Thread: copper iud?

After reading enough testimonials and medical information on the internet to sufficiently freak myself out, I decided to get a copper IUD (Paragaurd) anyway. I have a blood clotting condition called Factor 5 liedian that prevented me from taking anything with hormones. So my only options were Paragaurd and getting sterilized. And apparently since I’m ‘only’ 27 and I have no children, I must not know what I want to do with my own body. So no ‘respectable’ dr would sterilize me. Whatever, so I felt like this was my only choice, besides condoms, but I wanted something more reliable than condoms because of my strong aversion to children.

Insertion day: Totally freaked out. I wanted to have a sit down with the Dr, beforehand but he acted and made me feel totally rushed- not cool. I did it anyway, assuming that he acted this way because he had done so many and it was a simple, fool-proof procedure. I had taken 2 ibuprofens and 2 extra strength Tylenol about an hour before. The pain was comparable to the first day of my period, but only when he was actually inserting different objects into my cervix. I would say it was about three separate times when I felt that all too familiar ‘kick’ to the stomach. When he was done, it wasn’t bad. I wasn’t nauseous, dizzy, painful, or faint. I was bleeding (more than expected during the last few days of my period). I actually felt well enough to drive myself to work. About 5 hours later I took a couple more extra strength Tylenol and went to bed early. I had regular cramping that continued into the next day. I used a panty liner for the next couple of days, because I really didn’t feel like putting anything else inside me (even though he told me I could use tampons whenever).

He acted like none of this was a big deal, even though I had a lot of questions. After reading horror stories online, I was specifically worried about:

Painful cramps and heavier periods- which he told me might happen, and that spotting between periods was more common, but not for very long. One of the nurses told me that you have spotting regardless of what kind of BC you start and that the pill causes it sometimes as well.

More susceptible to STDs and infections: he confirmed this and told me to always use a condom. He said the main concerns were that gonorrhea and Chlamydia can more easily lead to PID, which can make me sterile. Which was actually kinda cool, it seems like a cheap method of sterilization. Although, getting STDs is definitely not my goal.

Tampon use: he told me I could use one that day and any other time I needed with no problem. I told him I bought a Diva/menstrual cup and asked if that was ok and he kinda laughed and said ‘what the heck is that’ ahh… Georgia, how I hate you and your incompetent drs.

Expulsion- he says rarely ever happens and if it did, the most likely time would be during your first period. One of the nurses had said that it only happens if you’re a really heavy bleeder.

Perforation- he didn’t perforate my uterus (I’m sure I would have noticed) and it won’t perforate during sex. The only thing during sex I’d have to worry about is if my partner can feel the strings. He told me before we started that my uterus was tilted towards the back or something, but he said it was no problem (so don’t let a dr use that as an excuse to not let you have one- go get a second opinion).

He took the time to talk to me afterwards and answered all my questions, which I appreciated. He and the nurses both told me that some people tolerate it well and others don’t, but they don’t see that many women coming back early to get it removed (but why would they tell me that?). It seems like an expensive option for something that may or may not work, but if it does- it will be totally worth not having to worry about getting knocked up or the effectiveness of a thin piece of latex for the next 10 years.

Vitamins I read about that supposedly do things ( I am not your Dr):
Iron- lightens your flow- 18mg/day
Vitamin E- lightens flow and relieves PMS symptoms- 400 IU/day
Calcium and vitamin D- curbs PMS symptoms - 1000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D a day
Vitamin B6- relives breast pain and depression- 50-100 mg/ day
Magnesium- reduces fluid retention and breast tenderness- 200mg a day
Zinc- balances copper in the body-


The first week, my period or some light spotting lingered for a few more days than my period normally lasts. About a week after insertion, I had mild cramping for a few days. Not enough pain to make me reach for the Tylenol, but slightly uncomfortable. During ovulation, I had pretty severe cramping. 1000mg of Tylenol didn’t even make a dent in the pain. It was better the next day, but picked up for the next few nights with some light bleeding. At times, it got so bad, I was going to call my gyn because I thought my uterus was trying to expel it or something. Awful pain on some nights leading up to the start of my period. I’ve been spotting for about 3 weeks straight. During the week of my period, I had no cramps. My period actually seemed lighter than normal.

