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

[cinnamonheart]

i would say your right, I would say its from the kids!!
Your busy busy busy  and the bedroom means sleeping
They also say though women's sex drive usually doesnt peak until 30-40

[boycrazy]

Ditto to Cinnamonheart!  Kids do make sex seem more like a chore.  I found that even more when I was working outside the home and trying to keep the house up, take care of kids etc.  it was chaotic and sex was the last thing on my mind.  However since staying home and having my kids (3-7,4,14 months) on a schedule, I have seen a definate increase in my libido.  My kids all go to bed no later than 8:30 pm (7:30 pm in the Winter) and they sleep until about 6:00 am or 6:30 am.  I found that in that two hours or so I have before I go to bed, I really enjoy spending time with my hubby and if he is not home (works 24 hr shifts), then I enjoy the time alone.  I paint my toe nails, eat ice cream, watch T.V., read, and just gather myself. Hopefully this will help you.  My friend told me when I had my first child "The best thing you can do for your kids is to nurture your relationship with your husband."  I believe her.  Good Luck.

[Still_AndiJ]

I have Mirena, the plastic one and other than the above mentioned stuff (KIDS) I have had no side effects. The copper one contains no medication at all. The plastic one, Mirena, contains small amounts of hormones, but not enough to cause any changes.

It is most likely due to kids. Especially if you feel hubby isn't helping with the kids, sometimes that turns into hidden resentment and lack of interest or attraction.

Sometimes kids just seems to make alone time impossible. If you haven't already, get them on a schedule and get them to bed around the same time. See if someone can watch them while you and dh go on a date, just the two of you.

Good luck!
Andrea

[skylee]

Thanks for all your feedback, I do appreciate it.  You are probalby right, it is the kids.  Especially since my oldest one has the energy level of 10 of me and runs me ragged everyday.  
Dh and me are actually getting away together this weekend for our anniversary, maybe this will bring a little spark back in me.  Thanks again.

[tliz37]

My IUD is gone! Does enyone know if it could have gone upward insread of out? My period has been like clock work before and since I got my IUD and now I have missed one. I was very ill for a week, I could not eat or even function for that matter. I feel better now, but I am very stressed about where this thing is. I cannot be pregnant because my husband has had a vasectomy.



Thanks, Trish

[LadyCain]

It may not be the IUD. When it comes to losing ur sex drive,i had lost mine after my first child.Just so that i could keep our relationship together,I would give him that kind of attention just to make him happy.Even though i just had my third child 7 wks ago,i still havent regained my sex drive. If i didnt care,we would probably only be intimate maybe four to five times a yr  lol


                                                                                  Kat

[sit]

Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!, I have the same problem with mine. Since I have it inserted, my sexdrive has decreased, and I have yeast infection all the time.

I'm planning to talk to my doctor, and have it removed as soon as possible.

sit

[surfergirl10]

This year, I am having depression issues...real ones. Now I just had my Copper IUD inserted in august and these symptoms are increasing. I am journaling the week before my menstrual period I get really anxious and depressed. I am seeing a psych, but now I am wondering if it the IUD??? hmm - This was my last call, becasue everything else I have had a terrible response to. Thanks..please let meknow

[katsyko]

I am sure deppression and IUD are linked.In fact, look at all of the depressed women in tour 'developed'world today. I do not know about you, but I definitely believe that IUD's not only cause depresion, but since I have put mine in ?mona lisa' my orgasms are not at all what they used to be. Its like i get to a certain level, than I canot go  further. As time passes by I became more and frustated. No wonder I get so depressed. Its not normal. Not to mention that one of my breasts is always aching. I will take mine out this week. There is something truely fishy about all of this.

[mai_martin]

I had a copper IUD, I definitely experienced cramps, heavy bleading during my menstrual period, acne problem & i've seen a difference with my attitude too. Im always tired and always moody. Im considering of just taking birth control pills an dget rid of this IUD.

[lesley1l]

i got a copper one inserted 3 weeks ago, its the first time i have had the coil, my baby is 4 months old. i was due my period 7 days ago and im paranoid im pregnant!! which is my idea of hell at the moment, has this happened to any one or is this normal????  i wasnt told my periods would be irregular.

[mel360]

Finally, somone going through the same thing i am, I am 100% sure that all of this is from the IUD, i got the copper IUD when my son was 3 weeks old.... i am a completely different person, i hate myself most of the time, i cant raise my kids right and i am so not interested in sex anymore.... I used to be so  exited about sex, life, my kids, and now my world has seemed to just STOP... i have been fighting with my husband to remove it and we are going to remove it in a few weeks, i am so exited although i dont know what i will do not to get pregnant.... i will never get ANY IUD again... i have had the worst year of my life i am only 21 and my son is13 months.
thanks for all your comments they have helped so much...

[elipse71]

I am 37 yrs. old, have five kids ages 18 yrs.- 18mos., and I am a hard-working professional. I have tried almost every type of birth control method out there. I have had the copper IUD for about a year and have gone through monthly mood swings and put on about 10 extra lbs. BUT, my periods are now lighter and lasts only a few days and although my sex drive did decrease somewhat, the freedom the IUD has given me from unwanted pregnancies makes it worth all the bad side effects!!! Ask yourselves what most important to you...if you'd rather deal with a few side effects or lots more kids to raise for 18-21 yrs of your life.

