Weird Stuff Happening After Getting a Copper IUD

You know, condoms work too. Unless she is allergic to latex. We've been using them for 19 yrs and never had a problem!

In regards to the long post about how condoms are ineffective - with proper use (that is every time, put it on right) condoms are much more effective than 85%. I never used oral b/c and relied on condoms with spermicidal jelly. I never had a problem (and I have a child so I'm not infertile).

I would definitely find another doctor and a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. A doctor shouldn't discount a patient's concern - especially one with such significant symptoms!

i cannot believe some of the advice in this thread.
condoms are only 85% effective. that is not effective enough for someone to risk getting pregnant with a child they do not want/are not prepared for/are on the wrong medication to consider getting pregnant with (ie, accutane). as it happens, i have gotten pregnant on both hormonal birth control pills taken the same time each day AND condoms put on the way you're taught in sex ed class/in the packaging of the box. as in, i was using them at the same time. while condoms are the best way, besides abstinence, to protect yourself from STDS, they are not always the best option for preventing pregnancy.
the rhythm method is not foolproof. at all. its failure rate is 13-20%. in that case, you are better off with condoms. in fact, the rhythm method isn't even all that effective when trying to get pregnant, as it only increases your chances of pregnancy and doesn't guarantee it. just ask women who have been charting and temping for 2 or 3 years and have no known fertility problems.
abstinence? well, typically IUDs are only given to women in committed, stable relationships because of the increased risk for PID with an IUD. abstinence is probably not an option here. IUDs can also be used in women who have not had children, but expulsions are more common in women who have not had children. for the record, expulsions occur in less than 10% of insertions, and the likelihood of expulsion after an expulsion reinsertion is rare.
hormonal birth control can really mess with some people. in fact, IUDs are usually a great option for women who do not react well to hormonal birth control. the copper IUD can cause an allergic reaction.
tell her to make an appointment to get her IUD out. yes, IUD insertion isn't fun. i've had one done, and it wasn't fun, but as soon as i've completed my pregnancy i'll be getting another one. i had the mirena IUD, and while it does contain a small dose of hormones, it typically does not cause a bad reaction in people who react badly to hormonal methods as it is locally released so only a minute dose is in your circulation. for instance, one of my friends has the mirena, she's never had children, hormonal birth control caused many problems for her, but she's been very happy with her mirena for the last 4 years. however, one person's personal experience will not be another person's; you cannot gauge how you or someone else will react to something based on an anonymous person's on line testimonial. i'm afraid this will have to be between her and her doctor, by way of trial and error. i'm sorry your friend is having so many issues with birth control. if all else fails, europe. they have better birth control options over there that the FDA won't approve here in the states.

links for those wondering where i am getting my information, since it is being challenged:
http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/1997/babytabl.html
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/fert... (read: how effective is fertility awareness)
http://www.orthowomenshealth.com/orthowomenshealth/pages/... (note the success rate is stated at 86%)
http://www.orthowomenshealth.com/orthowomenshealth/pages/... (note the statement: perhaps the least effective form of birth control)

again, i would like to reiterate: what works for one woman may not work for another.

I've heard that IUDs are supposed to have low percentages with complications but, more and more of what I've been hearing from friends that have used IUD, it may not be as "rare" as touted. One of my friends, just this past summer, had an IUD put in, and in under a month had terrible back issues and found out she had an infections CAUSED BY THE IUD! Because of the severity of the infections, one of her ovaries was damaged. A friend of hers ended up getting serious blood clots in her legs because of an IUD. Another friend of mine got an infection from the IUD and had to have it removed. SO, my advice would be for your friend to not mess around with this. She needs to either be assertive with her doctor, get a second opinion, or both. This is serious stuff.

I hope she can get this problem resolved. : )

Tell your friend to TAKE IT OUT!!! The doc might say she has never heard of it, but this could be the first time for that doc. Your friend has not had any children & the IUD was designed for woman who have. All the other symptoms are surely allergic reactions if I ever heard of any. Tell her to do this ASAP....I know this is not too hopeful, but she needs to do this as her health is at risk. Good luck

First of all, get a second opinion! If she wants to have children some day this is not the area to mess around with.
Second, get the book "taking charge of your fertility" and if she is monogomous she should learn the FAM, fertility awareness method. Learn your body and there is no need for hormone based birth control.
Good luck!
L.

I too have thrown up or felt nausea from every B/C. I have finally been successful w/ the NUVA ring. Because you insert it yourself and the hormones are released in your vagina I no longer get nausea. I hadn't eaten one day and didn't feel the best. (but one day out of several years isn't bad.) Give it a try. You leave it in for 3 wks and then take it out to menstruate. Plus, I would try a new Doc. As soon as you told your doc the symptoms they should have acted immediately. It's obviously not a coincidence.

I think she should read the book, "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" which may sound counter-intuitive, but she can use the information to her advantage without using any medicinal contriceptive. I know at least 5 women who all used the methods discussed to avoid pregnancy until ready and because of the methods, knew the exact encounters that led to planned pregnancy as well.

