Any ways to make periods lighter on the copper IUD?

[Artmumcreative]

I want to delay DH having a vasectomy after our second child in case we (I) want a third. We've proven ourselves not to be very responsible with condoms, I can't have hormonal contraception for medical reasons and breastfeeding. I've had a copper coil before and it made my periods really heavy and last for 2-3 weeks. Anything I could do to lighten my periods? After giving birth to DD1, my periods returned at 6 weeks despite EBF. I'm also on blood thinners until 12 weeks pp.

Does your DH want to delay having a vasectomy?

No, I want him to in case we decide to have another baby.

Hi Artmum
You can take tranexamic acid on the heaviest days of bleeding, to try to reduce blood flow. I’m not prying into your medical history, but have you checked whether you’d have contraindications to a hormonal coil (eg. Mirena) which usually results in much lighter bleeding? Even if you can’t use other hormonal methods, that might be OK, but it does depend on what medical conditions or risk factors you have. Happy for you to DM me if it would be useful (I work in the field of contraception and sexual health).