Can't feel IUD threads / removal

[Ricorumi]

Panicking a bit here. I had an IUD fitted almost 7 yrs ago whilst living abroad. Was told by the Dr who fitted it that the IUD was good for 5-10 years.

Have since moved back to the UK and want to have IUD replaced (5-10 years is a bit of a margin!). Last night I tried to find the threads but couldn't.

With previous IUDs it's never been a problem, but I think the Dr who fitted this one must have trimmed the threads extra short, as I've never been able to feel them.

Am now worried that the Practice Nurse won't be able to find the threads and I'll end up needing to have it surgically removed.

Has anyone experienced similar, ie. can't feel threads, but was able to have a normal removal?

I recently went through this, the threads disappeared quite soon after I had it. I had to get it replaced as I use it for HRT.
I was referred to the complex contraception clinic where the doctor used loads of anaesthetic gel and used a thin long tool to locate the threads, removed the old coil and put a new one in.

It was totally painless because of the anaesthesia, was just like a smear and really quick because he really knew what he was doing.
Coil removal for lost threads has come a long way recently with surgical removal as a last result for coils that have migrated.

If the nurse can't locate the threads ask for a referral to your local sexual health clinic.