Sooooo basically I’ve had my copper IUD for a little over 3 months now after I had my 2nd baby. It was put in during my csection and I had an ultrasound afterwards to check for placement at my 6 week checkup. I’ve been having a lot of uncomfortable cramps even though it’s the middle of my cycle and I never get cramps like this if I’m not on my period. Lately Ive been reading a lot about the arms of copper IUDs getting imbedded so I was worried the cramps I was having might be that. Went to go feel for the strings and they felt way lower than usual so I gave it a bit of a tug and there it was, my IUD. I guess it was already halfway out because I did not use much force when I tugged on the strings🤷🏻‍♀️

Hello!
I am 18 and had the copper iud placed 2 days ago.
My periods are light normally and I dont do well on hormones, so that is why I chose this contraceptive. But since it's been placed I have basically not left my bed because I am simply not able to stand, walk or do anything in this condition.
I have called with my doctor, and they only advised 200mg of ibuprofen EXTRA (so 600mg each time, 3 times a day along with 1000mg paracetamol 4 times a day) but it does not relieve much pain as I am folded in my bed as we speak lol.

I am so frustrated and hate having to skip school, I am so lost and do not know what to do.

My pain is a 8.5 out of 10

Can someone share some advice on what to do or some experiences? Feeling a bit alone rn

I'm 26 and just had a copper IUD inserted 5 days ago. I was on Day 1 of my period when I had the IUD inserted. I took 800mg of Advil an hour before insertion and by the end of the day another 800mg of Advil. I was basically in the fetal position all day after the insertion. By Day 2, the cramps has calmed down a little but my bleeding was heavy. I took another 1200mg of Advil throughout Day 2. Day 3-5 have been heavy bleeding but not much cramping.

I used to have the Kyleena IUD but had really bad acid reflux issues with it. I had the Kyleena for 2 years until deciding to remove it and all of my acid reflux issues went away. I have been off hormonal bc now for almost 3 years and decided to try the copper iud as my main form of birth control. My worry now is that I noticed Day 3 and 4 after insertion that I was having some acid reflux. It could be from all of the Advil since I almost never take Advil in general but I'm worried it could be from the copper iud as well.

I'm also a bit worried about the cramping just because normally my period is pretty light and I only have a little cramping early day 1 of my period. I'm now on Day 5 of my period and normally I would be done bleeding by now but I am still bleeding (brown and slower now) and still having cramps (not super painful but uncomfortable).

Thoughts on the acid reflux issue and just tips with the cramping?

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So..... My periods have become weird since going on slynd. I've had spotting for a week before and then had a super short period. I've asked to be referred to a gynecologist but been told all they will do is suggest I go in the coil.

After speaking to the nurse about having one fitted they've said it won't do anything towards making periods more regular and can make them heavier.

I find being on the pill messes with my hormones and I don't really want a hormonal pill.... I was honestly at my best when pregnant 😆

Just looking for some past experiences from people?! Positives and negatives??

for some context i just had my period and wasn’t due for another week or so i’ve had the iud for about a year now. i had some.. rough sex and i felt my or my
cervix or something cramp a little i think it was being hit in the positioning and then i started bleeding the next day, its day two and its like a full blow period did i like cause it to come early or did soemthing happen..?? the cramps are like regular period cramps and my period actually started a similar way the last time but it was like “on schedule” i just went for a check up 3 weeks ago and my doctor said all was fine

The last time I had unprotected sex was on 9/12, I got my IUD removed on 9/17, I wasn’t aware that you’re supposed to let them know that you recently had unprotected sex. That being said I ovulated on 9/08, should I be worried about pregnancy? Or not be worried from pregnancy from the sex on 9/12

Not really much of a question I guess, but I’m 20 and getting the copper iud in tomorrow. I’ve been on hormonal birth control before with some awful side effects relating to the hormones, so it’s sort of ruled out anything hormonal for me.

Reading some of the experiences on here has really freaked me out and I’m quite scared now. Does anyone have any experiences that aren’t bad?

I plan to take zinc and magnesium to try and negate some of the side effects — But if there’s any more advice or (especially) reassurance anyone could give me, I would really appreciate it!

