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Abnormal bleeding..
I had the Mirena IUD birth control removed about 5 months ago I had it inserted at the end of 2007. Since I have had the Mirena out I have ran into a load of problems but never thought anything big of it until recently. Three days ago I started my period only it wasn't like when I usually get it it was excessive blood and extremely heavy where I was changing pads every 3 hours or so. I filled the toilet bowl with blood and clots and while changing my underwear I would be standing up dripping all over the floor. I put on an extra large pad very thick and long for extra protection today and within 2 hour period it was loaded with blood again...2 nights ago in the early morning I awoke due to abdominal pain and bleeding..I was wearing my underwear with a pad and shorts and I bleed right through my shorts. I've been crying lately and I can barley sit because of sharp on and off pains in the abdominal area. I took a bath last night to help with pain but it only made the bleeding much worse. I am going to see my gynocologist but I just wanted to hear on what others had to say to this. I also couldn't help think maybe I had a miscarriage but I took a test and it came out negative...
Some view point please
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Changing your pad every three hours on the third day of your period is actually very, very normal for most of the female population. The only time you are suppose to really be concerned over having your period heavily is if you experience severe bleeding that soaks your pad in an hour or less. If you're able to go 2 to 3 hours before having to change your pad then there isn't anything to worry about in that situation.
If your bleeding lasts more than 10 days or is heavy for an entire 10 days (no tapering off) then you should be concerned.
Passing bloodclots is also very normal for women to experience. I've passed blood clots when I first started my period when I was 11. Not to be graphic, but when I'm on my period I also drip blood into the toilet and pass a few there as well. I've 'ruined' a few bathroom rugs by walking from the toilet to the shower or standing at the toilet. I'm just a heavy bleeder. There are many reasons why you may pass more clots into the toilet than when you're sitting, standing, or doing your normal activities.
When you're sitting on the toilet your body "opens" a little more down there. That, coupled with the movement of your urine or feces leaving your body, means more fluids and material can flow out of your vagina and into the toilet.
At night, I wear TWO overnight pads. I wear them lined up so that if I move in my sleep I will not leak onto my pants. It's very common for girls to have to put a towel down under their bottoms when they sleep or to have to wear two pads. The movement in addition to the heavy period can cause some very untidy clothing when you wake up. It's absolutely nothing to be concerned about.
If you notice you are bleeding more, suddenly, when you go to the restroom in the morning after sleeping or that you're passing more bloodclots than you did during the day then do not worry about that either. Gravity is not helping things to move out of the body when you are laying down in bed. When you stand up, move to the restroom, and sit on the toilet (again, the opening of the vagina and the movement of the bodily functions) cause things to come out and it may appear you're bleeding heavy or passing a lot of material when it has been 8 hours worth of things hanging around in your vagina.
Crying during your period is far from abnormal, especially after a few months of stopping any type of birth control. Hormone fluctuations can cause these sorts of outbursts and problems. You may also feel depressed during this time or extremely emotionally vulnerable. It happens for most women. Some women also experience the problems before the period begins and this is called PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome).
The ONLY things to be worried about from your description is:
1. Sudden heavy bleeding that is abnormal for you.
2. Abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain may actually just be cramping. If you haven't really experienced cramping while on your periods before then SURPRISE! you are now. Cramping can cause some women to be completely useless for a few days because of the pain and uncomfortable feelings. It can be described as "sharp pains" and can be more uncomfortable when sitting if you need to go to bathroom to poop (NEVER hold it in).
There is a reason that doctors prefer to only insert an IUD in women over 25 and have given birth before. Here is a very good point:
"It's important to read the Mirena site carefully -- they actually say this is intended for women who've already had a child. Pharmaceutical companies do not say things like that without a very good reason and that reason usually relates to a potential law suit. That gives me the distinct impression they believe there's a chance a woman could end up sterilized from this."
IUDs are not very healthy for the body and can lead to severe infections within the uterus. It also has a pretty nasty side-effect of causing a woman's period to become longer and heavier after usage--even when removed. Long-term bleeding (more than 10 days heavily or 12 days total) or bleeding with few days in between cycles can cause infertility by creating uterine scar tissue.
10 to 12 percent of women using Mirena will develop a cyst on one or both ovaries. Cysts can cause great pain, infertility, ovulation problems, and other varying symptoms.
There is also the extremely scary factor of the possibility of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease):
"PID is a serious infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes and the ovaries that can lead to infertility, sterility and chronic pain."
Taking a test early in pregnancy doesn't always show positive. Most tests cannot detect the pregnancy hormone until a day or two before your period would begin. This being said, IF you are having a miscarriage then it might have been too early to detect the hormone. Also, 24 to 48 hours after a miscarriage you may OR may not be able to detect the pregnancy hormone with a OTC test.
You're right about seeing your doctor since you didn't have these problems before. Call and get an appointment ASAP so you can get some definate information.
Wish you well!
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