IUD for Teen with bad period cramps
Hi parents
Has anyone here taken their teen to get a hormonal IUD to reduce period bleeding and cramps? My daughter is almost 16 and I just don't see why she needs to suffer like this in 2025. I also have an IUD and love it. She doesn't have endometriosis, it's not that bad, but it's bad enough to mean she has to skip school and her social life because she's in agony.
All wisdom appreciated!
Feb 5, 2025
Parent Replies
My kid went on birth control pills for bad cramps -- there's some kind of protocol where they rarely end up having a period. Once every three or four months.
My teen had similar challenges and we put her on the pill when she was 12. Her pediatrician was fully supportive and advised that she can take the pill continuously to only have a few cycles a year. It's been life-changing in the best way for her. You're right that they shouldn't have to suffer!
Yes, it's definitely done. I'm a pediatrician and think it's a great option, and a friend's daughter got it for heavy bleeding. The only barrier is that a lot of teens are too squicked out by the insertion process. They can take a dose of valium or something similar along with ibuprofen to get them through it if needed.
Have you considered Nexplanon? It’s less invasive (matchstick in arm) and my daughter is in the same situation. They are actually adding the estrogen weekly patch to help her cramping.
yes! This was our exact situation. My sixteen year old daughter had terrible cramps and heavy bleeding. It was miserable for her. She had an IUD put in over a year ago and it has been GREAT. The insertion was a little rough but the end result was totally worth it.