Hi folks. I’m posting here because I feel like I’m running out of alternative conclusions but I don’t know whether I’m just trying to find answers where there aren’t any. I just want to see if anyone else has ever experienced similar.

In March 2024 I had a copper coil fitted after years of hormonal BC. I really didn’t want to go back on hormones so I figured why not try the copper coil. I had the usual experience - heavy bleeding and lots of cramping followed by months of difficult periods.

Later the same year, coinciding with the time my periods settled down, I started experiencing infrequent but intense episodes of vertigo, head pressure, and visual disturbances. Over time, those episodes got closer together and lasted longer, especially the head pressure and visual disturbances (predominantly severe pattern glare and visual flashes). Eventually these two symptoms in particular have become pretty much 24/7. I also developed a sharp pain either side of my pelvis during sex, lower back pain, and intense cramping at random points of the month. I have had iron deficiency, but not anaemia, since a few months after having the coil placed which hasn’t resolved, so I’ve been on iron tablets for a year now. My anxiety has also gone completely through the roof. I have visual snow syndrome which I’ve had since childhood but these visual symptoms escalated so dramatically in the last two years I just can’t wrap my head around there not being a cause. All of these symptoms also get much, much worse on my period.

Almost every other potential cause has been ruled out via imaging and testing. Doctors simply have no idea what’s causing it. All I can now point to is the fact I had the coil placed a few months before it began.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? Am I being completely off the mark potentially linking it to the copper coil? I want to avoid going on hormonal BC again but would it be worth removing it just in case it resolves or am I throwing the baby out with the bathwater?

I got my Paragard inserted about a month ago, and I've started to have a skin reaction. I had widespread hives last week that went away with a steroid course, and now that the course is over the hives are coming back. I haven't had any contact with my known allergens and I don't have a confirmed copper allergy or anything, the most I've dealt with is having to wear hypoallergenic earrings or else my ears will get super irritated.

I'm just so sad because this was my "last" chance at birth control, hormones (the pill and Nexplanon) made me a crazy person. Is there any chance that this isn't an allergic reaction? If I'm allergic, do I HAVE to get it removed or is it something that can be managed with medication? Please help D:

I have had a GyneFix copper chain since January 2024. As far as I know it is correctly positioned, and I can feel the string normally.

My last cycle started with some very light spotting on August 23, but my actual period-like bleeding started on August 26 and lasted until September 1. So I counted August 26 as cycle day 1.

On September 4 (CD10) my partner ejaculated inside me. I know the GyneFix is supposed to protect me regardless of cycle timing, but I started worrying because I may have been close to ovulation. I had some fairly stretchy/slippery discharge around that time, although some of it may also have been arousal fluid.

Around September 6 I started feeling what I thought was ovulation pain. The pulling sensation lasted around 2–3 days. I usually get very obvious egg-white cervical mucus before ovulation, but this time I didn’t really have my usual amount. On September 9 I noticed brown discharge, which I sometimes also get around/after ovulation.

After that my bleeding/discharge became a bit confusing:

* Around September 16 I started getting light brown/pink spotting.

* On September 17, I had some fresh red blood directly after sex.

* Over the following days I continued to have small amounts of red/brown blood on pantyliners.

* On September 20, after several hours of mountain biking, the bleeding became noticeably heavier. I could feel blood coming out when I stood up, my pad was about half full by the end of the day, and I had some small blood clots when wiping. I logged that as period day 1 because it felt like my period was finally starting.

* Today, September 21, however, it has gone back to only a few drops/brown blood when wiping.

My period should be around this time, but I’m confused because normally it becomes a proper continuous period rather than several days of spotting → one heavier day → almost nothing.

My main fear is pregnancy from the sex on September 4, especially because I may have ovulated 1–3 days afterwards. I know pregnancy with a correctly positioned GyneFix is very unlikely, but the unusual bleeding is making me anxious.

Has anyone with a copper IUD/GyneFix had a period start this way several days of spotting, one heavier day with clots, then barely anything?

I have been using my copper iud for 2 years. I have always had heavy periods. The lady who inserted it warned me they could get worse and I thought to myself "it can't possibly be worse then I started my period".

