What Happens If You Get Pregnant With An Iud
If you suspect you may be pregnant with either type of IUD, you should see a doctor immediately, says Felice Gersh, MD, an OB-GYN and Director of the Integrative Medical Group. That’s because a pregnancy with an IUD is more likely to be ectopic, which can be life-threatening.
“People can get pregnant and if that happens, there can be significant complications, so they need to be on high alert just in case something like that should happen to them,” Gersh says.
But sometimes it can be difficult to know if you’re pregnant with an IUD. For example, about 50% of women with the progestin IUD stop having their periods, which makes it difficult to determine if you might be pregnant. “It is really important to be aware that it can fail,” Gersh says.
What Is A Miscarriage
A miscarriage happens if a pregnancy ends spontaneously before its 20th week. At that point, the fetus isnt developed enough to survive outside the uterus.
If you get pregnant while using an IUD, the device increases the risk of miscarriage. If you want to stay pregnant, its important to remove the IUD early in pregnancy.
Sometimes, an IUD can slip out of place. If that happens, the risk of pregnancy is higher.
To check the placement of your IUD:
Contact your doctor if:
- you cant feel the IUD string
- the IUD string feels longer or shorter than it used to
- you can feel the hard plastic of the IUD coming out of your cervix
Your doctor can use an ultrasound exam to check the internal positioning of your IUD. If it has slipped out of place, they can insert a new IUD.
What Happens If I Get Pregnant With An Iud
The intrauterine device is one of the most popular and reliable form of reversible birth control on themarket. Its a small T-shaped device made of either copper or hormone-embedded plasticthat is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity and designed to preventfertilization. There are two strings attached that a doctor, advanced practicenurse, or physician assistant can use to remove the IUD when it expires , when a patient chooses to becomepregnant, or, in rare cases, when a complication develops.
About 10 percent of women choose this type ofbirth control because the risk of pregnancy is so low less than 1 percent peryear. Many women have an IUD placed right after delivery so they go homefrom the hospital with an established birth control method.
However, no form of birth control is 100percent effective. While rare, its possible to become pregnant while using anIUD. Such was the case for a patient I saw in the spring of 2018. She had anIUD, and when she took a home pregnancy test, it was positive. The patient camein for an ultrasound, and the reason for the IUD failure was obvious the IUDwas sitting in the cervix, not higher up in the uterus where it could have beenthree times as effective at preventing pregnancy.
In the rare event that pregnancy occurs whenan IUD is in place, there are risks to the patient and the pregnancy. Womenneed to seek care from an Ob/Gyn to reduce the risk of serious complications.
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Other Advantages Of The Hormonal Iud
Also, the hormonal IUD:
- Reduces heavy menstrual bleeding by an average of 90% after the first few months of use.footnote 4
- Reduces menstrual bleeding and cramps and, in many women, eventually causes menstrual periods to stop altogether. In this case, not menstruating is not harmful.
- May effectively relieve endometriosis and is less likely to cause side effects than high-dose progestin.footnote 5
- Reduces the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
- Does not cause weight gain.
Can You Get Pregnant With An Iud
It is indeed possible to get pregnant with an intrauterine device in place, because IUDs are not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. Around 1 in 100 women get pregnant while using one, according to clinical trials conducted with IUDs, and the outcome of the pregnancy varies, depending on the woman, the IUD, and the situation. Due to the fact that pregnancy is a potential risk with an IUD in place, it is important for women to keep track of changes in their bodies while using is form of contraceptive, so that a pregnancy can be identified in the early stages.
An intrauterine device prevents pregnancy either by preventing sperm from reaching the egg, or by altering the uterine lining so that fertilized eggs cannot implant and develop into fetuses, making it difficult to get pregnant. Copper IUDs accomplish this by secreting copper into the uterus, while hormonal IUDs release progesterone. These devices are actually the most effective way to prevent pregnancy after abstinence, with hormonal birth control failing in 1 to 2% of cases, with a failure rate which is even higher when the pill is not used properly.
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Do I Need To Remove My Iud If I Have Chlamydia
Notably, presence of newly diagnosed gonorrhea or chlamydia infection is not an indication for IUD removal. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends a preinsertion physical examination to evaluate for signs of cervicitis and screening tests for gonorrhea or chlamydia in high-risk women.
When Should I Have My Iud Removed
Get your IUD removed if:
- It has expired. Your doctor should be able to tell you how long the type that you have is supposed to last.
- You want to get pregnant.
- You’ve had side effects like heavy bleeding, severe headaches, or pain.
- You have a sexually transmitted infection.
