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One of the most popular means of protecting against unwanted conception of a child is the intrauterine device (IUD). Such a contraceptive is very effective, easy to use and has a long service life. Despite the numerous advantages, it is still sometimes necessary to remove the helix.
Indications for removal of the intrauterine device
Doctors advise women to install an IUD for a period of no more than 5 years. With modern spirals, you can walk up to 8 and even 15 years. To prevent complications, it is necessary to periodically visit a gynecologist to control the position of the spiral.
The indication for removal is the end of the life of the contraceptive. There are several types of IUDs: from copper (duration of use from 3 to 5 years), from silver with hormones (suitable from 5 to 7 years), from gold (worn from 10 to 15 years in the absence of contraindications).
Other indications for removal: the onset of menopause (one year after the last menstruation, the spiral is removed from the internal organ due to uselessness), pregnancy (during the use of a contraceptive in women, in rare cases, an ectopic conception of a baby may occur), displacement of the spiral or its partial loss (removed the old one and the new one is installed).
The IUD is also removed at the request of the patient if she wants to conceive a child or this method of contraception is not suitable for her. Medical indications for the removal of the spiral: pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding, the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the uterine cavity and ovaries, the development or growth of tumors and neoplasms.
Penetration of the contraceptive (growing of the spiral into the muscular wall of the uterus) is a complication that is an indication for the extraction of the spiral. When using the IUD for longer than necessary, it begins to grow into the tissues of the organ. It can also occur due to a violation of the contraceptive insertion technique.
Symptoms indicating the ingrowth of the spiral: deterioration of the woman’s well-being, constant fatigue, internal bleeding, heart rhythm disturbance, dizziness and fainting, skin pallor, pain in the lower abdomen.
The essence of diagnostics
An ingrown spiral can be diagnosed by a specialist after a hysteroscopy. The study helps to determine the state of the contraceptive and the degree of its growth into the walls of the uterus. Microsurgical intervention allows you to choose the tactics of removing the IUD and determine its location. If the spiral is located near other internal organs and large vessels, surgery will be risky. The patient is warned about all possible risks before manipulation.
Contraindications to hysteroscopy are: inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, uterine bleeding, pregnancy, cancer or stenosis of the cervix, vascular and heart disease, kidney and liver failure.
Features of removing an ingrown spiral
You cannot remove the spiral yourself, for this you should contact a qualified gynecologist. Before the procedure, the specialist will examine the patient on the gynecological chair and refer her for testing. Laboratory tests that a woman must pass before manipulation:
- Analysis of urine;
- blood test;
- smear on microflora;
- bacterial culture.
Ultrasound examination of the uterus and colposcopy should also be performed. After the doctor is sure that the IUD has grown into the patient’s organ, the doctor appoints the time and day of the operation.
Extraction is carried out in stages using local anesthesia. Sanitation of intimate organs is performed: the woman’s genitals are treated with antiseptic medicines. Dilators are placed in the cervix to facilitate access to the uterine cavity. Next, a hysteroscope is inserted through the neck, with which the gynecologist can examine the muscle walls in detail.
After the specialist detects the IUD, it is removed with sterile forceps or a curette. In the case when most of the contraceptive grows into the abdominal cavity, laparoscopy is prescribed.
If the spiral is located near the bladder, urinary tract and large vessels, laparotomy is indicated. At the end of the procedure, the doctor scrapes out the overgrown mucosal layer. The duration of the operation varies from 15 to 30 minutes.
If the threads of the spiral come off during the surgical intervention, the gynecologist will pull it out using a special hook. It is desirable to perform further extraction of the IUD under the control of ultrasound.
If an ingrown intrauterine contraceptive cannot be pulled out through the cervical canal (with infection or atresia), then the specialist removes it through the abdominal cavity. In this case, extraction takes place using laparoscopic methods under general anesthesia. After surgery, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, the doctor gives a referral for an ultrasound scan of the pelvic organs.
When is the best time to have the procedure
The operation is performed most often during menstruation, since during this period the external pharynx of the neck of the internal organ is ajar and the pulling out of the IUD will be more painless and soft. The most favorable days for the procedure are the first or last day of menstruation, when there is a minimum amount of blood discharge.
If the patient is worried about discomfort, discomfort due to the contraceptive, it can be removed any day. Some experts recommend removing the IUD on the 5th-7th day of the menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy after an ingrown contraceptive
The method of contraception does not affect the subsequent conception of a child. After a recovery period (2-3 months), a woman may think about becoming a mother. During this time, the mucous membrane (mucosal layer) will be completely restored and the microflora will be normalized.
If the patient has complications due to wearing a contraceptive, for example, endometritis, you should refrain from conception until the disease is cured. After a successful course of therapy, you can safely become pregnant. If a woman feels well, she does not have any contraindications, pregnancy can occur immediately after the removal of the IUD.
About complications of an ingrown IUD
The most common complications of an ingrown spiral are: inflammation, bleeding, chronic endometritis. Normal and acceptable symptoms after surgery are:
- aching pain in the lower abdomen;
- bleeding in small amounts;
- discomfort in the pelvic area;
- muscle cramps in the abdomen.
If the symptoms do not go away after 5-7 days, you should seek medical help from your doctor.
If purulent or brown discharge with an unpleasant odor appears, an increase in body temperature, a deterioration in health after removing the IUD, you should consult a gynecologist.
After a series of studies and diagnostics, the specialist will be able to determine what is the reason for the deterioration in the woman’s well-being and prescribe a course of therapy.
Post-operative care
After removing the ingrown spiral, a woman must follow simple rules; complete sexual rest is recommended for 3-4 days. You can not play sports and lift weights for 1-2 weeks, you must follow the rules of intimate hygiene.
In addition, you should refuse to visit baths, saunas, solariums and swimming pools for 1-2 months. The use of tampons is prohibited, douching should not be used as a method of treating diseases of the genital organs. The recovery period can take from 3 to 14 days.
The presence of a foreign body in the internal organ and a long period of wearing it can have a negative impact on the woman’s body. These are not only possible complications, such as ingrowth of a contraceptive into the wall of the uterus, but also inflammatory and infectious diseases and even rupture of the cervix.
The female body can react to the IUD in different ways, therefore, at the first sensations of discomfort and pain, it is worth visiting a gynecologist and undergoing an examination.