"it was my only option due to extremely bad side effects with other birth controls especially issues with my pmdd. my periods before the iud were heavy 7-8 day flow heaviest days 1-5. insertion hurt, like the worst rippling cramping you&#039;ll ever experience. this last hours after. i never had cramps prior to the iud. the first period was the worst, thought i was dying. clots the size of my palm and blood lost profusely. in retrospect i should of went to the hospital. bleeding heavy lasted longer than 6 months but i stuck it out. cramps every month prior to period and still present a yr in. clots stopped around month 9.1 yr and a month ive had it. cramping still and its sucks but i dont have any other option... so i rough it out every mon"