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What Causes Spotting And Lower Abdominal Cramps While On Mirena IUD?

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Posted on Fri, 10 Jun 2016
Question: I've had the Mirena IUD for about 8 weeks now. I've done fine with it. Mainly just spotting quite often. I just finished what I'm assuming was my period and this morning I'm still spotting, but having pretty good lower abdominal cramping. Mainly on the right side. I checked the strings and they seem to be the same? I'm so scared of it causing harm to me because of the stories I've heard. Like migration and preferation. I haven't had these type cramps since getting it. They're not awful, but I did take some Ibuprofen. So I'm scaring myself. Should I be worried?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Irregular spotting and common with Mirena and nothing to worry about

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope i can help you today.

Spotting and bleeding when you are not supposed to have your period is one of the most common side effects of the Mirena. This can continue for up to 6 months after insertion, and is nothing to worry about as long as you do not have severe pain with the bleeding or are not passing large blood clots.

It is also normal to occasionally have twinges of pain in your ovaries from Mirena as well, as you do continue to ovulate with the IUD. Some women even grow small ovarian cysts from the hormonal changes, which can cause pain on one side during ovulation, and then go away on their own after you get your period.

As long as you can feel the string and the length and position of the strings hasn't changed, there is nothing to worry about from the symptoms you are describing. Migration and perforation usually only occur in the immediate few days to one month after insertion and in both cases the string would disappear. The actual chance of having one of these complications from a Mirena is less than 1 per 1000, so as long as you can feel your string, it is unlikely that any of your symptoms are dangerous.

The majority of women do very well with the Mirena and sometimes it just takes your body a few months to get used to it. By 6 months, most women have short, light, painless periods. Again, as long as you can feel your string, the chance of having and major complication like migration or perforation is extremely low if not impossible.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that this information was reassuring to you. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jacqueline Brown (7 minutes later)
Ok, so this random cramping/aching right after what I am assuming was my period is nothing to worry about since I can feel my strings and they feel the same?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
That is correct- it should resolve on it's own with a bit more time.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Yes- the pain on the right is most likely from hormonal activity in your ovary and is mild enough for you to get relief from over-the-counter pain medication. If your pain gets severe enough that Motrin or similar medication doesn't help you, or if the string disappears, or if you have fever, nausea or vomiting along with the pain, there may be something else wrong and then you should see an OBGYN provider for evaluation.

In the meantime, however, there is no reason to be concerned.

Regards,

Dr. Brown
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. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Jacqueline Brown

OBGYN

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 1425 Questions

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What Causes Spotting And Lower Abdominal Cramps While On Mirena IUD?

Brief Answer: Irregular spotting and common with Mirena and nothing to worry about Detailed Answer: Hello, and I hope i can help you today. Spotting and bleeding when you are not supposed to have your period is one of the most common side effects of the Mirena. This can continue for up to 6 months after insertion, and is nothing to worry about as long as you do not have severe pain with the bleeding or are not passing large blood clots. It is also normal to occasionally have twinges of pain in your ovaries from Mirena as well, as you do continue to ovulate with the IUD. Some women even grow small ovarian cysts from the hormonal changes, which can cause pain on one side during ovulation, and then go away on their own after you get your period. As long as you can feel the string and the length and position of the strings hasn't changed, there is nothing to worry about from the symptoms you are describing. Migration and perforation usually only occur in the immediate few days to one month after insertion and in both cases the string would disappear. The actual chance of having one of these complications from a Mirena is less than 1 per 1000, so as long as you can feel your string, it is unlikely that any of your symptoms are dangerous. The majority of women do very well with the Mirena and sometimes it just takes your body a few months to get used to it. By 6 months, most women have short, light, painless periods. Again, as long as you can feel your string, the chance of having and major complication like migration or perforation is extremely low if not impossible. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that this information was reassuring to you. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Dr. Brown