r/CopperIUD

I’ve had the implant continuously for almost 9 years (replaced 3 times). For the first 6 years it was good, barely any periods (just occasional brown spotting every 6 months if that), no weight gain or hair loss. At the start I did notice increased anxiety/anger, not sure if that settled or just got used to it. Now with my current implant (inserted almost 3 years ago), things have gradually changed. For the first 2 years I started getting more regular bleeds every 3–4 months, with actual red blood instead of spotting. In the last 6 months it’s become much worse and really unpredictable I started tracking it and in December 10 days bleeding, in January 8 days, a day break, then another 3 days, in February 3 days, in March 11 very heavy days (filling a pad every 2 hours), break, then another 5 days, in April nothing and in May 15 consecutive days (now stopped).

I’ve decided I want the implant removed because I can’t deal with the constant bleeding anymore, so I’ve been looking at other contraceptives. I don’t want the pill (I’ll forget to take it) and I don’t want the injection every 3 months either and I can’t faff about with the vaginal ring. I’ve been looking into the copper IUD because I like the idea of non-hormonal contraception, and I like the fact that it’s inserted once and that’s it. However I’m now terrified after reading about heavy bleeding, cramps, weight gain, hair loss etc. I’ve already spoken to my GP, who seemed very casual about the side effects, and I’m booked in for swabs before a possible insertion in June. I’m also worried about the timing because I’m going on a beach holiday in August, and I’m scared I’ll end up dealing with constant bleeding/cramps, or worse, end up in hospital with a perforated uterus or ectopic pregnancy

A couple of extra things in case relevant:

- Never been pregnant
- I’ve had two cervical biopsies in the past which I found manageable
- I cannot remember what my period was like before contraception

I’m not really looking for statistics or medical explanations, I just want to hear honest experiences from people please

Hey! I’m scheduled to get my copper IUD out next week. I think I may be finally putting all the dots together on what my issue is with weight gain and inability to see any change in my body whether I work out or eat better. I have had my IUD in for nine years and also struggled with hair thinning, really heavy periods and PMS. I have tried multiple programs to lose weight, but I gain weight instead. I’m up at least 20 pounds last I checked. I have read so many stories about people losing weight when they get off the IUD, and wondering what you guys experience have been? Did you gain weight on the iud? And did it come off once removed?

Maybe this is normal, maybe I’m overreacting, maybe it’s totally unrelated? I got the copper IUD roughly 3 weeks ago and the last week I’ve just been MISERABLE and I don’t know if it’s related or not. First off, I got my period 5ish days early. My cycle is usually 25 days and I got it on the 19/20th day. Assuming it is my true cycle and not spotting (seems like too much blood to be spotting). I’ve had consistent stomach cramping causing loose bowel movements and just a ton of pain. I’ve gotten a migraine 2 out of the last 5 days. Low grade nausea, loss of appetite, woke up with the worst acid reflux I’ve ever had in my life last night. Feel like I got hit by a bus. Maybe it’s coincidental. I don’t know. But I’m nervous I made a mistake getting this. I used to have the Mirena and had no issues but after having a baby I tried multiple different birth controls with hormones and they all seemed to really affect me so I thought this was my best option. Now I’m second guessing. Any thoughts/opinions/similar experiences?

Got my IUD a few weeks ago and now that my period is approaching I’m having a lot of issues. I had a UTI that was unrelated like a week ago and got that sorted, but now I feel like I’m having UTI symptoms again. I don’t want to ask my doctor because I feel like I’m being silly and everything is fine.

I’m having pain and pressure around my uterus/bladder and a little soreness on the pelvis. I’m peeing often and I’m having the urge to pee often. On top of this, it burns just slightly to pee. Kinda feels like a UTI but I really don’t want it to be that. I went through a week and a half of antibiotics and the doctor said my culture came back negative for bacteria. This could all be just cramping of my uterus and general inflammation but I just don’t know. And I don’t want to spend money to go to the doctor just because I got anxious. I hate not knowing what’s going on with my body.

