Difference between revisions of "Get an IUD Taken Out"
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#Consider why you need removal. There are multiple reasons why you might want or need to remove your IUD. You should get your IUD removed if you want to become pregnant, if you have started going through menopause, or you want to start using an alternative birth control method. You may also need to remove your IUD if the expiration date on the device is up, if it failed and you have become pregnant, you caught a sexually transmitted disease, or you need to have a procedure that requires its removal. | #Consider why you need removal. There are multiple reasons why you might want or need to remove your IUD. You should get your IUD removed if you want to become pregnant, if you have started going through menopause, or you want to start using an alternative birth control method. You may also need to remove your IUD if the expiration date on the device is up, if it failed and you have become pregnant, you caught a sexually transmitted disease, or you need to have a procedure that requires its removal. | ||
#*On rare occasions, you may need to remove your IUD because of reactions to the device, such as abnormal bleeding, excessive pain, or heavy or exceedingly long menstruation. | #*On rare occasions, you may need to remove your IUD because of reactions to the device, such as abnormal bleeding, excessive pain, or heavy or exceedingly long menstruation. | ||
| − | #*The expiration date on hormonal IUDs is 5 years. Copper IUDs can be left in for 10 years.<ref>http://health.cvs.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3&chunkiid=636760</ref> | + | #*The expiration date on hormonal IUDs is 5 years. Copper IUDs can be left in for 10 years.<ref name="rf1">http://health.cvs.com/GetContent.aspx?token=f75979d3-9c7c-4b16-af56-3e122a3f19e3&chunkiid=636760</ref> |
#Make an appointment. Once you know the reason you need removal, you should contact your gynecologist's office to schedule an appointment. Let them know why you need the appointment because you may need a consultation visit first. | #Make an appointment. Once you know the reason you need removal, you should contact your gynecologist's office to schedule an appointment. Let them know why you need the appointment because you may need a consultation visit first. | ||
#*You may also be able to go ahead and schedule your procedure as well. | #*You may also be able to go ahead and schedule your procedure as well. | ||
#Talk to your doctor. Either over the phone or during your consultation visit, you should discuss your IUD removal with your doctor. Let her know the reason that you need or want to remove your IUD. If for some reason your need for removal is unfounded, she will let you know and can discuss any reservations you have about keeping your IUD. | #Talk to your doctor. Either over the phone or during your consultation visit, you should discuss your IUD removal with your doctor. Let her know the reason that you need or want to remove your IUD. If for some reason your need for removal is unfounded, she will let you know and can discuss any reservations you have about keeping your IUD. | ||
| − | #*It is best to be completely honest with your doctor so she can help you make the best choice for you.<ref | + | #*It is best to be completely honest with your doctor so she can help you make the best choice for you.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Use other forms of birth control. If you are taking out your IUD in order to start another form of birth control, because of a procedure, or due to an STD, you should start another form of birth control a week prior to your IUD removal. If you have unprotected sex in the weeks leading up to your removal, you may be able to get pregnant after it is removed, even if you don't have unprotected sex after it is removed. This is because sperm can live up to 5 days inside of you.<ref | + | #Use other forms of birth control. If you are taking out your IUD in order to start another form of birth control, because of a procedure, or due to an STD, you should start another form of birth control a week prior to your IUD removal. If you have unprotected sex in the weeks leading up to your removal, you may be able to get pregnant after it is removed, even if you don't have unprotected sex after it is removed. This is because sperm can live up to 5 days inside of you.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*You could also abstain from sex for the week or weeks leading up to your IUD removal if you don't have access to an alternative form of birth control. | #*You could also abstain from sex for the week or weeks leading up to your IUD removal if you don't have access to an alternative form of birth control. | ||
===Getting Your IUD Removed=== | ===Getting Your IUD Removed=== | ||
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#*She may also use a hysteroscope, which is thin tube that has a light and camera lens on the end of it. | #*She may also use a hysteroscope, which is thin tube that has a light and camera lens on the end of it. | ||
#*This pre-examination also checks for excessive tenderness or physiological changes that might prevent your IUD from being removed. | #*This pre-examination also checks for excessive tenderness or physiological changes that might prevent your IUD from being removed. | ||
| − | #*In rare cases, it may be necessary to have an ultrasound or x-ray if your doctor cannot easily find the strings of your IUD. These are used to make sure that the IUD has not shifted into your abdomen or your pelvis.<ref>http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-should-i-know-about-iud-removal.htm</ref> | + | #*In rare cases, it may be necessary to have an ultrasound or x-ray if your doctor cannot easily find the strings of your IUD. These are used to make sure that the IUD has not shifted into your abdomen or your pelvis.<ref name="rf2">http://www.wisegeekhealth.com/what-should-i-know-about-iud-removal.htm</ref> |
