Does IUD Removal Hurt? What You Should Know
“Discover what IUD Removal Hurt, common side effects like cramping or spotting, cost and insurance info, potential complications, and when to contact a provider.
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- Is removal of IUD painful?
- How long is pain after IUD removal?
- How many minutes does it take to remove IUD?
Does IUD removal hurt
It’s normal to wonder if getting an IUD removed hurts if you’re getting ready for the procedure. When the IUD is removed, most people only have minor cramps or discomfort. A qualified healthcare professional performs the procedure during a routine office visit, and it is quick, safe, and typically painless.
IUDs are birth control options that can be used for three to twelve years. Once it expires, or sooner if you intend to get pregnant, it must be removed.
2. When Should I Remove My IUD?
You may be wondering if IUD removal hurts if you’re considering getting pregnant or just want to look into other birth control options. You have the right to request the removal of your IUD at any time, and your healthcare provider may also suggest its removal for specific medical reasons.
The IUD’s expiration date is one of the most frequent grounds for removal. The brand and type of IUD determine how long it lasts.
Generally, copper IUDs, like Paragard, can last up to 12 years, while hormonal IUDs have different timelines:
Jaydess – 3 years
Skyla – 3 years
Kyleena – 5 years
Levosert – 7 years
Liletta – 8 years
Mirena – 8 years
Interestingly, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), copper IUDs can be safely used for up to 12 years in many individuals under 35 at the time of insertion.
However, there are other reasons why an IUD might need to be released besides expiration. Rarely, an IUD may move or migrate into the uterine wall or even adjacent organs; in these cases, a qualified specialist must remove the device right away. Additional medical causes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) that is resistant to antibiotics or pregnancy while using an IUD. PID is a dangerous infection of the reproductive system that is frequently caused by bacteria from a STI.
It’s crucial to understand that wearing an IUD does not prevent STIs or raise your risk of contracting one. In most cases, your doctor can treat a STI with antibiotics without taking out your IUD.
However, removal might be required to promote healing if symptoms continue for more than 48 to 72 hours after beginning treatment.
Returning to the main query, is it painful to remove an IUD? Like a standard pelvic exam, the procedure is quick for most people and only results in minor cramping or discomfort. It only takes a few minutes and is typically performed in a doctor’s office. Everybody’s body reacts differently, though. Speak with your healthcare provider if you’re anxious or have experienced painful insertions in the past; they may be able to provide advice or even painkillers to help the procedure go more smoothly.
IUD removal is a common, safe, and usually painless procedure, to put it briefly. Your provider is available to help with birth control changes, pregnancy planning, and health issues.
3. How Do I Prepare?
You’re not the only person wondering, “Does IUD removal hurt?” When it comes time to have their intrauterine device (IUD) removed, many people have the same worry. The good news is that an experienced healthcare professional can usually remove an IUD quickly and easily. They can even implant a new IUD at the same visit if you’re thinking about changing birth control.
It’s crucial to consult with your provider prior to the procedure. They can go over your medical history and determine why the IUD was removed during this consultation. They can then customize the experience to meet your needs.
During your visit, your healthcare provider will offer expert insights and support, including:
A personalized treatment plan if any sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are present
Safer and more effective birth control alternatives suited to your lifestyle
Guidance on managing any discomfort or side effects related to IUD complications
Information about how quickly fertility can return after the IUD is removed
Risks associated with becoming pregnant right after removal
So, does IUD removal hurt? For most, it’s mildly uncomfortable at worst—but preparation, expert care, and open communication with your provider can make a world of difference.
IUD removal pain
4. What Happens During the Removal?
Compared to having your IUD (intrauterine device) inserted, getting it removed is usually a much simpler and quicker procedure. The majority of removals feel like a standard pelvic exam and only take a few minutes. Here’s what you should know in advance and what actually occurs during the IUD removal procedure.
Step-by-Step: How a Healthcare Professional Removes an IUD
If you’re preparing for an IUD removal, here’s exactly what to expect during your appointment with a trained healthcare provider:
You’ll Lie Back Comfortably
You’ll be asked to lie down on an exam table, with your legs placed in stirrups—just like during a Pap smear or a pelvic checkup. This position gives your provider clear access to your cervix.A Speculum Is Used to Visualize the Cervix
The provider will gently insert a sterile speculum—a device shaped like a duck’s bill—into your vagina to hold it open. This tool helps them locate your cervix and see the IUD strings coming through the opening.The IUD Strings Are Gently Pulled
If the strings of the IUD are visible, your provider will grasp them with a special instrument called ring forceps and slowly pull the device out in one smooth motion. Most people feel only a brief cramp or pressure at this point.
Does IUD Removal Hurt?
For most people, IUD removal is quick and only mildly uncomfortable. You generally won’t need any sedation or strong pain medication. However, if you had a particularly painful IUD insertion or if you haven’t given birth before, your provider might offer:
Topical numbing options such as lidocaine spray or gel
In rare cases, a paracervical block—a small injection of local anesthetic at the top of the cervix
Trust Your Provider
For IUD removal, it’s crucial to consult a qualified, experienced healthcare professional. Serious complications may arise if you try to remove the device yourself. Trained specialists have the know-how to guarantee a quick, painless, and safe procedure using sterile instruments.
What If the Strings Aren’t Visible?
In some cases, the strings may have retracted into the cervical canal or uterus. Don’t worry—this doesn’t mean the IUD is lost. Your provider might use thin tools like a cytobrush, IUD hook, or a long Kelly clamp to gently retrieve the strings.
