IUD removed still not period

Had Merina- IUD removed Jan 3, 2008. Had the IUD for almost 4 years and now deciding to have another child. I am also on Lovenox shots for a blood clotting disorder and was advised to start the shots before conception. My Dr advised that I would ovulate with in 2-14 days after the IUD was removed and to start taking the shots asap. Well I have still not had a period and taken a dozen pregnancy test all neg. I am definately anxious to get pregnant as the shots are not fun so do you know how long it might take to have an actual period and ovulate?

Thanks so much!

[Heather5]

Sorry, I have no idea how long it would take...but I was just curious what type of blood clotting disorder you have. I have Factor V, but advised not to use lovenox until I get pregnant and a heartbeat is detected.

[shorti26]

Unfortunately I do not remember the exact issue, however I was told that I do have MTHFR along with my body producing too many blood clots. I was also told that I have a protein C issue meaning that my body does not break down the clots. Do you know why you were told not to take the shots before? I know that with my case I was pregnant almost 4 years ago with triplets, unfortuantely when I was 3 weeks pregnant I lost two and my son did suffer from some birth defects. This was all caused by a blood clot from what I have been told. Being 3 weeks pregnant I did not even know that I was therefore this time they want to make sure that I am covered before conception. Is Factor V the same?

[Shayne Plosker, MD]

Dear shorti26 - the mirena IUD does not work by stopping ovulation. Rather, it works directly at the uterus. Women who ovulate regularly continue to do so while the mirena is in place, even though their periods are light or absent. This should reverse pretty much immediately after the mirena is removed. One question I have is, were your periods regular, or irregular, before the mirena was inserted? If they were irregular before, then they may continue to be irregular. If they were regular before, have you had a significant weight change in the five years since the mirena was first put in? If so, that could explain why you have not yet had a periods. Finally, since it has been more than six weeks since the Mirena came out, it might not be a bad idea to get some hormone testing. I would suggest a beta-HCG (pregnancy test), progesterone (if this value is more than 3, certainly if it is more than 5, it means you have ovulated and should expect either a period or that you will get pregnant), estradiol, FSH, LH. This will help to sort out if you can anticipate that your periods will return to normal.

As for when to start the lovenox, we usually recommend starting as soon as you know you are pregnant, but I do not think there is any harm in starting ahead of time, other than that you have to give yourself a shot every day and hopefully it will not take too long for you to get pregnant. What is the nature of your blood clotting disorder?

[shorti26]

The problem is that I have never really had normal periods only because I was always on some form of birth control that stopped them (shot for 5 years) however, when I got off the shot and got on the patch my periods were normal again for the short amount (3 months) of time before getting pregnant on the patch. Once I had my first child at my 6 weeks check in I have the IUD inserted therefore did not have a period the entire time that I was on it. As to the weight question, I have maybe gained 5 lbs in the 4 years that I have had the IUD. I was tested for the MTHFR when planning to have the IUD removed and it came back that I not only have 2 strands as my body produces to many blood clots but was also advised that I do not have the part that breaks blood clots down (maybe Protein C?). Would you advise that I see my OB to have the hormone testing completed?

Also, as to the ovulation while having the IUD, I would have to say that even though I did not have a period I did have all the signs of PMS and tender breast monthly. Thanks so much!

[shorti26]

Still no reply. Any advise?

[Heather5]

Ho Shorti! I just noticed your previous post above. Yes, Factor V is similar. It basically means my blood has a greater than normal tendency to clot. I've never had a blood clot (as far as I know), but was tested a few years ago (before I started TTC), since my cousin had a deep vein thrombosis (our dads are twins). I'm not sure why my doctor wanted me to wait. He said he had consulted a high-risk specialist, and was told to wait for a heartbeat. But I'm starting to think I should start it right away next time around. Hopefully my doctor will let me.

