Period late and can't find coil strings

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh]

I am on my 2nd copper (non hormonal) coil. Been in situ maybe 8/8.5 years. Had a smear a few months ago and strings were seen.

This month I've had a bit of very light bleeding (as if period about to start) throughout the month. Didn't think much of of it. Period was due Christmas day but never arrived. I use the flo app and once that got to 1 day late I tested with a clear blue digital test. Negative.

Today (4 days late) I thought I'd have a check for coil strings and I can't find them. I have a mild prolapse which makes it a bit trickier but I'm pretty sure I've found my cervix and there's absolutely nothing that feels like the strings.

I will test again as soon as I can (away currently) but has anyone had similar? I'm 39 so was wondering if things were starting to get a bit irregular dueto age but the coil issue is making me think it might be related to that

Oh and to add, leading up to Christmas I was ill for about month with a cold/flu/covid virus (I didn't test). That could potentially cause a delayed period but illness has never done that to me before

This happened to me, she's now 17!! My copper coil was out, my GP, said you can sometimes pull it out if you use tampons.

Oh no, I don't want another 🙈

I very rarely use tampons. Only if I am going swimming. Trying to think when the last time I used one was 🤔 Pretty sure it was prior to my recent smear.

The other thing I forgot to mention was every other time I've been pregnant I have known very early on. I would always feel pregnant way before a test would show. I feel absolutely nothing right now though.

My sister's coil moved. She got pregnant but didn't realise until 16 weeks. Her other 2 DC were 12 and 10. She thought her family was complete. Said DC is now an adult with 2 DC of his own. When he was born the coil came out tangled up in the after birth.

I'm going to try to get another test today then.

I will admit I was shocked about my surprise pregnancy, I already had a son and daughter, aged 12 and 10, but after I got over my initial shock, I embraced it, and she completed our family! But hubby got the snip when I was 7 months pregnant!!

I did want three at one point but at this age the thought of starting all over again fills me with dread