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What Causes Absence Of Period After Insertion Of Copper IUD?
Question: Hi
I`ve had a copper IUD installed in august 2013 and had 1 period following the insertion and the only other one I had was in February, that`s it...now we are in the end of may and still nothing. I stopped taking the pill after the IUD was inserted, I`ve had pregnancy tests, blood work and a ultrasound done...is this a common condition ? should I be worried ?what are the next steps I should take ?
I`ve had a copper IUD installed in august 2013 and had 1 period following the insertion and the only other one I had was in February, that`s it...now we are in the end of may and still nothing. I stopped taking the pill after the IUD was inserted, I`ve had pregnancy tests, blood work and a ultrasound done...is this a common condition ? should I be worried ?what are the next steps I should take ?
Brief Answer:
need some more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
If you had the copper IUD and not the progesterone IUD (the Mirena) then it is very unusual to stop having periods.
Do you know what bloodwork has been done?
Also, did you have irregular periods before you had the IUD placed?
Please answer these questions for me and we will try to figure this out.
need some more details
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
If you had the copper IUD and not the progesterone IUD (the Mirena) then it is very unusual to stop having periods.
Do you know what bloodwork has been done?
Also, did you have irregular periods before you had the IUD placed?
Please answer these questions for me and we will try to figure this out.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Yes I had regular periods prior to taking the pill. The blood work I did showed normal levels of female hormones, but low levels of male hormones (my doctor was not very concerned by that). I have read many blogs and saw that many other woman had this issue after stopping the pill so I thought secondary amenorrhea post pill....
I have no signs of infections, no abdominal pain, and like I said I had one normal period in February.
I have no signs of infections, no abdominal pain, and like I said I had one normal period in February.
Brief Answer:
Thanks for the information
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you had one period following the insertion in August, and then only one more in February, and now it is April, then I wouldn't consider the February period as normal, even if it seemed normal to you. that is because it was not part of a normal monthly pattern of periods, and you only had two periods in a period of nine months. The normal female hormones is encouraging, and low levels of male hormones is to be expected and is normal for a woman. You may want to ask your doctor to test other hormone levels such as thyroid hormone and prolactin, as they can also cause missed periods.
I wouldn't consider it post pill amenorrhea, as that shouldn't have lasted this long. at your age of 25, you should be having regular periods by now. Maybe 3-6 months at the most after the pills, but not this long.
regards,
Thanks for the information
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you had one period following the insertion in August, and then only one more in February, and now it is April, then I wouldn't consider the February period as normal, even if it seemed normal to you. that is because it was not part of a normal monthly pattern of periods, and you only had two periods in a period of nine months. The normal female hormones is encouraging, and low levels of male hormones is to be expected and is normal for a woman. You may want to ask your doctor to test other hormone levels such as thyroid hormone and prolactin, as they can also cause missed periods.
I wouldn't consider it post pill amenorrhea, as that shouldn't have lasted this long. at your age of 25, you should be having regular periods by now. Maybe 3-6 months at the most after the pills, but not this long.
regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks so much for your help,
I`m very worried about this since I eventually want to have children of my own.
Is there anything else my doctor should verify ?
I did my ultrasound last Monday and my doctor should have the results next week...is that a useful test at this point ? Could it show any damage that was down to my uterus when the IUD was inserted ? (because I was also thinking that might be a possibility).
I`m very worried about this since I eventually want to have children of my own.
Is there anything else my doctor should verify ?
I did my ultrasound last Monday and my doctor should have the results next week...is that a useful test at this point ? Could it show any damage that was down to my uterus when the IUD was inserted ? (because I was also thinking that might be a possibility).
Brief Answer:
I understand your concerns, and you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
The ultrasound is useful for several reasons, and it is good that it was done. It may show abnormalities in your ovaries such as polycystic ovaries, which can explain your irregular periods. If that is the case, it should be treatable, and though pregnancy can be a challenge, it can certainly be achieved. It will also show if the IUD is in its proper position. It won;t really show damage to the uterus, but it can show if the IUD punctured the uterus. Although this sounds scary, it is really only a minor problem. That is because the IUD would then be removed laparoscopically, and the uterus usually heals on its own. This is rare, but the ultrasound will give that information.
The ultrasound will also evaluate the thickness of the uterine lining, which can reveal whether or not their has been adequate hormonal stimulation of the uterus.
As far as future pregnancy is concerned, you will have to get back to having regular natural cycles. The fact that you have periods at all is encouraging, and if you don;t have natural cycles of your own, the when you desire pregnancy your doctor may need to help you ovulate with medications. However, you will most likely be able to get pregnant. I understand that you are scared, but it is very unusual for someone to not be able to conceive at all, even with problems like what you are going through.
Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
I understand your concerns, and you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
The ultrasound is useful for several reasons, and it is good that it was done. It may show abnormalities in your ovaries such as polycystic ovaries, which can explain your irregular periods. If that is the case, it should be treatable, and though pregnancy can be a challenge, it can certainly be achieved. It will also show if the IUD is in its proper position. It won;t really show damage to the uterus, but it can show if the IUD punctured the uterus. Although this sounds scary, it is really only a minor problem. That is because the IUD would then be removed laparoscopically, and the uterus usually heals on its own. This is rare, but the ultrasound will give that information.
The ultrasound will also evaluate the thickness of the uterine lining, which can reveal whether or not their has been adequate hormonal stimulation of the uterus.
As far as future pregnancy is concerned, you will have to get back to having regular natural cycles. The fact that you have periods at all is encouraging, and if you don;t have natural cycles of your own, the when you desire pregnancy your doctor may need to help you ovulate with medications. However, you will most likely be able to get pregnant. I understand that you are scared, but it is very unusual for someone to not be able to conceive at all, even with problems like what you are going through.
Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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