Warning: I’m going to go all TMI on you to share the bloody truth about my experience with an intrauterine device, also known as an IUD. If you have no interest in hearing about my contraceptive woes, consider yourself warned and come back another day when I’m in a better mood!
Remember about a month ago when I made you all suffer through my bitching and moaning about the ridiculous pain I experienced during my IUD insertion?
You know what would be even more awesome than enduring that procedure, followed by a month of near-constant bleeding? If it was all for nothing.
You guessed it. The Paragard has left the building.
Let me explain.
To recap: I had a Paragard IUD inserted in late August. Thanks, in part, to a miscommunication with my midwife, I did not take ibuprofen before the insertion. Who knew that not taking a couple over-the-counter pain relief pills would have such an impact?
The insertion process was horribly painful for me. I won’t bore you with the details a second time, so you can go read about it yourself if you missed it the first time.
My midwife warned me that I would probably experience some bleeding over the next week or so after the insertion but that the cramping shouldn’t be so bad after the first couple days. I left her office with instructions to immediately take 800 mg of ibuprofen and take it easy. We also scheduled an appointment for me to return a month later so she could do an ultrasound and make sure the IUD was properly attached to my uterus.
Before we decided to go the IUD route, she also advised me to stay on the birth control pill for another couple months. She said it would help keep my period regulated and should assist with any post-insertion bleeding. I’ve been on the pill for this many years, so another couple months couldn’t hurt. Thank God I took her advice (that’s foreshadowing).
In the days and weeks after the IUD was inserted, I experienced a lot of bleeding. A lot. I’ve been blessed with pretty light periods for most of my life, and this was far worse than anything I’d experienced other than the first couple weeks postpartum. After two weeks, I called the doctor’s office and talked to the nurse. She said as long as I wasn’t soaking through two tampons an hour, I was within the bounds of normal side effects. And since I wasn’t experiencing any cramping, she said I’d just have to ride it out but to call back if the bleeding got any heavier.
Fun.
So I endured my month. And in the interest of telling you every side effect, hopefully my husband won’t kill me for telling you that the couple times we attempted to have sex, it hurt like hell and we had to stop. Dr. Google and a few friends told me that although this didn’t happen to most people it was a little unusual (and my midwife had told me it should have no impact on sex).
Hmmm.
Finally, a couple days before my ultrasound appointment, the bleeding started letting up. Of course. Doesn’t it always happen that way?
By the time I walked into the office for my appointment, I was feeling better and hoping that I had 9 years and 11 months of hormone-free, pain-free living ahead of me.
For starters, I got to experience that special joy of receiving a transvaginal ultrasound. That’s just good times right there. It was made even more fun by the fact that apparently my ovaries like to “hide,” leading to a lot of poking, prodding and apologies from the lab tech.
Finally, I was sent into the exam room to wait for my midwife. She was handed the scans just as she walked in, and we read the good news together — my IUD was not attached to my uterus. It would have to come out.
Basically, the reason I had such heavy bleeding all month long was because my uterus was constantly contracting until it expelled the IUD.
I looked at her and said, “So let me get this straight. My uterus was unable to push out my 9 pound, 6 ounce fetus, but a microscopic copper device? THAT it wants to get rid of?”
Then it was time for someone else to apologize. She remembered how agonizing the insertion had been for me. She said the good news is that the bleeding and pain would stop. When I told her I’d had no pain, just bleeding, she was stunned. She told me that in the several years she’s been inserting IUDS, only four or five have been expelled and in all the other cases, the women experienced extreme pain until the IUDs were removed.
So at least I had that going for me.
I told her that the only time I’d experienced pain was during intercourse. She suddenly got a panicked look on her face. “Are you still on the pill, Jackie?” “Yes, why?” “Phew. Because if you weren’t, you could have gotten pregnant. Since the IUD wasn’t attached, it wouldn’t have provided any contraception.”
So to recap. I had a horrible, horrible insertion, followed by a month of constant bleeding, some cramping, and oh yeah, I almost ended up pregnant.
Man, this was a good experiment.
Now what? She said she’d start the insurance process of seeing if we could even get another one. She didn’t have a definitive reason why it failed. Perhaps I was too tense from the pain during the insertion. Perhaps it was the wrong time of the month for my body. Perhaps it was the device. Perhaps it’s just one of those things.
She did assure me that if we do try it again, she’ll give me valium and ibuprofen before the insertion.
In the meantime, I’m still on the pill, the bleeding stopped immediately, and I’m trying to decide what to do moving forward.
