Can you remove your IUD at home? YES! You can!

[Kylee W Moore]

Okay, lets start this with me saying that I am BY NO MEANS a doctor. I was NERVOUS about doing it myself... but I was SO sick of the weight gain, the mood swings, the feelings of being pregnant... etc. etc. etc. 
 

I called the doctor about a month ago, and they had a waiting list for 3-7 months to become a regular patient for my OBGYN again. She is a very popular doctor, and I wouldn't trust anyone else with birthing my babies. I love her, and so do a lot of other women (look at that waiting period!) Frustrated at the waiting time... I decided to call planned parenthood... I don't have insurance, but I figured they would be a LOT less expensive. I called and was told the procedure is $100.00 upfront... and I can make payments for the rest? WTF? Planned parenthood... All you have to do is yank the T shaped birth control from my uterus through my cervix through my vagina. Really!? $100.00 + for that!? I paid less to get the damn thing inserted. 

Anyhow, I started reading up online about how to remove the Mirena IUD by myself, or with the help of my husband. 

So, today was my last straw... after weeks of extreme fatigue and phantom kicks without a "YOU ARE PREGNANT" HPT result, I decided today after being nauseated, exhausted, grouchy, moody, and incredibly bloated I decided today is the day that this IUD comes out. 

Now, If I would have paid $100.00 + for this procedure in the doctors office, I'd be pissed as hell, and it would have been a complete and utter waste of money (for me). Everyone can have a different experience, but for me... easy as pie. I honestly believe that some doctors instill the fear of having a problem to the point of women fearing the removal whether it be in the doctors office or on your bed. 

If you want to know how I did it, I shall tell you... Don't take my advice as anything other than a woman fed up with this piece of plastic. 

First off.... if you are overweight, like... myself... Don't try any other way than lying down. Trust me when I say... I tried just about every other way.  

Lay down on your bed, lean over and insert item A into item B (A. Hand, B. Vagina)  Go as far back as possible and locate the string. 
(If you can't find the string... go to the doc or ask your significant other to help you...)  Once you have located the string, make sure you have a decent grip... Don't try to pull in order to get the grip.... it is a slippery sucker... so do your best to get a firm hold without yanking. Now... slowly... SERIOUSLY... slowly... pull gently on the strings and you will notice that it slips out VERY easily. Keep going slow... It doesn't hurt... and in about 15 -30 seconds... There it is... a 3/4" little T shaped device with a string in the palm of your hands.

I have felt slight cramping... and very, very little spotting. The cramping is not enough to get any pain meds... but you can still notice it. 

IF YOU DON'T HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE -- DON'T DO IT... I'm just letting other women know that it is possible...and I AM JUST FINE. I will post back tomorrow, and continue each week. 

GOOD LUCK! 

[grahamsmom98]

Um, so who "installed" the IUD in the first place?  If you don't have insurance, how were you going to pay a specialist (OBGYN)? 

[tillymonster]

Lol mama you are brave and I totally understand your issues.

I got the mirena iud 4m ppt. It was a horrific experience. I gained 10lbs. In 3 weeks. I also have a thyroid disorder I just found out about and guess what? The thing prob made it MUCH WORSE. The mirena IS NOT compatible with breastfeeding. The hormones are no different the the pill. Outrageous how they market it!!! I had all the same symptoms + anxiety and a racing heart. With a 4mo. It was horrific!

I had no insurance either but I was low income enough to get it in for free but they pulled the "next appt. is in 1mo" garbage. Found anyone I could at my OBGYN to take it out. I was so desperate!

I'm glad you got it out. It really was that easy! Hope you feel better!

[jeepmama]

I'm having big issues grabbing ahold of it. My husband is not comfortable pulling it out. I'm becoming increasingly desperate to get the darn thing out. Any suggestions ladies?

[Aa1000]

Hi! If you haven't done it already, disposable gloves worked for me. I was able to locate the strings from a seated position (toilet). Gloves gave the grip I needed. Once I grabbed hold, I just maintained steady traction, like removing a tampon. No pain and no bleeding. Like many before have said, don't try if you can't find the strings or if you have pain. As far as fear factor, it is not very large and very flexible. Mine still had a T shape when it came out...the arms should just fold up when pulled. Good luck!

[Plentyofkids]

I was in the medical for 13 years. I have had 2 morena removed by a doctor. This time, after reading up online and you tube- I simply went to the bathroom. Knew that if it hurt or pain, I would go into the ER. To my delight- I pulled gently and slowly, like removing a tampon and laughed - it came right out. No pain, just showed my friend and laughed. Always have a plan but it really is that simple!!!

