How long does it take for iud to get out of your system

· January 7, 2021 ·

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Having your IUD removed is usually fast, simple and painless. The removal procedure needs to be performed by your doctor to protect you from infections and serious injury. The procedure is the same for any type of IUD. No drugs or anesthesia are needed. Once it is removed, you can return immediately to your regular activities. Your menstrual cycle will return to normal soon after removal. How soon your period after IUD removal returns depends on the type of device you have.

What Should I Expect from IUD Removal?

During the removal procedure, your doctor will use a speculum to hold your vagina open and locate the IUD’s strings. Using forceps, your doctor will grasp the IUD strings and gently pull the IUD through your cervix, into your vagina and out of your body. Some patients experience cramping as it moves through the cervix, but the cramping usually resolves quickly.
The most common side effects of IUD removal include:

Pain and Cramping

The removal process causes some patients minor pain and cramping. It should last for only a day or two and resolve on its own. If you experience pain that does not go away or a fever, you should contact your doctor.

Light Spotting

Many women experience light spotting and even bleeding after removal. This is not a cause for concern and will resolve in a few days. However, if you experience excessive bleeding, contact your doctor.

Irregular Periods

After the removal of a hormonal IUD, your periods may be irregular for a few months. Then, your cycle should return to the way it was before the IUD was inserted. Your periods should return to normal almost immediately after removing a non-hormonal copper IUD.

Timeline of How IUD Removal Affects Your Period

Removing the IUD can affect the timing of when your period returns and how long it takes to return to your own normal menstrual cycle.
Your period occurs when your endometrium sheds away and exits your body through your vagina. With a hormonal IUD, the progestin hormone (levonorgestrel) in the IUD thins your endometrium.

As a result, your body has less endometrial material to shed and your periods are lighter and shorter. IUDs that last the longest contain the highest amounts of hormone. With higher levels of hormone, you are more likely to experience lighter periods or no periods at all.
A copper IUD has a different effect than a hormonal IUD on your menstrual cycle. You may experience heavier bleeding and longer periods with a copper IUD for a few months after receiving the copper IUD.
Many women experience a change in their periods after IUD removal. What you can expect depends on what kind of device you have and how it affected your menstrual cycle over time.

The Average Time After Removal

For some women, it can take three months after the IUD removal for your normal menstrual cycle to return. For most women, it returns almost immediately.

IUD Removal & Pregnancy

Once your IUD is removed, you are no longer protected against pregnancy.
To protect yourself against unwanted pregnancy, you can have your doctor insert another IUD immediately after removing your old device, or you can use another form of contraception altogether. You should discuss the various contraception options available to you with your doctor.

Talk To The Experts For More Infor On Period After IUD Removal

Removing your IUD is a medical procedure that needs to be performed by your doctor. All types of IUDs should be removed when their effectiveness expires. Upon removal, you no longer have protection against pregnancy, and your period will return to normal within three months. For more information about IUDs and how they work, talk to the professionals at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. They can answer your questions about safe and effective forms of contraception and schedule an appointment.

An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.

It releases copper to stop you getting pregnant, and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. It's sometimes called a "coil" or "copper coil".

At a glance: facts about the IUD

When inserted correctly, IUDs are more than 99% effective.
An IUD works as soon as it's put in and lasts for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type.
It can be put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant.
It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It's then possible to get pregnant straight away.
Your periods can be heavier, longer or more painful in the first 3 to 6 months after an IUD is put in. You might get spotting or bleeding between periods.
There's a small risk of getting an infection after it's been fitted.
There's a small risk that your body may push out the IUD or it may move. Your doctor or nurse will teach you how to check it's in place.
It can be uncomfortable when the IUD is put in, but you can take painkillers after, if you need to.
It may not be suitable if you have had previous pelvic infections.
It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you may need to use condoms as well.

How it works

The IUD is similar to the intrauterine system (IUS), but instead of releasing the hormone progestogen like the IUS, the IUD releases copper into the womb.

The copper alters the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive. It can also stop a fertilised egg from being able to implant itself.

If you're 40 or over when you have an IUD fitted, it can be left in until you reach the menopause or you no longer need contraception.

Having an IUD fitted

An IUD can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant. You'll be protected against pregnancy straight away.

Before your IUD is fitted, a GP or nurse will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb. You may be tested for any existing infections, such as STIs, and be given antibiotics.

The appointment takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and fitting the IUD should take no longer than 5 minutes:

the vagina is held open, like it is during cervical screening (a smear test)
the IUD is inserted through the cervix and into the womb

Having an IUD fitted can be uncomfortable, and some people might find it painful, but you can have a local anaesthetic to help. Discuss this with a GP or nurse beforehand.

Let the person fitting your IUD know if you feel any pain or discomfort while you are having it fitted. You can ask to stop at any time.

You can also take painkillers after having an IUD fitted if you need to.

You may get period-type cramps afterwards, but painkillers can ease the cramps. You may also bleed for a few days after having an IUD fitted.

Once your IUD has been fitted, you may be advised to get it checked by a GP after 3 to 6 weeks to make sure everything is fine. Tell the GP if you have any problems after this initial check or if you want the IUD removed.

See a GP if you or your partner are at risk of getting an STI, as this can lead to an infection in the pelvis.

