IUD Non-hormonal Copper Coil Side Effects?

Sexual health
1

Hi everyone,

I'm 34, no children, had a T-Safe copper coil fitted about 7 months ago after taking COC for almost 6 years (Dianette, Cerazette, Yasmin). I had no problem with the coil, just slight discomfort and spotting after insertion and heavier and longer periods which doesn't bother me, at least they are regular. What bothers me is how I feel 1-2 weeks before the period: uncontrollable mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks, low sex drive, sleeplessness. I was told that having the non-hormonal coil means you have none of those symptoms but mine seem to get worse.

I'm not sure if it's the coil or something else, but I'm not happy and not sure how to control the symptoms. GP has been unhelpful, I'm not sure who else ask for advice sad

Please help, any advice will be much appreciated.

2

Hi there

I have done some research on the copper coil after having it in for a year & finding the

bleeding & stomach pain becoming unbearable. I was loosing so much blood that my

I had to be prescribed iron tablets & have internal investigations done to rule out anything sinister . I'm having the copper coil removed on Monday as I think I'm reacting to the copper ( I had it in because I'm very sensitive to synthetic hormones & thought this would b a safer option) .

I've had the following reactions : anxiety / panic attacks/ hair loss/ weakened immunity / adrenal rushes / heart palpatations / nausea

I've read that the copper can react in the body like a caffeine rush & upsets your hormonal balance. For this reason I'm having it taken out.

It may not be a hormonal contraceptive but it certainly messed up my hormones in my

opinion !

Hope this helps- go with your instincts - you know your body better than any doctor!

3

Hi the im 21 and i had the ort this post

l Hi i had the copper coil fitted about 6 months ago , and i have been suffering with depression and panic attacks also i have breast pains and cramping pains, always bloated and no sex drive i just wounder Has any One else felt this way im due to get it out tomorrow but tbh im feeling a Little scared of a mood crash afterwards im only 21 and i feel not how a 21 yr old should so Can anyone give Me some feed back plz x

4

Hi i had the copper coil fitted about 6 months ago , and i have been suffering with depression and panic attacks also i have breast pains and cramping pains, always bloated and no sex drive i just wounder Has any One else felt this way im due to get it out tomorrow but tbh im feeling a Little scared of a mood crash afterwards im only 21 and i feel not how a 21 yr old should so Can anyone give Me some feed back plz x

5

I can relate to your experience. I had the copper IUD for 5 months. My symptoms became increasingly unbearable, which is why I had it removed and now use a diaphragm and fertility monitor as contraception.

Within 48 hours of having the IUD inserted, I had a distinct yellow hue on my face, which was pointed out to me by others. It faded soon after. After those first two days, the roller coaster started. Symptoms included: depression (suicidal thoughts), anxiety, moodiness, over-sensitivity, weight gain, bloated face, increased appetite, "stress eating," heavy bleeding and cramping, lines on my face, muscle weakness, fatigue, brain fog, inability to make even the smallest decisions, inability to plan two steps ahead, inability to think creatively, and feeling totally overwhelmed. I cried all the time. This was very unlike me. I am not prone to depression.

I tried to take zinc, thinking it would counter the copper. I stopped taking it, however, because zinc made all the symptoms worse. Finally, after having the IUD removed, all my symptoms went away within a few weeks. I didn't do anything special. I just did my normal routine of a low-fat plant-based diet, jogging, and meditation. I do not take a multivitamin, which contains zinc. Instead, I take only B12, iodine, Vitamin D, and DHA. 

The medical establishment thinks it's impossible to have copper toxicity from the IUD, but I disagree. If my side effects were caused by hormonal changes, I think it would have taken longer to recover. (The copper IUD does, in fact, affect hormone regulation because it promotes the release of prostaglandins.)

I wonder how many women with the IUD are also taking antidepressants. How many are trying to lose weight to no avail and blaming themselves? How many are feeling tired, weak, and numb? I wish I could warn all women against this device. 