[rylee koch]

My husband is coming home on leave in a week and I have had my iud in now for almost 3 years. 

We are wanting a 2nd child and I didn't want my iud to effect that to happen.  I decided to do it myself tonight after reading some stories of women doing it themselves.  I relaxed my pelvis and layed back and found the string immediatly.  I then pulled gently and the iud came out with no pain what so ever. *with a little wine :) and determination you can do it perfectly yourself* I am hopeful to say that I am going to have little side effects and possibly be a momma when my hubby comes home!  I am not looking forward to another period but it was worth taking it out myself then having to pay a 100 dollars at the doctors.  This might not be for everyone, but it worked for me!  Good lucks ladies!

[Desperate117]

I had my IUD inserted 1/2012 at my follow up after giving birth. I wasn't completely sure what it was our it's symptoms but didn't want to give up the chance of birth control for 5 years. I have had the worst experience, breast tenderness, phantom kicks, mood swings and weight gain. But weight gain had to be the worse after months and months of trying to shed that baby weight I came across this blog. I gathered my strength(I think we fear it because we don't see how small it is when it goes in) and I removed it myself at home in my bathroom. It took a couple tries don't give up. It is flexible and smaller than your pinky, so just relax, find the strings( I pulled on it a little with one finger to straighten them out. Once I had a string located I reach up with my thumb and pulled it out.i promise you it does not hurt, it's so simple I wish I had done it sooner.Now I can't wait to get back to my old self.

[MadelinesMama]

This thread is a bit strange.  So many new people just dying to give details on removing IUDs. 

[Sharlla]

ive pulled out 3 iud's, no problems at all

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by MadelinesMama 

This thread is a bit strange.  So many new people just dying to give details on removing IUDs. 

welcome to MDC lol

[smiles4]

thank you for that i have been wondering if i was able to do it my self or if it would hurt because i dont want to pay so much just for them to do the same and me and my husbend have been thinking about another child so thank you for that its hepful information!

[BeckyBird]

Originally Posted by MadelinesMama 

This thread is a bit strange.  So many new people just dying to give details on removing IUDs. 

I thought it was strange too.

[PFGES4Varneys]

Hi I want to say thank you for everyones advise about taken out the IUD.Well I had mine in fora year and i really hated it.I started off with the pills and said I would try to see if it worked well my soon to be husband said whan you first met me you were skinny and now you look fat and I new i did.I ended up going to the doctors office and thay relized i was ganing waight and thay said I was eating to much whan i new I did not eat so much then what thay were saying i was.Well I would go to the doctors office and my waight would be 270 to 280 pounds it sucked to have thoes pounds on me.Well tonight I ended up lookng online and taken the advise and went to my toliet an pulled out my IUD.It was fast,simple and easy to do.All you have to do is take deep breaths and find the string pull very slow and boom its out.It took me like 10 seconds and boom pulled it out with a deep breath.It does not hurt at all but after it is out you do feel a little cramping and it goes away wihin an hour or two.I felt very uncomfortable with it in.Iv been going 5 months without intercourse and there would be times we did for 2 das and that was it for 5 more months and again but my soon to be husband understood and still loved me no matter what.Whan I took it out it felt much better and not feeling bad everyday.The symptoms whan I had it in were-Gaining the waight,feeling sick to my stomach,My breast hurt really bad,Bad stomach cramps,Lowe back pain,Blood that was blackish in my stool and pee,Feeling tierd all the time etc.My stomach started swollen up whan i had the IUDin and now my stomach went back down hurrraaayyyy.It is so possibale to do it at home and not have to pay nothing only free and a little bit of cramping its all worth it.The doctors can lie to there patients alout and not tell the truth all of the time so make shur you ask before putting any IUD in side your utares.The doctors told me that I will nothave any periods whan i have the IUD and i would be bleeding like crazy for 3 days and then turn slower then spotting.I new that the IUD was doing harm from the beging.A long time ago i had a pap smear and it turned out that the doctors said I had a chance of having cervical cancer well since my other pap smears its all been normal exapt the time whan it was adnormal.The doctors told me that the IUD would not suit me then well liers.Well my soon to be husbands frainds wife has an IUD and she is pregnent and the hospital and the doctors wont tke out her IUD so her and my husbands fraind has taken the doctors to court to see what option sh as to ave hers and the babys life.All I have to say is BECAREFULL THANK ABOUT THE BABIES FIRST AND NOT JUST YOURSELF.WARE A CONDOM ITS NOT INPORTANT YOU HAVE THAT DARN IUD STILL PUT IN, THAT CONDOM IS TO PROTECT THE SPERM OF THE BABYS AND ALSO TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GETTING INTO THAT SAME SITUATION PLEASE.Ow also after you pull ou the IUD yourself beaware you will past alout of fire from back behind just a heads up.Bye and god bless everyone and god loves you all.

