can`t find iud threads

Hello,

I have had my iud in for about 3 weeks, just started my first period, day one crampy but not too bad. Problem is I have not been able to find my threads for a couple of days, hubby found them a couple of days ago but nothing since. I read somewhere that your cervix `changes shape` during your period and can make threads harder to find. Does anyone know anything about this?. Obviously I will need to see my dr if they don`t reappear but I don`t want to seem as though I am panicking.

Any thought, tips appreciated.

Tammy

I know that the greatest risk of expulsion is in the first 3 months after insertion and after a period. When you're on your period, the cervix is usually low, so right after should be the easiest time to find them. I've checked mine a few times but have decided to only limit it to once a month because I went through quite an ordeal each time. I joke that it would alot easier if I were a Olympic gymnast. Anyway, I'm sorry that I can't give you much insight as to why you can't find them. I say check again at the end of your period. If you still can't find them, check with the dr.

tea ali,

I know exactly what you mean, i have tried all manner of positions and cannot find the threads anywhere!. I did start to bleed a bit which i thought was my period but it stopped the following day so I think I was mistaken. I am due to see my GP next week for a check as I will not settle until I know everything is ok.

Thanks a lot for your advice, sounds like the right idea.

Tammy

The threads are fairly stiff and you should be able to feel them if you put your finger up right next to your cervix. They are snipped off very close to the cervix when the IUD is inserted, to be as unobtrusive as possible. Make sure you are checking ALL THE WAY up at your cervix. These are not like tampon strings... they are very short and you need to put your fingers in all the way to your cervix to find them.

Also, there's no reason to limit yourself to checking (once a month, or whatever). The strings are always there. I've found that the more often I check, the more reassurred and more comfortable I am. You just have to make sure you're looking deep enough. Since the strings (which are actually plastic) will poke your partner, they are snipped as short as possible. They just barely come out of the cervix, just enough for a surgical instrument to grasp if removal is ever an issue.

Firestorm,

Thanks for that, but still no luck. I know that the Doctor did leave the strings quite short as she told me at the time.

I have actually felt them but only a couple of times over the past 3 weeks.

I think I need to get more confidence.

Tammy

I've had my IUD for about 4 weeks and I've checked 3 times. I guess as you do it, you get an idea of the unique positioning of your uterus and where things are and it becomes easier to find the strings with time and practice.

tammy,

I went to my dr for my follow-up today. He said that my strings had gone up into my cervix! I guess he pulled them out with a tweezer (I couldn't see because of the position I was in). It was a little uncomfortable, but no pain. Mine are cut quite short, about 1cm. This kind of scared me, because I checked them last week and they were there. Dr says this is normal.

Also...Dr said that my uterus had shifted, which caused the strings to move up.

I checked yesterday and my threads are gone. I guess gyn didn't pull them out of my cervix like I thought he did. How am I supposed to live with this thing if I don't know for sure if it's there or in the right position?!! I'm seriously considering getting it removed and going for a tubal, which was my original choice. Gyn said I should come back at my annual check-up and he'll check it again. That's four months from now! I'll be calling him to question all of this.:-(

Advice to anyone getting an IUD---Ask your gyn to leave the strings long.

Tea ali,

It is your cervix that moves higher and lower throughout the month. During your period and for a few days after your cervix is much lower and easier to find. I have most definitely found that this is the case.

I have decided not to bother trying any other time of the month as it just causes me too much anxiety.

I hope things improve for you, I have found the last few weeks quite unsettling as I am still getting used to relying on this for birth control, also I don`t seem to have had a proper period yet.

Good luck,

Tammy

my dr. never mentioned anything about checking for strings. He doesn't tell me much. he never told me to come back anytime soon for a check up on the iud.

Hi, Amber.

I don't know how long you've had it, but checking the strings allows you to make sure that it's still in place. The strings help your dr with checking it and also with removal. Not being able to locate the strings could mean that it has been expelled (which could be possible without you knowing) or it could have moved to another position in your uterus or abdomen (which is rare). If it's not where it should be, then you have no protection. In my case, I think my dr cut my strings too short, so I can't check it myself. I'm going to talk to him about possibly getting a new one with longer strings. If everything looks ok at your follow-up appointment after insertion, you should be ok until your annual gyn check-up. My dr told me that I should be checking it atleast after each period. I think you should have a talk with your dr.

Amber,

Also, if you have any itching, burning, estreme pain with fever, etc., contact your dr right away as these could be signs of infection.

I was getting ready to call my gyn tomorrow about getting a new IUD due to my missing threads and I decided try checking one last time. Lo and behold, I was just barely able to feel the ends of my threads sticking out, so it seems to be in the right place. I guess it is easier to find them right after your pd. They were cut very short so I guess that makes a difference too. I haven't been having any major side effects, so I'll try to stick with it a little while longer.

Hi all ladies on this page. I have new iud, only fitted 5 days ago. My period has stopped but I haven't found strings yet and have also done the gymnastic bit to locate them! I will persevere though. Thanks to all of you anxious ladies out there.

newtoiud,

As you can see, there are so many different ranges of experience with the IUD. I hope that your experience will be a good one.:~)

Tea ali,

Well, although I've only been on it for 6 days, I feel better already. I hope its not psychological but i feel in a lighter mood. Oestrogen has had quite some effect on me over the last couple of years so doing without it will hopefully help. And no ... I still can't find the strings ... will get there eventually no doubt. Thanks for chatting.

newtoiud

Glad to hear things are going well for you, don`t worry about your threads, I can never find mind until my period starts and just after, apparently your cervix is lower then and it just makes it easier, I would definitely agree with this.

I only my iud fitted just over 6 weeks ago, I have had my first period and it was not particularly painful and just slightly heavier than normal.

Good luck to you