IUD Post-Care
Congratulations! You have taken the steps to have control over your cycle! Your care does not stop after the IUD is placed however! Keep reading for your post-IUD care.
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This is material for reading and knowledge and is not intended to be medical advice.
HOW SOON DO THEY WORK?
Hormonal vs. Copper IUDs
Copper-T IUD
• It begins working now to prevent pregnancy.
• It can stay inside you for 12 years.
• Removal date __________(12 years from today).
Progestin IUD (Mirena®, Liletta®, Skyla®)
• It begins working in 7 days to prevent pregnancy.
• You MUST use condoms for the first 7 days after your IUD was inserted. If you have sex without using a condom, you will need to take emergency contraception as soon as possible to prevent pregnancy.
• Mirena® can stay inside you for 7 years. Skyla® or Liletta® can stay inside you for 3 years.
• Removal date ________ (7 or 3 years from today)
AFTER YOUR IUD HAS BEEN PLACED
Today you may go back to school or work after your visit. You must wait 24 hours after your IUD is put in before you can use tampons, take a bath, or have vaginal sex. You may have more cramps or heavier bleeding with your periods, or spotting between your periods. This is normal.
The cramping and bleeding can last for 3-6 months with the Mirena®, Liletta®, and Skyla® (hormone) IUDs. After 6 months, the cramping and bleeding should get better. Many women will stop having periods after 1 or 2 years with the Mirena®, Liletta®, and Skyla® (hormone) IUDs.
If you have the Copper IUD, you may have more cramping and more bleeding with your periods as long as you have the IUD inside you.
Ibuprofen (also called Advil® or Motrin®) helps decrease the bleeding and cramping. You can buy Ibuprofen at any drug store without a prescription. You can take as many as 4 pills (800 mg) of Ibuprofen every 8 hours with food (each pill contains 200 mg). To prevent cramping, start taking Ibuprofen as soon as your period starts and keep taking it every 8 hours for the first 2-3 days of your period. You can also put a hot water bottle on your belly if you have bad cramps. Your IUD may come out by itself in the first three months. If you can feel the strings, the IUD is in the right place. If your IUD comes out, you can become pregnant immediately. If you are not sure how to check the strings, we can help you. Call/text us to make an appointment at the number below. Meanwhile, use condoms. The IUD does NOT protect you against sexually transmitted infections. ALWAYS use protection against sexually transmitted infections (male condoms, female condoms, dental dams) if you are at risk. If you think you have been exposed to an STI, discuss testing with your healthcare provider. Most infections can be treated WITHOUT removing your IUD.
IF ANY OF THESE HAPPEN, NOTIFY YOUR CLINICIAN!
WARNING SIGNS: Within the first 3 weeks of the IUD insertion:
- Fever (>101F)
- Chills
- Strong or sharp pain in your stomach or belly AT ANY TIME (these are very rare)
- Late period (for Paragard® users)
- Feeling pregnant (breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting)
- Positive home pregnancy test If you develop any of the above warning signs, you see a healthcare provider.