- Your IUD has moved out of your uterus or has broken.
- You got pregnant while the IUD was in place.
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Falling Pregnant While On The Copper Coil Rebeccas Story
- Your stories
- Falling pregnant while on the copper coil Rebeccas story
When Rebecca fell pregnant whilst on the copper coil she experienced many difficulties, eventually giving birth at 23+3 weeks. Read her story here.
Eight years ago, I had my beautiful daughter Bonnie at full term. After having Bonnie, I decided to go on the copper coil but a few years later had the same feelings of morning sickness I did when I was pregnant with her. Unlike the Mirena coil, when you are on the copper coil, you still have your periods. When my next one was late, I took a pregnancy test. It was positive. I was in total shock and although the baby was not planned, a part of me felt like it was meant to be.
I didnt know anyone who had fallen pregnant while on an IUD so asked my doctor how the coil would affect the pregnancy. The GP was unsure and so I was booked in for a scan at seven weeks which revealed a heartbeat. The sonographer couldnt see the coil and so it was assumed that it had fallen out. I was told to return to the hospital for my 12 week scan.
At nine weeks, I had the first episode of heavy bleeding. Initially I thought I had a miscarriage and rushed to the hospital. By the time I reached the waiting area, I had lost so much blood that I passed out. When I came round, I was lying in a bed in the ward, attached to a drip with my worried partner sitting next to me.
In Rare Instances Its Also Possible For Your Body To Expel The Iud
This basically means it can fall out, leaving you unprotected against pregnancy. But dont get too nervous about this. Although theres not a ton of science on the subject, the available data indicate that this doesnt happen that often. According to the ACOG, expulsion happens in anywhere from 2 to 10 percent of all IUD users. This is most likely to take place soon after insertion, which is why that follow-up and checking your strings can be so important.
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Does Effectiveness Vary Among The Different Iuds
Effectiveness does vary slightly among all the currently available IUDs however, they all have an effectiveness rating of above 99% .
Good quality trials have reported the following:
- Paragard IUD: chances of pregnancy 0.8%
- Mirena IUD: chances of pregnancy 0.2%
- Skyla IUD: chances of pregnancy 0.4%
- Copper T 380A: chances of pregnancy 0.6%
- LNG-IUC: chances of pregnancy 0.2%.
Risks Of Becoming Pregnant With An Iud
Intrauterine devices small, flexible devices shaped like the letter T that are inserted into a woman’s uterus by a healthcare providerare one of the most effective reversible methods of birth control available. That said, around one of 100 women with an IUD get pregnant each year, with the highest risk occurring within the first year following the insertion.
While it is rare to become pregnant with an IUD, it does occur, and it is important to learn about the risks and complications associated with an IUD pregnancy.
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Is It Actually Possible
Yes, you can get pregnant while using an IUD but its rare.
IUDs are more than 99 percent effective. This means that less than 1 out of every 100 people who have an IUD will become pregnant.
All IUDs hormonal, non-hormonal, or copper have a similar failure rate.
Read on to learn why this happens, your options for emergency contraception, when to take a pregnancy test, and more.
Myth: Sexual Desire And Sexual Pleasure
Some couples do not want to use the IUD because they incorrectly believe that the IUD will cause inconvenience during sex, pain for the male partner because the strings will hurt the penis, or that using the IUD causes discomfort and pain for the woman during sex.
Fact: It might make you more relaxed about unintended pregnancies and enjoy sex even more!
There is no reason why an IUD should negatively affect sexual pleasure. On the contrary, being free from fear of pregnancy may allow both partners, especially the woman, to enjoy their sexual life.
There is no reason why an IUD should cause discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse unless the woman is already having cramps, which sometimes occur during the first few weeks after insertion. Sexual intercourse cannot displace an IUD.
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Does Iud Cause Weight Gain
Hormonal IUDs also list weight gain as a possible side effect. However, according to the Mirena website, fewer than 5 percent of women using it experience weight gain. If you choose to use an IUD, your doctor will have to insert it. You should regularly check to make sure the device is still in place.
How Will I Know When Im Fertile After My Iud Removal
You may be surprised to learn your fertility will be restored almost immediately upon IUD removal. The IUD has no impairment on fertility after it has been removed, as numerous studies have proven. It is true, however, that a female coming off any form of contraception will experience different effects on her hormones, periods, and fertility, albeit, usually only for a short time.
As a matter of fact, the IUD is one of the least disruptive ways to regain your natural fertility and start menstruating normally again. Some women even become pregnant during their first cycle without the IUD, as the hormones used to prevent pregnancy are removed along with the IUD itself.
