r/CopperIUD

I had my copper IUD removed yesterday. I had it probably about a year. Let me just say — WOW. The immediate relief I had when it was out. I feel so much less bloated already (less than 24hrs from removal) and I sincerely feel happier.

I don’t know what happened but I have gained about 30 lbs in the past 7 months. Definitely became anemic. Heaviest periods of my life.

I’ve decided that birth control is so bad for women. I myself will never get it again. It really took a toll on my body. And I pray for no lasting effects or future side effects from messing with my body so much. 😩

Anybody else feel better without it? Any weight loss? It says it doesn’t direct cause weight loss but I don’t doubt that it indirectly did.

Hey guys, I’m 23 and have the copper coil. I got it inserted almost 2 years ago and ever since have regular periods. They’re usually quite long ranging from 8-10 days due to the coil.

My partner doesn’t usually finish inside me very often but May and early June (espc when I was ovulating) he did often. My period was supposed to come 24th June and I wasn’t worried that it didn’t come because we’d just come back off holiday on the 18th June. However it’s now July 4th and still no sign of a period. (11/12 days late). The whole of June I have not had a period.

I took a pregnancy test on Tuesday 30th (in the afternoon) and it was negative - is it true that they can’t pick up early pregnancy if it’s not the first urine of the day?

The past 2 days especially I have been majorly lethargic - I’ve been passing out so easily which is not like me in the middle of the day. I can’t normally fall asleep without a podcast on but I’ve just drifted off without even realising anything to listen to (very off character for me). My sex drive has also been very low the past 2 weeks.

I am however getting on and off period cramps so am I possibly overthinking this whole situation? It’s just my periods are more or less like clockwork but perhaps I’m abit stressed and I don’t realise I am??

Any advice? Should I take another test in the morning or should I just wait? I have never been pregnant before.

I have been on hormonal bc for about 5 years and feel like my body needs a break from the synthetic hormones. I am a 20 y/o F and when I have my period week, I experience a very intense mental reaction from the drop in hormones. If I skip my period week, it works for a couple months and then my period will push through the bc on month 3. My doctor's only suggestion was to switch to another hormonal OCP which is what I do not want to do. I am currently in between getting a copper IUD or switching to barrier method alongside using the Oura Ring and Natural Cycles app as an added layer of protection/peace of mind. The copper IUD seems the like the better option when it comes to avoiding pregnancy, but the side effects of increased bleeding and cramping doesn't sound very great. I would love to hear people's experiences with the copper IUD and how it has effected their body/cycle.

Hi! I got the mini copper iud exactly 3 weeks ago, insertion was really painful, after a week I felt a little better, stopped spotting for 6 days and started spotting again for 3, then it turned into my period. I’m on day 4 of my period and I’m bleeding a lot, the cramps come and go as they like and turn from 0-10 in a matter of minutes. I can’t take hormones anymore, I get severe anxiety and depression after 9 yrs of taking them. I’m a very active person, I workout 5 days a week and 2 of those days is heavy training.

I’m afraid this cramping and bleeding will never go away and I’ll have to stopped working out because of it. I feel already depressed about the situation.

P.s my legs and feet started to get numb since yesterday (day 3 of my period) and also today. Is this normal?

Please advice I don’t know what to do.

Has anyone else experienced excruciating pain near their lower right hip before/during menstruation? Ever since my insertion 1.5 years ago, I have experienced this terrible feeling, it literally stops me in my tracks and brings me to tears as it shoots from my hip, possibly nerve pain? I would really like to keep it, but if this doesn’t improve i’m not sure I can. I have had the placement checked and everything. I’ve never heard of someone else experiencing this. I wait each month for improvement and have none:(

Never done anything not even oral but I have this iud for future proofing and protection from SA because I’m anti pregnancy and i have had trouble with hormones.

I do masturbate with toys but they have only ever been used by me and I usually cover them with condoms most of the time.

This is so humiliating.

I've heard a few times now from different people how painful it was to get there IUD inserted. I remember zero pain. I've had two at this point. I barely even remember them inserting it. It was such a non-event.

I didn't get my first one until after natural childbirth so maybe it could that be why?

I'm just still confused from people talk about it being painful because from my experience it's been the best thing in the world ever and I don't understand why anyone ever takes birth control pills when they can just do this.

I'm 26 and got the silverline 380 Ag inserted 9 years ago (2017) well aware it should be replaced after 5 years. The insertion was very painful and when the 5 years were up I simply couldn't bring myself to book an appointment to get it replaced. I kept telling myself I would do it soon but it never happened.

