My name is Szilvia. I am a 40-year-old quality manager and mother of two little children, living in Germany.
Not long ago, I found the Natural Womanhood site when searching birth control side effects while on the copper IUD. I found so much important information on the copper IUD and copper toxicity in an article by Kathleen Taylor, who cited the podcast of Julie Casper on the topic.
I can say from lived experience that what was published in that article is 100 percent true.
After having two children, my partner and I decided to use a non-hormonal form of birth control, and my gynecologist told me about the copper IUD. Regarding side effects, the only thing she said was that the copper IUD can cause heavier bleeding; that was the only side effect I heard. I had to undersign it that I was aware of the possibility for heavier bleeding; I received no information about other possible side effects.
A Dark Period
After the insertion of my IUD, my monthly bleeding did become heavier, but I experienced other changes as well. My period cycle became much shorter and my hair became thinner—about one-third the volume it was before. But this was not the worst of it; I experienced immense depression. I had all the symptoms: depressed mood, anger, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, rage, racing thoughts, palpitations, and suicidal thoughts.
I was prescribed pills for depression and sleep at night, but they didn’t help my depressed days.
I started to take notes about when exactly I had the worst days. A trend emerged: the days when I experienced the worst moods were precisely the days during the bleeding. It was not a dip in mood before the bleeding, as in premenstrual syndrome (PMS); instead, my worst depressive symptoms persisted for the whole length of my bleeding phase.
Once I realized the timing of my mood changes, I decided to search online to see if other women noticed this. I found reports of women all over the world who claimed the same connections between having the copper IUD and depression. It finally clicked: my depressive symptoms were a result of the IUD. Only after hearing the experiences of other women in testimonials did I see clearly enough to make the decision: I had the IUD removed, and this was the first step in my recovery.
A New Day
Now that my IUD is removed, my symptoms have completely changed: I have no mood swings, no depression at all. I wish I had never had these experiences, which almost destroyed my life and that of my family.
Thanks to articles that shed more light on this, and testimonials of women revealing their bad experiences, I can say today that I am healed.
Women need to speak up about their IUD side effects. It makes a big difference! Only by listening to women’s experiences—by spreading information, by standing up—do others have the chance for healing. Before starting my own investigation, I was never informed of any correlation between all the mentioned symptoms and the copper IUD. Here in Germany, there is not much information about the IUD and possible side effects.
I am one of the lucky ones because I got the information. Without it, I might have taken antidepressants my whole life, and I would not understand why this dark cloud became a persistent part of my life.
My experience has led me to view the pharmaceutical industry with skepticism. I no longer believe it is in the interest of the pharmaceutical industry to make us healthy—quite the contrary; it is their interest to keep us in a state that requires medication. They can sell their products, not only the IUD, but also the antidepressants and other pills we get prescribed after developing adverse symptoms.
With my copper IUD removed, I am feeling 100 percent myself again. Most importantly, my little family has their mum back, as I was before: a shining woman with a lot of energy, funny, and optimistic.
I do not wish to bring attention to myself in writing this. My aim in writing this is to warn others. We women have to stick together.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. I’m currently suffering from everything you mentioned. I never felt this way in my life and I’m so glad I know why. I can’t wait to feel like me again. This has taken a toll on me and my family.
Hi Belen, we are so sorry to hear that you are struggling, and hope you are able to get the relief you need and deserve. Please let us know what happens, and please consider sharing your story with us so more women can know the real risks of this device!
I am in the deepest darkest place of my life as I write this. I’m 5 days post removal and am just hoping with every fiber of my being that the copper IUD is to blame. It makes so much sense and aligns with what everyone else has shared in so many other posts, but I’m so scared that for me it won’t be my ticket out of this nightmare. I’m scared that it’s been almost a week with no improvements.
Hi Emily. I am so sorry you’re going through this horrible experience. There are many other women like you out there, some of whom can be found in the IUDAlert support group we’ve created. I urge you to join today to get advice from other women who have gone through what you’re going through now: https://iudalert.com/support-group/
hi there, thank you for sharing your story — i just had my copper iud removed during my annual pap. Seems rather odd to me, but after 8 years it managed to suddenly fall out of place, just the smallest bit visible at cervix, then had to have an ultrasound to determine if true, and yes – bingo it must be removed. the previous fall my pap came up pre-cancerous, even after the additional test, colposcopy test.
it is interesting…about a year after insertion of new iud, i had to take antidepressants for the first time. now, with severe depression and a. d. d. taking medication for both as well as help sleeping.granted, i was also in graduate school to get my masters in design…and in an emotionally / verbally abusive relationship for 2/3 years at school. not exactly the best recipe for feeling balanced – i really never doubted the copper, only noticing the severe cramps first months, then heavy bleeding, then short periods only 4-5 days, cramps whole cycle just random…these physical signs i always considered ‘the negative’ part to copper iud. i loved every other aspect, especially the hormone-free aspect.
i had taken birth control pills from ages, 14-20! I knew the hormonal birth control made me feel not like myself…if anything i truly feel like the copper iud ‘woke up’ dormant disorders my dna already had stored from family genetics. sure; i can remember the first time i experienced depression, how young i was. i can also see the ways i masked ADD growing up at home – but it was never controlled my life or routines. most especially during the period of time i’ve had the copper iud, i can recall many examples of how my depression and ADD have become so hard to manage, it was difficult to take control of my life. see the confusing part is I can’t help asking is, which had more control over my mental health? was it my life experiences or the copper? or did one help the other happen?
i can only keep taking care of my body and listening to it right now. thank you for making this space to share.
I’m in utter disbelief of how much our stories are similar. My doctor recommended to remove my IUD yesterday after 7 years the last 2 months I had symptoms of depression that worsened during my periods, crippling cramps with 10/10 pain, bad acne and mood swings that I thought would ruin my life. I isolated myself the last few weeks and that’s so not like myself I’m usually motivated and easy going and recently I was in a dark place and I only felt like that during my periods. My doctor said that after a while when you’re older you may experience these symptoms with the IUD I’m 34 now she said she removed hers for the same reason.
Hi Stefany, thank you for sharing your story with us. As you can see, yours is unfortunately one of many similar experiences with the copper IUD. I’m so sorry this happened to you, and I hope that you’ve been able to get the help you need! And if you’re looking for a newer, healthier form of family planning, I highly recommend you look into learning a FAM: https://naturalwomanhood.org/topic/learn-a-method/
Hi I have search the web hoping to come across someone who has the same experience I am currently feeling , I feel the life sucked out of me, I’m waiting an appointment to have mine removed.
Every symptom you have put I’m feeling , I can’t wait to feel myself soon, I hope and pray I get back to my happy self 😔