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The Risks Of Pregnancy With An Iud
An IUD pregnancy comes with certain risks and complications. “You’re 50 percent more likely to miscarry if the IUD is left in place, so the recommendation is to let the pregnancy continue and remove the IUD,” says Dr. Sam. But you’re also 25 percent more likely to miscarry even if the IUD is removed, so your doctor will want to monitor any IUD pregnancy closely.
Getting pregnant with an IUD also come with a higher risk of ectopic or tubal pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the uterus . Ectopic pregnancies almost always end in loss of the pregnancy, and they need to be treated quickly to prevent permanent damage to the woman’s reproductive system. Your doctor will diagnose ectopic pregnancy with blood tests, pelvic exams, and ultrasound. If you have one, it will be treated with medication or surgery.
Who Can Get An Iud
Most people can use an IUD, including those who are young and those who have not had children.
Hormonal IUDs are a really good option if you have heavy or painful periods.
If you have an infection, you should get it treated before you get an IUD put in.
If you have heavy or painful periods you should not get a copper IUD because it might make them worse.
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How Do You Get Pregnant With An Iud
A IUD is a small T shaped device that a medical professional inserts into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It works by either releasing a small amount of hormones or using copper to create a hostile inflammatory environment that prevents fertilization and implantation. Many women choose an IUD as birth control because they are extremely effective and they can be left in for many years.
The Truth About Getting Pregnant When You Have An Iud
Getting pregnant with an IUD is exactly how things arent supposed to go. After all, if you decide to get an IUD, the entire point is to have an incredibly reliable form of contraception that allows you to control whenif everyou get pregnant. But getting pregnant with an IUD can happen in some extremely rare occasions.
Track athlete Sarah Brown knows this firsthand. In July 2016, just four months after giving birth, Brown was training in hopes of making the U.S. Olympic track team for the 1,500 meter run. Brown didnt plan to be pregnant while training for the Olympics, but her copper IUD failedjust as she was running her best race times ever.
I went from crushing workouts to, all of a sudden, in the second interval of a workout, I thought I was running in sand. Racing wasnt fun anymore, Brown told New York magazines The Cut in 2016 when she was training. It was really frustrating because we had concentrated so hard on doing things right, and I didnt feel like I had overtrained. It was like, Why is this happening? Whats wrong with me?
Brown eventually took an at-home pregnancy test that was negative, but a few weeks later, she went to see her doctor who determined that Brown was, in fact, pregnant. Browns IUD was removed, and her daughter was born in March 2016.
So, how likely is it that getting pregnant with an IUD will happen to you the way it happened to Brown?
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How Effective Are Iuds
Both hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. That means, fewer than 1 out of 100 people who get an IUD will get pregnant each year.
Moreover, one of the greatest things about IUDs is that they remain highly effective over whole time, theyre inserted White says.
That said, its still possible to get pregnant with an IUD, says Katie White, MD, associate professor of OB-GYN at Boston University School of Medicine.
Related Article Module: Why ectopic pregnancies are so dangerous and how to tell when you have one In some cases, if you become pregnant with an IUD it can result in life-threatening complications, like an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus, most commonly in one of the fallopian tubes. This can cause the fallopian tube to rupture, resulting in major internal bleeding.
Note:
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy typically include pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, lightheadedness, fainting, and shock. Seek immediate medical attention if you think youre experiencing an ectopic pregnancy.
Myth: Problems After Removal
Some couples do not want to use the IUD because they incorrectly believe that the IUD will cause infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage.
Fact: no increased risk of infertility
Good studies find no increased risk of infertility among women who have used IUDs, including young women and women with no children. Whether or not a woman has an IUD, however, if she develops pelvic inflammatory disease and it is not treated, there is some chance that she will become infertile. PID can permanently damage the lining of the fallopian tubes and may partially or totally block one or both tubes enough to cause infertility.
Fact: no increased risk of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage after removal
Because any pregnancy among IUD users is rare, ectopic pregnancy among IUD users is even rarer. An IUD does not increase a womans overall risk of ectopic pregnancy. In fact, an IUD users risk of an ectopic pregnancy is much lower than the risk to a woman who is not using any method of contraception. In the unlikely event of pregnancy in an IUD user, 6 to 8 in every 100 of these pregnancies is ectopic. Thus, the great majority of pregnancies after IUD failure are not ectopic. Still, ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening, so a provider should be aware that ectopic pregnancy is possible if an IUD fails.
IUDs do not cause miscarriages after they have been removed. If correct insertion technique is used, the use of an IUD will not cause any difficulty in future pregnancies.
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