Although it's 4 years past expiration, the IUD seems effective still. My periods are regular (never missed one!) and my boyfriend and I have continued our sex life without any other contraceptives since 2017.

Of course it's really stupid and crazy of me to let it get to this point. I worry about infections and permanent damage to my uterus as well as pregnancy complications if I do fall pregnant.

Does anyone else have similar experiences with keeping the Silverline for over 5 years? I've read that the 5 year mark is somewhat arbitrary, since that's all there is data to support while in reality IUDs can be effective for far longer.

Anyone else have this? Before I have my period its low enough amd I clearly feel them, but after it is so high I can barely reach it and when I can I can't feel the threads as I think thr cervix closes over them.

I have had it 2 months now and 2 periods have been the same. I get paranoid every time I cant feel the strings as you are meant to feel them beginning of each cycle but of course I can't as my fingers aren't long enough plus I think the cervix kind of swallows them in this part of the cycle as even when I can reach it I still can't feel them.

Anyone else have this? I don't want to use condoms too as am in a committed relationship but also don't want to just trust it's there. I can't go to the doctor to check every month!

has anyone ever experienced breast growth after copper iud placement? i am about one month in and had somewhat mild level tubular breasts before , like my development had been paused as a 12 year old girl.
currently, one of my breasts has become larger and the nipple has firmed slightly , and one still looks mildly tubular.
im wondering if anyone has experienced breast growth because of the copper iud. could it be the amount of estrogen cycling through your body? or just placebo/other causes?

Hi! I’m 29 and just got my copper IUD yesterday. Was previously taking various bc pills for years, but all the ones I tried were giving me awful side effects, so I elected for the hormone-free IUD option.

Insertion was way easier than I expected—just felt like 2 moderate period cramps—but did not think I’d be feeling these other side effects! I’ve definitely been nauseous and have had headaches/lightheadedness off and on since I got it inserted yesterday. Had cramping and spotting yesterday as well, but that has subsided/cleared up significantly as of this morning.

Any advice on combatting this nausea or idea of how long it might last? Really sucks because I have no desire to eat anything.

Hello, id like to ask about having sex without protection after getting copper iud. I got it on 29.7. and my doctor advised me to wait a week before having sex which is totally fine but my first check up on the placement is 24.8. Would you recommend to use other form of protection before the initial check up or if I’ll feel okay and I don’t have cramps anymore can I have unprotected sex without a worry?

Hi everyone,

I had my copper iud inserted last week, and since then I have been having small amount of bleeding every day.

My partner and I had sex 2 days after the insertion as it had stopped bleeding then, but ever since after sex, I have started bleeding again.

I’ve tried to check the strings and I can’t feel anything? Is it possible that the IUD has moved? Or is that completely normal?

Thanks in advance

Hi, Can anyone advise whether the copper IUD can be placed same day at planned parenthood?

I had unprotected intercourse yesterday night & he didn’t withdraw apparently according to my period tracker app my fertile window was yesterday and I am said to be ovulating today!

I looked into Ella and upon researching it’s to late to take that pill so the next option I seen upon researching was the copper IUD!! I rushed to planned parenthoods website to schedule an appointment asap which I got one for the 30th but I will have to travel 3 hours away for but I gotta do what I gotta do! unfortunately my city didn’t have anything until the end of July available! ( I live in a Red state unfortunately). I’m trying to be as proactive as possible and take action immediately!!

Any additional advice or suggestions around the procedure and after care is needed as well!

Thanks & all comments are appreciated! 🫶🏼

I've had my Paragard since the end of 2020 (in my early 20's), by my partner's encouragement.
Because I already had mood swings from my PMS, I did not want to try any hormone-based birth control. Oh boy.

The Paragard was, to be fair, effective: I did not get pregnant over my use of it.

I strongly trusted the assumption that the Paragard would no effects on my mood.

I'm now realizing that my mental health troubles that drastically worsened over the past 6 years might have been because of the Paragard. Here are the list of things that I experienced: burnout, more severe bouts of depression, general low energy, and increased anxiety. I was not motivated to socialize, lost my spark of creativity and passion, and been living in a blur of low-energy state. My libido also took a sharp turn, and I never wanted to have sex. Sometimes I wouldn't even want my partner to touch me.

