Remove Your Own IUD? Not as Far-Fetched as Some Might Think

Anne A. Moore, DNP, APRN, FAANP

The option of self-removal could encourage use of intrauterine devices.

Women might be reluctant to choose an intrauterine device (IUD) because of perceived lack of control over its removal. To assess experience, acceptability, and success of IUD self-removal, researchers conducted a study involving 326 women who sought IUD removal at one of five U.S. clinics. Participants completed a survey including questions such as reasons for desiring IUD removal, then were offered the option of self-removal and given how-to information. Afterwards, they completed a second survey about the removal experience (e.g., comfort, incidence of cramping, likelihood of recommending self-removal to a friend).

Among the 59% of women who were willing to try self-removal, 1 in 5 succeeded. Mean time to removal was 3.6 minutes. Women were more successful if the IUD strings were ≥7 cm in length. Overall, 58% of participants would recommend attempting self-removal to a friend.

Citation(s):

Foster DG et al. Interest in and experience with IUD self-removal. Contraception 2014 Jul; 90:54.