Second opinion fast! While I've never experienced this, and it is rare, people can die from bad reactions to any form of birth control. My mom had a copper IUD and had to have it removed due to it making her horribly sick (a metal allergy it turned out to be). If it is cyst related they will know what to look for. She really needs to see someone else who is outside the situation and may have an idea. Bring the list of symptoms you found. Also has she tried mirena? If this doesn't work out she can always chart as well. Anything is better than messing with your health!

you do not mention if she is married. If not how about old fashion abstinence?! If she does not want to do that what about condoms and the withdraw method.

Oh and I would get the IUD out!!!

Get it taken out! If all this stuff started happening when she got it put in? As for recommended birth control? Condoms and a diaphragm are a nice "natural" choice. I have latex allergies and I used condoms successfully, with a diaphragm back up for many many years since I couldn't take any hormone related BC.

Hi A.,

I too have issues with any form of hormonal birth control, and I tried the copper IUD. I didn't have the allergy problems like it sounds like she has, but my uterus expelled them after a short time. I used the rhythm method with success for years because I am very regular on a 28 day cycle and I would just jot down on the calender the 1st day of my period and I knew exactly 14 days later I would ovulate, so abstained for 3 days prior and after that. Plus I get pain when I ovulate, so that helped me with the 3 days after ovulation. I never tried the basal temperature but you can also tell when ovulation is happening by changes in vaginal discharge. If one is aware and diligent with documenting things, the rhythm method can be quite affective. Hope this helps :)

I would have her go in asap as she may be allergic to the copper!

I second the condom recommendation. After I stopped using oral contraceptives - they resulted in migraines - we went back to condoms. It kept us child-free for over five years until we were ready to make the decision to start a family.

There are other condom options for folks who might be allergic to latex or for those who just hate the idea of wearing a condom. If your friend's cycle is consistent, she could use a calendar based system and just avoid having sex during her fertile days. (Here's more info on that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_Method.)

Also, on the doctor front, if she feels something is wrong and her current doctor isn't taking her seriously, it might be time to find a new doctor.

Hi A.,
I recently had the Mirena put in, and although I never had a real problem with birth control other than forgetting to take the pills. Has your friend had an allgery test for copper? I would first go get tested for that and then let her determine whether or not for her to take it out.

I love the Mirena though, I have no real major side affects that I have noticed, and it Mirena® is an estrogen-free intrauterine contraceptive, but it does slowly release hormones into the system.

Wow, I would suggest your friend sees another doctor ASAP.

A number of things come to mind with the symptoms you describe and they range from a possibly an allergic reaction to serious complications with the IUD. Even if it was unrelated she needs to be seen!

Good Luck!

I had a horrible experience with IUDs, tried twice, both times was in excruciating pain & had them removed. Later on that brand of IUD was recalled, but my gynecologist, who was a male, was very skeptical about the pain I was in. I was throwing up & fainting.
So my advice is twofold. A woman who hasn't been pregnant shouldn't have an IUD in her body. And second, the only other thing I know of is the diaphragm that you insert before intercourse. I don't know if she tried that, but it worked for me. She should see another gynecologist for a 2nd opinion, female if possible. Just my opinion after years of problems like this. Good luck with baby #3, and good luck to your friend.

Have it taken out immediately. Copper toxicity is a serious condition!

I was under the impression that IUDs should really only be used if you have had a child. Black stool usually means blood... maybe a new dr....!

this sounds too intense to be so cavalier about it. She needs to see another doctor ASAP before she develops a more serious condition! Allergies are serious!

Tell your friend to look up Femcap.com. You need a prescription from a doc. It's all natural though. I have a Copper IUD now, going on 3 months and I have lost more hair in those 3 months then in the last 5 years. It's unreal. I have no sex drive, no motivation, have gained lots of weight since then and also have been getting acne and cysts. Crazy stuff!!! SO anyhoo, mine is coming out next week!!! Hope that site helps, I'm definitely going to try it. Good Luck

If I were her, I would have the copper IUD removed and (perhaps) replaced with a Mirena IUD (the plastic one with small amounts of progesterone). IUDs are easier to insert and more likely to stay in if you have had at least one child... so maybe IUD is not the best option. Like others, I've had good success with old fashioned condoms. I had one accidental pregnancy (woops, didn't use a condom at all once, 10 days before expected ovulation) and one planned pregnancy where it only took one cycle to conceive. So I'm relatively certain that if a condom ever failed I would know about it. So, take it or leave it. I have a Mirena IUD in now that I've had for a couple of months and so far, so good. Good luck to your friend. Her doctor sounds like a jerk.

Hi A.,
Tell, your friend to get rid of that thing right away. She is being poisoned. I cannot believe that doctor said that couldn't be the reason for her symtoms, especially with green stools. There are always other ways to deal with everything.

Once you get the current situation taken care of by a doctor (and fast!)I would also recommend "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" I have been using this for the past 5 1/2 years and have had 100% success. It is a natural form of birth control that every women should at least have the knowledge and understanding of as a basis.

Yes. I am going through similar simptoms. Green feces and a lot of grastrointestinal changes. Things get worst in my period. But I have been standing the simptoms for a year a a half. The docs say that the sympotms are nothing related to the IUD and that I have IIS. But I was really healthy before! And gone through IIS without success. I just had it out today. Let's se if I'll get better.