Longer cycle (time between) periods with Paragard, esp post insertion?

[atinvillain.livejournal.com]

**Cross posted to IUD DIVAS**

I got my Paragard inserted during the time of my last menstrual period, the first week of december. Prior to that, my cycles have been around 30 days, and I've never been on HBC except using Plan B once this past October.

July period -September period 58 Day Cycle <-- I'm guessing maybe I skipped here, because that seems absurdly long
September period - October period 26 Day Cycle
October period -November period 28 Day Cycle
November period - December period- 32 Day Cycle

December- January---> according to my monthly cycles I'm on Day 41 (8 days late)


I tracked my cycle and I pretty sure I ovulated around December 17th, however as of today I still haven't had my period. However since yesterday I've felt a little more crampy, and other PMS things like tender breasts. I check my strings every week and they're basically the same length so I should still be protected. Haven't taken a pregnancy test yet just because I,m pretty sure I should be fine since the stats for pregnancy on the Paragard are so low!

I'm just confused why it hasn't come yet? Maybe I predicted my ov. date wrong and it actually happend later, because I know your luteal phase isn't supposed to change by very much. Should I take a pregnancy test just in case? I have a Dr's appointment on the 24th. Would it be bad to wait that long. Would it be safe to guess that these weird PMSy feelings mean my period is coming?

Thanks!

Comments

[eatswithfork.livejournal.com]

This happened to me too! Before I had my paragard inserted, i had 28 day cycles on the dot even without hormonal birth control. Now after the insertion, I have more like 32-35 day cycles. Every now and then I'll get a 28 again. It's strange. My only explanation is that my uterine lining is irritated more so it spends more time building up even more lining??? I think as long as you can still feel your strings, you're probably not pregnant, but what's the harm in peeing on a stick?

[atinvillain.livejournal.com]

ahhh you don't know what a relief it is to hear a similar experience. and you're right, planning to buy a stick tomorrow!

[archangelbeth]

If you are sure you ovulated on the 17th, due to monitoring your cervical discharge and temperature, then I would get a pregnancy test ASAP. If you are only predicting ovulation due to counting days, then a pregnancy test wouldn't be amiss (peeonastick.com says Dollar Tree Store ones are good and inexpensive, both, last I looked), but it'd be more for mental health reasons than concern for a pregnancy -- and the PMSy symptoms could easily be PMS. (The holiday stress made me skip my period in December, wheeee! Confused the heck out of my poor iPhone period-tracker. O:> )

If you do get a "pregnant" result, then phone your doctor immediately; while an IUD means your chance of pregnancy is low, low, low, it also means that -- if you did roll that crit failure vs. pregnancy -- the chance of an ectopic is higher than normal, from what I read.

I hope your period comes soon to reassure you!

[atinvillain.livejournal.com]

thanks for the responses! Took a preg test today and confirmed that I'm not, which is a major, major relief. So I'm guessing these cramps mean my period is on its way!