How can you tell if your IUD is being expelled?

October 14, 2016 4:05 PM

I had a Skyla IUD inserted in August. I might have done goofed today.

I've had so much bleeding that I've lost all track of my cycle, but this week it was heavy enough to use tampons. I noticed I wasn't bleeding today and wondered if I forgot to take a tampon out. So I checked. Felt a string, gave it a tug, and, oops, that was the IUD string. It was lower than usual, but my cervix would be low if I'm having a period.

I've been having cramps ever since. I was on and off crampy this week, but this has been consistent, and feels like more ovarian cyst pain than menstrual cramps. (I got the IUD because of recurrent exploding endometrial ovarian cysts.) I carefully checked and cannot feel anything protruding from my cervix.

So how do I know if it's expelling or was knocked out of place? Is this a hie thee to the ER situation or wait until Monday to call my GYN situation?

posted by Ruki to Health & Fitness (7 answers total)

Best answer: I have the Skyla, and while I don't have the literature to hand, I'm pretty sure it being out of place is a "call your doctor Monday" kind of thing UNLESS you are having some kind of pain/bleeding that is not normal period/for you pain.

Also, anecdotally, I have defibutely pulled the string by accident and nothing happened. And the string is much more present at certain times of the month. And I constantly freak out that a) I have expelled it, b) I'll have one of the super rare side effects (including pregnancy), and c) it is causing mood swings/mental health effects.

But saying all of that, this is ultimately a medical issue and only you are qualified to tell if something concerning enough to get urgent medical care is going on. Please don't disregard your symptoms just because I think I've experienced something to your written internet description of what's going on.
posted by DoubleLune at 4:21 PM on October 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

You should see your doctor sooner rather than later and use condoms for any sexual activity. If the Skyla is misplaced it can affect its effectiveness. If heavy bleeding continues (or restarts) it's important to go to a doctor. Usually when women expel a hormonal IUD they can tell what's going on and it comes out when they go to the bathroom (heard this from several practitioners now).
posted by raccoon409 at 4:54 PM on October 14, 2016

I've expelled two IUDs; once I found it, once I didn't. You definitely need alternate birth control until you see your doctor. But my experience was that it was not an emergency; I had an appointment already set up with my OB for two weeks out, and when I called because I was pretty sure I was expelling the IUD, they said not to bother moving the appointment up unless I wanted to. So I didn't, used other methods of not getting pregnant, found the IUD while going to the bathroom a day later, and went to the doctor after two weeks. It was a huge pain because I basically had my period for ages, but other than that it was mostly a non-event.

(I have an implant now; it's the best.)
posted by gideonfrog at 5:02 PM on October 14, 2016

When you pulled the string, did the IUD come out of your vagina? If you put your finger in your vagina and feel around, do you feel something (plastic, not strings)? If no to both of these, your IUD has not been expelled. It may now be malpositioned (too low in your uterus or in your cervical canal). Other responders are correct that this is not dangerous unless you are having pain, heavy bleeding, or symptoms of heavy bleeding (lightheadedness, confusion), and also, that you may not be protected from pregnancy. I would call your doctor on Monday, and use back-up protection if you have sex before then.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 7:29 PM on October 14, 2016

Response by poster: Oh, sex is totally off the table this weekend (sorry, hubs). The cramps have died down some, after some time with my heating pad and prescription strength naproxen, so I'm okay with waiting until Monday. I had a really bad experience with a copper IUD twenty years ago, and I had a cyst when this one was placed, so I'm a little paranoid, because I don't know how normal feels. Since it was inserted, I've been to the ER twice, once when the cyst started hemorrhaging and again when it ruptured.

I've rechecked my cervix, and nothing is protruding. Thank you for talking my fears down.
posted by Ruki at 7:59 PM on October 14, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you're not in inordinate pain I would just wait until your next doctor's appointment.
posted by a strong female character at 9:18 PM on October 14, 2016

FWIW, a past partner did the same thing and when they went to get it replaced, it turned out that if you keep the old one you may get a free or cheaper replacement than if you threw it out.
posted by MonsieurBon at 10:09 PM on October 14, 2016