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Original poster

Should I worry - can't feel IUD strings.

24 replies

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 08:15

I have been having period issues for a few years.

Tranxanamic didn't help and started mini pill December.

Periods just got longer and heavier and then didn't stop bleeding for 7 weeks except for 5 days when on northisterone. Started it again after 5 days off it but it didn't stop it that time.

Coil fitted Wednesday.

Other than some large clots weds night (TMI bit was very obviously thick lining as not any bleeding iyswim?) I've had no issues what so ever.

Checked Thursday and could feel stings and only checked as warned could come out with heavy bleeding.

Yesterday felt some slight cramping like period pain and it reminded me that I forgot to ask if I should carry on mini pill whilst I have Mirena and to contact GP Monday to ask.

Finish northisterone tonight to would start pill Monday evening.

So I decided that as contacting GP I ought to just check coil ok.

Checked last night in shower and cannot feel strings.

I have no pain and no bleeding. I have nothing to suggest coil has fallen out or is still in place.

I think I can feel a slight pressure on my cervix and maybe that indicates it's slipped?

Obviously I need it checking out and Dr Google tells me slipping isn't an issue and it can be moved back into place.

So my question is am I ok to wait until tomorrow and ring GP about this rather than ring 111?
The information I had said contact GP or 111 if out of hours but isn't clear whether it's at anytime or if 111 is solely if there's actually anything to be concerned about (pain/discharge etc)

Sorry for the boring thread on a Sunday morning

OP posts:

SummerPoppies · 09/08/2020 08:26

I've never been able to feel the strings on mine OP.
I've just checked with my husband and he says he rarely feels them.
I've had it installed for 17 years ( obviously changed ) and being unable to feel them doesn't seem to pose any issues, particularly for removal when it's being changed.
Don't worry, it's fine.

SummerPoppies · 09/08/2020 08:29

Also adding that now and again I get a bit of cramping in that area, but it's just the uterus cramping at what should be period time.
Like you, I had it fitted for heavy periods, of which I've never had since. Heaven.

CaptainMyCaptain · 09/08/2020 08:32

I had an IUD and could never feel the strings.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 08:33

I could feel strings on Thursday.

But I think the reason I'm bemused or confused is I've no reason to see why it would have fallen out (apparently you get severe cramps as it's expelled).

There's nothing to concern me iyswim? But I do want to know it's still there because if it isnt want them to put another one in!

So I've no need to worry about contacting for a GP today? A simple catch up tomorrow with my own gp who fitted it and knows my history will be fine?

OP posts:

RosieLemonade · 09/08/2020 08:44

I don’t see why you need to contact the GP at all? I sometimes feel a slight pressure in my cervix from mine but I’ve never thought it might have slipped.
If they strings were always in a position where they could be felt then surely that would be uncomfortable for you or your partner during sex.

SunshineThelma · 09/08/2020 08:48

The strings do get softer - to start with they're really wiry, but they bend more and curl around the cervix so will feel different from when it was first fitted and might not feel so obvious. I was a bit taken aback after mine was fitted at how spiky they were, but much less noticeable (and therefore trickier to check) now.

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 08:58

@RosieLemonade

I don’t see why you need to contact the GP at all? I sometimes feel a slight pressure in my cervix from mine but I’ve never thought it might have slipped. If they strings were always in a position where they could be felt then surely that would be uncomfortable for you or your partner during sex.

I'm single. I don't have the sex test sadly!

OP posts:

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 08:59

@SunshineThelma

It's only been in since weds! Do they soften that quickly?

I can't feel them at all. However when I found my cervix and touched it I did have a slight contraction in my uterus which made me think it's probably still there and maybe slipped?

OP posts:

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 09:02

The reason I asked is because the info from GP was to contact them or 111 if you can't feel the strings.

I can't. It's also now so could have expelled as I know it's higher risk in first few days and weeks.

But because there's. I thing that makes me think anything is actually wrong I thought I'd better check I wasn't being too lax waiting for a discussion with GP.
I'm have history of ignoring medical issues until they are serious!

