Questions About My IUD

Updated on March 10, 2009
N.P. asks from Bountiful, UT
9 answers

So.... I got an IUD last September, when my baby was 2 months old. It has been great. I definately like this form of birth control...as long as it's working!

Here's the thing. I know on an IUD, you have lighter periods or no periods at all. Well, I'm positive that my cycle started back up and that I had a light period. And now? Well, if everything is suppose to work like that, then I am a week late. Maybe it is too soon to be wondering if I am pregnant, but I have ALWAYS been regular. You could set a clock by my timing.

SO...does an IUD make you irregular?

Does an IUD cause lighter periods AND, sometimes, NO period? Or should I be consistently having lighter periods regularly?

Has this happened to anyone else?

How long should I wait? Am I overreacting?

Thanks for your help!

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So What Happened?

Yeah, I overreacted about the pregnant thing! Pregnancy test was negative. :) SO....these "lighter" periods ARE unpredictable? That's good to know. I guess I won't count on being regular. I can handle that since the lighter periods are a piece of cake. I won't overreact next time! I just didn't think I had the strength for 3 under 3!

Featured Answers

A.C.

answers from Pocatello on

Don't worry- this is totally normal. I have had mine for a year, and I had given birth 6 weeks before I got it. Between the birth control and the change of hormones from having a baby, then breastfeeding, then quitting breastfeeding... yeah, mine has NEVER been predictable in this last year. It started out way heavy and constant, I think I had a 6 week period, then none for a few months, then a light one every 2 weeks, which is about where I am at now. My husband hates that but it has really been fine due to it being so light. But I will say that the periods are longer too, like 9-10 days. I think over time it will get more normal and you can decide if that is something that makes you want to remove it. However that is the only side effect I have had, I love not having to worry about birth control on a daily basis.

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H.M.

answers from Boise on

Well, I can't say for sure but maybe your body is just running late.
I have had an IUD twice once for eight years and did not get pregnant and know almost two years and it still has worked for me. It had never made me irregular! Maybe stress or something else could be making you a little late.
I hope this helps. Feel free to ask me questions if you need too.

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A.B.

answers from Fort Collins on

With my IUD my cycles have been heavier (sometimes MUCH heavier) than they used to be and yes I've had a few late cycles as well. Every body is different and medicine is a science and science isn't perfect =) If you're really worried check with your Dr. but chances are things are fine

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A.M.

answers from Pueblo on

My periods were always really regular like yours. I got the mirena IUD when my son was 3 months old, and at first I had heavy bleeding for about 2 months, and then I only had like a quick, very light day or two period, every other month, sometimes every 3 months. I asked my dr if that was normal and they said it was fine and normal. If your really concerened about it talk more with your dr. But based on my experiance it's completely normal.

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J.D.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Depending on the IUD, it very much can make you irregular. If you have the Mirena IUD, one of the selling points it that it can cause you to not have menses at all.

From the Mirena website: May also shorten, lighten or even eliminate your periods—after one year of use, there may be up to a 90% reduction in menstrual bleeding, and 20% of Mirena® users had no bleeding or spotting at all

http://www.mirena-us.com/what_expect/index.jsp

Hope this helps!

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A.B.

answers from Spokane on

I had an IUD (Mirena) for a little over a year after my first child was born...I loved that I didn't have to worry about remembering to take BC every day. However, the situation you've just described is one of the major reasons I finally decided to have it removed. IUD's do cause crazy, irregular bleeding and for me terrible cramping. I had some sort of bleeding for weeks...then nothing for months...then every two weeks I was having a period. My doctor told me that it takes your body a good 9 months to normalize following insertion of and IUD. It does make a difference which one you have, though. What you are experiencing could very well be completely normal. The only way you can become pregnant with and IUD is if it slips out of place....or completely out. Either way, you would notice. Check your strings if you are unsure. If you are a full week late due to pregnancy, you should be able to take a home pregnancy test. Good luck!

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K.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

When I had my IUD in, my periods almost disappeared. Once a month, I would drip, drip, drip for a couple of days and that was it. I never knew when it was coming, but it was soooo light that I never accidentally leaked. That part was great! BUT, I had it removed eventually, because I gained 15lbs in the first 6 months after having it put in. I couldn't figure out why I was gaining weight for absolutely no reason and when I brought it up with my GYN, she said that it is a side effect of some IUDs, although not too common. I guess my body couldn't handle the hormones or something...still trying to lose the weight.

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A.B.

answers from Pocatello on

It depends on what kind of IUD you have. If you have the 5 year one (the one that supplies hormones) then it's normal to have light, or even missing, periods. With the 10 year one (no hormones) many times it makes your periods heavier for the first few months when your cycle returns. Make sure you're checking after each period for your strings to know that the IUD is still in place. If you think you're pregnant, don't be afraid to ask your dr to to a blood test for you. However, IUDs are so effective that, as long as it's still correctly placed, your chances of pregnancy are very minimal. Good luck :)

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L.K.

answers from Denver on

Probably overreacting ;-) When I had my IUD, I rarely had a period at all, and when I did it was never predictable as to when it would show up. Prior to that, I was also VERY regular. Also, are you breastfeeding? Women who are tend to have little or no periods while they are breastfeeding, although that hasn't been the case for me. That being said, pregnancy tests are very inexpensive and if you wanted to take one to know for sure, why not?

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