IUD removal cost
5. How Much Does It Cost?
A 2020 study conducted in ten U.S. states found that the average cost of removing an IUD ranged from $50 to more than $1,000, with an average cost of $262. You might not have to pay anything out of pocket, though, if you have insurance. Most plans now cover birth control services, including IUDs, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid may be able to lower or even cover the cost if you don’t have insurance.
6. What Are IUD Removal Side Effects?
IUD removal side effects
Most women have few side effects after removing an IUD (intrauterine device), and the process is typically quick and easy. Knowing what to anticipate during recovery is still beneficial, though, so you can feel ready and confident.
You may experience mild to moderate cramping in the initial hours or days following IUD removal. Your body’s natural reaction to the device being removed is this, and it’s perfectly normal. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like naproxen or ibuprofen (Advil), can help manage this discomfort.
Your menstrual cycle will probably return to its normal rhythm as your body readjusts. Your period might come back almost instantly if you had a copper IUD. It may take several weeks or even months for your period to completely return to normal when using hormonal IUDs. Light spotting or non-menstrual bleeding is also typical during this time, though these symptoms typically go away on their own.
There is little research on whether IUD removal results in weight gain or loss, despite the fact that many people wonder about it. IUDs and weight changes are generally unrelated. You may, however, notice a slight decrease in weight if you have a brief loss of appetite following removal, perhaps as a result of cramping or hormonal changes. Although the IUD itself isn’t the direct cause of this, it is more likely
7. Are There Any Possible Complications?
Complications from IUD removal are uncommon in most cases. Your doctor might first look for pregnancy if the IUD strings are missing, though, as that could account for the missing strings. If necessary, an ultrasound will probably be conducted to pinpoint the precise location of the IUD.
It is occasionally necessary to use specialized instruments, such as forceps, to carefully grasp and remove the IUD. You may be referred to a gynecologic surgeon in more complicated cases, such as when the IUD migrates outside the uterus or becomes embedded in the uterine wall. To safely remove the IUD and stop more problems, these professionals can do a simple procedure or minimally invasive surgery.
8. When To Contact a Healthcare Provider
It’s critical to contact a healthcare professional if you’re having severe symptoms following IUD removal. These symptoms are typically not brought on by the removal itself, but they could indicate underlying medical conditions or problems following a new IUD insertion.
Some potentially serious side effects to watch out for include:
A feeling that your IUD is out of place or has shifted
Fever, which could indicate infection
Heavy or unusual vaginal bleeding
Intense cramping that doesn’t ease up
Unusual or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
If you had a new IUD inserted immediately after the removal, and you’re noticing symptoms like a missed period, breast tenderness, nausea, or you test positive on a pregnancy test, contact your doctor as soon as possible—these may be signs of pregnancy.It’s important to pay attention to your body because it affects your health. Early medical intervention can guarantee that any problem is appropriately and promptly resolved. To get peace of mind and rule out complications, always consult your healthcare provider when in doubt.
9. How Long After IUD Removal Can You Get Pregnant?
The contraceptive protection of your IUD (Intrauterine Device) ends instantly when it is removed. However, what happens to your fertility later on? Medical research indicates that immediately following removal, fertility typically returns to its pre-IUD level.
This subject was thoroughly examined in a study that was published in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics (Dinehart E, Lathi RB, Aghajanova L., 2020). It discovered that using a levonorgestrel (hormonal) IUD had no appreciable long-term effects on a woman’s ability to conceive. To put it another way, if you were fertile prior to using an IUD, you will probably become fertile again shortly after it is removed.
Planning and timing are crucial, though, particularly if you’re taking out your IUD to switch to a different method of birth control.
Talking with a healthcare professional about what to do both before and after the removal is crucial.
You may need to refrain from unprotected sex in the week before or after the removal, depending on whether you’re switching to a copper IUD or another hormonal method, as well as where you are in your menstrual cycle. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, it may be advised in certain situations to use emergency contraceptive pills or to start a new birth control method right away.
Key Takeaway:
If you’re planning to conceive soon, or just changing your birth control, knowing how IUD removal and return to fertility work is crucial. Always consult your healthcare provider to make the transition safely and effectively.
FAQs
When do periods go back to normal after IUD removal?
– After a hormonal IUD is removed, it may take a few months for your menstrual cycle to regularize. In contrast, with a copper IUD, periods typically return to their usual pattern immediately since it doesn’t involve hormones.Can I remove an IUD myself?
– No. Do not try removing your IUD at home. You might shift it instead of removing it or cause pain. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that only a trained healthcare provider perform the removal.Does your body change after IUD removal?
– It’s common to experience cramps and some non‑menstrual spotting or bleeding. These effects are usually short‑lived, typically resolving within days to weeks.Will IUD removal hurt?
– Most people feel only mild discomfort or cramping during and shortly after removal. The procedure is generally faster and easier than insertion, and often requires no anesthesia, though local anesthetic may be used in sensitive situations.How long after IUD removal can you get pregnant?
– Once the IUD is removed, contraceptive protection ends immediately. Fertility typically returns right away. Many people can conceive in the first cycle, and up to 85% become pregnant within a year.
The Bottom Line:
In most cases, getting your IUD removed is a quicker and easier process than getting it put in. Most people have very little discomfort, though some cramping or spotting is normal. But since every body is unique, it’s crucial to discuss expectations and any postpartum symptoms with your healthcare provider. Being aware of your options helps you maintain control over your reproductive health, whether you’re planning a pregnancy or changing methods.
