What are the side effects of IUDs?
In the U.S there are two types of intrauterine device (IUD) available:
The most common side effects of IUDs are pain on IUD insertion, cramps, bleeding, and unwanted pregnancy.
Pain on IUD insertion
Before inserting an IUD, a nurse or doctor will measure the depth of your uterus, a procedure known as uterine sounding. To insert the IUD a speculum is used to open your vagina to allow insertion of the IUD through the opening of your cervix into your uterus. Sometimes medicine is used to dilate the cervix or numb the area prior to IUD insertion.
Many women rate measuring the depth of the uterus as more painful than the actual IUD insertion. Reports of pain associated with IUD insertion vary widely, with some likening it to a bee sting whereas others describe it as pain of “cosmic proportions”.
A lot depends on your tolerability to pain and the position and the shape of your uterus. Doctors suggest taking a dose of ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) an hour before the procedure and using a heating pad to help with any persistent cramps following insertion. You should also plan to have the rest of the day off after the procedure and go home and rest. Make sure you wear a panty liner or a sanitary napkin as there may be some spotting or bleeding after the procedure.
Cramps
Cramping is common after IUD insertion because the cervix has to be opened to allow the IUD through. The degree of cramping varies greatly, ranging from low back pain to severe, debilitating, pelvic pain. Women who have previously given birth vaginally tend to experience less pain. For some women, the cramps will have subsided by the time they leave the doctors office, but for most the discomfort persists for several hours or days. Cramping usually subsides entirely within three to six months.
Cramping that persists is generally more common with the copper IUD. With the hormonal IUD, 30% reported increased cramping three months after insertion, whereas 25% reported an improvement in their cramping compared to before IUD placement.
Pain relieving medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) can help with cramping but talk with your doctor about the best dosage to provide relief from your cramping, how long you should take them for, and check that they don’t interact with other medications you take. A heating pad or hot water bottle, exercise, or drinking rose hip tea can may also help.
Bleeding
Almost all women will experience some sort of bleeding after IUD insertion, and again this varies from occasional spotting (on and off blood spots or brown discharge) to heavy bleeding. Although the IUD can be inserted at any time during your menstrual cycle, during your period is the best time because your cervix sits lower and dilates, making it easier for the doctor to insert the IUD.
Make sure you wear a panty liner or a sanitary napkin to the appointment. Spotting generally persists for up to 90 days but occasional bleeding may occur for up to 6 months. Some women with hormonal IUDs may eventually have no periods while the IUD is in place, whereas irregular periods may persist with the copper IUD. If the bleeding is heavy and persistent see your doctor.
Unwanted pregnancy
IUDs are over 99% effective if inserted correctly and they remain in place.
A copper IUD is effective immediately and can even be used as emergency contraception if it is inserted within five days of unprotected sex.
Hormonal IUDs are only effective immediately if put in within the first seven days of your period, otherwise, you should use a condom if you have sex within seven days of insertion.
If you think you have become pregnant and have an IUD inserted, contact your doctor immediately to get it removed.
IUD warning signs
Talk to your doctor as soon as you can if you have the following symptoms:
Sometimes an IUD falls out by itself, most commonly within the first three months. It’s good to check that you can feel the strings of the IUD (or ask your partner to check that they are still there), although sometimes they coil up and sit just behind the cervix and can’t be felt. Make an appointment to get a new IUD inserted if it falls out or you can feel the hard plastic bottom of the IUD coming out through your cervix.
Related medical questions
- What should I expect after a Mirena IUD removal?
- What are the side effects of IUDs?
- Can antibiotics affect IUDs like Kyleena, Mirena, or Skyla?
- Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?
- Can you get pregnant with an IUD?
- Can you drink alcohol after taking Plan B?
- What's the weight limit for Plan B?
- How effective is Plan B and how late can you take it?
- What should I expect after a Mirena IUD removal?
- What are the side effects of IUDs?
- Can antibiotics affect IUDs like Kyleena, Mirena, or Skyla?
- Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?
- Can you get pregnant with an IUD?
- Can you drink alcohol after taking Plan B?
- What's the weight limit for Plan B?
- How effective is Plan B and how late can you take it?
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.
The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Popular Keywords
- metformin obat apa
- alahan panjang
- glimepiride obat apa
- takikardia adalah
- erau ernie
- pradiabetes
- besar88
- atrofi adalah
- kutu anjing
- trakeostomi
- mayzent pi
- enbrel auto injector not working
- enbrel interactions
- lenvima life expectancy
- leqvio pi
- what is lenvima
- lenvima pi
- empagliflozin-linagliptin
- encourage foundation for enbrel
- qulipta drug interactions