I kind of hate this thing right now. I feel like it’s more trouble than it’s worth. I’ve been married a month but I’ve had so many issues and fears about getting pregnant that we haven’t even had sex, so like…what is the point? If this is ANOTHER UTI I might pull the damn thing out and be celibate. Fuck BC man, this can’t be the best we got, right?

I am a 19yo who has entered into a pretty committed relationship, but never been on birth control before, so decided after a bunch of research to get a copper IUD.

So, I go in (after waiting like a month and a half, f- you Kaiser), to do so. I've never given birth or anything (obviously) so they say it might be difficult in terms of dilation but we start. I took a ton of Ibuprofen before this under their instructions. They also did a numbing spray.

He puts in the speculum which was not painful really, just a bit weird, and then starts with the other things like the tenaculum and then the dilator. These hurt A LOT. The pressure was overwhelming and I was almost screaming in pain. Then he started the actual insertion and as soon as that started I passed out. I woke up a few seconds later to the nurse and my BF over me, and the doctor asked if I wanted the tools removed. Immediately I said yes. He said that the IUD didn't stay in place when it was attempted to be deployed and that my cervix was very tight.

Then for the next half hour or so I laid in the office in severe debilitating pain. I think this was my uterus contracting. It was awful. Genuinely the most pain I've ever experienced. My BF was comforting me it was just awful. It did go away though after that half hour, mostly, and so just mild cramping for the rest of the day along with just the weird and sad feeling of the procedure not working and how invasive it was.

All this to say, this is nothing that could happen to you, so I just want my experience out there. It was the word pain that I have EVER felt. And I never want anyone to have to feel that or for me to have to feel that again.

Also, I still want an IUD but ONLY if I can be sedated while it is inserted, so I would love to hear any experiences you have with that. I am trying to go through Kaiser but they are taking forever, so I may go to Planned Parenthood instead.

Hello everyone I’ve been on depo for a long time since i was 14 i am 22 going on 23 and i would love to get off but i am scared of other birth controls side affects

Hi all!

I write this not to fearmonger, but to maybe find others like myself who have been experiencing some weirdo side effects potentially from the copper IUD.

A little insight, I (26f) got the copper IUD inserted back in April of 2025 after having taken the pill pretty consistently since 2017. I wanted to try a non-hormonal birth control as I didn't love the pill, and was forgetful to take it at the correct time every day

It's now been a little over a year, and since having the copper IUD inserted, I've had monthly bouts of severe brain fog, vestibular migraines (no pain, but intermittent pressure in ears, strange sensitivity to light and sound mixed with an unsteady sensation), a heavy, almost pressurized feeling in my head, increased anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms start a little bit before my period and continue a good few days after it ends- so half of the month I feel normal, and half I feel like another person entirely. The periods themselves are standard for those with the copper: heavy bleeding, painful cramping, etc... which I'm able to handle well enough, but the weird 2 week head symptoms are making me reconsider this method of birth control. It's unfortunate, because I love how well it prevents against pregnancy, but I get so freaked out every month with these symptoms.

I have a doctor's appointment next week to do some bloodwork and rule out any deficiencies, so we'll see how that goes! I would love to hear if anyone has had a similar experience, and if it improved upon removing the copper IUD. Thank you for listening :^)

Hi guys, I had my copper IUD (Paraguard) inserted almost 4 weeks ago and I keep having brown discharge every day with a slight metallic/period smell. I had my first period 3 weeks ago with no bad side effects except for the discharge. Has anyone experienced this? Will it be like this the whole time I have the IUD?

So I’ve been on BC pills for almost 7 years and right after finishing my period I didn’t start a new package (Friday) and went to get my copper IUD (Saturday).

That Saturday night I started bleeding again but not spotting, it’s like as if I had started my period again. It’s Tuesday and I’m still bleeding with a period-like amount of blood and I still feel bloated and I have the feeling of the IUD.

Will this bleeding and weird feeling stop soon? My doctor didn’t mention any of these. I have my next Gynecologist appointment this Saturday, but I want to know if any of you had the same experience 🥺

Hi,

Had my IUD since Jan. this year but had so much cramping and so much more heavy flow and only got worse so I decided Im done, this is not what I want for the coming years. Every time I had my period I cancelled appointments, cancelled seeing my boyfriend, could not go to the office etc. A shell of who I used to be.

