Aches and pains happen from time to time, especially as we get a little older. However, when you’re relatively young, specific aches and pains can tell a different story altogether. An intrauterine device (IUD) can cause some of the aches and pains you feel. This can lead to more significant problems if the pain is due to your IUD shifting. You sometimes confuse your IUD pain with monthly cramps, especially if it’s happening around your time of the month. We’ll look at the subtle differences between IUD pains and monthly cramps and help you understand which one is happening.

IUD

The IUD has been around for ages, its acronym IUD stands for IntraUterine Device. This birth control device is implanted inside the woman’s uterus via vaginal insertion and helps neutralize the risk of pregnancy by acting as an internal barrier against sperm traveling through to the egg. There is usually some discomfort and pain during implantation and the first few days of having the device. The real issue happens if the IUD shifts or moves against your cervix. Shifting doesn’t happen all that often, but when it does, it’s quite painful. If the device has moved upon digital inspection, you’ll need to consult with a doctor or medical practitioner to adjust the IUD back or to take out and reinsert it.  Here’s a few frequently asked questions about the side effects of using an IUD that we put together for you.

Cramps

Cramps, or dysmenorrhea, are a way of life for women monthly during their menstrual cycle. The degree of cramps and pain associated with a period varies from women to women. Some women report no cramps or pain while some report heavy cramps and horrible pain. These pains are usually felt in the lower back and the lower abdomen, and typically last for a few days during the menstruation period. Nausea and headaches can also happen alongside cramps. Under normal circumstances, the pain usually subsides after five or seven days.

Comparisons

One of the first things you can do is check for any movement in your IUD. If you can’t feel the strings, or if the strings are uneven, then the IUD has moved. You’ll need to visit your doctor. You can also target where the pain is coming from to figure out which one it is. If the pain is deeply-rooted inside your uterus, specifically from your cervix, then you can put two-and-two together and chalk up the distress to your IUD shifting onto your cervix. If the pain is a “general” pain that sits in your lower abdomen or your lower back and it’s during your menstruation period, you can ascribe the pain to menstrual cramps.

Menstrual cramps can’t be gotten rid of. The best you can do is to control the pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. The pains will slowly subside as you draw nearer to the end of your menstrual period. In some cases, resting with a heating pad on your back or abdomen will also help with the cramps and pains associated with them. For questions and help related to Dysmenorrhea or IUD’s, consult with your doctor or medical practitioner to get your questions answered.