Periods after copper coil removal

[sedgyhdc]

So I haven't had a "natural" period since I was a teenager. I was on the pill, then had a copper coil for most of my 20s and mid 30s. I fell pregnant first cycle both times so have literally not experienced a completely contraception free period in all that time.

I had the copper coil as I react badly to hormones. I had it removed last month, my period came on the day I expected it to a few weeks later, but rather than spotting for a few days, followed by a couple of heavy days, then medium to spotting (lasting a week in total) I went straight to medium flow on day one, and barely anything for a couple more days.

I don't think I ever remember having such a light period, not just that, but my PMS symptoms (which I really struggle with) were very mild too...could this be by natural state? I didn't think copper coil had much effect though I know it can make you heavier.

Anyone have experience of coming off the copper coil?

Yep, I'm exactly the same!

How long ago? Did it stay that way?

i just read another thread about this but it’s quite old! I’m new here so I don’t know how to share it but search for it. It’s eye opening as so many women are experiencing hormonal symptoms from a hormone free contraception 😭
I’m 30. Had my first coil from 25-29, then it moved so had the other one last year. just got married and just removed it.

i removed mine mid cycle and we are ttc. So naively I thought I wouldn’t even make it to my first period as we’d get pregnant right away. The doctors literally tell you “you’re unprotected right away so be careful “

But now I’m due on my period and I’m. Day late. Tests came back negative. But the strangest thing is my pms symptoms. No breast tenderness, no depression and all the other things that accompany AF.

so I was just doing some research and came here. I’m hoping to track my changes through this thread to help bring some awareness. Please if you’re reading this share your story.

tips:

• I’ve been drinking Okra water. This was unrelated to the IUD, but in my culture a lot of women drink it to hood fertility. Apparently it helps with the lining too so anyone worried about that, get one TikTok and learn how to make it!
• I started taking folic acid and primrose oil. Again before I even knew the iUD may cause issues.

I’ll report back, please nudge me if you want an update :) xx

After having my copper coil removed I have had the same experience and I have done a lot of reading on them - decided I will never be having another.

I have had two copper coils, first from age 20-25. I wasn’t sure if it was a five or 10 year one and the clinic had no record so tried to get it changed and they couldn’t get the new one in so decided not to bother. It was quite traumatic having the nurse attempting to fit it for 20mins. I don’t recall how it felt to have a “normal” period after that and at that time I used to recommend it to everyone, I thought my periods were great.

Got my second IUD two years ago in new relationship and then found out accidentally after an MRI that I have a bicornuate uterus and started doing some reading. I was very paranoid about perforation.

Basically the whole reason they work as contraception is by creating an inflammatory response in the body as they are essentially a foreign body. This is why they often make period symptoms worse. I experienced back pain, severe cramps, migraines, night sweats, heavy bleeding, sore boobs and took this as being completely normal for most of my 20s. I was not tracking my periods when I had the second removed and the first one crept up on me totally symptomless and I woke up covered in blood one morning. It lasted 3-4 days.

There is also evidence to suggest that although they do not contain hormones, the copper in an IUD can affect oestrogen levels which can bring about the symptoms mentioned plus weight gain, fibroids, low sex drive, fatigue, fibroadenomas etc. I would recommend anyone with an IUD or thinking of getting one should google IUD inflammation, copper and oestrogen. I just wish I’d had the full information before getting one. Saying “it might make your periods a bit heavier” is not sufficient.

So, in short, you’re not alone!! I hope this helps xx

POSITIVE UPDATE:
Someone found this post useful so I wanted to post an update. I won’t remember all the details but feel free to ask questions

1. I was 9 days late for my first period after copper coil
2. My 2nd period came a little early and was lighter than usual
3. I didn’t get a third period as I was pregnant

For the second period, we were intentional about getting pregnant. Meaning no pull out method. However, we didn’t get to BD enough and likely missed my Ovulation window. I wasn’t pregnant
For the third period, I bought ovulation strips and watched 1000 TikTok’s of people ttc and made sure to BD in all the right windows. And we thank God that it worked and we got pregnant.

• As mentioned earlier, I started taking vitamins as soon as I was off the IUD. Folic acid, Coq10 which is supposed to help with egg quality and I also drank Okra water and cloves. A quick google search will tell you the best to take
• Also, id been taking sunflower oil with B12 for months before and continued to till now and I’ve not been sick this pregnancy. It might not be the reason im not sick but people recommend B12 for nausea so I think there’s some correlation

I wanted to post this so you don’t feel as helpless as I did after 5 years on the coil. I was fine in the end and an overload of negative information really scared me!

BABY DUST to all reading ✨✨