Copper IUD hell - excessive bleeding

[Ronnie211097]

Has anyone experienced really heavy heavy - I mean trickling down your leg bright red blood - and large clots bleeding whilst having the copper IUD? I went to A&E twice and it was only upon the second visit, I was actually transferred over to the gynaecology department for a check up. My GP did not want to refer me because she thought I was just panicking and it was the effects of the copper IUD.

I had a surgical termination about 10 weeks ago, and I was pregnant with twins. I had the copper IUD fitted during the same appointment and I was assured all was well and I could go home. I bled for about a week, then had two bleeds that resembled a period but nothing insane or painful.

On Wednesday 13 October, I started bleeding insanely heavy. No pain or discomfort just bright red blood that would keep going on and on and on soaking through maxi pads fairly quickly. Upon the second visit to the A&E, the gynaecologist examined me and my pelvic came back fine, he did say my bleeding was unusual and I had large clots but my uterus felt okay and I wasn’t in any pain. I had an transvaginal scan which showed the copper IUD was in place but I had a lot of tissue around the copper coil and some blood clots possibly on the bottom of my uterus. The gynaecologist ruled out fibroids, cancer and anything else serious and prescribed me tranexamic acid alongside norethisterone to stop the bleeding.

The bleeding has massively reduced, no longer passing clots and I can actually function without having to hold my crotch area in fear of leaking.

I’ve got another scan in a week to confirm all is fine. Has anyone else had experienced anything like this and if so, what was it?

I’m so afraid I will come off the meds and the bleeding will restart. I’m only 24 and this is causing me a lot of anxiety and depression.

Many thanks.

[quote Ronnie211097]@GreenLunchBox were you given a reason as to why it was so heavy? Was your body just rejecting it?[/quote]
No, it's just a known side effect that it can cause heavy periods. Mine were already heavy so I stupidly thought they couldn't get any heavier

Yes I had this years ago when I had the copper coil. The bleeding was so heavy I remember ruining my then boyfriend’s mattress despite wearing a heavy duty tampon and towel. I couldn’t cope with it and had it removed but I have heard from a friend with one that the bleeding does settle down eventually.

@WinoAnon

Mirena's promise of no periods and no remembering to take a pill is like an upgrade on womanhood 😂 I just wish the hormones didn't affect me as much I was like a different person when I had the implant removed.

Good luck op I hope your scan is fine!

The mirena is the lowest level of hormone you can get in a hormonal contraceptive. The implant has more because it needs to put enough into your bloodstream to affect the ovaries but the mirena is right there, so doesn't need to release as much to do the same job.

Or at least that's what I was told.

@ThirdElephant I thought so as well! I have no idea why I opted for the copper coil in the first place. Taking my womb back to 1979!

@GreenLunchBox Did you go for the Mirena instead?

@FinallyGotAnIPhone Oh man... I must say in a way I am comforted by the fact I am not the only one who suffered with something like this, but at the same time, it is insane that women can bleed so much all because of a little copper device - that is what I am thinking anyway with a mixture of hormonal imbalance post surgical termination. Mine was honestly the heaviest thing I have ever witnessed in my life - like an open wound bleeding that would just go on and on if I stood up and somehow minimised itself when I laid down. There was no point of me even changing a pad, I could have stayed on the toilet with how much was coming out. Same with the insane blood clots. Never have I passed blood clots that size!!!

[quote Ronnie211097]@GreenLunchBox Did you go for the Mirena instead?[/quote]
I did but unfortunately it didn't suit me. Yes the bleeding was really light but I bled constantly!
The doctors kept saying to preserve and that it would settle down. I was like that for 9 months until I begged them to take it out. Seems intra uterine methods just don't suit me!

@GreenLunchBox oh no... what method are you on in the end? I’m scared I might be the same!

I'm not on anything. Nothing seems to suit me. It seems like your issue is something to do with the termination. What have you used in the past, and were they ok?

Copper coil does increase bleeding, made me slightly anemic, I would recommend changing to something else.

@GreenLunchBox I was on the implant for three years and then the mini pill but it made me bleed so much and irregularly. The girls that worked at the clinic refused to give me the combined pill because my blood pressure would always come up higher as they would measure it as soon as I sat down and made me talk through it. I went off it for 7 months and I fell pregnant. My periods were so regular and light whilst not on anything I’m scared I’ve forever ruined my cycle lol. I have no idea what to do, I might try the Mirena. I’ve never suffered with he’s y periods, this is the first time that I’ve experienced something like this whilst not taking hormonal contraception!

@greendiva I am definitely having it taken out. I’m going to ring the hospital tomorrow to see if I can remove it before having my scan the following week. I feel more tired than usual, which I think was caused by the blood loss that was significant. Been taking iron supplements and eating plenty of greens!

I had severe bleeding with the copper coil it was awful.

@Luxembourgmama what was yours like?

I love mine. Periods are pretty heavy but I'm not keen on hormones and DH isn't keen on condoms. I'm also périmenopausal so they're ridiculous at the moment.

How old are you OP? Is your blood pressure the only reason they took you off the pill?

If yes then ask for a 24 hour blood pressure test machine. Mine was always off the chart but when I had the 24 hour test it was so good they gave me 12 months supply rather than the usual 6

If not maybe another type of mini pill? I’m on that now after having serious issues with another brand and have been great. I’ve not bled for 5 years now

@OnTheBoardwalk I’m 24. It was only blood pressure related - I also suffer from white coat syndrome which doesn’t help! I might go on the pill for a few months, I’m not too sure what I want at the moment, just want this bleeding situation sorted out. The coil is giving me a lot of misery at the moment. I bled heavily on the minipill and the implant so quite hesitant to go on these again!

I wish my periods stopped for 5 years!!!

@OnTheBoardwalk sorry forgot to mention I chose to stop the minipill myself. I did ask for the combined pill but they wouldn’t give it to me because of the false BP readings.

Ronnie211097 I can’t remember the first mini pill I was on which didn’t agree with me but I’m on Cerelle now. I’d def give another mini pill a chance if they won’t give you combined.

Have you taken your BP at home over a week or so and given them these readings?

@OnTheBoardwalk I think I will do weekly BP readings and pass these over to the clinicians. I am booked in for 9th Nov to have the coil removed so I have a date to work towards.

If memory serves me right, I was on Desogestrel and Cerelle before that - bleeding, bleeding, bleeding! Kind of jealous it worked so well for you! :)

Sorry Ronnie211097 😄. I keep dreading it when/if it changes. I never ever forget my pill

When I was on combined a female GP told me I could take 6 packs before having a break. That worked as well

I was advised to do my BP for a week taking 2 readings morning and night and recording the lowest reading each time

Hope they get it sorted for you and you get some relief from it soon. I know who much it wipes you out

The bleeding came back after finishing tranexamic acid. I have no idea what to do apart from calling the gynaecology department tomorrow morning to be seen. I feel absolutely devastated and really anxious. Not having a good time at all :(