[MadelinesMama]

Originally Posted by PFGES4Varneys 

Hi I want to say thank you for everyones advise about taken out the IUD.Well I had mine in fora year and i really hated it.I started off with the pills and said I would try to see if it worked well my soon to be husband said whan you first met me you were skinny and now you look fat and I new i did.I ended up going to the doctors office and thay relized i was ganing waight and thay said I was eating to much whan i new I did not eat so much then what thay were saying i was.Well I would go to the doctors office and my waight would be 270 to 280 pounds it sucked to have thoes pounds on me.Well tonight I ended up lookng online and taken the advise and went to my toliet an pulled out my IUD.It was fast,simple and easy to do.All you have to do is take deep breaths and find the string pull very slow and boom its out.It took me like 10 seconds and boom pulled it out with a deep breath.It does not hurt at all but after it is out you do feel a little cramping and it goes away wihin an hour or two.I felt very uncomfortable with it in.Iv been going 5 months without intercourse and there would be times we did for 2 das and that was it for 5 more months and again but my soon to be husband understood and still loved me no matter what.Whan I took it out it felt much better and not feeling bad everyday.The symptoms whan I had it in were-Gaining the waight,feeling sick to my stomach,My breast hurt really bad,Bad stomach cramps,Lowe back pain,Blood that was blackish in my stool and pee,Feeling tierd all the time etc.My stomach started swollen up whan i had the IUDin and now my stomach went back down hurrraaayyyy.It is so possibale to do it at home and not have to pay nothing only free and a little bit of cramping its all worth it.The doctors can lie to there patients alout and not tell the truth all of the time so make shur you ask before putting any IUD in side your utares.The doctors told me that I will nothave any periods whan i have the IUD and i would be bleeding like crazy for 3 days and then turn slower then spotting.I new that the IUD was doing harm from the beging.A long time ago i had a pap smear and it turned out that the doctors said I had a chance of having cervical cancer well since my other pap smears its all been normal exapt the time whan it was adnormal.The doctors told me that the IUD would not suit me then well liers.Well my soon to be husbands frainds wife has an IUD and she is pregnent and the hospital and the doctors wont tke out her IUD so her and my husbands fraind has taken the doctors to court to see what option sh as to ave hers and the babys life.All I have to say is BECAREFULL THANK ABOUT THE BABIES FIRST AND NOT JUST YOURSELF.WARE A CONDOM ITS NOT INPORTANT YOU HAVE THAT DARN IUD STILL PUT IN, THAT CONDOM IS TO PROTECT THE SPERM OF THE BABYS AND ALSO TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM GETTING INTO THAT SAME SITUATION PLEASE.Ow also after you pull ou the IUD yourself beaware you will past alout of fire from back behind just a heads up.Bye and god bless everyone and god loves you all.

wow..

 

[jenniferlynne]

I call BS on this whole thread.  What's up with all these new 1-post members coming in here to tout the advantages of removing your own IUD?  WTF?  Is this some trolling campaign from the anti-IUD folks out there?  Are there anti-IUD groups out there?  

[Sharlla]

ive seen LOTS of threads over the years where people have asked if they can remove their own IUD.    maybe someone will find this thread informative.

[BDprincess19]

I had the mirena put in when I was 14 and and it's coming close to the take out date. My neighbor took hers out by herself and I was curious about removing it and so I researched it. After reading about it I decided to remove it myself tonight and it was extremely easy. No trouble at all I had a lil cramping feeling after but it goes away after you sit down.

[erees1130]

I love ur article. I just removed mine 5 min ago from reading various articles. I've recently moved to a new town where I have struggled finding an OBGYN who will give me more than 5 min their office. While feeling that I've suffered with all pregnancy symptoms since being on the iud, I got fed up tonight and decided to take it out myself. I found mine very easy to remove. NO I'm not a Dr. And YES I recognize my risks. I personally feel it worked for me. Thanks for ur article!

[erees1130]

No, it just appears this article is geared toward people who have struggled with it. I have a best friend who loves it and wants to keep it. I just didn't personally have good luck with it like her.