Side effects
Copper IUD common side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
Period like cramps
73% of Copper IUD reviewers reported period like cramps
Lower back pain
47% of Copper IUD reviewers reported lower back pain
Tender breasts
40% of Copper IUD reviewers reported tender breasts
Dizziness
27% of Copper IUD reviewers reported dizziness
Vaginal discharge
27% of Copper IUD reviewers reported vaginal discharge
Copper IUD rare side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
7% of Copper IUD reviewers reported body hair increase
7% of Copper IUD reviewers reported thrush
7% of Copper IUD reviewers reported pelvic infection
Possible Copper IUD side effects
Data is taken from self reported Lowdown user reviews
- Period like cramps (73%)
- Lower back pain (47%)
- Tender breasts (40%)
- Dizziness (27%)
- Vaginal discharge (27%)
- Migraines (27%)
- Headaches (27%)
- Nausea or vomiting (20%)
- Sweating more than usual (13%)
- Vaginal dryness (13%)
- Breast enlargement (13%)
- Hair loss (13%)
- Cystitis (7%)
- Migraine with aura (7%)
- Body hair getting darker (7%)
- Body hair increase (7%)
- Thrush (7%)
- Pelvic infection (7%)
- Discomfort wearing contact lenses (0%)
- High blood pressure (0%)
- A latex allergy (0%)
Reviews
3.7
15 reviews
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Community reviews
Used for 1 - 3 mo
25 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 1 week ago
The insertion was unbelievably painful and I will not be getting it put back in after three months. 2 days in I nearly went back to get it taken out but decided to push through. The pain subsided however I occasionally get the most awful pains randomly which will last 3+ days sporadically with no period to go with it.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
26 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 3rd Oct 24
I’ve had it for over a year, I’m happy with it since it’s been effective in preventing pregnancy but I’ve all the sudden been getting weird side effects and hormone imbalances and bloating.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 12 - 18 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 2nd Aug 24
I love the copper IUD as I was looking for a non hormonal way of birth control. Besides the heavy bleeding and intense cramps during my period, it’s great!
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 31st Jul 24
I wanted the copper IUD because it was non-hormonal and my DR said the only real side effect was worse periods (which she said would be fine for me because my periods are were not too bad in the first place. Insertion was not as painful as I thought it would be. Periods have become extremely painful and mood has definitely suffered
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
46 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th Jul 24
This was super painful to implant and more pain each month I used it during my period-longer and heavier as well as cramping and spotting each month at ovulation. Eventually I had the device removed and I started taking a birth control pill to regulate my hormones in hopes of lowering instance of migraines due to hormonal fluctuations. Now on a pill designed to prevent hormonal migraines, I realize that during my IUD years I had much less frequent migraines so perhaps there is no correlation between my migraines and birth control.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 5 - 8 yr
29 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 30th May 24
I had Paraguard for almost 7 years. When it was first inserted (insanely painful) I was told it would last for 12 years, however it fell out recently. Only half fell out, as one arm broke off and I was recommended to have a hysteroscopy under full anesthesia to remove the missing part. Luckily it came out on its own and I didn’t require the operation but it was a terrifying experience. Throughout the past 7 years the only issues I had was very heavy periods and severe cramps (including sharp pain when going to the bathroom). Other than that, it was great for me and nice to have regular periods.
Top side effects not reported
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 18 mo - 3 yr
21 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 19th Mar 24
I've never used any forms of birth control before, so I don't know what to compare it to other than being normal and not on birth control. Insertion was uncomfortable but not very painful, and I had pain in my cervix and spotting for about a week afterward. My body adjusted very quickly and I had normally spaced periods right after. The most noticeable difference is that my period is lighter and longer. My sex drive noticeably decreased, and my emotions are dampened/numbed. I forget that I even have it 99% of the time, as I don't notice it in my daily life. If all you're looking for is plain and simple low-maintenance birth control, this is it.
Worse skin
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
18 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 17th Dec 23
Cramping is significantly worse than before I had the IUD. Periods have lasted about 3 weeks when they used to only last 5-7 days. After the IUD was inserted, I ended up having 3 UTIs and cervicitis.
Somewhat negative mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
0 comments
Used for 1 - 3 mo
28 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 4th Dec 23
I don’t know yet. It’s only been 3 weeks since I got it but I have not stopped bleeding (it started as only spotting and the blood looked brown on my pad and the amount increased to a light period then it went back to spotting.) now after the 2nd week the blood started to look red again and its still only spotting. So now I don’t know is this is my regular period or what! I have iron deficiency anemia, all this bleeding can’t be good. Is this going to be always. I have no cramps which I’m greatful for.
Top side effects not reported
1 helpful
0 comments
Used for 3 - 6 mo
24 years old
🇺🇸 US
• 10th Oct 23
The insertion process was a bit painful, but not the worst experience in my case. I would highly recommend tanking some pain medication beforehand. After insertion I experienced some stronger cramps and my period became a bit heavier for a few months (I was coming off the pill and had lighter periods). Now for the past two months my periods have been lighter than ever with only a couple days of light bleeding at most. My cramps feel a bit worse when I get them, but that doesn’t happen too frequently to me.
Somewhat positive mood
1 more effect
0 helpful
1 comments