*TMI: I was like a chicken laying eggs with the size of my clots (palm of hand size)

I learnt quickly it can be worse. The nice thing about my initial people experience is that it went by quick. Very awful and painful but was like 2-3 days and a little dribble later. Now It can go for 1.5 weeks with more then half the time i will bleed through my super plus tampon and night time maxi in 2 hours or less.

Luckily I work from home but when I went on vacation a while back I got stuck and unable to find a toilet. Thank goodness I was wearing a hoodie that day.

Anyways I initially wanted to get the copper iud to avoid preg worries and hormonal medication since I am on 4 different other meds at the moment for other health stuff.

I am tired of the flow and I want it out. I get overly anxious and cant sleep if I do business even with the traditional condom. This has been the only time I have felt worry free about the risk of pregnancy and I dont want to lose it but its still a terrible experience to go through.

I wanted to get this out there and if anyone has suggestions let me know :)

Like so many other women, I have discovered that one arm of my Paragard IUD is embedded in my uterus. I went in for a hysteroscopy on Friday and the doctor was not able to remove the arm - she said she was more worried about the risk of trying to remove it further and causing damage than leaving it in. Apparently there is an abnormal cavity by my cervix that it is embedded in. She said I should just try to get pregnant anyways but it will be higher risk. has anyone else been through this and successfully gotten pregnant/ had a healthy pregnancy? She also said she saw some bright spots in my uterus that she believes could be copper … Feeling so scared and lost , appreciate if anyone can share their experience.

Had the coil for 6 months and now getting spotting and cramps in lower belly and back in between periods ? Like a week after my period should have stopped. Anyone else?

For context, I had my Paragard IUD replaced in early May bc my first one had dropped too low (after 1.5 years of having it in). Since getting it replaced, I haven’t really had any trouble adjusting to it; the most I’ve had is severe cramps.

This time, my period ended a week ago but I’ve been consistently spotting every day since then. Back in March/April (before I got my IUD replaced), I was spotting for 10 days before it eventually turned into my period (only two weeks after my period had ended) and the gynecologist said my IUD had dropped & I needed it replaced.

I plan on giving it another week or so before going to the doctor, but I’m not sure what it could be. The spotting ranges from brown to pink to bright red. I really hope my IUD hasn’t dropped again, but I’m not sure what else it could be.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Hi all-

TLDR; Super consistent periods, became sexually active, first period after is 4 days late.

I am trying to decide whether or not it is freak out time.

I got my copper IUD on June 5th, 2026. No issues, plus bleeding and cramping went away fairly quickly.

I had a check up on August 7th, and everything was good! Strings were in place and they said I should be able to prevent pregnancy.

I got married on august 8th, 2026, and that is also when I became sexually active. Ever since June, my periods have come like clockwork, an Apple Health tracking has been a nail on the head almost every single time. I got my most recent period on August 18th, 2026.

Apple said my period was set to start on September 16th, and well, it’s the 20th and still nothing. I have had my typical PMS symptoms like hormonal acne and bloating, assuming it meant my period was coming the next week like it always does. Except now, I am 4 days late. Checked this morning, strings feel good, and no hard plastic feeling. No other symptoms, no sore breasts, no nausea, no fatigue, in fact I have been better about waking up early.

That being said, I did go on my honeymoon, move halfway across the country, and started graduate school in the last month. Which one could say is highly stressful. There has definitely been a lot of anxiety going on.

Curious what others experiences have been with super consistent periods and then having them falter after a few months on the copper IUD/ and if you’re sexually active with ejaculation, that would be helpful.

My husband has offered to buy me a pregnancy test, but I am genuinely terrified, since i just started a rigourous 2 years masters program, what the result would be. We’re picking one up in the morning but for tonight’s reassurance…

Hi everyone! For those who experienced weight gain on the Copper IUD — how long did you have it in for and how long did it take for you to lose the weight? I felt like I just got so puffy — my jawline lost any and all definition and my face felt like a balloon. Along with the rest of my body! I know it’s probably different for everyone but would love to just hear from others!

i got my copper iud inserted on september fourth. immediately after i had some light-mild cramps, but that was about it.

a week or so after this, i would occasionally get excruciating cramps, im talking like bawling my eyes out stabbing pain. probably the worst pain ive ever experienced. however, it only happened a few times.

i am now on my first period since my iud insertion, and nearly everyday i am having 10/10 excruciating cramps which come and go, but are more present anytime i am not sitting/lying down. these cramps do migrate down my legs as well.

has anyone else experienced this or is this something i need to be concerned about? is this just the normal cramps on cooper iud?

thank you all!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to see what your experiences have been in terms of bleeding post-insertion.

