I have had my IUD for 4 years now and I can honestly say it has been the most miserable 4 years of my life. I have been to my doctor on several occasions because I have had lower abdominal pain, sever cramping, painful sex and no urge to even want it (sex). My husband and I have tried to "work around it" because everytime I have been to my doctor (that I adore), she tells me it is in place and it wouldn't be my IUD causing the problem. After researching, the IUD can cause a decrease in libido and ovarian cysts (in which I've never had until after having this IUD inserted). I have had 2 different IUDs and the first did cause a lot of pain for my husband but the second, more pain for me. We cannot try many sexual positions and when I hear the word "sex" it is an instant dred! Although I have had fewer periods, the cramping is so unbearable I cannot function at work. I literally throw up from being in so much pain. I have increased headaches (which is also a side effect of the IUD) and I have lower back pain (also a side effect). Not to mention the tenderness in my breast! My hair has been falling out. I have had dizzy spells, I have acne (never dealt with before until IUD) and a slight itchy feeling in my girl parts. If you are considering, please look into other forms of birth control. I'm sure if this has been a bad experience for me, it can be a bad experience for anyone.
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I have had my IUD in for 1 year and have been experiencing some of the problems you listed. My periods changed a bit after, becoming heavier but shorter, and I was OK with that, despite bleeding quickly through tampons for 1-2 days each month. My bleeding became irregular about 6 months ago, and I went to the doctor to find out why, since I have always been very regular. I had chosen the non-hormonal (copper) IUD precisely because I didn't want it to interfere with my regular cycle. After a complete ultrasound, I was told I have a large ovarian cyst, which I have never had before either. It didn't go away after one cycle (they checked for it again), but the next doctor I saw at the same clinic said it would go away and wasn't a big deal. She attributed it to the IUD. I also started spotting a lot between periods, to the point where I bled for 1 month straight and the doctor said I had probably developed uterine polyps, also caused by the IUD. Another side effect is a discharge with a strong unpleasant odor throughout my cycle.
At this point, I'm considering having it removed, and hope that my cycles become regular again. It's a very convenient means of birth control, and I appreciate it being non-hormonal (I can't take the pill due to a family history of blood clots). I don't know what I will use instead, but I am tired of the related complications, particularly the spotting and the smelly discharge.
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