How long cramps after iud insertion

The copper IUDs are effective immediately after insertion. This usually gets easier after 3 to 6 months. Treat the cramps with ibuprofen or Tylenol. You can expect your regular period to come at its usual time. The hormone is like progesterone, it does not contain estrogen, and is about one fifth the dose in birth control pills, only so it seldom causes hormonal side effects.

These symptoms often subside in the first 6 months. Removing an IUD is usually a simple process that can happen during a typical office visit with any IUD trained doctor. A doctor removes an IUD by inserting a speculum and using the threads to slide the IUD out from the uterus through the cervix.

Some users may experience some brief cramping during removal but usually not to the extent of cramping experienced during insertion. Having an IUD inserted is a quick and easy process your local healthcare provider can perform at a clinic.

It typically only takes five minutes. During this procedure, your provider will:. Afterward, two strings attached to the end of the IUD should be hanging in your vagina. These indicate that the IUD is in the right place. Most IUDs are effective for and can remain in your body for three to 10 years. During the removal process, he or she will:. Typically, the IUD comes out easily, and the process takes less than five minutes.

Or, he or she might have to perform a hysteroscopy, which involves passing a thin, lighted tube through the cervix and into the uterus. If this occurs, your provider will likely provide you with some form of pain relief to make the procedure more comfortable. They can be mild or severe, depending on the person. You might be able to reduce the amount of pain and cramping associated with this procedure by scheduling it during your period, when the cervix is more relaxed, open, and sitting lower in your body.

If the IUD strings are up in the uterus or the device has become stuck, however, you might experience more pain and cramping as your healthcare provider tries to remove it.

For many women, their cramps will go away as soon as or shortly after the IUD insertion or removal process. Some women get cramps months later, but these should decrease in severity over time. During this period, you can take steps to ease the discomfort associated with cramping, including:. Many people find that the cramping has improved by the time a doctor removes the speculum.

Mild cramping and spotting can sometimes persist for weeks or even months. However, cramping usually disappears within 3—6 months , according to Planned Parenthood.

If the cramping lasts longer than this, or if severe cramping lasts for more than 1—2 days after insertion, it is important to contact a healthcare professional for advice.

People who choose a copper IUD rather than a hormonal one may experience heavier periods and more intense cramping, especially in the 3 months following insertion. For most people, these symptoms get better with time. The hormonal IUD, which releases hormones similar to those of birth control pills, may help with heavy periods and cramping.

Some people notice that their periods disappear entirely or become little more than spotting. A hormonal IUD may be a good choice for people with very heavy or painful periods.

Learn more about how an IUD can affect periods here. A Cochrane review assessed previous research on methods of reducing pain during IUD insertion. Some pain management methods that did work included:. Little research has assessed effective methods for handling cramping after IUD insertion or removal.

As this pain is similar to that of menstrual cramps, a person may find that the same strategies help relieve pain and discomfort. Some studies suggest that fish oil supplements may help with cramps, according to Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones , from the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah Health. Fish oil supplements may only be effective when a person takes them at relatively high dosages, and they may work better when a person takes them with vitamin B Some people feel cramping during removal because pulling on the string puts pressure on the cervix.

The cervix must open slightly to allow the IUD to come out, which may also cause discomfort. While the cramping may last for a few minutes after removal, it usually goes away quickly. Removing the IUD may irritate the cervix and cause light spotting for a day or two.

However, neither heavy bleeding nor intense pain is normal after removal. If a person experiences severe cramping or pain for more than a few hours after IUD removal, this may signal an infection, a problem with the cervix, or another issue. Before IUD insertion, a person may wish to talk to a doctor about options for minimizing pain.