It’s important to think about the possible side effects of using an IUD.
You may have
• mild to moderate pain when the IUD is put in
• cramping or backache for a few days
• spotting between periods in the first 3–6 months
• irregular periods in the first 3–6 months — with Mirena
• heavier periods and worse menstrual cramps — with ParaGard
Pain relievers can usually reduce bleeding, cramping, and other discomforts. If they are severe and do not seem to lessen, tell your health care provider.
Serious problems with the IUD are rare. There are three main things to watch out for when using an IUD:
• The IUD can sometimes slip out of the uterus. Sometimes it comes all the way out. Sometimes it only comes out a little. This is more likely to happen to women who are younger and who have never had a baby. If the IUD slips out of place, pregnancy can happen. If it comes out only part of the way, it has to be removed.
• In rare situations, a woman could develop an infection when using the IUD. This happens if bacteria get into the uterus when the IUD is inserted. Most infections develop within three weeks of having the IUD inserted. If the infection is not treated, it can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant in the future.
• In very rare situations, when the IUD is inserted, it can push through the wall of the uterus. This might sound painful, but it usually isn’t. Usually, when this happens, the health care provider will notice it and it can be fixed right away. But if not, the IUD can move around and harm other parts of the body. When this happens, surgery may be needed to remove the IUD.
Most often, if complications happen, they are easy to treat with medicine or other treatments.
It’s important to pay attention to any symptoms you might have after starting the IUD. Tell your health care provider immediately if you
• find the length of the string ends to be shorter or longer than they were at first, when you feel for them with your fingers
• are not able to feel the string ends when you check
• feel the hard plastic bottom of the “T” part of the IUD against the cervix, when you check
• think you might be pregnant
• have periods that are much heavier than normal or last much longer than normal
• have severe abdominal cramping, pain, or tenderness in the abdomen
• have pain or bleeding during sex
• have unexplained fever and/or chills
• have flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches or tiredness
• have unusual vaginal discharge
• have a missed, late, or unusually light period
• have unexplained vaginal bleeding
IUDs and Pregnancy
The risk of pregnancy while using a ParaGard or Mirena IUD is very low. But if the IUD slips out of place, pregnancy can happen. If you become pregnant, have the IUD removed as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. If you are pregnant with an IUD in place, there is an increased risk of
• ectopic pregnancy
• dangerous pelvic infection
• miscarriage
• early labor and delivery
Even with the risks, some women may choose not to have the IUD removed during pregnancy. If you don’t want to have the IUD removed while you are pregnant, you need to work with your health care provider through your pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies are a serious concern. They can be life-threatening. Women who use IUDs are much less likely to have an ectopic pregnancy than women who are not using birth control. But if a woman does become pregnant while using an IUD, it is more likely to be ectopic than if she was not using the IUD.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include
• irregular vaginal bleeding
• pain in the abdomen or tip of the shoulder
• sudden weakness or fainting
If you have any of these symptoms while using an IUD, get medical care right away.