Readers Respond: What Is Your IUD Removal or IUD Insertion Experience?

Responses: 156

Never try to remove your IUD by yourself or ask an unqualified person to do so as this could cause serious damage.

Are you wondering what to expect during your IUD removal or insertion? Be prepared. Learn about possible complications. See what other women have experienced during their IUD removals and IUD insertions. Share your IUD story.

• Also, feel free to Share Your Reason: What Led You to Choose an IUD?

mirena removal

I had it taken out three days ago and now I am bleeding really heavy I took it out because I would bleed all the time now I am still bleeding just heavier I wonder if this is normal but can not get an answer

—Guest dede

Sick of Mirena!

I have had the Mirena IUD for just a little over a year now and the pain has never ceased. Not once, and it is even worse right before my period. I get these cramps that are so debilitating they affect my whole body not to mention the fact that it has put a damper in my and my fiancees sex life. I have never had a full term pregnancy and the doctor told me that I am infection free so it must be the IUD. I am going in on Monday to have this stupid thing removed. Unfortunately, it is one of the few estrogen-free BC I can take since I have had a blood clot in my leg and plenty of heart issues. and I'm only 21! lame.... I hope getting this out helps. oh and I forgot to mention the fact that I've gained 30lbs! I feel your pain, Ladies!

—Guest OlyLani

blocked energy

Put it in and think nothing of it. I had no pain or heavy periods. had mine for 5 years. the only problem i had was bv. I got tired of the bv so I had it removed. What was strange is the copper on the stem started to disolve... Im not sure if its a defect or normal? After havin it removed I felt like a cloud lifted off my abdomin and the energy flow to my body and mind was much more clear. My thoughts were less scattered and I could focus much better due to feeling connected to my body.

—Guest jenith

Happy with Mirena

I have had mirena for 5 years now, and I love it! At first like many have said you have cramps and some spotting but that was it for me. After a week or two you feel nothing, and your period is light and comes for less days, which i love also. I would say try it and see if it is for you, if not take it out. Its the best birth control I have had and would recommended it to everyone!!

—Guest Mass

Scared Straight

I have had the Mirena for a month. It was not painful at all. A couple days after I got it inserted my period came on and I bled for 4-5 days, normal period. But after that 5th day I kept spotting a little for about 5-6 more days. Nothing major. A couple of days ago I reached up the old birth canal and didn't feel my strings! I went to the doctor. He didn't see them either so he did an ultra sound and there it was. He said it was fine but I had a funny feeling so I came home and found this website and other websites. (I can now barely feel the tip of a string) OMG!!!! Why didn't I research first???? I am so afraid of all the negative comments I've read. I'd rather have my 5TH CHILD than have to deal with medical problems. I have an appt. tomorrow to get this thing outta me!!!!! No problems so far but don't want any......

—Guest Need another BC

My IUD Experience and Pregnancy

I'm currently on my 2nd IUD. My 1st was inserted in about '02 but in '06 I fell pregnant. This was obviously v unexpected & distressful, esp as the IUD was still in place. The foetus managed to lodge itself behind the IUD, just outside the tube; a place where the nurse while doing my ultrasound said he had never seen in his 8 year's of practice. Lucky me. The day I found out I was pregnant the IUD was taken out & I had a week in which I had to wait for a 2nd test to determin whether I was still pregnant. The pain in which I endured that week - especially the day after is nothing like I've experienced before or since. I've had 3rd degree burns & a skin graft, major falls on my face & in comparison these are childs play. I could barely walk, I couldn't sleep. No amount of tablets could touch the pain & the amount of bleeding was truly enormous. I found out I wasn't pregnant as the foetus came out w/the IUD & I decided for another. It was v uncomfortable but the best choice for me.

—Guest flang

Mirena is a GODSEND

Everything more or less i see about the mirena is negative. I just wanted to make people aware that for a lot of happy ladies it has helped a lot. Obviously it depends on why you have it, but a bit of irregular spotting and loss (only needing a panty liner) is MUCH better for me than my periods were. Very heavy, very painful. Everyones experience is personal, but dont be put off by other peoples stories, because if you really suffer with your periods then nothing is worse than that

—Guest harl

scared ,,,but cant wait

I have had Mirena 1 year and I cannot wait to have this horrible thing out of me. I want to cry when I think about the insertion, it literally was the most painful thing I have ever went through in my life. I am nervous if the removal will be as painful,,but after reading some of your responses I am feeling a little more confident. I have never felt so horrible in my life and I know now all of my problems stem from this foreign object inside of me. Severe headaches,,pinching effect inside my cervix, over and over again vaginal infections, urinary infections, and the weight gain 30 pounds!! I went to the gym three months, barely ate anything and maybe lost three pounds. I am so frustrated and cannot wait to get this poison out of me.

