Here’s what’s considered normal after an IUD insertion — and what’s not

• You might experience some unpleasant symptoms after an IUD insertion — but it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong.
• It’s normal to have some cramping, spotting, and even light bleeding after an insertion.
• But you should call a doctor if you have heavy bleeding or severe pain.

If you recently started using an intrauterine device (IUD), let us be the first to say congrats. You’re now the proud owner of the long-lasting, effective, reversible, hassle-free birth control a doctor once hailed as the “Mercedes Benz of modern contraception.”

But the days and weeks following insertion can still be worrisome. Online tales of misplaced or migrating devices may leave you wondering if something’s awry with your newly-placed IUD.

So INSIDER asked two gynecologists what symptoms are considered normal post-insertion. Here’s what to know.

You can expect some cramping and spotting after the insertion.

“It is quite normal to experience some cramping during and even after an IUD is inserted,” Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine, told INSIDER. “Indeed, we tell our patients it’s fine to take some ibuprofen or naproxen for the discomfort. It is also common to have some spotting, or even light bleeding, right after the insertion.”

Gynecologist Dr. Alyssa Dweck previously told INSIDER that, in her experience, the post-insertion pain typically lasts a day or so.

If you have severe pain or heavy bleeding (or both), call your doctor.

“If you experience any severe pain — like worse than when the IUD was being inserted — or heavy bleeding, do call the provider who inserted the IUD,” Minkin said.

She added that you should also call your doctor if you experience worsening pain and/or fever in the few days following insertion. Although it’s rare, this could indicate some inflammation in the uterus that needs a doctor’s attention, Minkin said.

Pay attention to any bleeding you experience, too.

“Foul-smelling bleeding should be checked out, because that could be a kind of infection,” Dweck previously told INSIDER. “Very heavy bleeding, where you’re soaking or saturating a pad or two every hour — that’s way too much and should be checked out.”

The good news is that complications with IUD insertions are uncommon, according to the American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians. Remember that online horror stories — though horrifying — don’t represent most people’s insertion experiences.

But if you’re ever worried about a post-insertion symptom, it won’t hurt to call your doctor for help.

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