Taking out IUD is not at all complicated and may cause minor discomfort. In most cases, the device is removed to attain parenthood. To know more about this contraceptive method, read on.
There are different kinds of contraceptives such as birth control pills that women take to avoid unintended pregnancy. One such effective contraceptive method is IUD (intrauterine device). Made from flexible plastic, IUD is a T-shaped small device that is placed in the uterus through the crevix in a hassle-free procedure. Unlike birth control pills that need to be taken every time after intercourse, IUD is a long-term measure to prevent women from getting pregnant. This contraceptive method is specifically designed to prevent pregnancy for a longer duration.
Procedure for IUD Removal
The best time to remove an IUD is during menstruation. This is because, during a menstrual cycle, the opening of the crevix is wide and stretchy which makes IUD easier to remove. Also, during menstruation, the crevix is much softer and higher than observed during other times. The doctor will first determine the exact location of the crevix opening and the uterus.
In order to pull out the device, the doctor needs to grasp the IUD strings. The doctor may use a speculum to examine the uterus in order to locate the position of strings. After ensuring that the uterus is stable and not fluctuating, the doctor will hold the IUD strings by using a clamp and very slowly pull out the IUD to cause minimum discomfort.
In case the doctor is not successful in locating the IUD string, he may perform ultrasound to re-examine the uterus thoroughly. If ultrasound confirms that IUD is in place, then either the position of IUD strings will be ascertained or else the IUD will be directly pulled out with forceps ensuring that the uterus isn’t damaged. In some women, uterus examination reveals an embedded IUD. If the IUD is embedded, then removing the device becomes slightly complicated. A surgery is performed to move the IUD from its position and subsequently it is removed.
IUD and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Placing an IUD in the uterus does not mean that the woman is protected from sexually transmitted diseases. This contraceptive method is only useful to stop pregnancy. Therefore, using a female condom during intercourse is very much essential to decrease the likelihood of any infection.
Causes of Removing IUD
IUDs are generally effective for 5-10 years. So, once the stipulated period gets over, the doctor has no option but to remove it. There is no doubt that IUD birth control has been beneficial to provide long-lasting protection from getting pregnant. However, IUD insertion can be quite uncomfortable for some women. In some cases, placing an IUD has caused sore and heavy breasts that discharge a clear fluid.
Irregular menstrual cycles is one of the common side effects of IUD that is accompanied by bleeding and menstrual cramps. Other health issues that can occur after inserting IUD are given below:
- Lower sex drive
- Nausea
- Severe bleeding
- Stomach pain
- Lower back pain
- Vomiting
In such circumstances to ease the health problems, the doctor may advice the women to remove IUD.
Can Women Get Pregnant with IUD?
Although insertion of IUD has proven to be extremely effective to avoid pregnancy, in some cases, the contraceptive has not served its purpose. Studies have shown that the success rate of IUD contraceptive to keep women away from pregnancy is around 98-99% every year. This means 1-2% women in long-term relationship are still at risk of becoming pregnant. As the failure rate is very low, it is unlikely that women with an IUD will get pregnant. Taking out lUD is advised when women with inserted IUD becomes pregnant, as the device is likely to increase the risk of miscarriage.
Is Taking Out IUD Painful?
The severity of pain when removing IUD might vary in some cases, but it is certainly less painful than IUD insertion. Also, the removal of IUD procedure is comparatively easier to perform. Moreover, if the doctor has extensive experience in performing the IUD removal procedure, then the device will be removed quickly without causing any complication or physical discomfort.
Side Effects
Even after removing an IUD, some women can experience infertility for quite some time. Infection during IUD insertion may slightly damage the uterus, posing a greater risk of delayed pregnancy. IUD placed in the uterus not only increases the chances of pelvic infection, but can also inflict a hole in the uterus. This can further decrease the possibility of becoming pregnant. Hormonal IUD that interfere with menstrual periods can also delay fertility.
Bleeding
Although IUD removal is not a complicated procedure, a small amount of bleeding may occur which is normal and not a cause of worry. The bleeding usually stops within a short time. One has to consult an experienced gynecologist to avoid any further complications.
Taking Out IUD at Home
Women with an IUD may wish to become pregnant and think that they no longer require the IUD contraceptive. However, taking it out WITHOUT the help of a qualified health care provider is not advised. Do not even think of removing an IUD on your own, as it can cause serious damage to your body, such as perforation to the uterus, which may lead to internal bleeding. Calling a licensed gynecologist at home is essential to expel IUD safely from the uterus.
Types of IUDs
The intrauterine device (IUD) is introduced in the body by pushing it through the crevix opening so as to insert it correctly into the uterus. The most popular are the hormone and copper (ParaGard) IUDs. The hormone (Mirena) IUD releases the hormone progestin in small doses for up to 5 years to suppress pregnancy. On the other hand, the uterus that contains a copper IUD secretes a fluid that in turn protects women from pregnancy for up to 10 years.
IUD Costs
This IUD birth control that has shown reliability in preventing pregnancy is not at all costly. An IUD, whether a copper or a hormone IUD is available in the range of $175-$650. However, this does not include the cost of examination of the uterus and insertion of the IUD. For instance, the Mirena IUD costs about $300 plus the additional cost of the doctor visit, insertion and follow-up treatment have to be taken into account when calculating the total cost of IUD insertion. All in all, see to it that the device in inserted by a competent gynecologist.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
