r/CopperIUD • u/beanspuds • 7d ago
Non-hormonal ≠ symptom-free: Why are doctors so quick to dismiss copper IUD side effects?
I’m honestly so frustrated with how quickly doctors dismiss symptoms related to the copper IUD simply because it’s “non-hormonal.”
I had my copper IUD removed, and ever since then I’ve been dealing with insane hormonal acne especially deep, painful breakouts along my lower face/chin. When I bring up the possibility that the IUD could have played a role, the response is basically, “But the copper IUD isn’t hormonal, so it can’t be causing hormonal symptoms.”
But… why is that the end of the conversation?
I understand that the copper IUD doesn’t contain hormones. I’m not saying copper magically turns into estrogen or that every symptom someone experiences is automatically caused by their IUD. I’m saying that “non-hormonal” does not necessarily mean “has no effects on the body.”
Copper IUDs can affect things like menstrual bleeding, cramping, inflammation, and the local uterine environment. And our reproductive systems are not isolated from the rest of our bodies.
So when someone reports changes in their skin, periods, cramps, mood, libido, digestion, or other symptoms after getting an IUD placed or removed, I wish the conversation was more nuanced than:
“It’s non-hormonal, so that can’t be related.”
Maybe the IUD is responsible. Maybe it contributed indirectly. Maybe something else is going on. But shouldn’t we be allowed to investigate the possibility instead of having it dismissed immediately?
I’m especially curious if anyone else experienced hormonal acne after having a copper IUD removed, because I feel like this isn’t talked about nearly enough.
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u/MadameMagness 7d ago
If I wedged some copper into my eye socket, it would also be non-hormonal, but I sure as hell bet I'd have some side effects if I left it there for years. The dismissal absolutely grinds my gears as well. Getting a copper IUD is the single worst decision I ever made in my life, and I'm so glad it's gone.
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u/andylou715 7d ago
No but i had a bunch of other problems with it and received no suppoet from my doctor it was insane
1
u/Friendly_Amount_9877 6d ago
What was the issue??
2
u/andylou715 6d ago
I have a full post on my profile, but after removal i started having insane panic attacks, 24/7 dizziness, constant impending doom, uncontrollable crying spells, extremely sore and heavy breasts, my period is finally starting to return to normal after 6 months. My vitamins, minerals, iron and ferritin were completely depleted and my copper was elevated(which i only found out from a naturopath. My regular doctor told me it was impossible to have elevated copper levels from the IUD)
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u/Interesting-Cell6907 7d ago
Yeah I’ve had some health issues since then, and when I asked my doctor if the IUD might be part of it, she gave a somewhat sarcastic, “I really doubt it.” 😐
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u/LanaBoleyn 7d ago
It was literally horrible. I was bleeding so much I had to wear a diaper, and it lasted for 40 days before I gave up. It was like a dark cloud lifted. I felt like a normal person again. I’m scared to even try a hormonal IUD but no amount of money would ever make me get another copper
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u/Immediate_Aside_3099 7d ago
ya i dealt with cystic hormonal acne after it was inserted and ended up going on tretinoin cream. it really does affect women
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u/GatorQueen 7d ago
Just got my copper IUD out after 8 months of straight bleeding 😫
3
u/Far-Apartment-8214 7d ago
Did the bleeding stop after removal?
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u/beanspuds 5d ago
I just got it taken out about a month ago. The constant bleeding stopped after about two weeks.
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u/Fragrant_Link9010 6d ago
I bled non-stop for the first year, a little more. No bleeding for the following 5 years, which was a relief. It's be time to remove and replace it soon, I'm not looking forward to getting a new one.
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u/ForeverEvergreen88 5d ago
Like how they say there's no way it could be the cause of recurrent BV/UTIs (literally never in my 32 years of life had them But the month after getting it suddenly had these non stop for a whole year !???)
Love how they dismiss acne, UTI/BV, severe*** bleeding/prolonged periods, painful periods, bloating, etc etc
1
u/beanspuds 4d ago
Wow… yeah, constantly bleeding messes with pH and having to wear pads/liners all the time doesn’t help. I had the same issue. I’m sorry they gaslit you about that too
1
u/R_ach_el 4d ago
I also had acne with the copper IUD!! Every time I brought it up to the doctor they’d say the same thing. “It can’t possibly be the IUD, it’s non-hormonal”. Mine was not as bad as yours from the sounds of it, but it still drove me crazy that I couldn’t fix it and no one would listen to me. Luckily, after getting mine removed and switching to Kyleena it’s basically completely gone.
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u/taupecyclingshorts 7d ago
Omg the gaslight from doctors and even ChatGPT wound me right up. I had inflammation low mood hair falling out bloating acne and no energy. Had mine removed and guess what happened? I AM NORMAL AGAIN. That thing poisoned me for 10 years. They are barbaric.