Disappearance of IUD strings

Profile picture of Whorpio
I can suck the bullet out of a glock on safety.
@Whorpio
8 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Comments: 2583 · Posts: 6184 · Topics: 141
I’ve been bleeding more than usual these past few months. I last self checked the strings in December after some abnormal heavy brown bleeding in November. They were there in December so I just figured maybe I had one of those super early miscarriages or something.

Fast forward to today, I went to Planned Parenthood to see about replacing the IUD early because I’ve been having 8-day long periods every two weeks. The gyno looked inside my coochie and she was like “Well I’m not seeing any strings so you’re going to have to get a sonogram, but we don’t do that here. Try to get it as soon as possible and use condoms in the meantime”.

Now I’m freaking out because if it has migrated they’ll have to surgically remove it and I’m scared they won’t sedate me.

Has this happened to anyone else?
Profile picture of Whorpio
I can suck the bullet out of a glock on safety.
@Whorpio
8 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Comments: 2583 · Posts: 6184 · Topics: 141
Posted by dilettante

i had an IUD for 2 years before it started compromising my health. i, too, started w/ heavy dark brown bleeding but was coupled w/ the worst cramps of my life. the cramps were present even when i wasnt menstruating.

turns out the IUD punctured my cervical (?) wall & it had to be removed. dunno if this is whats happening to you but it dissuaded me from getting another IUD.

i was not sedated when they removed my IUD. & it hurt like a bitch.

I had cramps that what I imagine would rival birth contractions with my first IUD, but it was because my body was expelling it.

Late last year I had some painful cramps and some this year, but definitely not on the level as the expulsion contractions.

IUD seems to be the best birth control option for me right now. Do you think the doctors will give me another one if my current one has perforated?
Profile picture of saggurl88
Vacation Queen
@saggurl88
12 Years25,000+ Posts

Comments: 22238 · Posts: 25616 · Topics: 84
They end up trying to fish it out with the hook thing that they check you with to make sure it fits. I've had mine replaced twice now. I'm starting to bleed a lot now so I need to go get it replaced again, It's way past due. I think I've had it in for 8 years now -__-

It feels the same going in as it does coming out. Uncomfortable but doable.

I had the same cramps with the copper 10 year one and Mirena was the best fit for me. It's been great and no worries at all.

When they replaced it, I came on my period, because my cervix was soft, they took it out and immediately replaced it with a new one. I took Advil right before the appointment and had no issues.
Profile picture of Solaristic
Solaristic
@Solaristic
7 Years

Comments: 67 · Posts: 425 · Topics: 12
Posted by Whorpio

I’ve been bleeding more than usual these past few months. I last self checked the strings in December after some abnormal heavy brown bleeding in November. They were there in December so I just figured maybe I had one of those super early miscarriages or something.

Fast forward to today, I went to Planned Parenthood to see about replacing the IUD early because I’ve been having 8-day long periods every two weeks. The gyno looked inside my coochie and she was like “Well I’m not seeing any strings so you’re going to have to get a sonogram, but we don’t do that here. Try to get it as soon as possible and use condoms in the meantime”.

Now I’m freaking out because if it has migrated they’ll have to surgically remove it and I’m scared they won’t sedate me.

Has this happened to anyone else?


I work in gyno, it's not common but it DOES happen, sometimes they literally just fall out. Women have brought theirs in after fishing them out of the toliet. So that's a possibility.
Profile picture of Solaristic
Solaristic
@Solaristic
7 Years

Comments: 67 · Posts: 425 · Topics: 12
Posted by Whorpio

I’ve been bleeding more than usual these past few months. I last self checked the strings in December after some abnormal heavy brown bleeding in November. They were there in December so I just figured maybe I had one of those super early miscarriages or something.

Fast forward to today, I went to Planned Parenthood to see about replacing the IUD early because I’ve been having 8-day long periods every two weeks. The gyno looked inside my coochie and she was like “Well I’m not seeing any strings so you’re going to have to get a sonogram, but we don’t do that here. Try to get it as soon as possible and use condoms in the meantime”.

