Removal of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)
Safe and Comfortable Intrauterine Device Removal
An intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most reliable methods of contraception, but sooner or later, the time comes to remove it. The procedure for removing an intrauterine contraceptive is normally very quick, simple, and practically painless.
At St. Luke’s Clinic (Banchery village), experienced gynecologists perform IUD removals of any type, both routinely and in complex cases (due to displacement, embedment, or loss of control strings). We care about your psychological and physical comfort at every stage of the procedure.
When is IUD removal necessary?
There are several main reasons for removing an intrauterine contraceptive:
- Expiration of effectiveness: each IUD has its own service life (from 3 to 5-7 years, depending on the type: copper, silver, gold, or hormonal “Mirena”). After this period, the contraceptive must be removed to avoid inflammation and embedment in the uterine wall.
- Pregnancy planning: if you decide to become a mother, the doctor will remove the IUD, and the ability to conceive will be restored in the nearest menstrual cycles.
- IUD displacement (expulsion): if an ultrasound or examination reveals that the IUD has shifted, its protective properties decrease, and the risk of uterine injury increases.
- Medical indications: development of acute inflammatory process in the small pelvis, appearance of constant pain, heavy bleeding, or onset of menopause (when the need for contraception disappears).
- Woman’s wish: you can request IUD removal at any time if you decide to change your method of contraception.
How is the IUD removal procedure performed?
The best time for planned IUD removal is the first days of menstruation (when the cervix is naturally slightly open). However, if necessary, the procedure can be performed on any day of the cycle.
Standard removal:
The patient is positioned in a gynecological chair. The doctor inserts a speculum, treats the cervix with an antiseptic, grasps the control “strings” (threads) of the IUD with a special instrument, and gently pulls it out. This takes literally a few seconds and is accompanied only by a sensation of slight pulling in the lower abdomen.
Complex IUD removal: what to do if there are no “strings”?
Sometimes women face a situation where the control threads break off, “hide” inside the cervical canal, or the IUD partially embeds in the endometrium due to exceeding the wearing period. Don’t panic!
St. Luke’s Clinic has everything necessary for a safe solution to such a problem:
- Ultrasound control: the doctor accurately determines the location of the IUD in the uterine cavity using an ultrasound machine.
- Hysteroscopy: if the IUD cannot be removed by conventional means, we use an ultra-thin optical instrument — a hysteroscope. Under video control and with anesthesia (local or medical sleep), the surgeon precisely grasps and removes the contraceptive without traumatizing the uterine walls.
Recommendations after removal
After a standard procedure, you can immediately return to your usual lifestyle. Minor spotting may occur for several days, which is considered normal. If the woman needs further contraception, in the absence of contraindications, a new IUD can be inserted on the same day immediately after removing the old one.
Do not postpone your visit to the gynecologist if your IUD has expired. Book an appointment for safe IUD removal with the specialists at St. Luke’s Clinic.
