It sounds like a tempting shortcut. Maybe you’re fed up with the side effects, your insurance changed, or you just can’t get an appointment with your OB-GYN for another three weeks. You know the strings are there. You’ve felt them. So, the question starts itching at the back of your brain: can you take an iud out by yourself?
Technically, yes, you can physically reach up there and pull. But honestly, it’s one of those things where "can" and "should" are miles apart.
Social media, particularly TikTok, has seen a surge in "self-removal" videos. People squat in their bathrooms, give a tug, and celebrate their newfound freedom. It looks easy. It looks empowering. But these thirty-second clips don't usually show the person who ended up in the ER because they accidentally embedded a piece of plastic in their uterine wall.
The Medical Reality of DIY Removal
Doctors generally hate this trend. Dr. Jennifer Gunter, a board-certified OB-GYN and author of The Vagina Bible, has been vocal about the risks. The uterus isn't just a hollow balloon; it's a muscular organ that can be quite sensitive to sudden trauma. When a professional removes an Intrauterine Device (IUD), they use specific tools like long-handled forceps and a speculum to get the right angle. They aren't just pulling; they are aligning the device with the cervical canal to ensure it slides out without catching.
When you try this at home, you’re flying blind. You can't see your cervix. You’re relying entirely on touch.
👉 See also: How Much Sugar Are in Apples: What Most People Get Wrong
If the IUD has shifted or become slightly "embedded"—meaning the arms of the T-shape have poked into the lining of the uterus—a blind pull can cause significant tearing. We're talking about heavy bleeding and cramping that makes a period feel like a tickle. There's also the risk of the strings breaking. If you pull too hard and the strings snap, the IUD is now stuck inside with no way for a doctor to get it out easily. Now you're looking at a surgical procedure called a hysteroscopy just to retrieve a piece of plastic that should have been a simple office visit.
Why People Are Even Considering This
It’s easy to judge, but the "why" matters. Healthcare is expensive. In the United States, even with insurance, a specialist co-pay can be a barrier. For the uninsured, a removal might cost several hundred dollars. Then there's the "medical gaslighting" factor. Many patients report that when they ask for their IUD to be removed due to weight gain, mood swings, or cystic acne, their doctors dismiss them. They're told to "wait another six months" or that "the IUD doesn't cause those symptoms."
When you feel like you've lost autonomy over your own body, pulling it out yourself feels like reclaiming control.
I get it. It's frustrating to be told "no" about your own anatomy. But the risks of infection are real. Your bathroom isn't a sterile field. While the vagina isn't sterile anyway, introducing bacteria via your fingers or—heaven forbid—tweezers directly into the cervical opening is a recipe for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). PID isn't just a "bad infection"; it can lead to chronic pelvic pain and future fertility issues.
✨ Don't miss: No Alcohol 6 Weeks: The Brutally Honest Truth About What Actually Changes
What Actually Happens During a Professional Removal
Compare the DIY risk to what happens at a clinic. It’s usually over in about sixty seconds. Seriously.
The provider inserts a speculum, finds the strings, and tells you to take a deep breath and cough. That cough helps relax the pelvic floor. They apply steady, even pressure. The arms of the IUD (whether it's a hormonal one like Mirena or the copper Paragard) fold upward, and it glides out. Most people feel a quick "pinch" or a cramp, and then it’s over.
If the strings aren't visible, the doctor uses a tiny brush or a "hook" tool to find them. If you were doing this yourself and couldn't find the strings, you might panic and start digging around, which is exactly how you cause a cervical laceration.
The "Embedded" Nightmare
Let’s talk about the worst-case scenario. It’s rare, but it happens. Sometimes the IUD migrates. It can actually move through the wall of the uterus and end up in the abdominal cavity. If you have a "lost" IUD and you start pulling on what you think are the strings, you could be pulling against your own tissue.
🔗 Read more: The Human Heart: Why We Get So Much Wrong About How It Works
Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology suggests that while self-removal is successful for some, the rate of "incomplete removal" is high enough to be a clinical concern. If even a tiny fragment of the plastic or the copper coil is left behind, it can cause chronic inflammation. You won't know it's there until you start having weird spotting or pain three months later.
When It’s an Absolute Emergency
If you’ve already tried to remove your IUD and something went wrong, don't wait. Go to urgent care or your OB-GYN immediately if you experience:
- Sharp, stabbing pain that doesn't go away with ibuprofen.
- Bleeding that soaks through a pad in an hour.
- Foul-smelling discharge (a sign of immediate infection).
- Fever or chills.
- A feeling that you can "feel" the hard plastic of the IUD protruding from your cervix but it won't move further.
Better Alternatives to DIY
If you're reading this because you're desperate to get it out but can't find a doctor, look into Title X clinics or Planned Parenthood. These organizations often operate on a sliding scale. Tell them it's an "urgent removal due to side effects." Most clinics will prioritize a removal over a new insertion.
If your current doctor is refusing to take it out, you have the right to demand they document their refusal in your medical chart. Often, once a doctor realizes you’re serious enough to want that documented, they’ll suddenly find the time to perform the procedure. You deserve to have your concerns heard without having to resort to risky home procedures.
Actionable Steps for IUD Management
If you are currently struggling with your IUD or considering a change, follow these steps to ensure your safety:
- Check your strings properly: Wash your hands thoroughly first. Squat down and use your longest finger to feel for the "fishing line" texture at the opening of your cervix. Do not pull. Just confirm they are there.
- Track your symptoms: If you want the IUD out because of side effects, keep a 30-day log. Having data makes it much harder for a doctor to dismiss your request for removal.
- Contact a low-cost clinic: If cost is the barrier, search for "Federally Qualified Health Centers" (FQHCs) in your area. They provide care regardless of your ability to pay.
- Schedule a "Consultation" first: If you're nervous about the pain of removal, ask your doctor about a topical numbing agent like lidocaine gel or a paracervical block. Some doctors are now more open to providing pain management for removals if asked.
- Have a backup plan: If you remove the IUD (professionally or otherwise), remember that fertility returns almost instantly. If you aren't looking to get pregnant, have your next method of birth control—pills, patches, or condoms—ready to go that same day.
The bottom line is that while your body belongs to you, some maintenance is best left to someone with a high-intensity lamp and sterilized tools. It's about protecting your long-term health over a moment of convenience.