6

Hey,

I'm 19 and got the copper coil inserted last month. It wasn't fully my decision to get it. My mother had been pushing me to get it because she was worried I would get pregnant. Both of my sisters have it and both experienced mood swings but after 3 months the mood swings dissapaited. I know I'm only a month in but I've been having bad cramps, mood swings as well as lack of drive. I am naucious a majority of the time as well. I have been depressed for no apparent reason and on the flip of a coin, I'll be laughing and giggling. 

Today I went in to see the doctor who inserted my IUD for the follow-up appointment. When I told her that I had been having mood swings she said there is no proof that the copper coil causes mood swings. I told her about how both my sisters had mood swings she reccomended that I wait another month or two and see if my hormones settle down. If not then she reccomended that I get it removed.

That's all the information I could give you. Hope it was helpful.

7

Good Morning,

I just read your thread as i recently had my Copper IUD out and I cannot believe how similar our experience of it was. I went through most of your side effects and I was absolutely beside myself with the weight loss. I was working out and on a low carbs diet and my weight practically stayed the same for two months and I didn't understand how this could be possible, as I tend to lose weight quickly once I start. Yet nothing was happening, the scales remained the same!!!

Since having it removed, I'm feeling like my old self again. I'm even going to the loo regularly, like I was before having it and I don't feel bloated. I honestly thought it was just me, but something told me to get it removed.

So thank you so much for sharing and for everyone's thread, because now I know it was that!

And the above comment was also correct G.Ps are useless and I think some further investigation should done around this copper coil, surveying a bunch of women, on their own personal experience would a good start!

8

I hate copper iud it's horrible I thought I was losing my mind but turns out that my mood swings and my low sex drive is from the iud and I'm getting it removed idk what else I'm going to end up using but I don't want to get pregnant rolleyes but I think all ur symptoms r from the iud cuz I'm feeling the same way and I have it in sad

9

OMG ladies you are a blessing!

I am 31 years old and I hade the IUD inserted 9 months ago and it is driving me crazy.

For the 1st 5 months I used to have a 15 days long period with bleeding for 3 more days in between.

Headaches and backaches are killing me

Mood swings and depression

Also low sex drive

I feel bloated and I gained about 2kgs and I can't loose any wait no matter what.

I have food cravings and I eat a lot since I always feel stressed.

I have just talked with my husband tonight that I want to visit my dr to get it removed and discuss other birth control options.

How come bo researches ever found out about these side effects and how common it is?!!!

Thanks so much for each and every one of you for sharing this.

You made me feel normal again!

10

OMG ladies you are a blessing!

I am 31 years old and I hade the IUD inserted 9 months ago and it is driving me crazy.

For the 1st 5 months I used to have a 15 days long period with bleeding for 3 more days in between.

Headaches and backaches are killing me

Mood swings and depression

Also low sex drive

I feel bloated and I gained about 2kgs and I can't loose any wait no matter what.

I have food cravings and I eat a lot since I always feel stressed.

I have just talked with my husband tonight that I want to visit my dr to get it removed and discuss other birth control options.

How come no researches ever found out about these side effects and how common it is?!!!

Thanks so much for each and every one of you for sharing this.

You made me feel normal again!

11

This discussion is an absolute lifesaver.

I have been feeling so down that I could cry right now writing this out. I thought there was something wrong with ME because I had all these different symptoms and I honestly did not know they were connected and what was causing them.

All the replies I have read makes so much sense and it is very clear that the copper coil does cause many varied side effects.

I have experienced the following ( this is when my coil was in)

Bleeding between periods

Increase in discharge (having to wear panty liners daily)

Bloody discharge

Stomach cramps

Nausea

Mood swings

Tiredness

Hair loss

Low/no sex drive

Bloating

Cannot loose weight (no matter what I do)

I have experienced the following symptoms (this is after my coil was removed)

Very violent mood swing (this was three days after I had it removed which was on top of my first period)

Nausea

Hair loss

Spotting skin

Depression

No interest in daily activities

Tiredness

Tummy ache

Crying

Sleepy during day

Sore breast (one side only and alway same side)

Anxiety

Low/no sex drive

Bloating

Over sensitivity

Fatigue

Cannot loose weight

I truly wish that health professionals would advise women more clearly on the symptoms when choosing to have a coil.

