Mireana coil, nurse couldnt find threads at recent smear

[PickledChicory]

Panicking a bit. Just went for a smear and nurse couldnt find my threads for my coil. I check every now and then and go through spells of being aware of them. She said if I dont find them on my own soon I should book a scan. She said its probably fallen out or may be lodged and I may need surgical removal. Surly I would be aware if it just fell out! Anyone else been through this? Any tips to help look for the strings? Thanks so anxious

I had this not long after I got my coil. I had a scan and it showed it was still in position so they just left it there until it expired. Unfortunately when it expired I needed it removed under general anaesthetic as the strings still couldn't be found

Thanks for coming back to me. Though yikes on the surgical removal.

Hi Pickled
Usually (but not always) people do notice when their intrauterine devices/systems are expelled - although if it's expelled in the middle of a really heavy bleed it's easier to miss - however, presumably if it's Mirena you're not having heavy bleeds?
In the case of missing threads, if the device is definitely still in situ (eg. seen in the uterine cavity on ultrasound scan), it's often possible to get hold of the threads with a special pair of forceps just inside the cervix, without the need for a surgical removal or general anaesthetic. Failing that, a narrow plastic instrument called a thread retriever can be inserted further, into the uterine cavity (again without a GA - usually no more uncomfortable than having the device inserted) and sometimes that's successful at bringing the threads down enough to grab them. So having to go through GA etc is a last resort after all the simpler procedures have been tried!
Did the practice nurse do a pregnancy test/offer emergency contraception (if relevant) or advise you to use alternative contraception while you're waiting to find out whether the Mirena is still in the uterus?

@MiniJellyBeans

Hi Pickled Usually (but not always) people do notice when their intrauterine devices/systems are expelled - although if it's expelled in the middle of a really heavy bleed it's easier to miss - however, presumably if it's Mirena you're not having heavy bleeds? In the case of missing threads, if the device is definitely still in situ (eg. seen in the uterine cavity on ultrasound scan), it's often possible to get hold of the threads with a special pair of forceps just inside the cervix, without the need for a surgical removal or general anaesthetic. Failing that, a narrow plastic instrument called a thread retriever can be inserted further, into the uterine cavity (again without a GA - usually no more uncomfortable than having the device inserted) and sometimes that's successful at bringing the threads down enough to grab them. So having to go through GA etc is a last resort after all the simpler procedures have been tried! Did the practice nurse do a pregnancy test/offer emergency contraception (if relevant) or advise you to use alternative contraception while you're waiting to find out whether the Mirena is still in the uterus?

I had to go for a couple of attempts at removal in the gynae department at the hospital but they had no luck which was why I had to get a surgical removal.

I had to take the mini pill before my scan/xray just in case it was no longer there

Yes advised need to use condoms. I'm pretty sure still in place and no bleeding/periods which would suggest this. Ofcourse I could already be pregnant but dont really have any of my usual symptoms of this DH and I not been particularly active, plus Im old
Thanks both, feeling better now.

I've had this twice, had ultrasound to check is in place and it is. At last change had to have surgical removal but was easy (apart from was my first general anesthetic)