Anyone removed their own coil?

[OutOfBounds]

This article suggests it's possible to remove your own IUD

www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/features/iud-remove

I've been trying for a very very long time to get it removed and replaced.

I'm also wondering if I'm menopausal/peri and lack of periods with the coil (been in for 8+ years - mirena) are possibly masking symptoms?

I thought more a was only supposed to last 5 years? You’ve been waiting a long time!

Not done it but understand it is possible to do. There are risks though, including it getting stuck, so it’s best to get a doctor. Maybe threaten to do it yourself if the doctors won’t help? That may spur action.

Please don't do this! You could really hurt yourself.

Are you in the U.K.? If so, have you contacted your local GUM clinic?

I've only ever heard of people removing their own COIL in the US where there's a cost for a dr to do it.

Are your strings out? Mine often weren't

Thanks, yes I'm in the UK, local GUM no appointments- tried there a few years ago when my own GP weren't able to, long waiting list, got cancelled, appointment made again with my GP - covid cancelled all. GP not doing them at the moment, and no available appointments at GUM.

I've had other minor health issues which meant I haven't had this always high on my list and I figured if I'm not having periods I'm not likely to get pregnant. (And I'm too old!!)

I had mine removed in April, I nearly passed out with the pain as it was stuck. No way would i advise anyone to try remove it themselves.

@what2say

Are your strings out? Mine often weren't

They are quite far back and up so yes I think it will be quite a task anyway!

Ok - I'm well and truly put off that idea!

Thanks everyone

I just did it a couple of days ago. But of a fiddle to get grip of the strings but it came out really easily and not sore at all!!

@OutOfBounds my GP wasn't doing them either, but I ended up being referred to a family health centre after a few times of calling the receptionist and outlining my issues in incredibly graphic details. The family health centre fit me in the next day. Worth a shot?

I could only feel one string and mine ended up being also stuck, so I really wouldn't recommend trying to remove it yourself!

I needed a local anaesthetic to get mine out so I wouldn’t try it

After 6 months of pain, I wanted my coil removed. In typical NHS style, they weren't for it and kept telling me to persevere another 6 months Upon my threatening to remove it myself, I had an appointment within the week for removal.
So, if you find you are being ignored or struggling for an appointment I would suggest that tactic. I wasn't just threatening it btw, I absolutely would have given it a go considering how debilitating the pain from its presence was for me.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I did remove my mirena myself a few years ago. I had persevered through many months of awful sharp sudden cramps and was keep being told they didn't want to remove it. One weekend I decided I couldn't cope anymore and removed it myself, not really considering the risks ( not sensible, I know ) I was lucky, it came out easily and with very little pain. Relief was instant but I wouldn't recommend it to others incase it does damage.

Please don't!
I was in exactly your position earlier this year when no-one would remove mine either! Apparently, the person at my GP's who put it in, doesn't actually take them out anymore. Okaaay then.

I went to a private clinic in Birmingham where I paid £200 for a 3 minute procedure in the end.

My cervix went into spasm once after having mine removed, and it was horrendous.

There's no way I'd risk yanking one out.

Mine fell out, does that count? 😁

Similar but I had the implant in my arm. Same as you, symptoms etc etc. It completely destroyed my mental health. It was only when I phoned (again) after trying for nearly a year, and said ok I'll take it out myself then, I'm off to buy a scalpel (and I meant it) he said oh ok come in tomorrow and I'll remove it.

Call back and tell them if they don't do it you'll attempt it yourself. I bet they see you pretty quickly.

I had the same problem and eventually had to pay privately to get it removed

I took my copper coil out myself when I was utterly fed up of horrendous pain every month. It honestly slipped right out and I didn't feel a thing, but I know that is quite unusual/lucky for me.

@PossiblyPertunia exactly same with my Copper IUD. I feel like a different person after just two days of it out!

How utterly depressing that choice to remove a coil just isn't there at times.
I hope you can get seen soon, op.

My consultant said she would leave the strings/threads a bit longer so I could remove it myself if I wanted to. I still declined the coil, but I appreciated the offer.

Took my copper coil out myself this summer. Immediate relief in my head and side effects disappeared within a few days.
Squat, reach in, bear down, pull gently. Stop if it doesn't come smoothly.

@RubyTuesday70

My cervix went into spasm once after having mine removed, and it was horrendous.

There's no way I'd risk yanking one out.

Same here, I almost flew off the couch, swore and blasphemed. It only lasted a few seconds but boy it was painful (not as bad as getting it in though).

Poor Dr kept asking if I was sure I was OK.

That was at the sexual health clinic (I hate that contraception and sexual health are the same clinic and waiting room but that's another story).

Oh, and that was after 6 years as they've only just started removing them again as it wasn't a priority during the pandemic. I had to wait about 4 weeks to get an appointment.

@Nospringchix

I'm a bit embarrassed to say, but I did remove my mirena myself a few years ago. I had persevered through many months of awful sharp sudden cramps and was keep being told they didn't want to remove it. One weekend I decided I couldn't cope anymore and removed it myself, not really considering the risks ( not sensible, I know ) I was lucky, it came out easily and with very little pain. Relief was instant but I wouldn't recommend it to others incase it does damage.

I did the same a few years ago (I am a nurse though, I would never advise anyone else to do it!). Mine was giving me horrendous pains, around my ovaries, I am pretty sure it was ovarian cysts coming and going as nothing showed on scans. Apparently 12% of women get cysts from it, but they usually aren't symptomatic. It doesn't put me off recommending it to other women, but I always refer them straight back to have it removed as soon it it seems to causing issues. I wasn't listened to, the gynaecologist tried to tell me it was normal ovulation pains. I had been ovulating for several decades by this point and I knew what my normal ovulation pains felt like! Not bad enough to need codeine and have me in tears!