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Midcycle bleeding with IUD

11 June, 2017

Question:

I got a copper iud over three months ago. I have had midcycle bleeding which has happened during my clean days and had to restart counting. This month, I went to the mikvah and a day later started bleeding heavily for a week like another period. I do know that spotting/bleeding is common the copper iud but the amount of blood is heavy, not spotting that can be ignored. I can't continue going to the mikvah every two weeks as it is stressful and frustrating.

I want to know how long I should wait until the copper iud adjusts. In your experience, do women with paragard eventually stop midcycle spotting after a few months or does it tend to continue for a long time? I really have no other options for birth control as I can't be on hormonal birth control and a diaphragm is not reliable enough for me.

I would also like to know if it is halachically permissible to not go to the mikva or count every time I bleed but only go once a month so I do not have to undergo extra stress. Is it okay to stay in nidda and not be with husband if I can't emotionally spend all month counting and trying to get clean?


Answer:

We are sorry to hear of your situation. Usually the irregular bleeding that occurs during the adjustment period wanes after about three months. You may continue to experience longer/heavier periods, but the mid-cycle bleeding should calm down after the first 3+ months.

At this point, we recommend giving it another month to see if the situation resolves. You are not required to try to complete the taharah process every few weeks if it is too stressful for you. However, be sure to speak to your husband to discuss the situation with him and share your feelings.

If the situation does not improve in the next month or so, please get back to us for further guidance as well as consult with your physician. He/she can check as to correct location of the IUD. You can also discuss whether short term hormonal manipulation (depending on the reason you cannot take hormonal birth control), or another medical approach, could be attempted to help resolve the situation.

B'Hatzlacha!


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