Since I've had it removed for the past two weeks, I've started to feel alive again. I was actually talking to my friends, resolving issues, conflicts, feeling light and full of energy for my work. I've been isolating myself and having such a negative outlook on everything, it was like a surreal nightmare for the past 6 years. My luteal phase with my Paragard was also a complete disaster. I'm having my first luteal phase post-Paragard and the difference is appalling. I can't believe I went through SIX YEARS of this.

Please monitor your mood and symptoms carefully after having your IUD installed. I don't wish to scare anyone from trying out an effective birth control that works for many.

But, also, an important lesson I learned:

DON'T LET MEN DECIDE WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR BODY. EVER.

Men don't know anything about the female body. Even if they love you. Even if they're nice. Even if they seem to mean the best, or even if they claim to be a feminist. Do NOT acquiesce because "you want to make things convenient for everyone involved" without thinking through it first. Do not believe their stories that their ex-girlfriends did it and it was fine. You know yourself best, and no one else. Take authority of yourself and your own decisions, and protect yourself.

This was the most stupid decision that I've made in my life, and I regret making it. Now I've learned my lesson.

Also, condom sex (and non-penetrative sex) can be just as hot, if not more. Don't let men ever tell you otherwise.

When you use any form of birth control (such as oral/IUD/implants),

RECORD EVERYTHING, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND YOURSELF, AND TRUST YOUR EXPERIENCES FIRSTHAND.

Please trust your own experiences. You are the only one that know your body.

Be safe out there everyone, I'm so glad everyone is sharing their own stories on this subreddit.

I’m literally so scared to fully trust my IUD. I keep seeing stories of ppl getting pregnant w copper iud, and my anxiety is debilitating. Even when my bf and I have sex, we always pull out, and i make sure to use condoms on my fertile days. Im just still so scared ill be in that 1%.

It also doesnt help that my previous iud was partially expelled. I got a new one recently, and ultrasound confirmed it was in place. Im just still SOO scared!!!

I need some reassurance as I am getting a copper iud for the first time. I am extremely nervous about the pain and discomfort

I have had 2 vaginal deliveries, the last one being a year ago. Both of my birth were unmedicated.
I also had my Pap smear done after the baby, and i didn’t feel a thing.

My gyn has prescribed Ativan and ibuprofen for the procedure to alleviate the anxiety and potential pain

Please share your experiences if anyone has had an iud after vaginal births
Does it hurt? And how bad?

Hey, so I personally never thought I would want to put any kind of protection IN me (especially not hormonal), but since I’m older and I don’t wanna get pregnant I wanna be safer. Now I wanna ask you guys about your opinion and experience on the copper iud or also on the hormonal one. Was the insertion painful? what side effects did you experience? also I have a very very regular cycle and it’s barley painful will I lose that? I’ve heard about copper allergies and cancer connected to the iud
(I don’t usually post here so idk if I formed everything right sorry!!)

I don’t really know where to share this, but needed to share my experience. 5 years ago I got the Kyleena IUD. A month later, I started getting really sick and lost 30 lbs. I realized at that time that I had become intolerant to gluten. I changed my life accordingly, and was able to put on weight and feel healthy, while managing a gluten free diet. A month ago, I got my IUD removed, and a Mirena IUD inserted. Long story short, I ate 4 pieces of toast today, and a bowl of pasta to be sure, and I no longer have a gluten allergy. I’m not putting this out there to minimize the effects of a gluten allergy, because I understand how serious reactions can be, but rather to put my story out there. I fully accepted that I would never be able to eat gluten again, and would always have to accommodate for my allergy in life and social settings. However, somehow, my debilitating allergy has disappeared. I’m putting this information out there for other women to be aware that regardless of the writing on the label, birth control can affect your entire body. There should be more studies done to better prepare women before having these devices inserted. For 5 years I was told I had IBS and there was no cause for my sensitivities. I’m very certain at this point that it was my Kyleena IUD all this time.

I have been experiencing a lot of the symptoms that everyone says oh the only thing that made it better is getting it removed. I desperately want it removed. But what is everyone doing insteadddd everyone just says oh I got it removed but then what😭

I don’t think I want a hormonal iud because I just really don’t like having this inside of me at all, whether it’s copper or not. But I’m worried about acne/weight gain/mental health if I go on some form of pill. I’ve never been on the pill so I can’t predict how I’d react, but overall consensus for most people seems to be poorly.

Any suggestions? Or positive stories with a different form of bc after the copper iud became unbearable?