IUD question

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
IUD question
6
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 12:01am
I have had the copper IUD for almost a year now.
Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker Lilypie Kids birthday Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 12:50am
Hi Andrea...

I've got a copper IUD myself, and I have never experienced anything like you have. My periods have actually gotten a lot shorter and lighter, come to think of it.

Long term complications from an IUD are not a great risk to you. Generally the biggest risk when having IUD placed is that it will perforate your uterus, or that you may expell it. As far as creating infertility for you, recent studies on modern IUDs show that they are very safe for women. The Dalcon Shield, manufactured a few decades ago, was nutorious for creating firtility problems and Pelvic Inflamitory Disease due to the material the strings were made out of. Since then, the IUD has been manufactured differently and has no extreme risks. I would think this is something to discuss with your Doctor *before* s/he inserts it for you though?

My feeling is that if your periods are causing too much trouble for you, and your doctor says that your flow is normal, maybe you should consider having it removed. What else can you do, right? Good luck!

*MG*

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 12:17pm
bump...! Maybe someone else can offer some wisdom :)

*MG*

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 2:21pm
Hi Andrea, welcome!

I can’t speak from experience but you might want to look at a poll we took recently which asked former IUD users why they had their IUDs removed.

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhcontracept&msg=11519.1&ctx=128 There is nothing scientific about the poll but it does show that some users experienced discomfort or bleeding to the extent that they had them removed.

Hugs and good luck

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 4:30pm
I just got my copper IUD out after having it for two years. For me, the bleeding did not get better...in fact it got worse. I got to the point of going through a tampon an hour, passing huge painful clots and having a period that lasted at least 7 days. I couldn't take it anymore, and that is why I had it removed. I don't know if the bleeding will get better for you or not, but I know it did not get better for me.

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 5:40pm
I had my first copper IUD for a few months before expelling it. My first two periods were the worst, and the next one was better than the first ones, but still worse than my periods used to be. After expelling the first one, my doctor agreed to let me try again, since I was basically out of other options and I had loved the IUD so much. He recommended that I take ibuprofen around the clock during my period to reduce bleeding and cramping to make me less likely to lose the second one. I took 2 ibuprofen every 6 hours during my period. It really helped reduce the bleeding and cramping to the point where my period was better than normal. Unfortunately I still expelled the second IUD. Since it has been almost a year for you, I doubt that things are going to change. I think it's just the first couple periods that tend to be worse. I'd recommend you try the ibuprofen regimen. If that doesn't help you could always try the Mirena IUD. It tends to make periods lighter.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: icristian
Thu, 04-22-2004 - 8:26pm
I've had the MIRENA IUD for about 9 months now...In the beginning,my periods were heavier and lasted longer than usual....It straightened out in about 3-4 months....now it's basicly spotting a few days....good luck!