Copper IUD side effects

[skylee]

I had a copper iud put in a little over a year ago after my second child.  I experienced the side effects I was told could happen, worse cramps and heavier bleeding.  I am fine with these because my choice for birth control is very limited because I get blood clots and cannot take the pill.  

However, I am wondering if anyone has experienced a decrease in thier sex drive becasue of it.  I am only 29 years old, married to a very wonderful and attractive man, but honestly I could care less about sex.  I have been this way ever since I had my last child, which is also when i got the iud.  I just assumed it was because I had children and was so busy with them (I have a 2 1/2 year old and one that is almost 1 1/2).  I am starting to think it could also have something to do with the iud.  

I am considering getting it removed to see if this changes anything.  If anyone has experienced anything similiar to this I would appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

[irythom]

OMG!!! After reading these posts, I didn't pay too much attention to the IUD side effects.  Since the copper IUD doesn't have harmones, I thought my weight gain was from me eating out too much, but now i realize that I didn't eat any more than I used to after I got the IUD.  So I shrugged it off and decided to exercise.  I lost weight, but after reading post about weight gain, I began to realize that I've gained weight right after the IUD insertion. Another side effect was the lingering periods.  I had tender breasts, but didn't notice any acne or severe mood swings.  Pre-IUD, I used to bleed light for three days.  With the IUD, I spotted for a few hours when I thought I was starting my mensus. So I prepared myself by wearing pads. The next day it stopped. The day after that, I'm on full blast for two days, but it was a sticky/thick flow. Then I'll spot for about 3 days until I went off.  Two weeks later, it happened again. I'm not supposed to randomly have two periods per months. This drove me crazy.  I got it removed last month and noticed that I lost about 4 pounds.  I thought it was because zumba was finally working after 5 months. LOL!!! It never dawned on me that I lost weight after I got the IUD removed.  It's true.  Evern though there're no harmones in the paragard, our bodies react to foreign objects in our reproductive system and may stimulate harmones to counteract it.  I feel so much better after i got the IUD removed. I just had my first post-IUD period and it seems to be back to normal. I'm on my third day and lookes like I'll be off by tomorrow.  Plus, I don't have tender breast.  Thanks for the posts, i learned a lot and i hope someone else will learn from my post.

[Chickflick]

Hi,
Iv had the copper coil for about six months and i have very heavy discharge the same time every month when i'm due to ovulate. Its clear with no smell at all . The cramp is unbearable from two weeks before i'm due to when my period is finished. My periods are so heavy and last ages. I love the idea of not having to take pills and I like the fact that my periods are regular and i'm in tune with my body even  knowing when i'm ovulating. However the side effects are getting too much for me to cope with. I also have had advice from people who have became pregnant with the copper coil to have it taken out as it doesn't work for everybody.

[Busymommy83]

Wow that is me to the T(but for me I went female,But through a lot of prayer I have worked that out,but still don't want hubby )!!!Everything you said!I'm so going to get this thing out!!!I went on today because I'm not due for my so called period but I was having really bad cramps in my stomach and butt.Kinda like labor.I just don't know what to do because I'm allergic to condoms and don't want number four baby!!My other children are all a year apart.

[kathryn77]

I have had my cooper iud for 6 weeks.  I am having major changes.  I am extremely dizzy all of the time and eating more.   I just feel bad.  I feel as if I am starting my period twice a week. I am having mine removed.   I also notice that i smell down there. I also feel like my mouth smells like copper.  I wish i would have researched this before I had it put in.  

[aligator74]

I have gained 20 pounds--and cant get it off--I skip periods and feel more irritable and depressed. Hard to say what it's from...it's just s feeling but I think it's time just to get tubes tied I guess. I also have a lot more muscle pain and fatigue....

[cpprt0x1c]

I have had the copper IUD for ten years now. The first 5 I had no problems. Then the hair started falling out but I blamed it on age and stress. But the last six months have been pure HELL! Anxiety and panic attacks, dizziness, pressure in my head and ears, congestion (no cold), allergic to many things which I didn't have allergies to before, just plain AWFUL! I know it's the IUD! I thought it was the thyroid and maybe a vitamin B12 deficiency, but copper toxicity causes a depressed thyroid and all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Yes, it was practical, but it wasn't worth it! I wonder how long it will take for me to feel normal again. I'm having it removed in 4 days.