If you can feel the strings, your IUD is likely in place. Talk to your doctor, just in case. If your IUD has only shifted slightly, you might not notice any signs.
However, if your IUD becomes displaced, the signs and symptoms will typically include:. Instead, call your doctor or healthcare provider and make an appointment to see them as soon as possible. Your doctor will conduct an exam and tests to see if your IUD has moved.
If you plan to have sex before seeing your doctor, use a backup method of birth control. If needed, you can also use emergency contraception. To determine whether your IUD has moved, your doctor or healthcare provider will first use a small brush to try to find the strings inside your cervix.
Pregnancy with an IUD can be dangerous. If necessary, your doctor can give you emergency contraceptives and a backup method of birth control. This depends on your:. If you want, the IUD can be replaced immediately. If your IUD was expelled, you and your doctor should talk about other options for birth control.
It can be used by people who cannot use combined contraception such as the combined pill — for example, those who have migraines. Once the IUS is in place, you do not have to think about it. Some people may experience side effects, such as mood swings, skin problems or breast tenderness.
There's a small risk of getting an infection after it's been fitted. It can be uncomfortable when the IUS is put in, but you can take painkillers after, if you need to.
The IUS can be fitted at any time during your monthly menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant. You may be tested for any existing infections, such as STIs, and be given antibiotics. The appointment takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and fitting the IUS should take no longer than 5 minutes: the vagina is held open, like it is during cervical screening a smear test the IUS is inserted through the cervix and into the womb Having an IUS fitted can be uncomfortable, and some people might find it painful, but you can have a local anaesthetic to help.
You can also take painkillers after having an IUS fitted if you need to. You may also get period-type cramps afterwards, but painkillers can ease the cramps. Tell the GP if you have any problems after this initial check or you want to have it removed. You may have an infection if you have: pain or tenderness in your lower abdomen a high temperature abnormal or smelly discharge How to tell if it's still in place An IUS has 2 thin threads that hang down a little way from your womb into the top of your vagina.
It's possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUS has been taken out. Who can use an IUS? The IUS may not be suitable if you have: breast cancer , or have had it in the past 5 years cervical cancer or womb uterus cancer liver disease unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex arterial disease or a history of serious heart disease or stroke an untreated sexually transmitted infection STI or pelvic infection problems with your womb or cervix Using an IUS after giving birth An IUS can usually be fitted from 4 weeks after giving birth vaginal or caesarean.
Advantages and disadvantages of the IUS Advantages: It works for 5 years or 3 years, depending on the brand. It's one of the most effective forms of contraception available in the UK. It does not interrupt sex. Your periods can become lighter, shorter and less painful — they may stop completely after the first year of use. It's safe to use an IUS if you're breastfeeding. It's not affected by other medicines. It may be a good option if you cannot take the hormone oestrogen, which is used in the combined contraceptive pill.
It's possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUS is removed. There's no evidence that an IUS will increase the risk of cervical cancer , womb uterus cancer or ovarian cancer. Disadvantages: Your periods may become irregular or stop completely, which may not be suitable for some people. Some people experience headaches, acne and breast tenderness after having the IUS fitted, but these usually settle with time.
Some people experience changes in mood. An uncommon side effect of the IUS is that some people can develop small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries — these usually disappear without treatment. There is a very low risk of becoming pregnant while using the Mirena IUD. However, if a person does become pregnant while using it, a doctor must remove the device immediately. This is because someone who becomes pregnant while using Mirena is at a higher risk for:.
According to the prescribing information , an IUD can puncture the uterus or cervix, although this is rare. If a person or doctor notices a perforation, the doctor must locate the IUD and remove it. In some cases, removing an IUD that has caused a perforation requires surgery.
PID is a severe complication of untreated sexually transmitted diseases. Doctors will remove the Mirena IUD if a woman has recurrent PID, endometritis , or a pelvic infection that does not respond to treatment. People using an IUD must report the following symptoms to their doctor:. Pelvic actinomycosis is an infection caused by the bacteria Actinomyces. According to an article in the Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology , Actinomyces has a low potential to cause an infection under normal conditions.
However, it may lead to an infection during the insertion of an IUD. Doctors may also suggest removing an IUD if someone has any of the following conditions, according to the prescribing information :.
Most people who get symptoms after Mirena removal find that they are mild and improve on their own. Over-the-counter OTC pain medications such as ibuprofen Advil and acetaminophen Tylenol may help with any pain. A person may find it helpful to carry extra personal hygiene products with them to manage bleeding. People who experience cramping may also benefit from trying some complementary treatments , such as yoga , gentle physical activity, heat pads, or a warm bath.
Others use herbal remedies to help with hormonal symptoms. Some herbal remedies that may help with hormonal symptoms include:. However, some herbal medicines can interact with medications. People who want to try herbal remedies or have persistent, unexplained symptoms should speak with a doctor or pharmacist. However, most of the time, hormonal IUDs, such as Mirena, do not adversely affect fertility.
In one study , people who had their IUD removed showed no difference in fertility to people who had used other methods of birth control over 12 months. If you're not having another IUD put in and do not want to get pregnant, use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days before you have it removed. People who have had an ectopic pregnancy or who have an artificial heart valve must consult their GP or clinician before having an IUD fitted.
An IUD can usually be fitted 4 weeks after giving birth vaginal or caesarean. You'll need to use alternative contraception from 3 weeks 21 days after the birth until the IUD is put in.
In some cases, an IUD can be fitted within 48 hours of giving birth. It's safe to use an IUD when you're breastfeeding, and it will not affect your milk supply. You'll be protected against pregnancy immediately. Although an IUD is an effective method of contraception, there are some things to consider before having one fitted. There's a very small chance of getting a pelvic infection in the first 20 days after the IUD has been inserted. You may be advised to have a check for any existing infections before an IUD is fitted.
There's some limited evidence that if you have an IUD fitted, you may have a slightly higher chance of getting thrush that keeps coming back. You might want to think about trying a different type of contraception.
There's a small chance that the IUD can be rejected expelled by the womb or it can move displacement. If this happens, it's usually soon after it's been fitted. You'll be taught how to check that your IUD is in place. In rare cases, an IUD can make a hole in the womb when it's put in. This may be painful, although sometimes there may be no symptoms. But see a GP straight away if you're feeling pain or cannot feel the threads of your IUD, as you may need surgery to remove it. If the IUD fails and you become pregnant, there's also an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Find a sexual health clinic. If you need contraception, call your GP surgery or a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Only go in person if asked to. If your IUD is due to be replaced and you do not want to get pregnant, use condoms or the progestogen-only pill for now.
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents or carer as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given and the decisions you're making.
Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you. The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. In these circumstances, the risk would need to be serious, and they'd usually discuss it with you first. Page last reviewed: 30 March Next review due: 30 March
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