Never-ending Period... :(

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

So in the middle of July I got a copper IUD put in (Nova T something....it's a 5 year one anyway, non-hormonal). I had been on the pill for almost exactly 3 years, and I stopped taking it about 2 weeks after getting the IUD, got my withdrawal bleed as normal, and then six weeks later (16th September) I started bleeding very very lightly and assumed this was my period starting.

Fast forward to now, and I am STILL bleeding. It is usually very light, sometimes red, sometimes brown, its normally not even heavy enough for tampons but once in a while it disappears for a morning, I think it has finally stopped, and then at midday it decides to bleed heavily for like 5 minutes....This is driving me mental T_T

I understand it can take your body a while to adjust to coming off the pill, but really, almost 2 month long period?! I need to run out of uterus at some point, right???

Also, I have checked my strings, I can still feel both of them wrapped around my cervix like normal, and there is nothing coming out of my cervix, etc...so I'm pretty sure the IUD is still in the right place. I also haven't been experiencing any cramping, though I always have during the first few days of my period, and it was marginally worse during my bleed after getting the IUD.

Basically I want to know how long is it before this isnt normal? What could be causing this if it isn't just my body trying to adjust to no hormones? Hopefully you guys can help me out, cos I really am getting frustrated beyond belief with this XDDD

Also, you are all amazing xxx

Comments

Near-Identical Experience!

[cotton-candy87.livejournal.com]

I got my coil (Mirena) fitted at the exact same time as you in July and experienced identical symptoms. I finally got it removed last week since it was driving me mental too. I went to a different clinic to get it removed, since the first clinic basically told me to get over it, but the second clinic said this didn't sound great lifestyle-wise (no kidding!) and clearly wasn't working for me. The nurse said it might be a result of the coil not releasing enough hormones to stop the bleeding since the pill contains a larger hormone dose and the body might be better-suited to that. Anyway, I've been coil-free and back on the pill for 10 days now and I could not be happier. I'm also free of the weird discharge you describe. Hope this helps!

Re: Near-Identical Experience!

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

I would understand if I had a Mirena, but my IUD is non-hormonal, so I don't see how it would be causing this...

I'm glad you managed to get it sorted out though, neverending periods are not fun :

Re: Near-Identical Experience!

[patchworkorange]

The copper IUDs are known for this issue. Have you had it checked for placement to make sure it's seated right? I had two IUDs, the first I had removed because of the constant bleeding. The second was better then the first but still didn't help my bleeding problems (I'm now sans uterus).

What really helped me was to take ibuprofen, 3-4 at a time, every day. It helped the quantity of flow, and also helped to reduce it to a 5-7 day event. Good luck!

Re: Near-Identical Experience!

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

I went back for a checkup a month later, but the nurse basically just asked if the cramps had settled down and whether the strings were a comfortable length and I could find them ok, which I could. Considering making an appointment to get it checked properly :/

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

Have you been stressed lately? I have a copper IUD, and did have a 6 week period one time, I think due to stress. It did stop eventually. There are things, I believe, that your doctor could do to help - a dose of hormones might straighten things out if your body is just confused.

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

It started the day I left home to start uni, so stress could definitely be a factor...but I figured even that would have stopped by now :(

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It does sound like a long time. I'd talk to my doc about it if I were you, and see if you could do maybe a month of HBC, or perhaps a dose of whatever it is they use for that sort of thing. It might be that your body is just all mixed up. (It may also be that this is how you react to the IUD...which would be sad, I know.)

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Agreed: Some people on iud_divas have had success taking HBC for a month to tell their bodies to shut it.

Personally, I spotted almost daily for three months, and then multiple times a week for another three. If it's merely annoying, rather than debilitating, anemia-inducing or life-disrupting, my suggestion would be to try one of the methods people have suggested here and wait out the six months.

Good luck!

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) I've started the 3x3x3 ibuprofen trick today, will be taking my 3rd dose later tonight and it already seems to be helping...hopefully it is REALLY going away, rather than just randomly stopping for 12 hours to fool me xDD

[kelsietrpt.livejournal.com]

You could also try an herbal method known for stemming lengthy menstrual flow. Try Shepherd's Purse in a tincture form. A midwife could find it for you, or you can order it online. If you're near a large herb shop or health food store, they might have it, too! :)

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

I'll have to have a look if the ibuprofen doesnt do the trick :) thanks!

[emptysthemepark.livejournal.com]

I had a Mirena switched out for a Nova-T plus an endometrial ablation (burning out the uterine lining to end/reduce periods) in early August. For the first month, I had wild bleeding off and on, but I've settled back into my old period patterns, only with really light flow (ablation effect). I'd get it checked out just to be sure, because I was told to expect erratic wonky bleeding for 3 months max.

As a comparison of sorts, when I switched from the pill to the Mirena, I had one three week period after insertion, then didn't have another for a year... and then had a 3 months mostly on-rarely off one for reasons no one ever figured out. It stopped and I spotted twice in the remaining three years on Mirena.

Good luck; I hope it resolves soon!

[descent2madness.livejournal.com]

I used ibuprofen therapy to stop my post-insertion bleeding (I have a Flexi-T 300). 600mg ibuprofen, 3x per day for 3 days. Worked quite well! Vitamin E (400IU each day) has also helped lessen my flow during my periods as well.

Abnormal bleeding is usually considered normal for the first six months to a year (and is the most commonly cited cause for early removal of copper IUDs). As someone else has already mentioned, Shepherd's Purse tinctures are supposed to reduce bleeding as well (I've never tried it).

[pixelchild.livejournal.com]

Good to know I'm not the only one this has happened to...Its some comfort knowing this is somewhat normal for 6 months. Have started the 3x3x3 ibuprofen trick today, am hoping this finally sorts it out *fingers crossed*

Thanks :)