Took it out today🎉. Some cramping during pullout which went away in minutes. I decided I give Mirena a try with my next period. If that doesn't work out we will see. Im 43, no kids, always had very regular periods with 0 pain. Hope Mirena is a better fit. Afraid of insertion as I the copper IUD had while 'sleeping' and I don't live in the States, they don't sedate here normally so only painkillers :/.

I really hoped non hormonal was a great option for me, at least I tried for 5 periods. But now glad I made this decision.

Hi all.

To start off- i’m 18 (almost 19) year old who had my copper iud put in late june of last year. everything’s been fine.

Today- I tested positive. I’ve had an abortion before, which lead to me getting my copper IUD put in so I wouldn’t have to do that again. Now - i am technically five weeks pregnant. I CANNOT be pregnant. I am in college and my family is low income.
My OB cannot take out my IUD until June, But I cannot wait until June because I want this done ASAP as during my last pregnancy I was so sick I couldn’t go to school or work, and lost almost 15 pounds. Can I still have a medication abortion with my IUD in?

UPDATE: I’ve been at the ER for six hours now. they’ve just now told me my IUD literally hasn’t shifted at all. perfectly in place. just failed me. I’m at a loss.

UPDATE AGAIN: they told me it actually did shift?? It fell all the way down to the lower half of my uterus.

hello, i got my iud inserted yesterday nagkaroon ako cramps yesterday after and now wala na akong nafefeel na any pain. normal ba to?

I got my copper iud april 7th and its may 16th and havent had a period yet. i took a pregnancy test almost 2 weeks ago and one today and they both said negative all ive had is some yellow discharge and clear discharge too. what could this mean?

I wanted to share my experience with a copper IUD, because I saw all the horror stories online while researching what contraception to use, and I want you to know that it will likely be okay!

I (24F) decided after much research, to get the copper IUD as my chosen contraception as I would absolutely not remember to take a pill on time each day every day. I’m also a moody gal, and I didn’t want any hormonal methods to mess with my head/libido/weight etc while I’m in the middle of wedding planning. For reference, I’m relatively healthy, 5’6 tall, 56kg, and live in Edinburgh, Scotland.

I booked an appointment online with Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic (Edinburgh, Scotland), and they also have drop-in clinics too, no questions asked. They had really informative videos on the website, and suggested I take a couple painkillers 30min/1h before the appointment. I had a big breakfast beforehand, and a big lunch and lots of water. I was also on day 4 of my period, which I’ve heard can help with insertion, but there’s no current research to back that POV just yet.

I brought my mum with me to the appointment for moral support, but left her in the waiting room when my doctor came to get me (my choice). My doctor was a guy, which threw me off only a tiny bit, but he was the sweetest guy! Introduced himself, wanted to know about me and my life before we got into details. He showed me the IUD, made sure he answered all my questions, and really made me feel at ease. He also offered me 3 kinds of painkillers for the procedure without prompting from me - a spray, a gel, and an injection (I took the gel and I reckon it did work, injection takes 30 seconds to kick in but I’m not a fan of a needle in my vagina).

Once I had agreed to go for the 10-year copper coil (called the Mona Lisa, how cute!) a nurse joined us (also such a sweetie). They asked if I wanted my mum in with me for it, but I said no, let’s not scar her lol. They showed me the little table and leg props I’d be in, and walked me through lying on my back and putting my legs in the props.

I wore a skirt to this, so I popped my shoes off, and hoiked my skirt up (they gave me privacy for this, and a towel to place over my lap while they prepped, and there was a curtain draw for privacy too. This all took place in a private room). The doctor came over and gently walked me through everything he did, which was exactly the same as his walkthrough at the beginning of the appointment.

With gloves he felt around in my vagina to gauge speculum size, with the female nurse right next to me holding my hand or stroking it the whole time. The speculum was a little uncomfortable (1/10 discomfort) but fine overall. They kept giving me prompts to wiggle my feet, and to breathe! Measuring my cervix was more uncomfortable (3/10 discomfort) but more a foreign pressure than actual pain, and the breathing exercises, the nurse comforting me, and the foot wiggling really helped ground me. After that the discomfort went as the doctor got the IUD ready and I could relax a bit. Putting the actual IUD in was not as bad as I thought it would be! More pressure than pain, probably only a 4/10 discomfort at its worst.