—hartman24

I was mislead on what this would be like

Paragard IUD, 23 years old, never pregnant. I've had it for 3 weeks now, and I'm going to get it removed. None of the pain has been unbearable, but I'm just getting tired of NEVER feeling good. I have cramping and discomfort sporadically every day. I can't accept how much I've had to change my lifestyle because of it: I can't drive for long without getting bad cramps, and I've had to completely stop working out after being an exercise nut for years. Nobody told me or prepared me for for how hard this was going to be. Now I'm learning the hard way and doing the research I should have done BEFORE insertion. I hear that things are supposed to get easier after the first few months, but I don't have the patience to feel this lousy for so long in order to find out.

—Guest Annie

paraguard insertion and removal

I am so shocked to read these responses! I have had a ParaGuard for 9-1/2 years. Was not painful to have inserted at all. Had very light bleeding for about 14 days. Periods for the last 9 years have been about 3 days, no cramping, pain, problems, no sex drive loss or depression. I have had 11 friends and family members get the ParaGuard with my recomendation, and they have had the same wonderful experience I have had. Getting a new ParaGuard in 2 months...Can't wait!

—Guest bella

Will not use Mirena again.

I had Mirena put in 7 wks after my c-section. Apparently it was not put in correctly b/c I had extreme pain! Like the worst period cramps I had ever felt. It was so bad it made me light-headed and the Dr would not let me leave the office for 30 mins afterward to make sure I didnt pass out. I couldnt even sit up. When I got home I took ibuprofen and pain was gone about 4 hrs later. A couple days later, I started bleeding, not spotting, but heavy bleeding. Then it would taper off and by the end of a week would stop for about 3-5 days. Then I would get bad cramps and heavy bleeding would start again. This cycle would repeat WEEKLY. Finally after 4 months of bleeding and putting a huge strain on my sex life, I decided to call the Dr. An ultrasound was done to check the placement. Found out it was not in the right place and thinks it was b/c of my c-section incision that caused the incorrect placement. I had it removed, I didnt even want to bother with it anymore. Went back on the pill!

—Guest Christina

Odor after IUD

The only issue I have had with my Paraguard IUD is it caused me to have BV (bacterial vaganosis) which causes a milky white or yellowish discharge that smells bad or musky. You can get over the counter BV treatment at CVS if you have already been diagnosed at least once by your doctor. That is the only problem I have had with the IUD so far. The insertion process was horrid. I strongly recommened you asking your Doc to numb you somehow before insertion and make sure someone else is there to drive you home.

—Guest Kaye76

EXPERIENCE WITH IUD

I AM A 25 YEAR OLD MOTHER OF TWO BOYS A 7YEAR OLD AND A 5YEAR OLD. I HAD THE MIRENA IUD INSERTED IN JULY 2006. SINCE I HAVE GAINED 41 POUNDS, AND HAVE HAD REALLY BAD ACNE ON MY FACE AND BACK. I AM REALLY CONSIDERING HAVING IT REMOVED AT THE BEGINING OF THE YEAR.I WANT TO LOOSE ALL THIS EXCESS WEIGHT AND BEGIN MENSTRUATING AGAIN I HAVENT HAD A PERIOD IN EIGHT MONTHS, AND THIS WORRIES ME.I AM READY TO SAY GOODBYE TO MY FRIEND MIRENA OF TWO YEARS NOW.

—Guest NANCY

No Problems Here

I had Mirena inserted about 3 1/2 years ago. Insertion was a little painful and I was dizzy right after, so follow the advice above and take someone with you! I had some cramps and spotting but then after a couple of months my period was completely gone. I did have some hormonal effects with it, like lack of sex drive and difficulty losing weight, but nothing unbearable. I just had it removed about a week ago and it was really not painful at all, just a little pinch. I had spotting and cramping after that but it's now gone too.

—Guest Sunnie