It really is not fair I have spent the last year thinking that it was me and that I was a horrible person or their even worse there was something seriously wrong with me, when all the time it was this hidden device that I chose to put into my body.

I really hope that my hair was stop falling out now because this was really worrying me.

Good luck ladies and I wish you all the very best.

12

This discussion is an absolute lifesaver.

I have been feeling so down that I could cry right now writing this out. I thought there was something wrong with ME because I had all these different symptoms and I honestly did not know they were connected and what was causing them.

All the replies I have read makes so much sense and it is very clear that the copper coil does cause many varied side effects.

I have experienced the following ( this is when my coil was in)

Bleeding between periods

Increase in discharge (having to wear panty liners daily)

Bloody discharge

Stomach cramps

Nausea

Mood swings

Tiredness

Hair loss

Low/no sex drive

Bloating

Cannot loose weight (no matter what I do)

I have experienced the following symptoms (this is after my coil was removed)

Very violent mood swing (this was three days after I had it removed which was on top of my first period)

Nausea

Hair loss

Spotting skin

Depression

No interest in daily activities

Tiredness

Tummy ache

Crying

Sleepy during day

Sore breast (one side only and alway same side)

Anxiety

Low/no sex drive

Bloating

Over sensitivity

Fatigue

Cannot loose weight

I truly wish that health professionals would advise women more clearly on the symptoms when choosing to have a coil.

It really is not fair I have spent the last year thinking that it was me and that I was a horrible person or their even worse there was something seriously wrong with me, when all the time it was this hidden device that I chose to put into my body.

I really hope that my hair was stop falling out now because this was really worrying me.

Good luck ladies and I wish you all the very best.

13

I have just come across this thread. Im sitting here at my wits end because of how i feel with a copper iud. Im getting mone removed next tues. Have had it 9 months. It has completely changed me as a person.

I am always tired, im always on an emotional rollercoaster up and down, mainly down angry and weepy, no sex drive, bloated, cant lose weight just staying the same give or take afew lbs, sore head and fogginess all the time, nauseous, heavy periods the list goes on and on. Does it take long to get back to normal after its removed??

I feel so sorry for my husband and kids. Its like living with a demon for so long now.

14

I had my Nova T380 put in, in March 2015 and taken out December 12th 2016. It's been 4ish weeks and im really suffering. Im absolutely so so depressed. Feel so down for no reason. Cant shake the depression off. To top it off the last 2 nights ive now got insomnia. Just cannot sleep. !!!

Been up since 11:30 and still awake. !

I read it takes a year to get back to normal, im only 4 weeks in 😱

Ive just been doctors and mentioned copper toxicity syndrome and had 4 blood tests done for copper levels, zinc levels, blood count, liver enzyme and thyroid check. Gotta wait 2 weeks for results.

15

Hi Oceanscience,

I think that since you removed the IUD, and you have all the same symptoms, what you might be experiencing is PCOS. The symptoms sound very similar especially the spotty skin. Or thyroid issues.

You may want to incorporate activated charcoal supplements for awhile and take vitamin C to cleanse your body of the copper residual. I have a strong inclination to think that it might be poly cystic ovarian syndrome. ;-)

16

Hello! Finding posts like this helped me to come to the decision that I needed to take my copper coil out. It was such a relief! One particular night I was in so much agony with cramps and back pain that I couldn't sleep so I started to research.

I had the coil in for 8 months and over that 8 months I developed constant back problems in both my lower back and my upper back for which I had many trips to the osteopath for. I presumed it was because I was getting old (35) and had a bad posture. My partner and I even purchased a £400 matress!