Now I’m freaking out because if it has migrated they’ll have to surgically remove it and I’m scared they won’t sedate me.

Has this happened to anyone else?



How long have you had the Mirena in for? Some causes of abnormal bleeding w/ Mirena:

1. Fell out, your cycle returned with a vengeance.

2. Close to 3 year/5yr mark and hormones are lessening/your body is used to them.

3. It moved inside your uterus and you'll need a replacement.

4. Implantation into uterine wall (likely accompanied by painful cramps)
Profile picture of SagInTheSun898
SagInTheSun898
@SagInTheSun898
5 Years

Comments: 514 · Posts: 454 · Topics: 6
Posted by saggurl88

They end up trying to fish it out with the hook thing that they check you with to make sure it fits. I've had mine replaced twice now. I'm starting to bleed a lot now so I need to go get it replaced again, It's way past due. I think I've had it in for 8 years now -__-

It feels the same going in as it does coming out. Uncomfortable but doable.

I had the same cramps with the copper 10 year one and Mirena was the best fit for me. It's been great and no worries at all.

When they replaced it, I came on my period, because my cervix was soft, they took it out and immediately replaced it with a new one. I took Advil right before the appointment and had no issues.


Ugh nooooooo
Profile picture of SagInTheSun898
SagInTheSun898
@SagInTheSun898
5 Years

Comments: 514 · Posts: 454 · Topics: 6
Posted by dilettante

i had an IUD for 2 years before it started compromising my health. i, too, started w/ heavy dark brown bleeding but was coupled w/ the worst cramps of my life. the cramps were present even when i wasnt menstruating.

turns out the IUD punctured my cervical (?) wall & it had to be removed. dunno if this is whats happening to you but it dissuaded me from getting another IUD.

i was not sedated when they removed my IUD. & it hurt like a bitch.


Uhhhhhh
Profile picture of Whorpio
I can suck the bullet out of a glock on safety.
@Whorpio
8 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Comments: 2583 · Posts: 6184 · Topics: 141
Posted by Solaristic
Posted by Whorpio

I’ve been bleeding more than usual these past few months. I last self checked the strings in December after some abnormal heavy brown bleeding in November. They were there in December so I just figured maybe I had one of those super early miscarriages or something.

Fast forward to today, I went to Planned Parenthood to see about replacing the IUD early because I’ve been having 8-day long periods every two weeks. The gyno looked inside my coochie and she was like “Well I’m not seeing any strings so you’re going to have to get a sonogram, but we don’t do that here. Try to get it as soon as possible and use condoms in the meantime”.

Now I’m freaking out because if it has migrated they’ll have to surgically remove it and I’m scared they won’t sedate me.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I work in gyno, it's not common but it DOES happen, sometimes they literally just fall out. Women have brought theirs in after fishing them out of the toliet. So that's a possibility.
click to expand


So I went home and looked for the strings myself with my fingers and I felt them. Unless my pussy has claws growing inside her.... Should I still get an ultrasound or just live with what I got for now?

Also I’ve had it in since April 2016, and all my PMS symptoms slowly started to return after the three year mark!!! If I get a new one, will life be as it currently is now, or will it be like the first couple years I had this IUD?
Profile picture of Solaristic
Solaristic
@Solaristic
7 Years

Comments: 67 · Posts: 425 · Topics: 12
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by Solaristic
Posted by Whorpio

I’ve been bleeding more than usual these past few months. I last self checked the strings in December after some abnormal heavy brown bleeding in November. They were there in December so I just figured maybe I had one of those super early miscarriages or something.

Fast forward to today, I went to Planned Parenthood to see about replacing the IUD early because I’ve been having 8-day long periods every two weeks. The gyno looked inside my coochie and she was like “Well I’m not seeing any strings so you’re going to have to get a sonogram, but we don’t do that here. Try to get it as soon as possible and use condoms in the meantime”.

