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3+ months and still going
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jessicamarie84 posted:
I need help. I've had the paragard for over a year now and for the last 3 months or so I have had a non stop period. Somedays its spotty others its heavy, if I use a tampon when it gets heavy the bleeding will stop for as long as the tampon is in and it will pull out with very little blood but as soon as its out the bleeding comes back. I havent been able to get into the gyno and honestly its freaking me out. I periodically get dizzy, I'm always tired, and irritated. I really need so advice as to what it could be and what I should do
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:3+ months and still goingI need help. I've had the paragard for over a year now and for the last 3 months or so I have had a non stop period. Somedays its spotty others its heavy, if I use a tampon when it gets heavy the bleeding will stop for as long as the tampon is in and it will pull out with very little blood but as soon as its out the bleeding comes back. I havent been able to get into the gyno and honestly its freaking me out. I periodically get dizzy, I'm always tired, and irritated. I really need so advice as to what it could be and what I should do
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Jane Harrison Hohner, RN, RNP responded:
Dear jessicamarie: It has long been known that menstrual periods and cramps can worsen with a non-hormonal IUD such as the Paragard. Yet you had almost a year without the troublesome symptoms of prolonged and erratic bleeding. Given that this abnormal bleeding just started three months ago, here are some POSSIBLE explanations:

1. Undetected pregnancy--while I would really doubt this is the culprit it still should be ruled out.

2. Infection of the lining of the uterus--if you are in a monogamous relationship this is extremely unlikely to be the cause.

3. Missed ovulation (eg from an ovarian cyst)--these can disrupt the normal hormone patterns which cause a menstrual period to both start and stop.

Given your fatigue (could be anemia from the prolonged bleeding), and the flow you have described, your really need to be evaluated by a GYN or the local clinic that inserted your IUD. You deserve a more "for sure" answer and a targeted treatment to get the bleeding to stop.

In Concern,
Jane
Report This| Share this:3+ months and still goingDear jessicamarie: It has long been known that menstrual periods and cramps can worsen with a non-hormonal IUD such as the Paragard. Yet you had almost a year without the troublesome symptoms of prolonged and erratic bleeding. Given that this abnormal bleeding just started three months ago, here are some POSSIBLE explanations:<br /><br />1. Undetected pregnancy--while I would really doubt this is the culprit it still should be ruled out.<br /><br />2. Infection of the lining of the uterus--if you are in a monogamous relationship this is extremely unlikely to be the cause.<br /><br />3. Missed ovulation (eg from an ovarian cyst)--these can disrupt the normal hormone patterns which cause a menstrual period to both start and stop.<br /><br />Given your fatigue (could be anemia from the prolonged bleeding), and the flow you have described, your really need to be evaluated by a GYN or the local clinic that inserted your IUD. You deserve a more "for sure" answer and a targeted treatment to get the bleeding to stop.<br /><br />In Concern,<br />Jane
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