I also want to stress for others considering an IUD that I seem to be the rare exception, not the rule. In my previous post, so many others said they had none of the same issues I had. I guess there’s got to be someone to experience all those side effects they love to warn about. I’m just one of the lucky ones.
And now I get to rethink my options for contraception. I’d really love to get off the hormones or at least significantly lessen them. I have no interest in charting.
What else is out there? Should I give the IUD a second shot?
No way I’d get another IUD! Are you planning on having another child? If not, have your hubby get snipped and you get a uteral ablation – best thing ever!
Well, I’m 90 percent sure we’re done but I’m just not quite ready for either of us to take any permanent steps. He’s all ready for the snip snip. I just can’t pull the trigger on it, so to be speak. Maybe in another couple years. But this would all be simpler if I could!
Glad I read your review of the Paragard IUD. I had the same horrible experience of it getting put i. I passed two kidney stones and the pain from the insertion was worse than that! Not to mention I was seconds away from passing out after it. i have had it for 6 months almost with occasional spotting until now, I have been bleeding for a month straight almost!! No fun and I can’t wait to get it out…10 more days!!!
Holy crap! You brave person! I had been thinking about getting an IUD at one point, but everything I read sounded much like this story.
I actually went off the pill about six months ago and have been happier ever since. My husband and I just use condoms now. Trying to transition to condoms + natural family planning.
Don’t let me scare you off! I swear, everyone else in the world I talk to has nothing but GREAT things to say about their IUDs. That’s partially why I got it to begin with. So, we’ll see. Once I hear back from my doctor as to whether it’s even an option in the short-term, I’ll make a decision.
I just know myself — I’m bad enough about taking the pill. I can’t be trusted to do things the natural way!
Why did you want to get off the pill if that was working for so long? Are you tired of taking it every day?
For starters, I’m the worst at remembering to take it. I’ve tried everything — alarms, keeping it with my toothbrush for the morning, taking it before I get out of bed and I just have never been great at finding a consistent system. So I live in constant fear that my inconsistent taking (missing a day, taking 2; missing two days, taking 3) will result in a pregnancy.
And I have no sound medical reasoning for this but I just feel like I shouldn’t be on the hormones for my entire life. Other than when I was pregnant, I’ve been on the pill for nearly 20 years. I just feel like my body needs a break from it. That’s why I wanted to do Paragard (hormone free) versus Merena (hormones).
I wonder about that myself sometimes. I’ve been on the pill for 17 years and I don’t know if that’s a bad thing. My GYN never says anything to me about it either, she just renews my prescription after my yearly appointment and sends me on my way. I do like that it regulates my period tho.
I’d get another IUD. I had Mirena and then after the 5 year time frame tried Paraguard. I’ve had horrible periods on Paraguard (the ones I’d forgotten since pre-birth control teen years) and will be taking it out really early for another Mirena.
Hmmm, that’s interesting. Since I’ve never had bad periods, my midwife thought the Paragard would be the better option. Plus, that’s why she was keeping me on the pill for an additional few months to help it all get regulated. But I’m betting I would have had my issues whether I went with Mirena or the Paragard — they’re basically both the same device, right?
But I’m glad to hear, from a technical standpoint at least, that you’ve had no problems. I really want to try it again. I just don’t know if I’ll be able to. Sigh.
They said two tampons an hour is normal?!
I actually went through a year and a half period where we just used condoms (long story). It was sort of annoying but it worked. Actually, what am I talking about? I hated it. But my husband didn’t mind, oddly enough.
No, she said two was not good. But I was going through one, plus the pad/hour and that was supposedly OK. Who knows. I probably should have pressed the issue more when things were really bad during that first week and into the second week but since I wasn’t in any pain, the doctor’s office (via phone) and the web kind of made me think everything was “normal.” Guess now.
And my body just doesn’t like condoms either. I’m not allergic to latex but I don’t know if it’s the spermicide or what, but it always leaves me irritated and sore. And mentally, I’m just like, “Isn’t that a perk of marriage? No condoms!”
Oh, well that just stinks. Sorry you had to go through all that misery. I’ve heard good and bad about both IUDs. I went with the other one–wasn’t keen on the hormones, but I heard the paraguard can make periods worse. I couldn’t bare that. While I have not been completely pleased with it (my first few months were annoying, but NOTHING like yours) it seems to work.
You’ll get it all figured out. Sometimes it just sucks being a girl.
Sorry you had to go through all that. I have to say, we love the vasectomy!
Now I feel like an a-hole for telling you that it was no big deal!