| − | #Have the IUD removed. To get your IUD out, your doctor will first insert a speculum, which is a tool used to widen your vagina in order to see your cervix better.<ref>http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1997999-technique</ref> Now that the IUD can clearly be seen, your doctor will insert ring forceps to grasp the strings of your IUD. She will gently pull on the strings and the IUD will come out.<ref | + | #Have the IUD removed. To get your IUD out, your doctor will first insert a speculum, which is a tool used to widen your vagina in order to see your cervix better.<ref name="rf3">http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1997999-technique</ref> Now that the IUD can clearly be seen, your doctor will insert ring forceps to grasp the strings of your IUD. She will gently pull on the strings and the IUD will come out.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #*The arms of the IUD fold outward, so they will not hurt too much coming out.<ref | + | #*The arms of the IUD fold outward, so they will not hurt too much coming out.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Deal with a difficult removal. It is possible for your IUD to have shifted, for the strings to be in a difficult area, or for the IUD to become embedded in your cervix. If your doctor tries to remove your IUD and it won't move, she may use a cytobrush, which is a small brush that looks like an mascara applicator. The cytobrush is inserted, twisted, and then pulled out again, grabbing the retracted or stubborn strings of the IUD and pulling out the device. | #Deal with a difficult removal. It is possible for your IUD to have shifted, for the strings to be in a difficult area, or for the IUD to become embedded in your cervix. If your doctor tries to remove your IUD and it won't move, she may use a cytobrush, which is a small brush that looks like an mascara applicator. The cytobrush is inserted, twisted, and then pulled out again, grabbing the retracted or stubborn strings of the IUD and pulling out the device. | ||
#*If this doesn't work either, she may use a IUD hook, which is a thin, metal instrument that is hooked on one end. This method may take several passes to work, depending on how your IUD has shifted. Your doctor will insert the hook and pull it out. If she didn't grab onto the IUD, she will then continue to insert the hook again until it has tried to grab the IUD on all sides. | #*If this doesn't work either, she may use a IUD hook, which is a thin, metal instrument that is hooked on one end. This method may take several passes to work, depending on how your IUD has shifted. Your doctor will insert the hook and pull it out. If she didn't grab onto the IUD, she will then continue to insert the hook again until it has tried to grab the IUD on all sides. | ||
| − | #*Outpatient surgery to remove the device is a last resort that may become necessary if the IUD cannot be removed by any other means.<ref | + | #*Outpatient surgery to remove the device is a last resort that may become necessary if the IUD cannot be removed by any other means.<ref name="rf3" /> Sometimes a small camera (hysteroscope) is used to find an IUD if the strings cannot be found. This is usually done in the office. |
#Recognize normal side effects. The only common side effects of IUD removal are cramping and minimal bleeding after the device it taken out. These effects should only last a short while before they stop all together. | #Recognize normal side effects. The only common side effects of IUD removal are cramping and minimal bleeding after the device it taken out. These effects should only last a short while before they stop all together. | ||
| − | #*In some rare instances, you may have more severe reactions, which may be due to an underlying health issue. Call your doctor immediately if you have severe cramps, pain or tenderness in your abdomen, a fever, chills, or unexplained vaginal bleeding or discharge.<ref | + | #*In some rare instances, you may have more severe reactions, which may be due to an underlying health issue. Call your doctor immediately if you have severe cramps, pain or tenderness in your abdomen, a fever, chills, or unexplained vaginal bleeding or discharge.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Get another IUD implanted if desired. If you are just changing your IUD because it expired, you can get another one inserted immediately. Talk this over with your doctor before the procedure so she can plan for the insertion of the new device. You may experience some mild discomfort or slight bleeding. | #Get another IUD implanted if desired. If you are just changing your IUD because it expired, you can get another one inserted immediately. Talk this over with your doctor before the procedure so she can plan for the insertion of the new device. You may experience some mild discomfort or slight bleeding. | ||
| − | #*There will be no interruption of the contraceptive abilities of the IUD if you have immediate reinsertion.<ref>http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Mirena_PI.pdf</ref> | + | #*There will be no interruption of the contraceptive abilities of the IUD if you have immediate reinsertion.<ref name="rf4">http://labeling.bayerhealthcare.com/html/products/pi/Mirena_PI.pdf</ref> |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
*'''Do not''' ever try to remove your IUD by yourself. You can injure yourself and cause infection. | *'''Do not''' ever try to remove your IUD by yourself. You can injure yourself and cause infection. | ||
