Copper IUD causing acne?

One more point I thought worth sharing. When I had my IUD removed, the gyno said there was a recently published article showing that 3-4 % of women experience acne from copper IUD's so any doctors telling you otherwise need to do their research!! Just unfortunate that we're all part of that unlucky 3-4 %:-(

Meg wrote:

Ever since I had a the copper IUD (Paragard) put in 10 months ago I have acne like I've never experienced. I now get huge, painful zits on my chest and back (I have never in my life had any problems with this kind of acne) and my face is constantly broken-out. From what little reading I've done on the internet it sounds like this could be a side-effect of having perhaps too much copper in my system from the IUD, since copper negatively affects Zinc levels and Zinc has been shown to have a positive effect on acne. Has anyone else experienced this with the copper IUD?

...I got mine March of this year and i wake up every morning with a zit or two on my face and its getting alot worse, I finally realized what was causing these horrible break outs and I'm getting it taken out ASAP!!!!!

I have had my IUD for 9months now and I have painful zits all over my face and I have always had great and clear skin til now. I want it out NOW!!!!! My periods are also very heavy and I get headaches now...

Following up on my previous posts.. It's now been 4 wks and 1 day since I've had mine removed. Face is still just as bad, if not worse. Painful huge zits. Just want to curl up in a ball, embarrassed to even leave the house and extremely discouraged. We should get a serious lawsuit together!! ;-)

I don't have the copper IUD, but Mirena. It's never caused me to have any acne. But 4 years ago, when I was running every day (in the hot sun, SWEATING A LOT). I started breaking out on my right cheek, it was like knots. Nothing helped and they were lasted over a month. Doctor prescribed clindamycin (clindamycin phosphate) topical solution which is called "Cleocin T" it cleared the spots up fast. I later found out it was actually Rosacea which the sun & heat were causing the Rosacea breakouts. But the clindamycin also works on acne. And while getting my second Mirena inserted yesterday the nurse was talking to me (I was doped up on Valium and chatting a lot) she said that the copper IUD can make you bleed a lot. We were conversing on forms of IUD's. The clindamycin I have in my medicine cabinet is again called Cleocin T and is 1% and is in a tube with a press tip applicator, it's a thin, clear liquid. Don't have to use it except when I get a Rosacea flareup from working out.

ive been on the iud for two years and hate it i have crazy hot flashes my appetite has increased like crazy also bleed super heavy and break out bad. also some pain after sex . its not worth it.

Britt wrote:

I couldn't believe what I saw all of you writing on this site. At this moment I am dealing with a really bad break out, have terrible cramps and don't want to leave the house. I have had the copper iud for about three years and was told the same thing, no side effects. I thought my body just changed with age (Im 33)and that my hormones were causing the acne. I have had trouble with hormonal birth control too and don't know what options I have at this point!! Ughhhhh Thank you all for sharing, makes me feel a little more sane, I will be making an appointment to get it removed this week!!! I am willing to try anything at this point.
Thanks again!!!

The copper IUD only has a three year life span. I hope you have gotten this removed. The Mirena has a five year span.

Hey everyone! So I'm pretty much in the same boat here however for me I'm so distressed to have this happen as I actually suffered with terrible acne in previous years and had finally cured myself and got clear skin.

I was on dianette for about 3 years, it cleared up my acne completely, then for 2 years after coming off it to my surprise my acne never returned, the scars faded and I had the skin I'd dreamed of having since I was 11.

I got the coil because the hormones from the pill I was on gave me SO many side effects, low and behold, I've now broken out in cystic, itchy, inflamed acne over the 6 months I had it. I had the coil removed 3 weeks ago and my acne has suddenly gone into overload - i'm just hoping its my body detoxifying. Going to give my skin a 3 month trial period and will post updates on my progress!