You may have an infection if you:

have pain or tenderness in your lower abdomen
have a high temperature
have abnormal or smelly discharge

How to tell if it's still in place

An IUD has 2 thin threads that hang down a little way from your womb into the top of your vagina.

The GP or nurse that fits your IUD will teach you how to feel for these threads and check that it's still in place.

Check your IUD is in place a few times in the first month and then after each period, or at regular intervals.

It's very unlikely that your IUD will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads or think it's moved, you may not be protected against pregnancy.

See a GP or nurse straight away and use additional contraception, such as condoms, until your IUD has been checked.

If you have had sex recently, you may need to use emergency contraception.

Your partner should not be able to feel your IUD during sex. If they can, see a GP or nurse for a check-up.

Removing an IUD

Your IUD can be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse.

If you're not having another IUD put in and do not want to get pregnant, use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days before you have it removed.

It's possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUD has been taken out.

Who can use an IUD

Most people with a womb can use an IUD.

A GP or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you.

The IUD may not be suitable if you:

think you might be pregnant
have an untreated STI or a pelvic infection
have problems with your womb or cervix
have unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex

People who have had an ectopic pregnancy or who have an artificial heart valve must consult their GP or clinician before having an IUD fitted.

Using an IUD after giving birth

An IUD can usually be fitted 4 weeks after giving birth (vaginal or caesarean). You'll need to use alternative contraception from 3 weeks (21 days) after the birth until the IUD is put in.

In some cases, an IUD can be fitted within 48 hours of giving birth. It's safe to use an IUD when you're breastfeeding, and it will not affect your milk supply.

Using an IUD after a miscarriage or abortion

An IUD can be fitted by an experienced GP or nurse straight after an abortion or miscarriage. You'll be protected against pregnancy immediately.

Advantages and disadvantages of the IUD

Although an IUD is an effective method of contraception, there are some things to consider before having one fitted.

Advantages:

It protects against pregnancy for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type.
Once an IUD is fitted, it works straight away.
Most people with a womb can use it.
There are no hormonal side effects, such as acne, headaches or breast tenderness.
It does not interrupt sex.
It's safe to use an IUD if you're breastfeeding.
It's possible to get pregnant as soon as the IUD is removed.
It's not affected by other medicines.
There's no evidence that an IUD will affect your weight or increase the risk of cervical cancer, womb (uterus) cancer or ovarian cancer.

Disadvantages:

Your periods may become heavier, longer or more painful, though this may improve after a few months.
It does not protect against STIs, so you may need to use condoms as well.
If you get an infection when you have an IUD fitted, it could lead to a pelvic infection if not treated.
Most people who stop using an IUD do so because of vaginal bleeding and pain, although these side effects are uncommon.

Risks of the IUD

Pelvic infections

There's a very small chance of getting a pelvic infection in the first 20 days after the IUD has been inserted.

You may be advised to have a check for any existing infections before an IUD is fitted.

See a GP if you've had an IUD fitted and you:

have pain or tenderness in your lower abdomen
have a high temperature
have abnormal or smelly discharge

Thrush

There's some limited evidence that if you have an IUD fitted, you may have a slightly higher chance of getting thrush that keeps coming back.

Speak to a GP if you have an IUD and keep getting thrush. You might want to think about trying a different type of contraception.

Rejection

There's a small chance that the IUD can be rejected (expelled) by the womb or it can move (displacement).

If this happens, it's usually soon after it's been fitted. You'll be taught how to check that your IUD is in place.

Damage to the womb

In rare cases, an IUD can make a hole in the womb when it's put in. This may be painful, although sometimes there may be no symptoms.

If the GP or nurse fitting your IUD is experienced, the risk is extremely low. But see a GP straight away if you're feeling pain or cannot feel the threads of your IUD, as you may need surgery to remove it.

Ectopic pregnancy

If the IUD fails and you become pregnant, there's also an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Where to get an IUD

You can get the IUD for free, even if you're under 16, from:

contraception clinics
sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
GP surgeries
some young people's services

Find a sexual health clinic

If you're under 16 years old

Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.

If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents or carer as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given and the decisions you're making.

Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you.

The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse.

In these circumstances, the risk would need to be serious, and they'd usually discuss it with you first.

Page last reviewed: 30 March 2021
Next review due: 30 March 2024

How long does it take for IUD hormones to leave your system?

The hormonal IUD: As soon as a hormonal IUD is removed from your body, the hormones are no longer in your system. Expect menstrual cycles and ovulation to normalize within two months after the removal of an IUD.

What happens to your body after removing an IUD?

You should feel completely normal after getting your IUD taken out. You may have some light bleeding after IUD removal, and some slight cramping during and right after removal. Any side effects that you may have had while you were on the IUD will eventually go away after your IUD is out.

How quickly can you get pregnant after IUD removal?

Fertility can return immediately after IUD removal, so there is no waiting period for trying to conceive after removal. However, getting pregnant after IUD removal also hinges on the absence of other fertility issues not related to an IUD.

How long do symptoms of IUD removal last?

The Mirena crash refers to one or a cluster of symptoms that last for days, weeks, or months after the Mirena IUD has been removed. These symptoms are thought to be the result of a hormonal imbalance, which occurs when the body is no longer receiving progestin.