(I once flew home from a holiday where I'd been admitted to hospital and saw GP as they'd advised me to on return as they felt I may need surgery. I was very . I was in and out of surgery 5 hours after seeing the GP )

OP posts:

Nordstrom · 09/08/2020 09:09

Just a cautionary tale...

I couldn't feel my strings (and neither could the nurse when I went for a check up). Turns out it had perforated my uterus and so I had to have surgery!

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 09:25

@Nordstrom

Just a cautionary tale...

I couldn't feel my strings (and neither could the nurse when I went for a check up). Turns out it had perforated my uterus and so I had to have surgery!

Yikes! Hope you're ok now?

I'm assuming you also had no symptoms or else you'd have sought medical advice?

The information sheet I had did say contact GP or 111 if I can't feel strings.

I was just hoping it could be something I did tomorrow rather than try and worry about 111 today?

I will contact GP. For a start I need to also ask about mini pill again after northisterone finishes this evening.

OP posts:

Nordstrom · 09/08/2020 09:30

Not really. Just cramps and a bit of bleeding on the day of fitting. I felt a bit faint and went to bed for a while (thought it was normal as was told to expect some cramping) My cervix was quite closed and they said the insertion was a bit tricky - no kidding!!

It was around 6 weeks later it was declared missing. Located via x-day eventually.

BernardsBum · 09/08/2020 09:34

Try to feel for them while sitting on the toilet. Clinic recommended it when I couldn't feel mine.

Nordstrom · 09/08/2020 09:34

That said - I believe it's a very rare thing to happen! Factors increasing the risk are previous c-section and current breastfeeding (due to hormones). Both applied to me.

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 09:40

I had a c section (16 years ago in 2 weeks )

I felt strings Thursday whilst sitting on loo.

Tried loo again last night when I couldn't find them in the shower.

I think there's such a wide ranging outcomes from it's still there and fine, still there and slipped, MIA or fallen out as I have no concerning symptoms it's worth just contacting GP and seeing what they think.

From sensible google sites it looks like they'll just check it's in position and re position if it's moved.

Although if it's not there it sounds like they'll send out a search party before they assume it's fallen out

OP posts:

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 09:40

And I didn't just go a bit faint.

I actually passed out when mine was fitted

OP posts:

minnieok · 09/08/2020 09:58

Can't feel mine - was told many can't

Sparkletastic · 09/08/2020 10:01

Can't feel mine at all. My uterus is apparently a long way back

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 12:50

I think my uterus may be high up. It's certainly tilted and I didnt dilate when I had ds hence the EMCS.

OP posts:

yikesanotherbooboo · 09/08/2020 13:02

It's not an emergency but you should speak to the fitter as they will need to check whether it is still in place . There is a chance it has fallen out , that the strings have coiled up inside your cervix or unusually that the device has perforated your uterus. This needs to be clarified but the most likely scenario is that it is in the right place and that the strings are just difficult to feel.

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 09/08/2020 13:10

Thanks yikes that was my interpretation of the situation and just wanted to check I wasn't downplaying it!

I'll speak to her tomorrow.
Is it a procedure that require nurse and GP again to check or something that she can just do herself and therefore could offer an on the day appointment?

GP only works Monday and Wednesday and those 2 days the following week are mine and da birthdays so would rather not be having an appointment those day!

OP posts:

yikesanotherbooboo · 10/08/2020 08:44

Probably just a normal appointment and then if there is any uncertainty a scan

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 10/08/2020 09:05

Thanks.

I've rung surgery and GP will ring me back at some point today.

I'll fill you in on if it's there or done a burton and MiA when I know

OP posts:

Original poster

itsgettingweird · 10/08/2020 11:13

Nothing exciting to report!

GP is sending off for me to have an ultrasound. Just got to wait for appointment.

Any guesses how long that'll be?

Ds had to have an x ray a few weeks ago (to check a long term issue) referral received Monday and appointment was made for the Tuesday afternoon.

But no one was told apparently texts go out 48 hours in advance. The first we knew was when GP had the no show complaint from hospital 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP posts:

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