Did anyone else notice cycle changes after having a copper coil removed?

[Cineraria]

I used a copper coil for contraception until starting to try to conceive. Because my cycle was always slightly irregular, I noted my dates and symptoms including BBT using the Fertility Friend app for some time before we were going to start trying to help maximise our chances, especially as, at 39, I feel we don’t have time on our side.

Everything seemed to be quite regular apart from the cycle length; the temperature changes and other symptoms seemed to occur predictably each month until the coil was removed. I understood that as the coil doesn't have any hormones, it shouldn't really affect my cycle but since the removal it has seemed quite different to me, in terms of length and when different symptoms and temperature changes happen.

I can’t tell whether the change is a reaction to the removal and different to my normal cycle or if the coil disrupted my normal cycle and the current one is how they should be from now on, so I’m wondering if the information I've already entered in the app might be more of a hindrance than help and if I ought to delete it and start again.

It would really help to hear from anyone else who had a copper coil if you noticed a change to your cycle after it was removed and if this was a one-off or if it changed your cycle long term. Thanks!

hello all, I posted on this thread in February 2014 ... I must have been literally days pregnant with DS who is now 2! Fingers crossed it worked out well for everyone else.

I got another copper IUD when DS was about 9 months (when AF returned) and have just now got it out again. We'd like to try for another baby next year so remembering last time I thought I would give myself some time for everything to settle down.

One thing I've noticed, thinking about the first time I had it, then the break between having DS and getting one again, is that I think it causes terrible water retention! I can put on as much as 2-3kgs before AF and then again at ovulation. It's fairly hideous, my eyelids puff up, as do fingers, legs, ankles, and I generally look like jabba the hutt. Very attractive.

Hey yall. Im curious to know if any of your cycles regulated or concieved. I had regular periods every 28 days prior to removal of paragaurd copper iud. Ive had two 27 day cycles since but they only last 2 days. They start with brown spotting then turn heavy for 2 days and then disappear. So far no conception but i am worried about perimenopause. I am only 30 and no one in my family has experienced this. Could the paragaurd have messed up my hormones or my body? We are ttc right now to give my 2.5 yr old a brother or sister. I didnt want them very far apart.

This is really interesting - id assumed that the copper coil didn't affect things! I had it in for 2.5 years and had heavy, 5 day regular cycles.

I had it removed a year ago and cycles initially stayed heavy but have been getting progressively lighter and shorter - last couple of months have been only 2-3 days. It's hard to compare to pre-coil as I was on the pill so don't know what's the real me! I'm 29 so presumably not age related? After a chemical pregnancy in feb we postponed ttc but about to start again - hopefully any effects will have worn off by now!

Hi friends! I know this post is really old but I am so relieved and distressed to see other women with the same thing happening! I had my Paraguard removed almost 2 years ago and while it was in had super regular periods. I had it for almost 9 years. After removing it I have not had a regular period. I have started having menapoause symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats). My doctors all say this is not due to the Paraguard but my acupuncturist believes me. I’m wondering if any of you who were trying to get pregnant ever did?

Nope. Currently on an ivf cycle (my first). Ttc 27 months...

I talked to a couple lawyers offices today who handle class action suits against Paragard. Mostly they are able to take cases where there has been a break in the paragard on removal and so can prove that damage has been done. However, they said that they have had many women call complaining of early menopausal symptoms post removal. Unfortunately it's hard to prove. I'm thinking of creating a website where women can come forward with their experience to at least get the word out there and legitimize our experience.

Hi the same thing is happening to me. I had the copper coil (paraguard) for 9 years. Prior to having the coil my periods were always fairly heavy and lasted 6/7 days. Whilst I had the coil my periods continued to be heavy however after having it removed in Jan 2018 my periods are now very light and only last 2 days max which is dramtically different to how they ever were. I can't understand this sudden shift as I know the copper IUD is non-hormonal. I'm really worried that this could have impacted my fertility. I'm 30 years old and my partner and I are trying to conceive our first baby. I know we have only been trying for 6 months which isn't very long but I am really concerned that the IUD has thinned by uterine lining which could make it really difficult to get pregnant. I've also read some things online about IUD causing perimenopause which is scary :( Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. I have a doctors appointment booked but I am worried they wont take me seriously until I have been trying for at least 1 year.

They won't take you seriously, I'm sorry to say. It is very very average for it to take up to a year to conceive (about 80% will do so).

Your periods naturally become a bit lighter with age and the coil can disguise this. I noticed that my period lasts a day and then two more days of brown spotting. I did manage to get pregnant through ivf with unexplained infertility.

Malvern5 , I would have your numbers checked for sure, and see if you can get your doctor to refer you to a Reproductive Endocrinologist. I have had to go on hormone replacement therapy to get my cycle to regulate, but my period is still rather light so we are hoping my lining will increase with the added progesterone this month. Usually your doctor will start testing your levels after 6 months of trying with out conceiving. It would be good for you to get your FSH, AMH and Estrogen and Progesterone levels checked.