I did have to take Lovenox AFTER my first miscarriage, though, since I needed a D&C, and I agree, they're no fun. I would get lots of bumps at the injection site underneath the skin, and it hurt like a *&%$^ whenever I accidentally stuck the needle into one of the bumps. But it's all worth it if it can help us get to the nine-month mark, though, right :-)

By the way, I'm not sure if the Dr. will get back to you. To be honest, I've never seen a doctor answer questions here before, only in the specialist forums. Maybe he somehow started answering questions here on accident. But who knows...he might surprise us and pay us another visit :-)

Hope you're doing well. Did you get your period yet?

[shorti26]

Still no period :( However I did contact my dr and asked her about the hormone testing that the dr above suggested. She said that she would like me to wait to see if I start the beginning of March naturally and if not then she would be willing to have me tested. Do you know what they do if your hormone levels are off?

Lovenox shots are terrible! That is really why I am rushing this, I have read blogs where some women have waited almost a year for there cycle to start back up. I can't imagine having to take these shots for more than a year. Were you able to give the shots anywhere else than your stomach? My stomach gets so brused that I dont even want to touch it and was thinking that other parts might be able to stand it better. So are you planning another now?

I figured I was lucky to have a dr reply back.   :P

[Heather5]

Hi Shorti!

I'm actually still trying for my first. Both of my previous pregnancies ended in miscarriages :-(  I only took Lovenox after I had my D&C. I would get the bruises too, though, and yeah, they're no fun either. I didn't try taking the shots anywhere but my stomach, but I only had to take them for about 4 weeks or so (I think). Maybe you could ask your doctor if you could alternate between your tummy and maybe your thighs or something.

If you still haven't gotten your period in March, your doctor will probably give you meds to start a period and thereby kick-start your cycles back into gear :-) At least that would be my guess...

I hope you get your period soon, so you won't have to worry about it and can start TTC!

Take care!

[shorti26]

Well, I finally started this morning!!!! I guess it's a good thing cause now I might actually ovulate without needing meds. We'll see how it goes.

[shorti26]

Well, I finally started this morning!!!! I guess it's a good thing cause now I might actually ovulate without needing meds. We'll see how it goes.

[shorti26]

Well, I finally started this morning!!!! I guess it's a good thing cause now I might actually ovulate without needing meds. We'll see how it goes.

[Heather5]

Oh, that's great!!! Never thought I would say "great" about someone starting their period, but in your case, it's a good thing :-)

Best of luck TTC in a couple of weeks!!!

[shorti26]

So I am ovulating and the husband is away on business for the entire week.. :(

[Heather5]

Oh man! That sucks! Did you have a chance to BD before he left?

[shorti26]

So here's the update... My husband and I did have a chance on the the 9th but my ovulation was the 10th - 13th. So here I am due for another cycle and no period. My breast are sore and large and I should have started on the 27th of March and i'm late. I took a pg test and its neg.... Not sure if my periods are still off track or what!?

[Heather5]

Oh, very exciting! I had very sore, heavy BBs too the two times I got pregnant. I would wait a couple of more days and try another test. What type of HPTs are you using? Some are a lot more sensitive than others, so maybe you could try an early-response type test next time. Best of luck!!!

[shorti26]

I actually used Walmart brand...Went we first started TTC I used all the brand and they got expensive.. I will have to go buy E-R and try. How are you doing??

[Heather5]

Yeah, I hear you! HPTs can get pretty expensive after a while...

I'm doing good. I'm CD10 today and usually ovulate on CD12 or 13, so I should be back in the 2WW by the end of the week. Hoping April will be my month!

Good luck testing again in a couple of days! I'll cross my fingers for you ;-)

[shorti26]

Well I started on April 3rd so no luck the month of March... Hopefully April will be better :) News for you yet?

[Heather5]

Hi Shorti! Good to hear from you! I just started my period a couple of days ago, so I'm starting over again too. I did go and see a new RE earlier this week, though, and he seems much better than the one I went to last year! I'll be trying Femara this month for the first time, so hopefully that'll do the trick ;-)

How about you? Have you ovulated yet this cycle?

[shorti26]

I'm ovulating now!!! Good thing is that my husband is going out of town tomorrow and he was actually around this month.. HAHA So you have a new DR huh!? Hope that goes well. I think that if I don't get preg this month I'm going back to my RE to have some testing... Keep me posted...