Now I’m freaking out because if it has migrated they’ll have to surgically remove it and I’m scared they won’t sedate me.

Has this happened to anyone else?

I work in gyno, it's not common but it DOES happen, sometimes they literally just fall out. Women have brought theirs in after fishing them out of the toliet. So that's a possibility.

So I went home and looked for the strings myself with my fingers and I felt them. Unless my pussy has claws growing inside her.... Should I still get an ultrasound or just live with what I got for now?
click to expand


Well you have a Mirena and I'm guessing you havent had periods w/ it... there is still the question of why you're experiencing spotting. How long have you had it in?
Profile picture of Solaristic
Solaristic
@Solaristic
7 Years

Comments: 67 · Posts: 425 · Topics: 12
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by Solaristic

Well you have a Mirena and I'm guessing you havent had periods w/ it... there is still the question of why you're experiencing spotting. How long have you had it in?

4 years 😬 I’m starting to get the sense the practitioner pretended like she didn’t see it so she won’t have to replace it.
click to expand


l

At 4 yrs it's starting to lose it's efficacy. That how many women realize their IUD needs replacing, they start bleeding again. So that's probably the cause of that. As for your dr, I've never known a gyno who didnt perform their own ultrasounds or have the machine to roll in the room... the strings are brightly colored against the fleshy part of your vagina so they're easy to spot, perhaps she cut the strings really short or had an off day. If you have insurance they usually cover replacements but there may be a time limit unless she codes it differently... like for instance, if it did travel...but if you feel them then it's in place. (Mirena 5 yrs, Paraguard 10yrs, kyleena 5yrs, Skyla 3yrs. Etc)

Depending on your age you may have other factors that play a role in your premature bleeding but sometimes our bodies grow used to the hormones and adapt.
Profile picture of besarlalluvia
besarlalluvia
@besarlalluvia
12 Years500+ Posts

Comments: 800 · Posts: 826 · Topics: 6
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by besarlalluvia

i had the copper one in for 4 days before i removed it 🙈 it felt horrible

I had my first Mirena for a couple months before I gave birth to it. My gyno said if my body rejected the second one then we’d have to try something else. I’m glad this second one worked out.
click to expand



My doctors practically shamed me for wanting to remove it - due to waste of government money (social healthcare problems)

I would like to have the hormonal one like you have. Did you have to get the second one readjusted or did it work out straight away?
Profile picture of SagInTheSun898
SagInTheSun898
@SagInTheSun898
5 Years

Comments: 514 · Posts: 454 · Topics: 6
Posted by Jade_Alexander
Posted by SagInTheSun898
Posted by Jade_Alexander
Posted by SagInTheSun898
Posted by Jade_Alexander

What type of IUD do you have?

And if you survived it being inserted Im sure It will be okay.

I removed mine, myself...

WHAT——

Its not a big deal at all.

Find strings

Pull

Seriously? I mean I'd love to but I'm scared. Is Jr like pulling a tampon out?

Yup

Do it durning your period when cervix is open
click to expand



I won't die right? Or seriously hurt myself? lol
Profile picture of Whorpio
I can suck the bullet out of a glock on safety.
@Whorpio
8 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Comments: 2583 · Posts: 6184 · Topics: 141
Posted by besarlalluvia

My doctors practically shamed me for wanting to remove it - due to waste of government money (social healthcare problems)

I would like to have the hormonal one like you have. Did you have to get the second one readjusted or did it work out straight away?

It worked out straight away. My gyno prescribed me birth control pills for the first 6 months just to be sure I wouldn’t bleed it out or anything.

