Missing coil strings

[miarose22]

Hi,

I went to the GP today as I could not feel my Copper coil strings. I fell pregnant with the copper coil with my LG, who is 1 next month. I'm worried that the coil hasn't been a safe contraceptive and also how they're going to remove it without the strings. I've been referred for an infrasound to locate the coil.
Has anyone else had this experience? Shall I take a pregnancy test or just wait and see if I get my period?

TIA x

I'd take a pregnancy test.

When my strings went awol I had to take the mini pill alongside to make sure I was protected. The ultrasound/xray showed it was still in place so it was left in place until it expired

Sorry I forgot to mention that I can't have anything hormonal due to severe migraines. Hence the reason for getting the coil the second time round, after falling pregnant with it. I thought it can't happen to be twice - surely? 😂🤦🏻‍♀️

Is the mini pill also contraindicated for migraine? I thought it was only the combined pill that affected them.

I had this, and the ultrasound showed that it was correctly placed. Much more likely that the strings have just moved up than the coil having left your uterus, so I wouldn't panic.

They would usually remove it by just pulling the strings, but now they will have to clamp open your cervix like when they put it in, and fish around for it. Think it's an operation if that doesn't work.

Mine was removed under general anaesthetic which wasnt nice

@dementedpixie I have an unusual type of migraine that didn't improve until I had non-hormonal contraception. So tried the mini pill but wasn't for me unfortunately

I had this a few times my strings were wrapped around my coil. I had to go to the hospital to get it removed in the end. More hassle than they’re worth.

I have a scan next week so will hopefully have more answers then!

@miarose22
When you went in on the 28th did they do a speculum exam to see if the strings were visable?

@katieeacton yes they did. Unfortunately they couldn't see them x

I had the nurse and then gynae dept having a rootle about before getting it out under GA. Had ultrasound plus xray to locate it

My Mirena cool did a similar disappearing act - I was given an ultrasound that proved it was still up there, and later a hysteroscopy (camera through the cervix) to enable them to grab it and pull it out. It wasn't pleasant but wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds - I was advised to take two strong paracetamol an hour beforehand and was fine with some deep breathing techniques. Quite interesting to see the inside of my womb!

It was an hysteroscopy I had too but under GA