Birth Control Nightmare My IUD Nearly Killed Me!

Side effects left Chanelle fighting for her life

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When Chanelle McGlue decided to get an IUD as a form of contraception, she never imagined it would almost kill her.

The 21-year-old Kapiti Coaster received the hormone based device in February 2017, hoping it would be a hassle free option of birth control. After all, her twin sister Renee had got one a month before her, without any complications.

Placed in the uterus, it’s considered one of the most effective, low-maintenance birth-control methods. However, within two months of having it inserted, the third-year hairdressing apprentice became sick.

As well as developing a severe headache, she started suffering random nose bleeds and worse, vomited every morning for two weeks.

“None of my clothes were fitting and even my shoes got too tight,” tells Chanelle. “One day I went into Wellington with my mum and couldn’t breathe properly walking a short distance, which was really unusual.”

She visited a doctor, who said it was most likely a virus and suggested she take a couple of days off work.