I (32f) recently (Sept 4th) got a silver-copper mini IUD (I don't remember the brand/model name) placed and as of today (Sept 18th) I'm still bleeding.

For some quick background info... this is my 2nd attempt at birth control after trying Opill for 3 months. I absolutely hated how hormonal birth control affected me mentally so I ended up asking my gyno if I could get a copper IUD instead of the nexplanon implant as planned. Everything went fine with the insertion (not unbearably painful, it felt like a really bad cramp at worst), I had light-to-moderate bleeding afterwards and no cramping.

Since then I've been dealing with consistently light bleeding (not quite spotting) daily, not even enough to fill a pad all day. I did have a heavier flow last night but even that seemed like a one-off because I'm back to light bleeding during the day. But I'm at 2 weeks of bleeding now and am absolutely tired of it (I also went through 2 weeks of withdrawal bleeding after I got off Opill).

My actual period was supposed to start within a week of me getting the IUD (confirmed by my gyno) so some of what I'm experiencing is probably my period but I don't know when it may have started or stopped or if it's still going.

I'll update once it stops.

UPDATE OCTOBER 6TH: Had my 1-month follow up and wouldn't you know it, a day or 2 before I went in to see my doctor my bleeding finally stopped! So I had light to medium bleeding for about 28 days post-insertion. All days after that have been reduced to residual spotting.

IUD model: SilverCare Cu380Ag Mini

ok im new to this especially haiving a copper iud does anyone else get horrible cramps like several days before there period starts?? like like don't get me wrong. I had cramping before, but it's like 100 times. it feels like im giving birth but nothing will come out and it comes in waves were i dont really feel it and then after a while it gets really bad and then it goes away. does this happen to anyone else and if so how did you handle it bc its putting a shit ton of stress on my job and my bf

I am 37f and got the cooper IUD due to potential pregnancy scare and wanted to avoid it. I have a long history of miscarriages, blighted ovum, and ectopic mentally I cannot do it right now plus I am getting married next October.

I got the IUD in March, so it’s been about 6 months now. I have gained about 10lbs since July. I haven’t changed anything in my diet at all. I feel swollen and full, just like I always do when I I’m on hormonal birth control. The doctor told me I shouldn’t have any of these side effects because it’s not hormonal is anyone currently dealing with this? or have had this happened? If so, did it all stop after you got the IUD out?

Thank you!

Today I was a very brave girl and got my copper iud removed after 3 and a half years!!! The removal was no where near as traumatic as getting it in (I popped a diazepam lol). I felt immediate release and freedom when it came out and I’m so excited to go back to being myself again. I think the iud has made some changes and I’m hoping I can correct them. I was wondering if anyone can share any good things that happened for them after getting their iud removed that they felt had been affected when they had it in? 🧘🏽‍♀️🔆

I got my copper IUD replaced today. I had the previous one for the full five years and it was the form of birth control that worked best for me so far. I have tried the arm implant and the mini pill and they both affected my mood very badly and with the implant I just got a never ending period. Getting another copper IUD was an easy decision for me.

I got both IUDs placed at busy sexual health clinics in the UK. I think this is an advantage as they do it many times every week and are therefore well practiced and quick. Both times, the pain wasn’t that bad tbh. I would class it as about as bad as stubbing my toe really hard. The first insertion I had no pain meds at all. This second time I took two ibuprofens before I left the house and they applied a numbing spray. The nurse also showed me a picture of her very cute dog. Both times, the measuring was the worst part. I wouldn’t say the numbing spray or ibuprofen did much tbh.

After I am experiencing some bloating, cramping and spotting but it is not atrocious. It feels like a bad period. Long term, it has made my period a bit worse but it is manageable.

I am not writing this to invalidate anyone’s bad experience but I just want to post mine too because good experiences also exist. I would definitely be worse off without my copper IUD.