Your IUD can protect you against unwanted pregnancy for up to ten years, depending on the device you have. When you want to become pregnant, you need to have your IUD removed. You can have it removed at any time. Once it is removed, you may be able to get pregnant within the same month. How long does it take to get pregnant after IUD removal depends on the type of device you have and where you are in your monthly cycle.
The IUD Removal Process
The process for removing an IUD is simple and takes less than 2 minutes in most cases. Nonetheless, the procedure must be done by your doctor. If you try to remove it yourself, you run the risk of seriously injuring your pelvic organs.
Regardless of what type of IUD you have, you can have it removed at any time. It is important to have your IUD removed upon its expiration. Delaying its removal can complicate the removal process, can leave you unprotected against pregnancy, and can create some health risks to you. One very serious risk is that of an ectopic pregnancy, which can result if you become pregnant with an IUD in place.IUDs can be removed any time prior to the expiration if you wish to become pregnant or to change your birth control method.
To have your IUD removed, you need to first schedule an appointment with your doctor for the removal procedure. It doesn’t matter where you are in your cycle– you can have it removed any time of the month. No drugs or anesthesia are needed. It is faster and easier than having the IUD inserted. However, if you are prone to cramping or pain during your periods, you may want to take an over the counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen one to two hours ahead of time.
To begin the removal procedure, your doctor will first insert a speculum into your vagina and find the IUD strings. In some patients, the doctor will need to use a small brush or tool to coax the strings into view. Occasionally, the doctor will need to dilate the patient’s cervical canal to enable the removal.
Once the IUD strings are located, your doctor will grasp them using forceps, then gently pull the IUD down through your cervix. You may feel some cramping as it passes through your cervix, then through your vagina, and out of your body.
How Removal Affects Fertility
The removal procedure has no effect on your body’s fertility. Whether you used a hormonal IUD or a copper IUD, your menstrual cycle will return to normal within a few weeks. You become fertile immediately and can get pregnant when you next ovulate. If you are infertile, it is not due to the IUD or the IUD removal procedure. Infertility can be caused by disease or infections of the organs and tissues in your pelvic region and the scarring that if often leaves behind. Absent those conditions, your ability to get pregnant after using an IUD is the same as it was before your IUD.
Notwithstanding your immediate fertility, some doctors recommend their patients wait for a cycle or two after IUD removal before trying to conceive. By waiting, it is easier to track your cycle and determine the exact date of conception.
How Soon You Become Fertile Depends On Type Of IUD Used
Whether you are immediately fertile or not, how quickly you can become pregnant depends on the type of device you used.
Non-Hormonal IUD
After the removal of a non-hormonal, or copper IUD, your body will not need time to return to a normal cycle. The copper IUD did not use hormones to boost its effectiveness. Without those hormones, your body’s cycle was not affected by the IUD. Thus, you are immediately fertile. You may experience minor spotting and bleeding which can interfere with accurately timing the beginning and end of your cycle, but it has no impact on your fertility.
Hormonal IUD
Unlike the copper IUD, the hormonal IUD releases progestin hormones into your uterus Those hormones may temporarily interfere with the production of your cervical mucus and your body’s ability to release an egg. Therefore, how quickly you become fertile depends on the type of IUD you used, the amount of hormones it used, and the timing of the removal in your cycle. You may be fertile immediately, or it may take a week or two to become fertile. In most cases, you can become pregnant in the first cycle after removal.
Contact Raleigh Gynecology And Wellness For More Info On How Long Does It Take To Get Pregnant After IUD Removal
When you are ready to have an IUD removed so you can get pregnant, you need to consult with your doctor and get help planning the removal. With a little planning, you will improve your chances of getting pregnant right away. The professionals at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness are available to answer your questions and schedule an appointment for you.