoying. It has decreased for me, but I think that it is different for everyone.
I heard that it is "normal" for periods to be heavier when on Paraguard.
I haven't had any other symptoms, like more PMS or cramping.
Actually I haven't had any cramps with my period since I got it. Well except for the 1st week of course.

It is very annoying, but probably will decrease over time. The way I see it, yes the heavier flow is very annoying. You have to really pay attention to how long you have a pad or tampon in, so you don't overflow. But, at least for me, I'd rather deal with a heavier flow than deal with all the other crazy side effects of hormonal BC.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have had the paraguard for just a year now and my periods are heavier too. It is usually light the first 8-12 hours then it gets heavier and is heavier for 2-3 days. Some months are better than others. I got moody this month for about two days before my period where i wanted to ring someone's neck also. I know another person who has the iud and has almost no period. I guess it is different for some people than others. My period lasts 5-6 days which is about the same as before the iud. I hope it gets better for both of us but it seems to change every month. good luck

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J.W.

answers from Lexington on

Just a warning about what happened to me with the heavy bleeding - I got severely anemic and very sick. Something to watch out for - not just your iron but other nutritional levels such as B vitamins. I don't understand why doctors don't monitor our nutritional levels more when there is something like this going on with our body.

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C.W.

answers from Allentown on

I had similar issues. I put up with it for about a year, then told them to yank it. About a year after that, I got the Mirena and did a total 180.

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J.B.

answers from Detroit on

I had the copper 7 IUD and it was terrible the cramping and heavy bleeding and I had 2 week long and sometimes longer periods UGH I had such bad back pain I finally had it taken out even though my GYN didn't want me to. It took years for my cycle to get back to normal I mean years and it was wonderful to have a normal NOT heavy period. If I knew then what I know now I would NOT have had the IUD. There are so many healthy ways to prevent pregnancy, we are killing ourselves using and taking all of the pills and things that aren't natural.

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

Ive had mine for 6 months and it varies for me. They are longer for sure but I've never bled that much. That sounds miserable! Maybe you should switch to the mirena? That completly stopped my sisters period?

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