Patient's question:
I am 32 years old. Three months ago, I had an IUD inserted. Previously, my periods were normal and lasted about 6 days. Now, they are lasting close to half a month, and I also have a dull lower abdominal pain. Frequently, I experience severe pain from the groin to above the knees. I don't know if this is due to the IUD insertion. If so, should I have it removed? Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Generally speaking, there are two common side effects after inserting an IUD. The first is bleeding. A small amount of bleeding shortly after insertion is due to the scratching of the endometrium during the placement of the contraceptive ring. The bleeding usually lasts for several days and is no more than the amount of your usual menstrual period, requiring no treatment. If the ring is inserted during the latter half of your menstrual cycle, when the endometrium is in the secretory phase, it is thicker and more vascular, leading to more bleeding. Therefore, it is recommended to insert the ring 3 to 7 days after your period ends. Some women may experience an increase in menstrual flow, a longer menstrual period, or spotting after insertion. Others may have bloody discharge with a higher volume. Research suggests that this is due to the IUD stimulating the endometrium, causing chemical changes in the tissue and leading to local coagulation disorders. The incidence of bleeding is also related to the material of the IUD. Plastic and copper-containing IUDs have a higher incidence of bleeding, while metal rings have a lower incidence, and those containing progesterone have the lowest. The treatment for bleeding involves the clinical use of antifibrinolytic drugs such as epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), vitamin K, Anluo blood, and hemostatic, which can reduce the amount of bleeding.