Why do iuds cause heavy periods

Although rare, it is possible for an individual with an IUD to become pregnant. Anyone who experiences pregnancy symptoms can take a pregnancy test and should contact their doctor immediately. Getting pregnant with an IUD can increase the risk of serious complications. Anyone considering changing birth control can talk to their doctor. A doctor will often recommend backup contraception until the new birth control takes effect.

An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a small device a doctor inserts into the uterus that helps prevent pregnancy. Learn about what to expect during an…. Birth control is used to prevent pregnancy. Find out about the different means available, how they work, and how effective they are. Intrauterine devices IUDs are a safe, long-lasting, and effective form of birth control. Like all forms of contraception, IUDs can sometimes cause….

The intrauterine device, IUD, or coil, is a small, birth-control device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent unintended pregnancy for up to 5…. Many people use contraception and must decide between an intrauterine device IUD and a birth control pill.

While both should prevent pregnancy, they…. How does an IUD affect periods? Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Why do IUDs affect periods? What to expect. When to see a doctor. Changing birth control. Share on Pinterest A person can speak to their doctor about different birth control options.

Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Eventually, the bleeding should get lighter. For the first three to six months after your IUD is placed, expect the unexpected when it comes to your periods.

They may not come as regularly as they once did. You could have some spotting in between periods or heavier-than-usual periods. The length of your periods may also increase temporarily. About 20 percent of people bleed for more than eight days in their first few months after insertion.

Your periods should get lighter after the first six months, and you may have fewer of them. Some may find that their periods continue to be more unpredictable than they were in the past. About 1 in 5 people will no longer have a monthly period by the one-year mark. But you can expect more bleeding than before — at least for a while.

In the first two to three months on Paragard, your periods will be heavier than they were before. The heavy bleeding should let up after about three months, putting you back into your normal cycle routine. That makes insertion easier for your doctor and more comfortable for you. Hormonal IUDs are immediately effective when inserted during menstruation. Because the copper itself prevents pregnancy, this IUD will start to protect you as soon as your doctor inserts it.

You can even insert a copper IUD up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Your periods should settle into a normal rhythm after one year. A small percentage of people using a hormonal IUD will stop getting a period altogether. Just check your threads once a month to make sure the IUD is still in the right place. Your doctor can show you how to do this. Your doctor can confirm correct placement and answer any other questions you have.

Intrauterine devices IUDs can cause side effects. Learn how IUDs can affect your menstrual flow and what you can do about it. Prostaglandins are fats made within the body at the site of infection or tissue damage, which can occur on the insertion of an IUD.

These fats cause inflammation and increase blood flow to help the body heal. They also help control your menstrual cycle. So, while your body is healing after getting a copper IUD, periods tend to be heavier. However, most women notice their period returns to normal within two years. The insertion of a hormonal IUD can also cause tissue damage which triggers the production of prostaglandins, but heavy periods are less common with this type of IUD.

It takes time for the body to regulate itself and get used to the hormones in a hormonal IUD. Certain women are at greater risk of developing heavy periods after getting an IUD than others. You may want to consider an alternative birth control choice if you are in one of the following categories.

They can provide personalized advice about the best birth control choices for you. If your heavy periods persist, you may want to speak to a Nurx medical provider to rule out one of the following common causes of heavy periods:. A miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy can also cause heavy bleeding which may be mistaken for a heavy period.

There are several birth control options which can provide the protection against pregnancy you want and reduce those heavy periods by regulating your hormones and reducing the thickness of the endometrium:. Heavy periods can also be managed in many cases using medications or natural remedies. Good options for managing heavy periods include:. Severe abdominal cramps.