Good luck to all of you, this sucks :P

Wow this completely came to me as a shock I put the iud Paraguard copper in bout 21/2 years ago I started having infections from the iud a year into having it put in I went to take it out the doc told me its not the iud I told her I don't have infections this much a year in a,month so she looked gave me some antibiotics n reassured me it wasn't the iud she told me she had hers in for 12 years itwas the best form she thought so I took the medicine left my iud in n was on my way a couple months I develoved big red deep pimples some umpoppable in my face back arms legs and chest pretty much allover I had awesome skin before but seeing as.I have eczema and allergies I went to the er and they told me.it was a skin infection so they gave.me permethrin.. DIDN'T WORK MADE IT WORSE! Been using lotions medication allergy pills EVERYTHING!!! NOTHING WORKS this site made me.realize its my iid and had I gotten it taken out my skin wouldn't b so bad I'm very furious I have ridiculous scarring as we speak I cannot believe this she mad me second guess what I knew all along n now I might as well be a walking zit it had ruined my day to day things I am embarrased to b seen without make up or long slleves I can't swing cuz its hideous this is disgusting n I think we all have lawsuits on our hands this acne has ruined my day to day life activities people stare like I'm gross I can't find a job cuz I look like I have a disease I cannot believe these doctors are lying to us not only that I've heard on a medical segment called the doctors the iud can help with cervical cancer cuz its said to.boost hormone levels so for us who don't need hormone boosts it really does a number its,taking over my life so I'm goin to remove it girls if you sense ur body is rejecting something and you want it out don't let someone talk you out of it I wish I had done it months ago cuz it definately woulda saved me time n money and numerous other things. Think I'm hire me a layer.:)

Anon wrote:

Following up on my previous posts.. It's now been 4 wks and 1 day since I've had mine removed. Face is still just as bad, if not worse. Painful huge zits. Just want to curl up in a ball, embarrassed to even leave the house and extremely discouraged. We should get a serious lawsuit together!! ;-)

I completely agree anon this paraguard has taken over my life and for doctors to lie and cause this pain and suffering we should get a lawyer and fight this isn't mild acne its a infestation of acne its gonna take months to rid ourselves of the scars.

OMG I'M FURIOUS reading all of your comments how is this drug still on the market and were suffering with paraguard not having any type of punishment for lying to EVERYONE, Let it be known I plan to talk with a lawyer I'm very very angry that women should have to deal with this acne not knowing what it is unroll there skin is completely messed up I WILL make sure something is done I thank you girls and the site for so much I am goin to print all of your stories out and use it as proof so they prosecute paragaurd correctly but I want permission to show all of your stories to an attorney and see what kind of case I can build.
Thank you all you've helped me greatly.

thanks everyone for sharing, ive had acne oily skin and loads of blackheads, on my face and back
and also skin absesses, been with the copper coil 2 yrs, and tried every skin treatment,now after reading these ive realised its the coil, i just took it out today so fingers crossed!
Again thankyou for sharing your experiences it really does help others to realise we are not alone.

Omg! My skin is horrible now!

I'm 18, and I had the copper iud put in almost 6 months ago and my experience with it has been wish washy, the periods are terrible...not painful, just very long and very heavy! Also my acne is out of control, atleast 15-20 zits on my forehead alone and not to mention along the sides of my face and my cheeks:( My skin is severely scared now! I wash my face every night with acne medicated formulas and only wear mineral powder make up every other day! I have never had a problem with acne! This only started happening about a month and a half ago, but i'm starting to think that the iud is the problem!

Had paragard for 5weeks now. Just started getting bad acne on chest, back and neck! Thank god for makeup.

I have the copper iud for 6 mths now. I noticed I got really bad back acne. I just started working out also. I have never had this problem and I am not sure if its the iud?

Wow where to start, great in effectivness, 7 mnths NO BABIES, nasty nasty acne EVERYWHERE, my hairs also falling out and not growing, crazy brising , What the heck! dont get it, im gunna get it removed ASAP, i tried zinc, NO HELP.

Hate the HORRIBLE acne, its nasty and constant :(
Great in NO BABY MAKING, tried telling doctors, they say its not possible to get acne from this, what ever, my hairs falling, too much discharge, had it for a horrible 7 months will be removing soon.

Acne for 2 weeks now...bruise more than usual...hair falling out more...on a positive note..no new bumps today..and my sex drive and appetite for food is better than ever!!..

Hi Everyone
I've posted here before and am following up. 4 months post copper IUD removal and my acne has finally gone. Well I don't get new zits but I still have horrible dark red marks from where the acne was. Been prescribed something from a skin specialist that will hopefully make the marks lighten sooner. This has been a horrible and depressing experience. My advice to anyone getting an IUD - if you notice any unusual acne have it removed immediately - it takes so long for the effects to leave your system. Good luck.