r/CopperIUD

Hey guys! I’m getting an IUD and taking cytotec (misopristone) to help soften my cervix. I read that it causes diarrhea…. Will I shit during my insertion? I’m actually so scared about that. I have to take it the morning of and my appointment is at 11am. Should I take it at like 5am to give it time?? I’m so worried I’ll have an accident during the procedure

I just had my IUD inserted last Aug 16 while I was on my 4th day of my period (my period normally runs for 7 to 8 days). When or how do you guys do the deed after insertion? At the moment, I would still bleed like I'm on my 2nd day or 3rd of period. Or do you guys just do it while you go through your spotting?

Hi friends!

i got my iud inserted back in march. And truly i loved it. i loved the way my body feels in comparison to when ive been on the pill/patch.

my concern is moreso that these cramps have been getting worse, and my periods are getting heavier (5 months post insertion) and i’m having pretty significant bleeding post sex/solo/orgasm/high activity events and significant bleeding while i’m ovulating. the cramps have become pretty unbearable for me, and the bleeding has put a damper on my libido. my partner and i both have pretty high libidos and id prefer to not be bleeding and cramping for 12+ hours at a time post intercourse.

i was wondering if anyone has switched from the copper to the skyla/kyleena and what that experience was like? i’m 21, no kids, i have a super active lifestyle and cannot reliably take a pill daily. also depo scares me. thank you 🩵🩵

Hi, I’m about to give birth to my second child and I’m wondering what insertion experiences were like for those who have given birth, especially fairly recently when they got it. I am planning to get it at my 6 week postpartum appointment. I’ve avoided the IUD over time because I was squeamish about something going in my uterus and insertion/removal but now after having kids it doesn’t seem so bad. I was also pregnant back to back and so what my husband and I were doing was not working and I need some time to breathe before we expand our family more. So I’m very hopeful this is what works for me. If anyone has any experiences post childbirth I’d love to hear them!

Hi! I’m 23, I have the copper iud, I got it last year, over this summer my cycles have been 1-2 weeks late, I really didn’t think too much of it, so I haven’t went to the obgyn about it, tmi but now my cycle was supposed to start yesterday, but since Sunday night I’ve been having very very light spotting, almost like when you get a small cut on your finger and there’s enough blood to show on a tissue but not enough for a bandaid. I bought pregnancy test but I haven’t used them yet because I feel like maybe my cycle will start soon but I have no idea. Only changes are my breast soreness, frequent urination, not throwing up but very nauseous and hungry in the morning, that’s all I can think of right now. I just feel like I’m going crazy, I’m not asking for medical advice but just advice on what anyone who has this birth control would and have done, google will make me go down a rabbit hole lol.

Every day lots of brown and pink discharge plus random cramping on and off, not super intense but still noticeable and bloating.

Is this normal? What is your experience?

Hi all, I’m (27) having a bit of a conundrum and would love some advice. In the USA if that matters to anyone.

I’ve had my Mirena IUD for 5 years now. It’s mostly good except that since I’ve had it, I’ve also been struggling with acne, bloating, and a slightly lower sex drive.

I’m thinking of going non-hormonal with the Paraguard to see if it would help with the acne/bloating.

On the Mirena I don’t have a period but I wouldn’t mind having my period back! My cramps usually weren’t that bad when I had them.

Does anyone here have any insight into this? Tysm!

3 months post removal. Anyone here removed it and still struggling with cramping? To be clear, 80 percent of the horrible cramps went away. I still notice mild to moderate twinging and pain throught my cycle. I feel like my crevix or something was damaged from this experience .

Hi guys so quick question, i got my copper iud about a month ago. i was on my period when i got it inserted so this time around is my second cycle with it. i know i was warned about heavy periods the first couple months to even a year. but im i feel like my bleeding is excessive😭 for almost 3 days ive been soaking through super+ tampons every 1-2 hours plus a lot of clotting non of them have been larger than a quarter but they cover my tampon and fall into the toilet and all over the toilet paper. i feel normal i just have my regular fatigue ive always gotten on my period and a head ache. but i did notice some sharp pain/ cramps that we’re directed mostly towards my right side but it would also switch to my left it didn’t feel like a menstrual cramp. has anyone’s period been like this after getting one. oh and i guess i should say i had a baby 5 months ago idk if that could play a part lol

I’m thinking about getting and IUD and using protection . I don’t wanna get pregnant at all. Like I’m serious afraid of it. Will this be like 100% ?
Please help I’m 20 btw

