Unusual Bleeding with Merina IUD

After my daughter was born almost 5 years ago, I chose to get the Paraguard IUD, because it does not contain any hormones. It uses copper, which is a more natural contraceptive. As my Dr explained to me, most IUD's involve heavier flow periods. I also found this to be the case. My average period was 9 days. I did have it checked regularly and never had any other complications from it. I had it removed a year ago and was pregnant 2 cycles later. So, I guess you could say I was happy with the overall effectiveness of it. It isn't the most convenient for lifestyle, but it does work.

I've had about 6 periods since getting the Mirena, and the shortest one has lasted 12 days (average 14-15 days). They're not too heavy, but they last forever! I saw my Dr. after the first 2, and she said to give it a few months, because sometimes it needs time to "settle in". Frankly, I'm sick of being on my period half the time, and as soon as I get time, I'm making an appt. to have it removed.

Sounds like you were pregnant, you know an IUD just preforms an at home abortion for you if you get pregnant so maybe it didn't do it in the timely manner it usually does, that would result in more blood than usual. Has you doctor talked to you about that being maybe the cause?
Hope that helps,
katie

I know you've already found out about this, but I just wanted to add my story...I had the IUD in for a little over a year, it worked great for me (no periods at all), then one day it slipped out and next thing I knew I got a positive pg test (my daughter is now almost one)!!

I tell people that it didn't work so great for me - taking away the periods was wonderful, but getting pg was not expected and due to health reasons I was not planning to get pg - but I wouldn't trade my child for anything. I'd go through it all over again if I had to! :0)

I guess my advice for anyone getting one (or who has one currently) is to remember to check it. If it's slipping out, see you dr. You can get pg. It's not fool proof! :0)

I have the Merina and after a year of almost constant spotting I am finally settling into a regular cycle again! I wanted to give up and get it taken out more then once but I can not get pregnant rignt now due to physical difficulties and this is one of the safest non-permenant ways of birth control. REMEMBER that you can leave it in for 5 years, 5 years of not having to worry about it. I went to the er for the flu and when I told them I had the merina they did not feel the need to check for pregnancy, but if I was on the pill or using condoms darn right they would have checked! If you can put up with it for a bit longer you will probubly settle down soon. The up side was that my husband and I had to get creative about being intimate and it was FUN! Good Luck, Jen

I always had extremely heavy and long periods. I got my Mirena IUD when my daughter was 9 months old and I had just stopped breast feeding. For about a year I still had very heavy and long periods. I even had times when I felt I was always on my period because they would last for 2+ weeks sometimes. However, one month it just switched and now it's the most magnificent thing ever! I LOVE my IUD (I realize this is a strong statement). I have a little bit of spotting for three days usually and that is it. I've used one tampon in 2.5 years and rarely use anything. My IUD is good for another 2.5 years and there is no way I would have it removed early. It's definitely something I plan to keep doing just for what it does to my cycle. Amazing. It's also great for contraception as well, it's nice to never have to worry.

I have had it.At that point I had already had unusual bleeding.A common thing women have is PCOS.Polysistic(SP?) ovary syndrome which I have and at the time of the Merina it was not known that I had pcos.As I think back he said it would help with my bleeding I was already having plus birth control.It didn't stay in well.I had 1 c section at that point.It doesn't stay in well unless you had a vaginal birth before the insertion.May also shorten, lighten or even eliminate your periods—after one year of use, there may be up to a 90% reduction in menstrual bleeding, and 20% of Mirena users had no bleeding or spotting at all.I would say ask you Gyn.I would wait a year at least and see what happens.If it continues ask to be check for PCOS.Good luck!