My body would start to prepare for menstruation a week before and I had horrific bloating, mood swings, headaches and PAIN. Oh my, the pain. The soles of my feet would hurt so much at times and I started to get intense headaches and felt pressure in my head towards the end. When on my period it felt as though all the nerves in my back would become sensitised and it was completely debilitating. One weekend I was in London, I was in so much pain that I remember having a discussion with my partner about having my womb taken out!!!

Not once in that time did I think all the back problems and pain and swelling were down to the Copper coil! I have now had it removed. My period reduced from 7 days bleeding to 4 immediatley and the pressure in my head has stopped (also following acupucture and deep tissue massage). I know that all of this is NOT just a coincidence. I have never suffered with constant back pain in my life. Advice for anyone thinking of having it removed? Get it out if you are having problems! Be firm with your GP despite what they tell you. Mine didn't actually question it because I had it in for 8months and said it was quite common for people to experience serious back pain with it. I know some GP''s will deny all knowledge of side effects and copper toxicity.

Non hormonal? Nonsense. Every month I would have huge spots on my face and huge shifts in mood which made me question my sanity. My sex drive eventually dissapeared too and I found it hard to climax.it may not release copper into your body BUT if you research, medics actually don't know how the stupid thing properly prevents pregnancy. Makes you question how these things are legally prescribed and fitted. I am sure it works for some. I have decided to not use contraception because I had horrific experiences with the the implant too. Condoms it is. It's the best thing I can do for my body and my sanity. I have only had it out for 2 weeks and feel an instant feeling of relief. I will report back in a month or so.

17

Hi, Im so glad I came across this thread. I am slowly becoming obsessed with researching the Copper Coil and its side effects....

Im 39 years old and have 2 children. With my son, who is now 18 months old,  I suffered with Pre-natal depression - which luckily vanished as soon as I gave birth to him (he is so gorgeous smile

I tried the implants after I had my son, which in hindsight was a very silly decision as the hormones played havoc with me and again I started to feel those familiar low feelings I had felt during my pregancy. I got it taken out after around 4 months and instantly felt like myself again.

This is why last November I opted for the Copper Coil, as it was hormone free I thought I would be fine. WRONG.

Apart from the ridiculous amounts of constant discharge (especially around ovulation time), and the heaviest 7 day periods Ive ever encoutered (causing me to leak through my jeans - even when wearing both super tampon and pad) - it was the mood swings, PMT, tiredness and low sex drive that made me get it removed yesterday.

The PMT was so bad I have literally have felt like Ive wanted to divorce my husband and some days couldnt even muster the energy to get out of bed and get dressed. The PMT seemed to be lasting for about 7 or more days too, so throughout a month there was only a day or 2 when I felt ok and wasnt either bleeding heavily or wanting to kill somebody!

Ive been so tired, even after 9 hours solid sleep, and have no inclination to do any exercise which is so unusual for me as I have exercised all of my adult life.

SO I woke up one day this week and the realisation 'enough is enough' was overwhelming so out it came yesterday.

I think given my history Ive become more atuned to my body and the effects certain things have on it, I know for sure these symptoms, despite what the medical 'experts' say, were a direct result of my coil.

Like someone very wisely said previously on this forum, you know your body better than anyone. Trust your instincts!!!

18

Hi, Laurie!

Very interesting. I've had it after my son and already being for 3, 6 after my daughter and all those moody things I'm having now but I put it down to perimenopause. I'm 43. Any way. Blood test is fine and doctor said I'm fine and no perimenopause. What worries me little spots right in the middle of my periodstrange. Going to have ultra scan this Saturday.

Any one else experience spotting because of the coil?

Many thanks.

19

Hi Kelly, I am 43 and have spotting around evolution as well! Blood test is fine so see what scan will show. Interesting, thank you, Ladies, for your posts.

Have to say my drive is 0 😢 and big problem with my sleeping too.

20

Well, yesterday had my ultrasound done. Everything is fine. Copper coil in place. So, what can cause spotting. Ovaries are clean. Must be coil. What else can it be?

Thank you all.