When getting off birth control, there are a lot of changes that happen in your body. The form of birth control I want to focus on is the IUD removal especially hormonal IUDs. This is the form that I recently got off of about a month ago.
Before switching to the IUD, I was on the pill for nearly 7-years then I had the IUD for just over a year. No matter the form of birth control, there is a major adjustment period…
Some women bounce right back and they get their cycle back. Others could have Hypothalamic amenorrhea or PCOS that they didn’t know they had before. Many OB-GYNs, will recommend birth control as a treatment for these conditions, but they aren’t.
Birth control simply reduces the symptoms associated with these conditions like lack of period, painful periods, fatigue, and so on. Therefore, when getting off birth control, it can come back with vengeance.
However, we are talking about IUD removals! So, I had the Liletta IUD, which is pretty much the Mirena. Instead of releasing both estrogen and progestin, the IUD only released progestin.
This is what to expect when getting your IUD Removal
Scheduling an appointment with your Physician:
This may sound like an obvious one, but there are DIYs to removing it yourself. Please do not do this as so many things can go wrong. There will most likely be a co-pay depending on your insurance policy. However, this will be the quickest appointment of your life. I am not joking you with how quick it is.
What happens during the appointment:
The appointment is honestly no different than when you go it inserted. The physician does have you sign that you are getting it removed. You’ll lay down like you do when getting a pap smear. She/he will have you take a deep breath in and as you breath out is when they remove it.
The pain is nowhere the need is bad as it is when getting it in. If you are extremely sensitive, I recommend rubbing peppermint oil and/or deep blue around your uterus area (this is the lower stomach and above the pelvic bone). I only use doterra essential oils if you’re curious about the brand.
What happens post-appointment:
There will most likely be some spots, which is normal. I just put on a pair of period underwear and I was solid. The cramping does go away which is a plus!
I do recommend if there is something you feel is wrong, please contact your physician. Especially as this is the period (pun indeed) when you want to get your period back. My physician told me it could take 2-weeks to up to 2-months. However, we are all unique, but what is most important is getting it back.
These are some things to keep in mind after IUD removal:
I want to end this post with common signs and symptoms that can occur after IUD removal. The most important thing is to take care of your body post-birth control.
There will be another post diving deeper into what take supplement wisely, dietary changes, and so on. Anyways, these are common symptoms:
- Bowel Changes
- Bloating
- Menstrual Cramps
- Mood Swings
- Cravings
- Excesses Gas
- Spotting
- No Period
As you can tell a lot of them are symptoms you experienced during PMS.
Thank you so much for reading and I’d love it if you’d share this with anyone getting their IUD removed too!
XOXO,
**This information is not meant as medical or nutritional advice. Always check with your qualified healthcare professional before incorporating new supplements or nutritional changes into your routine. A Primal Health Coach (PHC) is trained to evaluate nutritional needs and make recommendations of dietary changes and nutritional supplements. A PHC is unable to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. I cannot guarantee any specific result from recommendations as we are all bio-individually different. If you are under the care of a healthcare provider, it is important that you contact them and alert them to any changes in your lifestyle in regards to nutrition and supplements. A health coach may be a beneficial addition to more traditional care, and it may also alter your need for medication, so it is important you always keep your physician informed of changes in your nutritional program.
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