Very heavy bleeding on copper coil - should I be worried?

[PerchanceToDream]

It's quite new. Three months. I bled non-stop for 23 days(!) when it was first put in but periods back to normal time-wise now.

But on the first and second days (sorry if TMI) it's like a blood bath! I can't last through the night with a super plus tampon. Always wake up leaking so have to use pad as well and then in the day I'm barely lasting an hour with a super plus.

While this is very annoying I'm lucky that I work from home but I can't really go out on those days. I desperately want the coil to work for me because I'm a migraine sufferer with a high stroke risk who has a family history of pill-induced thrombosis so I'm severely limited in my choice of contraception.

While I'm just about handling it in terms of the practicalities should I be worried about other health implications of losing so much blood like iron levels, etc. I feel absolutely fine in myself and I've never had a problem with anaemia or anything like that before.

But should I mention it to a doc? Any similar experiences?

Thanks!

[FoxtrotFoxtrotSierra]

I lasted about 8 months with my copper coil for the same reasons. I have naturally heavy periods and it just made them horrendous. When I spoke to the GP he suggested taking the pill too so my periods were lighter, before I reminded him that I'd gone down this route as I can't do the combined pill due to hypertension.

Have you looked into progesterone only contraceptives like mirena or the mini pill? You should be allowed them as it's oestrogen that ups the stroke/thrombosis risk. Sadly I've not got on with any of them, and am now looking into sterilisation options for either DH or me.

[RoadtoSussex]

That bleeding sounds heavy - poor you. I did find that my periods were definitely heavier with the IUD and tended to last 10 days or more.

I had mine for 8 years, then used Persona for a while in anticipation of getting pregnant.

Go back to the Dr?

[PerchanceToDream]

Thanks for replies, ladies. Yes I get migraines on the mini-pill too so this is far more preferable than being on edge because I could lose my sight at any moment. Christ! The things we go through. I don't see this as a long term thing - just really want it to work for 6 months - a year before we start thinking about number two. I think I might try and do a quick phone chat with GP just to see what they suggest.

[Rainbowsandpotsofgold]

Hey perchance.. I had my copper coil removed a month ago ttc... I had it in 2.5 years for the 1st year it was fab! Periods regular and not too heavy or painful.. The last 18 months were horrific!!!! Was a total blood bath and very painful... Turns out I could have built up a copper intolerance... Speak to GP and get advice . But until then hot water bottles, chocolate and pjs as often as you can xx

[lowercase]

My moon cup runneth over on the copper coil too.
I Lasted a year, primarily because I couldn't be chafed to get it removed before that...
How about the other coil ( mirena? ) heard good reports from that one.

[NowIncognito]

Hi Perchance - another option, if you are keen to persevere with the hormone-free IUD for a little longer rather than considering Mirena, would be to discuss medication such as tranexamic acid with your GP to reduce the heaviness of the bleed. It would just be taken on days 1 and 2 of your cycle (as long as you have no personal history of thromboembolism).