Any advice greatly received.
I have had the copper coil for over 4 years, within the last 4 months I have had two periods a month, one very light then a week later a really heavy one. Is this normal?

Sorry, I know this is an old thread but so glad I found it and just joined to reply. Lucy87nor I'm in a similar position. Had a rough few months since having the copper IUD removed. Was so regular (28 days with good ovulation CM etc) on the coil.

Since having it removed (TTC), I've had two longer cycles- one about 34 days any obviously meant thinking we were pregnant for 1st time but several BFNs - and 3 very short cycles- 13 days/16 days with no ovulation and I've just had a 14 day cycle with ovulation but literally one day later AF arrived. That seems pretty messed up and I'm getting a bit concerned. I'm 31. Just bought the Period Repair Manual to see what I can do myself (maybe increase progesterone for the luteal phase day 14-28) but ultimately if it carries on probably a trip to GP. Anyone else got updates or tips? So annoyed that these risks aren't yet mentioned about the copper IUD. Big hugs all.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my story of my copper coil removal and its effect on my period. I had the coil for around 4 years, then had a abnormal smear and had to have the LLETZ treatment, during which the strings of my coil got cut and I had to undergo quite a difficult removal (forceps!!). After that, my partner and I began trying to conceive however my periods, which had always been fairly heavy, 5 days and regular suddenly became so light! They were still arriving the same time every month but the bleeding was almost non existent, 1-2 days of light pink / brown spotting at best (you can imagine how horrible this was when trying to conceive and not knowing if it was implantation or period... always period so far!)

I had been speaking to my gp about my concerns however felt I wasn't being taken seriously - it's very frustrating as a woman when you are told its normal for your periods to suddenly completely change! She said if we hadn't conceived in a year of regular intercourse then to come in again and that this could just be my 'normal' period that had been disguised by years of using contraception . So for 5 months post coil removal I endured these strange, light periods and spent endless time worrying and googling symptoms for hormone disorders, wondering why my periods sudden suddenly changed. Then this month, my period just came back like it used to be! Normal flow, no pink spotting. The only thing I have been doing differently it's taking folic acid.

So perhaps it just takes our bodies some time to get over having the coil, copper or hormonal! I just thought I'd share this incase there are any other women going through the same thing.

Now hopefully some baby dust is on the way!!

Xx

Hi thank goodness I found this thread! I know it started ages ago. My story of IUD:
I had IUD removed to conceive in 2011. Shorty before removal I had experienced some back pain. I had it removed and experienced terrible neurological symptoms but I just thought it was that back pain at the time and didn’t think it could be to do with removal. I did not get a period for 3 months but doctors put it down to stress because I was having terrible symptoms and off work. I was off work for 10 months and diagnosed with chronic pain syndrome which has now been upgraded to fibromyalgia.
Anyway I managed to conceive and symptoms improved but after I had baby I had IUD put in at 6 weeks. I’ve had it in since then (2012) apart from change over. For the past 2 years I’ve been on a healing journey (Medical medium protocols and whole food plant-based/ reduced toxins in house and toiletries etc) and actually started to research IUDs and realised that if I want to heal fully I need to have it removed. This time round I had it removed I just assumed I get my period as I’m always regular. Well, well, well guess what.... same this is happening and my symptoms of fibromyalgia have increased, I feel super anxious, brain fog, increased pain etc and no period! I had got my pmt symptoms down from 2 weeks to 3 weeks prior to removal and now I feel I’ve got permanent pmt. it’s awful guys. This should not be branded as hormonal free and it messes with natural hormones. Did someone say there is a support group. I just feel they should give you all the facts because after all it’s informed consent and we are not being informed. What if the trigger for my fibromyalgia was the IUD removal??? I had various symptoms for years but what if it was the straw that broke the camels back?

Hi Gpmg84, did you do anything to get your periods/ cycles back. And how long did it take before you had a period again. I am experiencing the same thing now. Got my Ccopper IUD removed after 2 years of having it. I am supposed to have a period today from my last cycle but its missing and preggy test came back negative. I Have all symptoms of a period aches, cramps but no period. Its been 2 days late already.

@Malvern5 @Seforaj
I know it's been a couple years but just wondering if you've had your periods returned or were able to conceive?

I am 32 and just had the coil removed in May 2020 after having it for 7 years and some change. 1st period after that was hardly 2 days, really light, 30 day cycle. I did get an LH surge using test strips around day 15. 2nd period was about 1 day and very thick, 32 day cycle, more intense cramps than usual. I did a pregnancy test just to be sure but it was negative of course.

Both before and during the paragard I was super regular with 6 day periods and 28-29 day cycles.

I've also noticed that I now seem to have less cervical fluid throughout cycle and no breast tenderness before periods, which I used to get.

