Severe abdominal pain recently after IUD

by Emma
(Essex)

I was fitted with a Jaydess, the slightly smaller version of the mirena. As I expected I was a little crampy after. However that night the pain became excruciating but came and went in very frequent waves. I literally did not get a wink of sleep until about 6am, was crying the whole way through the night and was even being sick. Painkillers don't help at all, not even co-codamol.

I've not really had much bleeding at all apart from passing one fairly big tissuey clot type thing, but other than that just spotting.

The next day it was medium pain, but bearable, however spotting stopped but my discharge was yellow. The pain again that night was excruciating and the same as the night before.

This has continued for 3 days now, although the spotting has returned which I don't know if that could cover up the yellow discharge or if I just haven't got it anymore.

Also I'm not sure but I think I may have a temperature as I feel hot to the touch, I keep going between hot and cold, am feeling (and sometimes being) sick and have mild headaches that are coming and going. What could be going on?

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Dear Emma,

I am sorry to hear about the severe pain and cramping you described following insertion of your Jaydess IUD.

You are right. Abdominal pain and cramping is usually expected following the insertion of any form of IUD. The severity of pain would largely depend on host of factors including the technique of insertion, size of IUD, side and position of the womb at time of insertion and pain tolerance level of the patient.

However, the pain should get better with each passing day, though it could linger for weeks in a few ladies.

You also described experiencing a size-able amount of blood clot with subsequent spotting. This is also not uncommon.

Going between hot and cold, headaches, feeling sick is unexpected.

I believe you must have had a smear test before your IUD was inserted and infection excluded?

I would strongly suggest that you go back to see your doctor to be re-assessed. It is important to exclude a perforation of the uterus and iatrogenic infections. Please do not tarry. Go in at the next possible appointment to be assessed.

You would require strong pain killers and perhaps antibiotics at the minimum. A quick pelvic ultrasound scan may be necessary as well.

Please kindly let us know how things went and what was thought to be the cause of this pain.

Thank you Emma for visiting us and hope you get better soon.


Dr O Edema MD MRCGP CCFP MSc DRCOG
Family Physician, Emergency Medicine Practitioner and WebMD
Abdopain.com.