IUD - Heavy Bleeding?

Yes! I had the same issues and generally felt icky until I had it removed. I think I was having reactions to it. I kept in in for a little over a year i think and I went back in to have it rechecked several times and they always said it was fine. I found somewhere online that a sign of a reaction to copper in it was a rash on the outside of the thighs. I definitely had that and removed it right away. I felt much much better and was back to normal soon after. It definitely is not a perfect method. Hope that helps!

I recently did lots of research on Paraguard & Mirena (including lots of helpful advice from Mamasource moms!) and from what I learned, it is common to have heavy, crampy, fairly long periods with Paraguard. I'm not sure if that's a permanent side effect, or if it will diminish over time. You could call your doctor to ask how long that is supposed to last. If it's something you don't want to deal with, then you could consider switching to the Mirena IUD. It's the hormonal 5-year one, but supposedly 80-90% of users quit having periods after the first 6 months of use. I opted for that one, but am only a month or so in so I can't say yet if that's true for me. Good luck!

Hi A..
I had the Paragard put in in October 2006. I too had very heavy and much longer periods at first. I was not happy because prior to this, I was a 3 day period kinda girl. I had never had to use the super tampons or anything like that.

The heaviness only last 3 months or so. I don't remember exactly, but it wasn't long. I was quickly back to lighter and shorter periods. Sometimes there is 1 heavy day, but nothing like it was at first.

Its been a year and a half and I am 100% happy with my IUD. Hang in there, they will lighten up soon!
B.

I had the Mirena placed 6 weeks after my daughter was born and my first two periods were really heavy and I experienced some spotting. Now, on my third period, spotting is gone and no the periods are only lasting 4 days and are really light. I only need liners now. The booklet says it takes about 6 months to get your periods normal, or non-existant. However I would call your ob to check on it, because it could signify a problem. My motto is 'better safe than sorry'