I talked to my CNM and she said a 2 day period is totally normal even though it used to be 6 as long as I am getting an LH surge but this seems like BS to me. How can that big a change be okay?! I have an appt scheduled with a different obgyn but it's 3 weeks out. It's only been 2 months but I am terrified by the stories I've been reading in multiple threads like this. I'm especially worried about the early menopause and thin uterine lining remarks. Does anyone know if it repairs itself over time, especially after your 20's?

Hi there, unfortunately my period never returned to normal. I now have an official diagnosis of Premature Ovarian failure, which I am convinced was because of the the iud (period was normal before removal). The doctors are not able to confirm this, and since I was 37, they believe my body might have been moving towards menopause already. Hopefully because you are younger you will adjust. Sending love and prayers your way!

@Seforaj
Thank you for your quick response and I am so sorry to hear that it went that way for you. I am trying to stay positive but it feels so unjust:( I hope you were able to come to terms.

Hello All,
Another copper IUD here.
I had it removed just a month ago so my husband and I could begin trying for a baby #1 and I’m already confused! I’ve had spotting for 5 days, which could have been my period from reading the other posts but who knows! Cycle with coil was 28 days but had 5 - 7 days of spotting before it started.
I ovulated this cycle and have taken a pregnancy test this morning but came back negative. I’m 36 and have unconfirmed PCOS so I’m freaking out now that I will never get pregnant.

Where the hell is the reset button on our cycles?!

How long did everyone wait until they discussed this with their GPs?

It can take a couple months for your cycle to regulate, but mine never did. I was in my late 30s, so the doctors think I was heading to menopause already, but my mom didn’t start menopause until she was in her 50s. I’m still convinced the iud was at fault. But the doctors can’t really do anything about it. Many women have their cycle come back so I’m hoping yours does!

Hi guys
I had the iud on and off for 5 years, the first time. I took it out was because I got really bad back pain to the point I found it difficult to get out of bed. I was convinced it was the coil though the doctor brushed me off I had it removed, and viola pain gone. Anyway hormones mess me up so I went back on the copper iud, things were fine but I suffered badly with period pain and long heavy periods. I had really bad pms for nearly 2 weeks before my period would come it was awful but because it wasn't hormonal I thought it couldn't be the iud. Anyway started researching and found copper poisoning via iud and other ladies stories! Crazy! I've had the coil out now since April 2019, we started Ttc August 2019 and still 13 cycles on no bfp. I have a son who's 9 from previous and I had been oregnnat twice before that too.

My cycles were super light afterwards, 2 days if that. Now they are about 3 days and I do get a heavy day on the second day. I got a hycosy test done last month to see if my tubes were okay and he did say my womb was fine and lining building great so that out that to bed!

Hi there, I know this is an old thread but does anyone have any updates on whether their periods returned to normal? I'm just turning 28 and have had the copper coil removed in March this year. My periods are on time but only last 2/3 days but mostly 2 with the final day being very light. Historically my periods were very heavy and lasted 5/6 days at a time. Even before I was on the copper coil. I no longer get any pms symptoms, whereas before I would get extremely tender breasts. I'm not currently trying for a baby , but would like one in the future. My doctor is saying that my symptoms are not concerning, but I know my body and this is not a regular cycle for me. Has anyone had things return to normal eventually?

It's funny that this thread should pop up... as I found it myself having been googling yesterday! I'd be curious to hear people's thoughts and experiences too....

I've also had my copper coil removed and now have very light periods. Three days max. I can't quite remember what they were like before having a coil, but I don't remember them being particularly light otherwise I think it would feel more familiar.

I'm also worried that the coil (chosen because it wasn't hormonal and therefore wouldn't interfere with fertility etc) might have changed something somewhere.....?

@shs25 I contacted my doctor and explained my symptoms. She seemed to think I should be happy that my menstrual symptoms are 'less severe'. I told her I was very anxious about them as I really would like a baby at some point in the future and she eventually agreed to do blood tests so look for any hormonal changes. So it's just a waiting game for me. Hoping it is just the after effects of the coil and not something more scary. Maybe worth getting on to your gp to get something similar done?

I’d love to hear if you ever saw any progress with this? I believe that this disgusting contraption can cause a lot more issues than they let on and I don’t think it’s a coincidence women are showing as peri menopausal after having this device fitted.

Hi guys, I’m not sure if anyone will see this as it’s been years since the posts I have just read. I have spent the last few months combing the internet for answers and crying myself to sleep feeling like my body is failing me.

so I had the copper coil out in after having my daughter 12.5 years ago. Didn’t think I wanted anymore children due to trama birth. Due to Covid, fear and medical wait times only had it removed a few months ago. It had been in 12 years. Periods where always regular, about 5-7 days long and heavy. Not too painful. Had all the normal PMS symptoms as well that my partner could set his watch by they where so regular and textbook.
Now they are irregular and last a day at most, sometimes only hours. So might I hardly need to use anything. We where going to wait to conceive but now I’m terrified I’m in perimenopause. No PMS symptoms. Irregular periods, short. We want to try now just in case I am. I’m so thankful I found this thread. It gives me a tiny shred of hope that there are women out there like me