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What Causes Vaginal Bleeding Post Copper IUD Insertion?

Posted on Wed, 10 Dec 2014

Question: I recently gave birth to my daughter five months ago. After she was born, I discovered I had a rectecel. Around two months ago, I had a copper IUD inserted. I am breatfeeding, but only twice a day and pumping once otherwise she is formula fed. Currently I am experiencing mild to light bleeding (for two/three days now)-- not the heavier flow I had before conceiving.I am so confused by my body right now, so I don't know when to be concerned and when not to be. A few years prior to my daugther being born, I had a leep and since have had at least three pap smears that have come back clean. What I would like to know is if I should be concerned about this light bleeding, and if not, when should I find it concerning? I have an appointment with my Obgyn in a couple weeks but should I seek out an earlier appointment?

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (17 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us.

The present episode of bleeding is likely to be a menstrual bleed as it is common for the first few menstrual cycles after a delivery to err due to the prolonged progesterone influence during pregnancy. The regularity of the cycles return once the hormone balance of the body is restored.

Added to this, breast feeding and weight changes that occur during pregnancy also add to the imbalance.

If you have had a proper postnatal check up after your delivery and everything was normal, it is rare for any fresh lesions to develop now. Cervical lesions usually tend to aggravate during pregnancy owing to the increased vascularity. Therefore, the possibility of local lesions as cause of this bleeding seems less likely.

Please go ahead with your consultant's appointment as planned. Yet, if the bleeding does not subside in another couple of days, you should definitely seek immediate help.

Hope I have clarified your query. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shanti Vennam (33 minutes later)

I had a Pap smear a few months into my pregnancy. Everything came back fine, so I don't believe lesions were present--at least not during the early months. My next pap is in a couple of weeks. Should a pap been done sooner after delivery?

Answered by Dr. Shanti Vennam (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not necessary.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

When no abnormality has been detected during pregnancy, it is not necessary that you should get a pap smear soon after a delivery. You can go ahead as per schedule. You would be six months from your delivery at your next visit and that should be fine. I believe this bleeding is a period in all possibility.

Hope I have answered your query. Please contact for further clarifications. I will be glad to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari