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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Female -- Vaginal Discharge/Infections > IUD and breastfeeding
Posted on: 05/05/2010
Question
Hello I'm 19 year old. I gave birth about six months ago. I'm using the IUD as birth control, but I haven't had my menstrual period. I'm also breastfeeding. I get bad cramps but no bleed, just a small pink stain. Pregnancy tests are negative. Is this normal? Please help me. Thanx.
Answer
It is common to not have a period until you start decreasing the amount of breastfeeding you do (when the baby is eating more solid foods). Many patients don't have a menses until they stop breastfeeding completely. If you have a Paraguard (copper) IUD, you will restart menses at some point. If you have the Mirena (progesterone-containing) IUD, you may not have much bleeding (or none at all) due to progesterone effect on uterus.