I got off the pill almost a year ago. I noticed significant improvement in my mood and just overall ability to prioritize my wellbeing. when i asked my gyno about the copper iud, she pushed for the hormonal option because of its smaller size. she also made a point of saying how hormones naturally occur in our bodies, whereas copper does not. i went back and forth but eventually landed on not wanting to try hormonal birth control again.

i currently have an appointment for next thursday to have my copper IUD placed. i’m really unsure about it. on the one hand, id really love the peace of mind. i was anxiously waiting for my period this month worried about pregnancy. on the other hand, i feel like im still trying to get myself back on track and figure out my life and i dont know if i want another thing to deal with. im worried about heavier periods, pain, possible side effects or risks, and whether it could affect the progress I’ve made with my mood and wellbeing.

im really unsure and i feel like trying to make my mind up is just causing me even more stress. i just dont know if it‘s worth it.

for anyone who had manageable periods before insertion and chose the copper IUD to avoid hormones: was it worth it for you? did your bleeding and cramping eventually settle down and did you notice any changes in your mood or overall wellbeing? 

Was supposed to get my period around the 5th of this month. Had pink spotting on August 10th and onwards have had brownish dark red discharge/spotting but no real flow?? Normally it’s very heavy and bright red . Should I be concerned? No cramping my boobs were sore a couple of days ago. Has anyone had something similar and it been nothing?

Today I got my Paraguard removed after 3 years! I felt immediate relief!

On Paraguard I was experiencing:
- Significantly heavy and long period
- Painful intercourse
- Throbbing pain/cramping after intercourse
- Dryness
- Bloating, puffiness

Within a few hours of removal, I had pain free intercourse for the first time in years and my bloating has already significantly subsided. I am excited to see if there are any noticeable shifts in my energy and mental health.

If you are debating getting yours removed, do it. Reading others experiences here made me feel like I wasn’t crazy!

I'm really considering switching from nexplanon to a copper IUD. I've been on nexplanon for 12 years (replaced 3 times) and i actually dont notice many side effects. But the constant flow of hormones can't be beneficial.

Reading all the stories on here has me terrified. I've never had kids but I've been through some gnarly medical procedures, the insertion doesnt scare me.

I'm a very active person on a weight loss journey. Will it affect that? Will i be debilitated for the entire week of my period?

Any positive stories would be appreciated!

I have gained 5lbs in a month since my IUD was placed. I had extreme bloating and cramping for a few weeks.

My weight dropped back down only TWICE in that month, then shot right back up- which tells me this has to do with water retention.

I told my Gyno, and they said the IUD doesnt cause weight gain.

Has anyone experienced similar?

My weight will NOT budge and I work really hard to maintain my weight loss. Im really close to getting this removed.

Are there any alternatives that have worked for you that dont cause weight gain?

My insertion is scheduled for next week and i have a concert that night. Should i reschedule?

Hey guys! I’m a teen and I’m getting the Skyla iud in a few weeks bc of my PCOS. I’m not being offered a paracervical block or numbing and I’ve already asked and they said they can’t do it. I’m taking ibuprofen and cytotec before my procedure. I have some questions,

1. What does the tenaculum feel like? That’s what I’m most scared about
2. Any tips for managing insertion pain?
3. Will it be more painful for me since I haven’t had babies/ not sexually active?

Thank you for your time!

I am 28 F Mom of 2 (7 Weeks PP) I am looking to get Copper IUD soon
I need to Hear from Only moms , Tell me your insertion experience (how many weeks were are you?)
and how are you doing so far?

Note: The reason why I mentioned only Mom is because some people say for those who never gave birth are more likely to get bad experience)

I have previously been on the minipill, Movisse. I went off of it soon into dating my current partner, and last year in October I had a copper IUD inserted. For reference, I'm 27, female, and have had very few issues with my period aside from losing it for a year or two when I was 19-20 due to an eating disorder.

The first few months were very painful. Bad cramps, and spotting basically 1-2 weeks leading up till my actual period. The actual period was hard to determine the start date of because of the spotting.

Now it's a bit better, but I usually do spot a few days before and it's hard to tell when the actual period is. Cramping is very rough for 1-2 days just before heavy bleeding kicks in. If I measured my period length from the start of spotting I'd probably be bleeding for 11-12 days straight.

Sex is fine and I feel no pain. But the bleeding is insane...

I also ran a 30km run (I run marathons and am training for an ultra) yesterday, and today - despite my period being "done" (day 8 or so) the day prior, I started bleeding again. A lot. And cramping.

What the heck is going on? Is this normal? Will it continue to get better, or is this it?