That Time My IUD Fell Out

“Is that what I think it is?”

Clear as day.  There it was. My IUD, on a piece of toilet paper. I sat there in the bathroom (at work of all places) staring at it.

Panic set in.  When did the IUD fall out? How long had it been out of place? Could I be pregnant?  It was unlikely given where I was in my cycle, but my mind jumped to those stories of cycles that were wonky and surprise pregnancies! (Okay, okay…I’ve probably watched one too many episodes of “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant”).

After the shock wore off I dashed to call my gynecologist.  They indicated that IUDs can be inexplicably ousted from your womb (albeit, not very frequently…) after you’ve had it for 18 months.  I had certainly signed all of the pages of paperwork that told me this could happen, but I remember reading it and thinking, “How could anyone lose one of these and not know or feel it come out?”  Well, let me tell you – I get it.  If it wasn’t on a piece of toilet paper I may never have noticed.

Lucky for me, the very next day I got my brand new IUD.  If you’ve had an IUD implanted, well, it’s not a particularly fun or comfortable experience. And I’d been looking forward to the 5 years of not having to worry about getting another.

My doctor indicated that it was uncommon for an IUD to fall out a year and a half after insertion. She recommended an ultrasound to verify the placement of the new one and ensure nothing else was going on, and she ran a pregnancy test for good measure.  I’m happy to report that everything came out clear.

My period is still present (many women with IUDs stop menstruating) but much lighter.  I actually appreciate having the monthly reassurance that I’m not pregnant.  But my cycles are generally longer with the IUD, which sometimes makes me nervous, even if my monthly string check goes off without a hitch.  So, since this happened, I’ve peed on I don’t know how many pregnancy tests to quell my nerves.

So, why do I still opt for an IUD?  Because it’s the best contraceptive fit for me right now.  After taking the birth control pill for 10+ years, I have zero desire to go down that road again. We used condoms between our two children.  While that worked contraceptive-wise, my periods became incredibly heavy after my firstborn and even heavier after my second.  I also used to experience a monthly knock-you-on-the-butt brand of migraines.  Like clockwork, I’d suffer from a migraine the day before my period and often another during my period.  Now period-related migraines make an appearance no more than two to three times per year. And, I love not having to think about contraception choices for 5 years. (In theory at least..)  Oh, and spontaneous sex is a nice benefit too.

One day in the not-so-distant future I foresee my husband getting a vasectomy.  But to be honest, I will likely keep my IUD for the reasons listed above. I’ll take a lighter period sans migraines, over a super duper tampon plus a pad kind of period.

I may worry, but when I look back, no matter what form of contraception we have used through the years, I’ve always fretted a tad.  I mean, they made a whole show called “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant!” (Of which I’ve watched too many episodes).  But, short of that vasectomy, my level of worry likely won’t change no matter what we choose for contraception.  We’ve weighed the costs and benefits, and an IUD is the best choice for me ….even if I sometimes get anxious waiting for Aunt Flo’s monthly visit and walk out of the pharmacy with a 3 pack of pregnancy tests… just to be sure.