Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Intrauterine Device Removal

(IUD Removal; Copper IUD Removal; Hormone-releasing IUD Removal)

How to Say It: in-trah-U-tah-rin dee-vice ree-MOO-vahl

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

An intrauterine device (IUD) is placed in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It may be removed if a woman wants to become pregnant or the device is going to expire.

Intrauterine Device

Reasons for Procedure

An IUD removal may be done to:

Take out or replace an expiring IUD
Allow pregnancy to happen
Stop unwanted IUD side effects, such as abnormal bleeding or pain
Switch to a different birth control method

The IUD may also be removed if it fails and a woman becomes pregnant. This is not common.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as damage to nearby organs.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The health team may meet with you to talk about:

Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take
Tests that may need to be done, such as a pregnancy test
Whether you should have someone drive you home after the removal

Anesthesia

Anesthesia is often not needed. Some women may need local anesthesia. The area will be numb.

Description of the Procedure

You will lie on an exam table with your feet in footrests. A tool will be inserted into the vagina to make space. The cervix and vagina will be cleaned.

A tool will be passed into the vagina. It will grab the IUD strings. The strings will be gently pulled. This should fold the arms of the IUD and let it slip out of the body. This may cause some cramping or pain. The tools will be removed.

Some IUDs are hard to remove or become stuck. A hysteroscopy may be needed. A scope will be passed through the vagina into the uterus. A camera will show what may be holding the IUD. If needed, tools will help to free it. The tools will be removed.

If the IUD will be replaced, the new one will be inserted.

How Long Will It Take?

It will take about 5 minutes.

Will It Hurt?

You may feel cramping right after the IUD is removed. Bleeding may also be irregular. Medicine and home care can help.

Post-procedure Care

At the Care Center

After the procedure, the staff may talk to you about other methods of birth control if you do not want a pregnancy. You can leave once you are ready.

At Home

It may take a few days for spotting to stop. Your period may be irregular as your body adjusts to the IUD removal.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

Severe belly pain or cramping
Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
Heavy bleeding or discharge from the vagina

RESOURCES:

Office on Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.womenshealth.gov

Planned Parenthood
http://www.plannedparenthood.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
http://sogc.org

Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca

References:

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 110: Noncontraceptive uses of hormonal contraception. Obstet Gynecol. 2010;115(1):206-218. Reaffirmed August 2012.

Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology, Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Work Group. Practice Bulletin No. 186: Long-Acting Reversible Contraception: Implants and Intrauterine Devices. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Nov;130(5):e251-e269

Intrauterine device. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/device/intrauterine-device-iud. Accessed August 6, 2020.

Intrauterine device. US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: https://www.hhs.gov/opa/pregnancy-prevention/birth-control-methods/iud/index.html. Accessed August 6, 2020.

IUD. Planned Parenthood website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 6, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 2/24/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.