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Women's health

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Original poster

My IUD is 5 months out of date but I am so traumatised from when I got it inserted that I cannot get it removed.

22 replies

IUDRegret · 21/10/2023 15:11

5 years ago, I had an IUD inserted and it was one of the most horrendous experiences of my life. I suffered the most horrendous cramping, cervical shock, and had severe symptoms for 2 days. I could not stop vomiting, passing out and could barely walk. The doctor who did the insertion was a bit of a pr*ck too if I'm honest. Because of this I'm too scared to get the IUD removed, especially after being told by friends that removal was 100x worse than insertion.

I have tried to book an appointment for it many times, and whenever I ask for anaesthetic for the removal due to what happened, I genuinely get laughed at by the nurses saying that "they don't do that". Because of this I refuse to get it removed without pain relief. I don't ever want to experience cervical shock again. I haven't even gone for my first ever cervical smear test because of how horrendous I found it all to be.

I'm worried the longer I leave it in, I'll be at risk of a severe infection, but every time I try to go an appointment, knowing how painful it will be, I feel faint and unable to go, so I miss my appointment every time. I'm genuinely at a loss and didn't know where else to go to ask for advice.

OP posts:

2023shady · 21/10/2023 15:14

It's totally different to have it removed, I promise

I'm usually ok but the last one I had the reaction where you go faint/sick/BP drop etc
Removal is cough and it's out. Honestly like removing a tampon

I've had 4 and every time I think why am I doing this again before it's inserted, but the removal.. would have that done daily for a year if needed!

2023shady · 21/10/2023 15:15

This is also probably going to sound really stupid but the shock is from the insertion into your cervix. But removal is coming out - so it's like passing a period clot, your body doesn't bother about it

LunaTheCat · 21/10/2023 15:17

I put them in … I bloody hate it and only do so because they work well for a lot women.
Taking them out is easy.. take some pain relief before hand, ask the doctor to let you know when they are about to remove and ask you to cough… works beautifully. Also let them know about your previous experience.

Plankingplanks · 21/10/2023 15:17

Taking it out is fine. I pulled mine out myself in the end as getting an appointment was a nightmare! I may have been slightly drunk and sitting in a hot bath.

PosteriorPosterity · 21/10/2023 15:18

My insertion was similar to yours. Removal was a thousand times easier and I barely felt it.

assignedferretatbirth · 21/10/2023 15:18

Get a GP appt beforehand and ask for a couple of diazepam for the morning of the removal.

You'll be fine.

PosteriorPosterity · 21/10/2023 15:19

Also smear is not comparable to insertion of the coil.

Honestly I know how awful insertion was and I wouldn’t do it again, but I don’t bat an eyelid at a smear test.

theuntameableshrew · 21/10/2023 15:20

I had a coil embedded in my uterus wall (I have a bicornuate uterus). I didn’t want to wait for removal at hospital under ultrasound guidance as was suggested. It came out very quickly and easily at GP surgery. I had one terrible coil insertion and have since refused to see the GP who did it again-other female GP I now see was much more competent and capable in all things r/t IUDs.

Could you take a friend with you for support or be given some diazepam perhaps to help with the (understandable) anxiety about it?

audweb · 21/10/2023 15:20

Mine was stuck for an extra five years, so honestly nothing bad will happen. They just advise five years as the effects begin to wear off. Also, I got gas and air to remove mine as it was stuck, and it was absolutely fine. There are ways and means, it was not painful.

Wincher · 21/10/2023 15:23

I had mine changed recently- well, the copper one removed after 10 years and I opted for an IUD this time. As others have said, removal was super easy. Insertion was not pleasant - the device they use to clamp the cervix open is somewhat medieval - but I had a lovely nurse who held my hand and chatted away to me while the other nurse did it. But apparently the Mirena is now licensed for 6 years not 5 so you may not need to change it just yet. (I’ve gone for the kyleena which is still 5 years)

Ohthisisimpossible · 21/10/2023 15:23

I recently had a coil removal and replacement and because it had been so awful before, I was referred to the nurse at the hospital who gave me gas and air and a local anaesthetic AND a cup of tea, and I felt nothing. That is how this procedure should be!!

Wincher · 21/10/2023 15:26

Of course I meant I went for an IUS this time. Copper one is IUD.

BathroomCleaner · 21/10/2023 15:29

When I had my copper coil inserted it was so painful for 24 hours I was crying.
When i had it removed I felt nothing at all. Literally nothing. No painkillers used, it was just fine. I took the whole day off work for it too just in case.

PastTheGin · 21/10/2023 15:34

Removal is honestly not comparable to insertion at all. I have had 3 removals and every time I was surprised when the nurse said it was all done. Talk to your GP about pain relief and your anxiety about it beforehand, but don’t be scared.

Dahlia444 · 21/10/2023 15:36

Agree that for me removal was barely noticeable - have had 4 inserted/removed. Not sure why your friends have such different experiences. Also yes to the poster that said the shock is caused by something going into your cervix, not out.

I recently had some gynae interventions in hospital and at one stage they wanted to try a new coil to see if it helped my symptoms- they offered me to come back on another day for an insertion under anaesthetic - they said that was a service they routinely offered for people that need it. I'm sorry the nurses you have spoken to have been so heartless - no they probably don't do pain relief/anaesthetic in your local surgery but they should be able to refer you to a clinic that would do it for you.

Oyen · 21/10/2023 15:40

I agree with others that removal is nothing like insertion. I had a horrendous time getting mine put in, like had a complete whitey afterwards, had to get a friend to come and fetch me, the whole works. So I was dreading getting it removed. But in the end it was fine. More than fine actually. Completely different process altogether. I did take a diazepam though - a friend who's a nurse gave me one. But even without that it was different. If you think that taking a tampon out is a 1 and having a smear is a 10, this would be a 2. At absolute most.

Does your surgery have e consult forms? Ours does and generally what happens is you fill in a form, they ring you and then give you an appointment. That would give you the opportunity to discuss your concerns beforehand.

LyricalGangsta · 21/10/2023 15:42

I am also in the 'pulled it out myself' camp. In the bath. One leg on the side.

Nicole1111 · 21/10/2023 15:46

I had a similar reaction to my first insertion but I literally felt no pain from the removal, which was a tug when I coughed. Also just want to add that having one inserted after having a baby couldn’t have been more different. I didn’t even realise they’d put it in. Finally please please please get your smear test done.

HowcanIhelp123 · 21/10/2023 15:54

I've had 2 and taking out didn't hurt at all. There was an odd pulling feeling that was strange but not painful and it was out.

OP, you really really need it out. It will no longer be effective. It isn't just infection risk, its more you could get pregnant and that would be insanely complicated with an IUD. High risk of ectopic etc. I know you're scared but for most its over in less than 30 seconds and doesn't hurt at all.

SameToo · 21/10/2023 17:29

I left mine in for 7 years over the removal date as also find the process traumatic. As far as I know I’m fine but I wouldn’t recommend it. There’s a reason you’re supposed to have it changed.

My friend is really susceptible to pain and they let her have gas and air for a smear.

androidnotapple · 21/10/2023 17:30

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. Removal is much quicker and easier so you really should be fine. The risks of a general anaesthetic really wouldn't be appropriate.

MaverickSnoopy · 21/10/2023 17:52

My IUD gave me an infection and even post antibiotics I was in agony. I couldn't sit without feeling like it was in the wrong place and I could feel it and probably could have pulled it out easily. I was too nervous to do that and the nurse took it out for me. The relief was immense and instant and I didn't experience any pain with it coming out.

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