Sucks that your body is not a fan of the IUD. If I were in your shoes I might attempt the IUD one more time, but then I (or rather Dan) would probably go for the big V. At least there is an option for a reversal — while you getting something done (like ablation) is not. We’ve tried all of the other options and they were just no goes for us, so I feel ya on the alternatives. BOOOOO!
Holy shitballs. I wouldn’t get an IUD again if I were you! Maybe it’s time to think about a little “snip snip” action for your other half. I hear that’s pretty simple and totally painless for you 🙂
I do like the fact that the snip snip is painless for me! But then again, I’d have to hear his whining for a couple days. And we know how men are!
I’m just not mentally ready for such a permanent decision. I wish I was. All of this would be so much easier, and he is totally game for getting the snip. It’s me that keeps holding out for a bit longer “just in case” we change our minds. Yeah, I’m pretty awful at being firm on making decisions. I agonize over what to make for dinner every night, so something as big as this is going to take me a long time to settle upon. God, I annoy enough myself.
I had a Mirena in between my kids and if my hubby hadn’t gotten a snip, I would have gotten another one. I had little to no period the entire time I had it…I loved it. Just an FYI, the hormones the Mirena gives off aren’t even enough to get into your bloodstream. They are contained locally within the uterus to prevent implantation.
Did you have your inserted while you had your period? I had mine put in 8 weeks after giving birth but everyone else I know who got one beyond that point had it inserted during their period. I would give it one more shot and if you have the same issue, move on to something else.
Really? My midwife didn’t tell me that about the hormones and Mirena. I’m starting to wonder if that’s the way I should go instead of Paragard. No, I didn’t have it inserted during my period, although it was just a couple days after. I think next time I should definitely schedule it then. I’ve heard they insist on that with women who haven’t given birth, and since it’s been so long since I have, it couldn’t hurt.
Thanks for sharing your input. I appreciate everyone else’s knowledge on this so much!
Yes, definitely do it during you period. I guess it has to do with the cervix being slightly more open during that time. My Mirena insertion was simple although I did take a couple Advil beforehand. I wonder if maybe you had a weird reaction to the copper in the Paraguard? I have heard from a couple people that bleeding is worse with the Paraguard rather than the Mirena. I know several who switched to the Mirena because of it.
Yeah, the hormones in Mirena are really minimal. The pill started making me feel mildly nauseous, but I never had any issues with Mirena. And that whole bit about having to adhere to your uterus?! I don’t think that is the case with the Mirena, either. My impression is that it just sort of “floats.” At least, when I had mine out it was super easy. My doctor literally just pulled it out. One cramp and then totally fine. Side effects were I spotted for a while, on and off, and within 6 months my period was basically gone. I had one day of very light spotting (like, wear a pantyliner… or don’t, either way). Many women have nothing at all. And YES, have it put in during your period. Like on the 3rd day or so (after it has subsided a bit but your cervix is still soft). I don’t think having a kid or not has anything to do with the insertion, honestly (unless you are shortly post-partum). Your cervix still closes up tight once you are recovered from the birth. The only difference is that if you haven’t had a kid, your body is more likely to push it back out. I didn’t get the Paragard because I’d heard a lot about the crazy bleeding. I would totally get the Mirena again when we’re done having kids. I think my experience was basically like Erin’s!
I think you should just get pregnant. 😛
Seriously though, I’d try it again & get them to schedule you for a 2 week follow up this time so if there is a problem it’s addressed sooner. I feel like a Paragard cheerleader, but I think it’s just so great!
Oh man, that sucks! So sorry to hear that you had to go through that. You might remember that I also had a bad reaction – but I didn’t even get out of the office before asking them to take it out. I bet I would have had a similar month if I was less of a baby!
My vote would be either “no thanks” to round 2 OR have the husband drive you over and get so liquored up that you don’t remember the second insertion!
By the way, I had similar worries about staying on the pill so long (about 17 yrs for me) but my gyno has told me I really needn’t worry so I guess I will just be staying on it!
Good luck!
THANK YOU for writing this! I’m so sorry you had this experience. I have had my IUD in for 3 years and thought it was the answer to my hormone issues with BC. And let’s face it I can’t handle a third child so I needed something fool proof!
I have never had bad periods. Always very light and short since getting the paraguard it has been nothing short of horrible! I have dealt with it, and on numerous occasions shared with my dr who told me he had never heard of such a thing. Usually the periods become lighter. I’ve decided it’s the universes way of working against me!