And after that it was all done. The speculum was removed, and they asked how I felt, and told me to lie there as long as I needed to and got me some water. They closed the curtain to give me privacy, and I lay there maybe a minute before sitting up to test the waters. Felt a bit clammy, but no pain. I tested standing up and that was fine too. Bending over to put my shoes on was surprisingly easy. Thanked them and left happy with my mum, who had looked like she was going to kick down the door to come find me and make sure I was alright until I came out lol.

Took it easy, used the bathroom before I left the clinic. Walked super slowly up to the bus stop. Her is where I would recommend using uber or get someone to pick you up in a car afterwards. The cramps and sore tummy/hips kicked in, and I had to keep rubbing them to ease the discomfort. Very uncomfortable/sore bus ride home (6/10 pain, like bad period cramps for me). Had food and painkillers and went to sleep with a hot water bottle (highly recommend, this really helped all night!). I had the day off the next day, spent this eating and sleeping with hot water again, maybe 4/10 cramping. Next day after that was completely fine, maybe 1/10 cramps!

It’s now 3 and a bit weeks after my IUD insertion, and while I get the odd cramp/pain every now and then, or a sore back when ovulating (weird, but others have said the same happened to them), I’ve been alright! I was able to gym today, and hit a new RDL PR!

Point being, you are very likely to have a average IUD experience, and horror stories are rare (but more likely to be posted than a mid story, which is why I decided to post my experience). Prep for it, take a day or two off as you’ve just had a minor procedure, and ask for painkillers if not offered by the doctor (not sure about US procedures sorry). You’ll be a bit uncomfortable with a bit of pain, but that’s pretty common and realistic. If you’re in agony - that’s not normal!

Please ask any questions, I hope this helped to put some of you at ease ;)))

I’ve recently experienced some terrible cramping between periods and my virtual clinician requested an ultrasound. Ultrasound found a fibroid that is likely the main culprit of pain, while the irritation I feel sometimes is likely the IUD.

The ultrasound found that my IUD is low. The result said word for word: “Slightly low positioned IUD within endometrial cavity.”

I don’t have a family doctor, so my follow up with virtual care was with a NP. She said that I would likely need the IUD removed and replaced, which is totally fine.

How urgent is this, though? My IUD is my only birth control method, and the pain sucks.

The NP referred me to a gynaecologist and the wait time is approximately 6 months (we only have one in my area and she is always so busy). Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if so, how urgently you had it dealt with?

Googling fibroids and the low IUD scared me. 😅

So I 27f have had my copper iud for a 1.5 years. I decided kind of out of the blue that I wanted to get it checked, I’m not totally sure why, but I did have my period last week and I use a menstrual cup and I felt a tiny pinch so I think I may have pulled it out. I went to the doctors today and turns out it was part way out of my uterus. I was so surprised bc I had no clue.
Has this happened to anyone??

This is the second time since March. The first time I could only see my GP. I had an inflamed lymph node in my armpit so she didn't even bother with testing and just prescribed clindamycin. I felt a million times better after.

Here we are in May and I noticed the issues building again. I manage to get into my gyno and she agrees it sounds like PID or something like BV. She gets me started on antibiotics while we wait on results.

ALL the results are negative. So what's making me feel like shit??

I've had this body for almost 36 years and never had a problem until I got this IUD. All the other typical iud symptoms have basically resolved so I want to prove that it's the problem before I decide to remove it.

What could I be missing here?

This is going to sound mad but I’ve been having extreme health anxiety recently. I’m so worried my iud has fallen out I had it inserted last week. Very uneventful. Painful but I came out proud I’d done it. I’ve had very mild cramps since and a bit of bleeding. Just like day 1 of a period. So again uneventful. Today I was having a wee and the water splashed back in a strange way and I’m terrified it was the iud. I can’t feel the strings but have not tried until now because of it only being there a week. I have no pain and no bleeding and I couldn’t see it in the bowl. Am I overthinking this or should I be worried?