[TCDC]

I have no kids, but I have a copper IUD. My sex drive hasn't changed at all since I've gotten it.  In fact, it may be better because I don't have to worry about having any type of birth control on hand and can be more spontaneous.  

However, there is the possibility that people can have a copper allergy or  Wilson's Disease.  This can cause skin rashes, joint aches, and liver damage.  Just be aware of it.  

[msolis2422]

I am 35 mother of a 13 and 3 yr old,  I was on the pill for along time and one yearly pap visit they offered me a different method I thought too good to be true and tried it (the patch) and thats how I got pregnant with my 3yr old. Right after I had her, I knew that with a preteen and a baby I would remember to take the pill so I tried the shots 1 every three months, after my second shot I realized I was gaining too much weight 20+ pounds, so I got off and went back to the pill.  Then with age and what nots- my mood swings were turning to rage, I think your body can only tolerate so much hormones. So here I am with the copper IUD insert date 5-5-08 the first couple of weeks I was paranoid having something inside me, every ache I though I was getting and infection of some kind.  Then there was sex, I couldn't be on top or doggy style,  it would hurt, I could feel him hitting the IUD and the IUD hitting me, after a couple of tries I started making excuses to him about not wanting sex.  Then after my first period, which was much heavier and longer than the norm( my periods consists of one semi heavy day & two spotting days= 3 total days).  After that sex was great, hell it was better.  But now I just had my second period with it ,  8 extreemeely heavy days & 2 of those days I had fever, migraine headaches & my lower back has been aching tremendously.   And here I am looking up side effects on the IUD and considering getting it taken out.

[Sarem]

Hi
I am 38 and a mother of 4 kids. 19yrs to 11yrs. I have had an IUD for the last 5 years and loved it. Initially, I bled a lot but then my homeopath, who is a registered GP treated me to control the bleeding. All in all I have had no side effects until last Friday when I had the first one taken out and replaced with a new one. I have been nauseous, lightheaded and slightly feverish for the last 3 days. My gynae checked it again this morning and it is in place. She is running blood tests to see what is wrong.I need answers and checking out other sites.

[jsjas7983]

I had an IUD put in last December (copper one) and I've not noticed too many side effects. My periods have become extremely heavy, but that's how they were before I took the Pill. My mother had Estrogen Receptor Positive Breast Cancer, so I DO NOT need any extra estrogen in my body. That's why I'm off the Pill.

I worry a lot about it becoming imbedded. I often times wonder if we should avoid certain sexual positions (like me on top) so as not to disturb the placement of the IUD. I've never had children, but plan to start trying next summer. I am so worried I am going to mess it up and become infertile.

Does anyone have any info. on this?

[jenstam]

I have a copper IUD but have had children. The chances of it dislodging or coming out are slightly greater for someone who has never had children, but still not all that common. You do not need to worry about certain sexual positions. Always make sure you check for the strings mid cycle each month. This is a great way to know that it is where it should be. Heavier periods are normal with this IUD. Mine are very heavy also. IMO, this is a "side effect" that is very easy to deal with instead of dealing with artificial hormones to control my cycle. I love that I still ovulate and have a regular, normal, hormone free cycle. What other side effects do you have?

[jsjas7983]

Other than the heavier cycles and cramps, I really don't have other side effects. I have had it for about 7 months now and the cycles are becoming gradually lighter. The cramps are sometimes unreal, though! They pass quickly, but goodness, are they rough. I do notice that I spot for a week or so after my cycle. It's all totally worth it to me, though. I would much rather deal with this than have all the hormones in me. I didn't realize how much the Pill was affecting my moods until I got off of them. I was never really moody or suffered from PMS, but I noticed a change when I got off the Pill.

[Twinkyy]

Hi, I am a 29 year old, wife, medical student and a mother of a 1year old, I have had the IUD inserted about 5 months ago, and lately I have been depressed and have arousal problmes, for the first few months sex was great, it was just the heavy bleeding that lasts fuive days. lately I have had some discomfort and I can't seem to be aroused, no matter how much I would want to have sex, is it the IUD or am I just stressed?

[Twinkyy]

Hi, I am a 29 year old, wife, medical student and a mother of a 1year old, I have had the IUD inserted about 5 months ago, and lately I have been depressed and have arousal problmes, for the first few months sex was great, it was just the heavy bleeding that lasts fuive days. lately I have had some discomfort and I can't seem to be aroused, no matter how much I would want to have sex, is it the IUD or am I just stressed?

[real23]

my women has had it 4 a year now, and all the things i hearing on here its her crazy moods, attitube, cramp, periods are u kinding none but spots we need more awareness to this depression, this iud is not from god so i guess that sums it up! peace

[grassynymph]

I'm 19, have 2 kids, the last one is only 2 months old. I got the copper IUD put in at my 6 week postpartum check-up. my sex drive has gone up but at the same time, my ability to achieve orgasms has significantly gone down. maybe that's why my sex drive has increased, because i can never satisfy myself anymore, not having orgasms. My husband and i always had a great sex life, never had problems satisfying eachother. Now i always find myself in the middle of the act and not enjoying it, not feeling anything! this in result has started to depress me. I dont think the lack of sexual sensation is due to my kids. i'm a stay-at-home mom and i dont feel they stress me out enough to affect my sexual drive (at least not yet). help!!

[grassynymph]

also, id like to hear from anyone who has used the copper IUD and had kids after using it... were there any complications in those pregnancies or birth defects?