It is possible to lose your IUD, but it is very rare. How to notice it? What to do? Here are the advice of Dr. Thierry Harvey, gynecologist.
“For a week, I found that the sons” have pitched me “and that they were a bit long. And then yesterday, surprised: I shot the wires and the IUD came out!“”Elsa tells us. An amazing testimony but which is not exceptional. Dr. Thierry Harvey, head of maternity service at the Diaconesses Hospital in Paris.
Losing your IUD, it happens, confirms Dr. Thierry Harveybut “This remains rare: 2 to 5 % of cases“. You just have to know it in order to react as well as possible, in case. Most often, the IUD is expelled in the first months following its installation. In fact, there are two cases of figures, explains the gynecologist. Either he is completely expelled and the patient finds the IUD in his underwear, or he is partially expelled and in this case, the wires are longer.
Pain and bleeding can accompany his expulsion. However, it happens that the patient does not notice it. Problem: the efficiency of the device is then reduced. In case of unusual signs, it is therefore necessary to consult quickly in order to verify that the IUD is in place and if necessary replace it. “”Increased rules of rules with a mirena IUD can for example be a sign of expulsion“, Note Dr. Harvey. In the rare cases where the IUD is not visible to ultrasound, it is necessary to complete the investigations with an x -ray of the abdomen in order to locate the IUD and recover it under coeloscopy.
Diu and contraindications. The other risk, more boring: it is the uterine perforation at the time of insertion of the device. It is even lower (0.001%). To prevent this risk, certain contraindications must be respected, such as waiting at least 6 weeks after childbirth.
Professionals not sufficiently trained? According to the gynecologist Thierry Harvey, these rare events are most often explained by a lack of training of doctors. “”Putting a DIU on a mannequin is easy, it’s still theoretical. But when the practice comes in real life, it’s different. When a doctor puts a IUD, He must in particular ensure that her patient is not stressed so that she does not move suddenly or that she is unwell! We may have trained, it remains human above all“In case of doubt, and when the gynecologist is equipped, the ideal is to ultrasound just after in order to verify that the IUD is properly posed.
But we reassure ourselves: IUD is safe contraception. Effective at around 99 %, It can be kept between 4 and 10 years old and withdrawn at any time, As soon as the woman wishes, by a doctor or a midwife.
Thanks to Dr. Thierry Harvey, gynecologist.
