IUD question, working myself into a bit of a state, need advice please

[PanickingIdiot]

OK, the short version is: how do I know the damn thing is still in the right place?

Had the copper coil fitted 4 months ago, all's been well since, periods slightly wackier but nothing extraordinary.

I am now, however, working myself into a proper panic over not being able to check if it's still there. All the advice I've read about it said if you reach up with your fingers you should be able to feel the 'strings'. I've done this every now and then since it was fitted, but never felt anything remotely resembling strings there. I can feel the cervix but that's about it. I wasn't too worried though because my periods were so disctinctly different, I was completely sure the coil was where it was meant to be, doing its job.

Period now two days late. Not pregnant according to stick I've just peed on.

Please tell me to take a chill pill, or book myself in for a scan, or whatever's appropriate. Thanks.

Don't the strings soften over time? That might be why you can't feel them anymore (disclaimer: I haven't had a coil, but that's what I read when I looked into it a time ago).

oldschool.

Take a deep breath, call your GP surgery and get an urgent appointment with the nurse (Or CaSH if you had it done there) and get it checked.

It might be that they snipped the wires a bit close for you to be able to feel.

I think the doc mentioned snipping the threads when he fitted it, yes. I guess the small amount of excrutiating pain I experienced during the procedure might have prevented me from paying closer attention.

Waaaaah. I thought I found the holy grail of contraception, but if I have to go through this every time my period is a bit late I'll be ready for the funny farm soon.

TMI alert: I find that I can only feel the strings of mine if I put my thumb into my vagina whilst in a sitting/squatting position. If I'm standing or lying and trying to find it with my finger, I can't.

The best thing, if in doubt, is just to book a GP or practice nurse appointment and ask them to check.

Sometimes they sit around your cervix. If you can bear it squat over a mirror? Speaking from personal experience, it is the best form of contraception for me, and I hope you're ok.

They can coil around the cervix and they can retract up into the uterus too. Try squatting down, bearing down and having a rake around. If you still can't find them then see the doctor or nurse who'll do a quick internal. If they are still missing, you'll be referred for an ultrasound to see if it's still in your uterus. Merinas are more prone to coming out that the copper coils.

I've never been able to feel my strings (mirena) only dh could. Then couldn't anymore after about 3 months. So doc arranged a scan and thankfully it was still in place.

I'd your partner can't find then and you've tried fluffyanimal's technique then I'd pay your doc a visit.

Hey people - just wanted to say thank you for the replies.

After about a week's delay, three negative tests, massive panic and several sleepless nights later, period just arrived today. I was booked to see the doctor in two hours' time!

I guess there's no point in cancelling the appointment now, they're going to think I'm a timewaster anyway so might as well still go and ask wtf this was about.

Phew.

You should still go, they'll check it's in the right place for you. FWIW I haven't had a 'proper' period since I had mine fitted so them being all over the place is totally normal.