After being on the pill for over 7 years, I decided to make the switch to an IUD. The IUD was placed on November 22, 2016 and I had very minimal pain or bleeding, as least in hindsight. Everything was fine for the first several weeks and then on December 11 I started having some spotting and some fairly significant cramping pain, that was sharp and severe enough to cause me to feel dizzy and nauseous. It only last for a few minutes at a time, but went on an off for a few days. This happened again last week. I also have basically not stopped bleeding since 12/11, and have had heavier bleeding in one day than I've had in an entire 3 days of menstruation since I had been on the pill. Since I started getting more serious in training in 2013 I more or less did not get a period for the better part of 3 years, so maybe this is payback for that.

Also of note, it has been really challenging to workout. I am fatiguing very easily and my heart rate goes through the roof on very easy efforts. Not fun. I honestly care less about the non-stop bleeding than I do about the fact that it might be messing with my training.

I have had two ultrasounds done, one before placement to rule out ovarian cysts, fibroids, ect. And one after placement because of the pain. Both were normal, and the IUD was in place during the second one. Also of note, I have had iron studies done several times over the past 6 months and everything was normal, and I supplement with iron daily. I am in medicine and my mother is a family doc, so I consulted her about all of this and she was not all that concerned.

Mostly I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if so, when can I expect things to get better!

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Emily Sherrard
@EmSher1
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