Sex update: I had absolutely no problems with it during sex. Very little blood, but it was at the very end of my period so that could have been why. My partner didn’t notice strings or anything unusual. A few days later, I noticed a light smell after checking the strings- please don’t let it be infection *fingers crossed*

I notice cramping and whitish/ bloody discharge when I’m ovulating. It kind of smells, not like an infection, but sort of metallic. That could just be my imagination…

Periods: Tend to start lightly a day or two early, but I haven’t noticed a heavier flow. The cramps are worse. I used to be in pain, take Tylenol every 4 hours, and just want to sleep all day for the first day of my period, now it’s the first two/three days.

Three- six months later: day to day, it’s not a problem. However I bleed a little and still have pretty bad cramps when I ovulate. It’s getting old. I feel like I have two periods a month. One normal one and a mini period in the middle of my cycle. The cramping is actually less severe during my actual period, but I would say it starts lightly a couple days earlier (lasts a little longer). Other than that, no problems. I haven’t had one infection *fingers still crossed* which I was really worried about because I’ve had a few in the past (before the IUD). In all, I would do it again. I guess it either works for you or it doesn’t- depends on your body. So good luck!

I'll update in a year, but so far so good

Just wanted to update that I'm feeling much better with my IUD and the strange pressure I was feeling has gone away. I did not end up getting an ultrasound after all, they just did a pelvic exam and said that the IUD was properly in place. My first period with the IUD just ended a few days ago. It wasn't very painful (slight cramps, definitely more than I'm used to which is none at all!) and very heavy bleeding. My period came 5 full days early and lasted a total of 11 days, which is the longest period I've ever had. But now that my period is over I'm not spotting at all (not even after sex) which is nice. My boyfriend says that he can feel the strings every now and then (more so in certain positions), but says that it has never hurt him...just feels odd. I'm told that the strings soften over time and that he shouldn't feel them at all. I'm hoping that's true. Another thing I was really worried about was my complexion. I was sure that getting off the pill would make me break out like crazy and some women even say that the IUD alone has made them breakout...but luckily that hasn't happened to me. In fact, my skin is more clear now than it was a month ago when I had the IUD inserted. So, all-in-all I'm feeling much better about the IUD right now and I'm glad that I chose it

I posted in another thread a couple of months ago about how my fiance was feeling the strings of my copper IUD. My dr cut them shorter twice, the second time he said he cut them as short as possible. Sadly, my fiance could still feel them. We haven't had sex at all since I got it inserted at the end of June, because it causes him pain. Yesterday, I went to my dr and had it removed. If it weren't for the fact that my fiance somehow felt the strings, I would have kept it in, no doubt. Although I bled pretty much constantly since it was inserted, I did not have any pain or cramping. I have a suspicion that it was because I didn't have an actual period, just bleeding.

I don't think I've had a "real" period in years. I had the Depo shot for 5 years, which stopped my period. Then I switched to Loestrin 24 FE, and still didn't have a period. I was on that for about 6 months, and stopped because I think it made me moody. Six months passed again after failed attempts to use condoms. I swore off hormones and decided I wanted the Paragard. I still had no period other than a brief "withdraw bleed" when I stopped the Loestrin. Had the IUD inserted and that's when I began to bleed.

I would have totally put up with the painless bleeding if it meant I could have worry free sex with my fiance. It might have made my face break out a little, but that was also something I felt was not significant enough to give up on it. My dr was astonished that my fiance could still feel the strings, so if anyone else is considering the Paragard, don't let my story scare you! I'm pretty sure that this is really rare that he could feel them.

I just wanted to say that despite my experience, I really think that Paragard is an awesome choice for contraception. It didn't cause me enough problems to remove it, just cased enough for my fiance.

Sorry...just noticed this thread now. I had an IUD inserted and, since then, have had a healthy baby boy who is now 9 years old! Lol! Did it fall out? No. Did I carry my baby and have a safe delivery? Yes. Did I have the IUD removed? NO. What happened was it imbedded within my uterine wall. Like a bullet from a war injury. Obviously, I'm thankful it didn't work because I love our family of five. But that's my two cents.