What's going on, I have an IUD?!

[GardenStream]

I can't believe I'm even posting here, I had no plans to ever enter this particular forum again.

I have had a paragard IUD for  18 months.  I am still nursing DS2.  AF returned about a year ago.  Ever since AF returned my cycles have been 25-30 days.  Before I ever had children (so over 5 years ago) my cycles were consistently 42-46 days. 

I had a pap done in early November.  I mentioned to my Dr. that I could no longer feel the strings of my IUD.  She suggested an ultrasound just to make sure it was still there.  I did that and the IUD was there.  I saw it, I know it was there. 

Today is day the 47th day from the first day of my last period.   I'm kind of freaking out.  There has got to be some completely logical explanation for this (other than pregnancy), right? 

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'm not sure, but I highly recommend testing for pregnancy because of the increased risk for ectopic pregnancy w IUDs. 

[GardenStream]

Originally Posted by ShwarmaQueen 

I'm not sure, but I highly recommend testing for pregnancy because of the increased risk for ectopic pregnancy w IUDs. 

Ugh, I never even considered that.

[_ktg_]

Have you read the paraguard patient information sheet? You should be able to google it and read it.  I had the same thing happen with my Mirena IUD (for 60+ days) and I freaked out and tested all the time. All negative and I wasn't feeling pregnant either.  I read the patient info sheet and sure enough disappearing cycle was a side effect, in like 10% (i think?) of patients.  Obviously it included information to call your MD if it lasted longer than x amount of days to rule out any other issues.

[goldenwillow]

IUD's ...  never been good a good match for me.

I have tried 3 and my body purged each of them and very uncomfortably.  You may be in that 10% like the PP stated however for me... my cycles became very heavy and painful.  I hope you are able to figure out what is goin on. 

[GardenStream]

I have searched and I cannot find anything listing missing periods as a side effect.  Everything I see says that if you miss a period you should call your health care provider immediately.

I just put the little one down for a nap and sent DH an email telling him to pick up a test on his way home from work.

[fnpmama]

Originally Posted by GardenStream 

I have searched and I cannot find anything listing missing periods as a side effect.  Everything I see says that if you miss a period you should call your health care provider immediately.

I just put the little one down for a nap and sent DH an email telling him to pick up a test on his way home from work.

It is my understanding that irregular cycles are a side effect only with the Mirena not the Paraguard as the Mirena secretes progesterone, whereas the paraguard is not hormonal.  I second the testing just to be sure.

[GardenStream]

Negative

[GardenStream]

Today is day 54 and finally showed up.  There's nothing like a pregnancy scare to prove how much we really are done having babies.  We originally went with an IUD because we thought we were done, but weren't sure.   DH will be making an appointment for a vasectomy early in 2011.
 

[Katie T]

It must be the thing with the paragard this month because my period is 2 wks late as well. I feel fine and prego test is negative. So I am just waiting. I figure it will start at the most inopportune of times. : P