I’m ok with mine I don’ t get migraine headaches/ High Blood Pressure anymore like I did on BC. I would advise you to try to get another it is really one less thing to worry about if it goes properly.
Good Luck!
Wow! What an ordeal. The part of your story that’s the most upsetting is that you kept asking if your symptoms were normal. Oh, and that another insertion might not be covered (wtf is up with that? Makes me miss Canada). I’m happy your bleeding has stopped at least.
So wait. You had the procedure done by a MIDWIFE? Why not a doctor? I’ve had two, no problems at all. B0th by a DOCTOR. So welcome to a preview of Obamacare. You get substandard service to save a buck.
And no your symptoms weren’t normal. It took me 3 seconds to see that on google.
For the record, Alyr, my midwife is part of a large OB/GYN practice that includes seven OB-GYNs (yes, all M.Ds) and her. They were the ones who saw me during my pregnancy and delivered my child. Since giving birth, I started seeing the midwife because she spends twice as much time with me at each of my visits than any of them ever did and answers all of my questions. With the doctors, I always felt rushed and as if my issues weren’t real or important. I trust her ability and skills to do this procedure (which I wouldn’t even classify it as a procedure) 1000 percent.
As for the symptoms, I’d love to see the source you found. Everything I found, including all of the side effects and symptoms listed on the Paragard site, matched with what I was experiencing. Yes, my bleeding was heavy for my body but not for the possibilities associated with a newly inserted IUD. Plus, I never had any cramping beyond the first day, nor did I have any other of the significant side effects.
Finally, as for Obamacare, I welcome it. Without the Affordable Care Act, this IUD discussion would not be happening. Before the ACA went into effect, my insurance company did not cover it so I was looking at spending $700-$900 out of pocket for it, something my family could not afford to pay upfront.
Thank you for your comment and I’m glad to hear you’ve had no problems with your two IUDs. I’m hoping the first bad experience was a fluke but I’m still considering all of my options.
Minus the previous comment, I LOVE the discussion on your blog! I’m one of those no problem Merenas. The “break-through” bleeding sucks but the not having to remember a pill and hoping I’m not pregnant part does not.
I found your blog through your comment on HTP today, and I am so sorry you had to go through this mess with your IUD! I was definitely worried about this when I got my Mirena – I had never had children and had two failed insertions because of a cranky closed-up cervix. If you decide to try again, what worked for me was a glass of wine before a late afternoon appointment, ibuprofen, and bringing my better half with me. I was relaxed, the insertion went quickly and, well, as painlessly as possible, then I went home and slept (more relaxation)!
For what it’s worth, I had a terrible time on HBC – every side effect in the book. The low dose of progesterone in Mirena is local as opposed to systemic and has made me feel like my old self again! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
OH MAN! I thoroughly discussed and researched getting an IUD put in last year. I cannot take birth control pills, or use anything with any form of synthetic hormones involved… and I’m allergic to latex. Fun times! An IUD sounded like a great idea to me until I talked to my mom who also cannot take anything with hormones or use latex. When she was younger she went through 3 IUDs and NONE of them worked for her, her body expelled one of them, another attached to her tampon and got pulled out and I can’t remember what happened to the third. So I figured for $800 it wasn’t worth the try since I seem to follow in her footsteps. We’re stuck using non-latex condoms and it honestly takes some fun out of doing the deed. Hopefully number TWO works for you!! I have my fingers crossed!!
Elizabeth — I just have to tell you that I had IUD number 2 on Friday and it was an ENTIRELY different experience. This time, my midwife prescribed a valium for me and I took 800 mg of ibuprofen first. I barely had any discomfort during the actual insertion and very few cramps the rest of the day! My period actually started that morning and she was worried that it might push it out again but so far, everything feels so much different this time. It’s much better! I’m going to wait a few days to post about it to make sure everything still is going well, but at long last I finally understand why Paragard has so many fans! Good luck to you!
i just got mirena. nobody warned me about the advil ahead of time, so insertion hurt like a mofo. that whole day i had the most god awful cramps, like worse than back when i was a teenager who needed super plus tampons. but it got progressively better. it’s been over a week now and i’m spotting here and there but the severe discomfort is gone. so i’m hopeful.
I just did my second attempt at the IUD on Friday and holy cow. It was an entirely different experience. Barely any pain during the insertion and very little cramping since. I actually have my period right now but I already can tell that I’m not going to have anywhere near the spotting issues that I had last time. I’m going to give it a week or so before I do a follow-up post to make sure all is still kosher, but this time, I finally get what everyone who had positive experiences was talking about. Thank you valium!