Shortly after I got it, skylena hit the market. It’s for women like myself who have never had kids before (apparently mirena is bigger in size so that’s why it gets rejected by wombs that have never been pregnant). So if you do get the mirena but your body expels it, ask for skylena. But definitely try mirena first because it has higher dosage of hormones so I feel like it’s more effective.
Profile picture of Whorpio
I can suck the bullet out of a glock on safety.
@Whorpio
8 Years5,000+ PostsScorpio

Comments: 2583 · Posts: 6184 · Topics: 141
Posted by Solaristic<

At 4 yrs it's starting to lose it's efficacy. That how many women realize their IUD needs replacing, they start bleeding again. So that's probably the cause of that. As for your dr, I've never known a gyno who didnt perform their own ultrasounds or have the machine to roll in the room... the strings are brightly colored against the fleshy part of your vagina so they're easy to spot, perhaps she cut the strings really short or had an off day. If you have insurance they usually cover replacements but there may be a time limit unless she codes it differently... like for instance, if it did travel...but if you feel them then it's in place. (Mirena 5 yrs, Paraguard 10yrs, kyleena 5yrs, Skyla 3yrs. Etc)

Depending on your age you may have other factors that play a role in your premature bleeding but sometimes our bodies grow used to the hormones and adapt.

It was Planned Parenthood that said I need to go somewhere else for the u/s; maybe they aren’t funded for things like that?

The original gyno who put it in me didn’t cut the strings; she said it would risk being sucked into my cervix and embedded if the strings were cut. I miss that gyno but she’s 100 miles away from me now 😐

Yeah the nurse was telling me my insurance won’t cover a removal/replacement since it’s only been 4 years, like you said there’s the stupid time limit thing 🙄

Sorta ridiculous though because I could go in one day and ask them to remove it saying “I wanna get pregnant”, then a week later go back asking them to insert a new one and it would all be covered.
Profile picture of Solaristic
Solaristic
@Solaristic
7 Years

Comments: 67 · Posts: 425 · Topics: 12
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by Solaristic<

At 4 yrs it's starting to lose it's efficacy. That how many women realize their IUD needs replacing, they start bleeding again. So that's probably the cause of that. As for your dr, I've never known a gyno who didnt perform their own ultrasounds or have the machine to roll in the room... the strings are brightly colored against the fleshy part of your vagina so they're easy to spot, perhaps she cut the strings really short or had an off day. If you have insurance they usually cover replacements but there may be a time limit unless she codes it differently... like for instance, if it did travel...but if you feel them then it's in place. (Mirena 5 yrs, Paraguard 10yrs, kyleena 5yrs, Skyla 3yrs. Etc)

Depending on your age you may have other factors that play a role in your premature bleeding but sometimes our bodies grow used to the hormones and adapt.

It was Planned Parenthood that said I need to go somewhere else for the u/s; maybe they aren’t funded for things like that?

The original gyno who put it in me didn’t cut the strings; she said it would risk being sucked into my cervix and embedded if the strings were cut. I miss that gyno but she’s 100 miles away from me now 😐

Yeah the nurse was telling me my insurance won’t cover a removal/replacement since it’s only been 4 years, like you said there’s the stupid time limit thing 🙄

Sorta ridiculous though because I could go in one day and ask them to remove it saying “I wanna get pregnant”, then a week later go back asking them to insert a new one and it would all be covered.
click to expand



Well maybe you should do that? Insurance is ridiculous.
Profile picture of besarlalluvia
besarlalluvia
@besarlalluvia
12 Years500+ Posts

Comments: 800 · Posts: 826 · Topics: 6
Posted by Whorpio
Posted by besarlalluvia

My doctors practically shamed me for wanting to remove it - due to waste of government money (social healthcare problems)

I would like to have the hormonal one like you have. Did you have to get the second one readjusted or did it work out straight away?

It worked out straight away. My gyno prescribed me birth control pills for the first 6 months just to be sure I wouldn’t bleed it out or anything.

Shortly after I got it, skylena hit the market. It’s for women like myself who have never had kids before (apparently mirena is bigger in size so that’s why it gets rejected by wombs that have never been pregnant). So if you do get the mirena but your body expels it, ask for skylena. But definitely try mirena first because it has higher dosage of hormones so I feel like it’s more effective.
click to expand



Ok I've never heard of skylena!!