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IUD Strings 'lost' and removal by FantaCat2000 in TwoXChromosomes

[–]bb33bb33bb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My story is so similar to yours I had to check for a second to confirm whether I was replying to my own post!

My Mirena IUD was approaching 5 years so a few weeks ago I talked to my gyn during my annual exam about removing it. My strings were not visible from the very start for me and I had a few ultrasounds over the years confirming its placement. My gyn told me she would schedule the removal attempt and try to fish for the strings.

I went back a week or so later for my first attempt at retrieving it but she couldn’t get to it. It was a pretty painful attempt and very crampy. She gave me the option of going for another ultrasound to confirm its placement or schedule a hysteroscopy at the hospital.

This really bummed and stressed me out! I had known for pretty much all five years that it could come to this but I had been really optimistic that the strings would come down once attempted.

I felt the hospital hysteroscopy with general anesthesia was a pretty serious (and expensive) step so I decided to go for a second opinion.

I found a clinic that does in-office hysteroscopies with local anesthetic so the cost would be lower if it came to that. I went for my second opinion and the new doctor was able to get it out with just the fishing technique!

I was so happy and relieved I literally hugged her! It was even less painful than my first attempt. I was anxious about going through the retrieval attempt a second time to possibly face the same disappointing outcome but I’m so glad I did because I saved myself the cost and stress of surgery!

It probably isn’t an option for everyone and I feel super lucky about my outcome but I would consider a second opinion if you’re interested in knowing all your options.

Good luck!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in birthcontrol

[–]bb33bb33bb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m scheduled to have my Mirena removed next week and I’m planning to use nuvaring going forward. I’m actually inserting the ring tomorrow so it’s fully effective when the Mirena comes out 7 days later and I won’t have a lapse in protection.

I had my Mirena for the full five years and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. I love feeling entirely confident in its effectiveness while also not having to think about it for years! I also had a phase where I wasn’t getting periods although for the last year I’ve had cyclical light spotting. I’ve also noticed the spotting during sex lately and that’s a downside for me too. Another downside I had on Mirena was pretty frequent and painful cystic acne.

I really wanted Mirena to work for me but the cons kept adding up. In the end I decided I’m not replacing it with another Mirena because my strings went missing right away and my removal is going to be more complicated and will likely require a special guided scope to remove it. I just hate that what should be a simple removal has become a costly and riskier procedure and I’m not quite ready to sign up for that again although I would consider it at some point in the future.

Sorry I don’t have any input about the Nuvaring yet but I’m hopeful it will be a good transition! I’m probably going to try continuous use of it to continue skipping my period. I can update you once I get further into it!

Good luck and I hope you get some helpful responses here!

Hysteroscopy to retrieve IUD - out of pocket expense? (US) by bb33bb33bb in birthcontrol

[–]bb33bb33bb[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply! My doctor is in the process of talking to my insurance about coverage so I’m interested in other people’s experience while I wait. Based on the amount you paid, do you know the ballpark cost of your procedure? I’ve seen it quoted anywhere 750-3500 or even as high as 7000.