How to Stop IUD Bleeding and Spotting with Herbs

Many women experience mild to moderate bleeding, cramping, and spotting after the insertion of an IUD. Both non-hormonal devices like the copper T 380-A, and progestin-containing IUDs like the Mirena, carry a high risk of causing bleeding and spotting between periods, especially in the first three months after insertion. This causes about 15% of IUD users to have them removed.

Fortunately, for women who are fed up with constant bleeding and spotting, there are alternatives to removal. The following herbs may help to reduce or eliminate spotting and bleeding after the insertion of an IUD.

Cramp Bark

Cramp bark has been used for many generations as a uterine antispasmodic. It could be called Mother Nature's Midol. Cramp bark is quite tolerable even in very large doses, with very few negative effects ever reported.

Because it contains muscle relaxant oils like scopoletin, it soothes and calms contractions in the uterus. This generally stops cramping, and may also slow bleeding or spotting. Cramp bark is available as a tea, tincture, tablet, or loose herb in most health food stores.

Shepherd's Purse

Used for centuries by midwives to stop postpartum hemorrhaging, shepherd's purse has become commonly useed in recent times to treat almost any kind of uterine bleeding. It can help to stop prolonged periods and excessive bleeding from uterine fibroids.

Because of its ability to halt almost any kind of bleeding, especially from the uterus, it is an ideal option for women who are experiencing prolonged or heavy bleeding and spotting after the insertion of an IUD. Shepherd's purse safely restricts uterine blood vessels, thereby slowing or stopping the flow of blood. It can be taken orally as a tea, tablet, or tincture.

Chasteberry

Also known as Vitex or Chaste Tree Berry, this herb is believed to help suppress irritability and contractions in the uterus. It is believed to restore healthy balanced of estrogen and progesterone, which is very beneficial to many women who are experiencing IUD bleeding, since hormal problems are often the culprit.

Chasteberry also appears to reduce the amount of prolactin in the body, which may be overproduced if you have an IUD, especially if you are breastfeeding. Chasteberry might decrease the effectiveness of hormonal IUS's like the Mirena, so it's a good idea to play it safe and use condoms for a few weeks after taking it. Chasteberry is available as a tablet, capsule, or tincture in most health food stores.

As always, check with your doctor or midwife before taking any herbal supplements. The effects of these supplements on breastfeeding are unknown, so use them cautiously if you are nursing, and end their use as soon as your condition improves.