Copper IUD and removal?

[katriana]

I've had the Paragard or Copper IUD in for two years.  I can't really complain about it, its convenient and I usually don't feel it and no surprises either.  However, my usual side effect is that after my af is over, I will start spotting heavily (dark blood), very mild cramsps if any, for about 4 days after my period.  I've always felt like the IUD is not placed well or that my body has tried very hard to expell it unsuccessfully. Anyway I don't know what to do, i'm getting really tired of this spotting issue (after 2 years), I want to wait until ttc later next year so I'd like to keep the IUD for atleast another 4 months but I don't know if I should take it out because of the spotting.  Any suggestions, please, I'm confused, I don't know if I should worry about this.

[katriana]

I do want kids and I want to start having them maybe by next summer.  If I take out the IUD now my fear is to get pregnant earlier than when I'd like.  i admire that yuo can make such a permanent decision like having a tubal ligation,  I don't think that you should ever have kids if you don't want them. Ignore those that think it wrong.  I've always wanted to have kids and enjoy them, but I also want to wait fot the right time emotionally, economically and time wise.  People always say "there is never a right time, or you are never prepared" which may be true but I'd like to be as prepared as I can be.
Anyway, it sucks that we females have to make such decisions of having children and when to have them.  I just started a new job and if I got pregnant now then I wouldn't be able to get maternity leave for a year and I don't know if I'd come back to work after maternity leave, but I'd like to have the option.  So its wether, wait a little longer to take the IUD out and suck it up with the spotting or take it out now and give it up to chance.  Tough choice!!!

[Soror]

Tough call.  I'd get it checked out just to be on the safe side, tell the doc about the clotting/tissue and consider whether or not your aversion to hormones is based on a single event.  Maybe it's worth trying again - you never know unless you give it a chance.  Mirena is supposed to decrease menstral bleeding, which sounds really attractive to me.

If you don't want children, ever, you might consider a tubal ligation to spare yourself this kind of unpleasantness, but you really, really have to be certain that you never want kids.  I had one in March and I've never looked back...it's a huge weight off my mind.

[katriana]

Yea, I've asked the Dr. before and they didn't react alarmed, they were more like "yea that's normal" but its usually normal the first year, not two years! I also have tissue (like skin clumps) coming out with the spotting.  I cant really handle hormones, that's why I got the copper one and so far it's been great besides the spotting.  But if I get it removed I'm not going to use any form of BC because I'd just be ttc.  Should I wait it out? or get it checked by the Dr. possible removed?

[Soror]

If I remember correctly, one of the well-documented side effects of copper-IUD is exactly what you are describing.  You might consider switching to a different type of IUD - a few of my friends have had good luck with Mirena.  (I think that's how its spelled.)

Though, it may have side effects of its own.