Period with copper IUD, think I'm pregnant. Abortion would be necessary if pregnant.

[peggy2467]

So I got the copper IUD on the 15th January.
Had a heavy period on the 26th, all was fine, lasted about 9 days.
Got my next period on 21st Feb, started really light and remained like that for about three days.
Then it started to get quite heavy with lots of clumps/clots of blood.
All seemed fine until now, on day 10 of my period and my breasts are sore and I'm still bleeding fairly heavily.
I feel nauseous, dizzy and have a lack of appetite.
I had sex about two days before my period. So now I'm worried I'm pregnant and had a random period.
Should I be worried? I'm going to do a test in the morning, just need some help until then.
I could alternatively be getting sick!
My question is, could i be pregnant with the copper IUD? As I am currently on my period but I don't trust it now that my boobs are sore!

No contraceptive is 100% effective so yes, you could be.

@sinceyouask
I'm aware that I could be.
I'm just asking as I'm currently on my period so I'm wondering whether or not this is common to have a heavy period with the IUD and still be pregnant.

It is unlikely but not impossible.
Failure rate is 1:1000.
Do a test. If you are pregnant then you should seek medical advice due to increased ectopic risk with a coil insitu.

I'm so sorry, I must have misinterpreted 'could I be pregnant' to mean 'could I be pregnant'. How silly of me.

@sinceyouask
Sorry, my question wasn't very clear.
I would edit it if I could.
It should say "Is it possible to menstruate with the copper IUD and still be pregnant?"

I’d say it’s very unlikely seeing as you have had a heavy period and your dates don’t add up. It has a low failure rate too so you would have to be very unlucky. It could just be hormones causing havoc as too much or too little progesterone can cause things like dizziness and sore boobs

Very unlikely. The period you have with a copper IUD is a real period not a false period like you get with hormonal contraception.

If you are having symptoms of pregnancy then you are far enough gone to get a positive test. If you have access to any then I'd take one now on a 2 hr hold

@spugzbunny
Thanks for replying. I'll take a test soon.
Feel too nervous to take one now!

Seriously, no one on here can say "no you're not". Because it's not possible to do so.
You had sex and whilst being on contraceptives, none are 100% reliant, so yes, slim and tiny as the chance is, there is the possibility. Although it's highly unlikely. The idea obviously distresses you, so go and take an early test and put your mind at rest. I wish you luck with the result you want.

@TheHodgeoftheHedge
Thank you for being so understanding.
I am feeling very distressed right now as I can't go through with this at this time, the stress is stopping me from taking the test in case it is positive.

I had dreadfully heavy periods while using the copper iud. So bad I bled through tampons, towels and jeans in no time. I also felt awfully ill on every period, not like me at all.

I had it put in as I'd had oestrogen breast cancer so couldn't use hormonal contraception and couldn't risk getting pregnant agsin. I think I lasted 6 months before I managed to persuade a medic to take it out and periods returned to normal.

It could be you're having an awful period but If you are worried you might be pregnant do a test and call 111.

If you're on a period I'd say it's highly unlikely.

As the chance is so unlikely @peggy2467, please try and find the courage to take a test asap otherwise you will drive yourself crazy worrying xx

A friend of mine had the copper IUD and was plagued by sore breasts. I think it's more likely to be the IUD that's responsible for your symptoms, not a pregnancy. Sorry to see you go through such stress. X

The first few periods I had, after having the copper coil fitted made me feel awful. Not like anything I’d experienced before. It might just be your body settling down.

Would like to add that 2 years on it’s fine. Periods are more normal, no artificial hormones and it’s in until after the menopause 😀

@Fidgetwonkam @Lisette40

Thank you both! I'm feeling better already.
After doing some googling I have decided to wait until the bleeding has stopped for me to take the test to ensure I get an accurate result.
I have suddenly got really bad cramps that are making me feel a bit nauseous! It's all confusing me!

@MarigoldGloveHotel call 111??? Why would u need to call out of hours if you were pregnant? It's not an emergency or anything that can't wait til GP opens

Apparently cramping is a thing for some with a copper IUD for the first 3 months. I hope you feel better soon and your mind is put at rest. X

Hope you’re ok op. Some people obviously fail to interpret the meaning of a post and are spectacularly unhelpful and insensitive

I would say it’s unlikely as one of the common side effects of coils are heavy bleeding for a while and I would suggest this is what you’re experiencing. However, you should do the test to put your mind at rest.

Jesus Christ please don't call 111

OP, whether you are bleeding or not would not affect the accuracy of a pregnancy test.

It sounds as though it’s unlikely, test to rule it out, but also see your GP about the break through bleeding to rule out some underlying causes.

Good luck.

@lashestans @italiancortado
Aha, I don't plan on calling 111. I'll do a test once the bleeding has stopped, I will then take it from there. Hopefully it will be negative and all will be forgotten! If not, I'll go to the clinic and discuss my options. Thanks for all the help!
Any other experiences are welcome and very helpful. ❤️

Best do a test just to be sure and if it is positive see a GP for a referral as soon as possible.

I got pregnant with a copper coil and it was an ectopic pregnancy. I ended up haemorrhaging and being rushed into hospital at 3am for emergency surgery. Not an experience I would recommend.

I don’t mean to freak you out, but if you think you are pregnant do a test. Don’t assume you can’t be because of the coil.

I had been using the coil for 5 years before the pregnancy and had not had heavy periods while using it like some women do. I don’t recall missing a period either, I only realised I was pregnant because of the nausea and vomiting. I was about 8 weeks by the time I saw my GP and was booked immediately for a surgical termination.

The copper IUD is pretty reliable, unlike a number of other coils which have a much higher failure rate (worth noting as this is not necessarily something that the person fitting them will tell you...). However, not everyone suits an cooper coil as it can make heavy periods worse, or be too big / the wrong shape for some people. It sounds like you are just having a heavy period while your body adapts to the new coil.