Pregnancy after IUD removal: What to expect & how long does it take?

What’s the IUD removal process like?

It’s normal to feel uncertain whenever a medical procedure is involved. The good news is getting your IUD taken out is a relatively simple and quick procedure. Here is what you can expect during and after your IUD removal.

Though the removal process may differ slightly depending on where you live, in general, a trained doctor or nurse can take out your IUD at any time. Here’s what to expect: your healthcare provider will use a sterile grasping tool to gently pull on the string, allowing the IUD’s arms to fold up and slip out. Sometimes (though rarely), the IUD doesn’t come out easily. When you’re at a medical facility, they will have the equipment needed to keep you comfortable while they remove it. Never try to remove an IUD by yourself.

It’s common to experience slight cramping during or shortly after the removal procedure. And for some women, some light bleeding may occur in the days after. To help relieve some of the pain, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever before visiting the doctor's office and even in the days after removing the IUD. 

How soon can you get pregnant after an IUD removal?

It’s possible to get pregnant as soon as your IUD has been removed. For some, this may be music to your ears. But for those who aren’t planning to put in another IUD and would prefer not to get pregnant, you’ll need to consider another contraceptive option. For most people, the menstrual cycle returns to normal within a month. Research suggests that many people typically become pregnant between three months to one year after getting the IUD taken out. This can be influenced by a number of factors, such as health and age.

Fertility return after using long-term methods like injections, implants, and IUDs is a common and important concern for people who hope to have a baby – regardless of whether today or one day. Many are interested to know: are you less fertile after having an IUD removed? One study puts these worries to rest, showing that IUD removal does not impair women’s fertility. With that said, your fertility journey is unique to you. IUD removal aside, other factors can affect how long it takes to get pregnant – a major one being age. 

• Age at removal is the one variable that influences conception rate
• The average time it takes for young, healthy women to get pregnant after IUD removal is 4.4 months
• 97% of the women in the study became pregnant within 1.5 years after IUD removal 

Even as we age, there is hope. According to the NHS, more than 8 out of 10 couples, where the woman is under 40, will conceive naturally within a year if they have unprotected sex 2-3 times a week.

Trouble getting pregnant after an IUD

No birth control is without its risks. It’s worth stressing that IUDs are an effective and safe contraception method. If you’re having difficulty conceiving, it may be unrelated to your previous use of the IUD. And if you’re considering pregnancy after taking out an IUD, you can rest assured knowing that the risk of complications is very low. 

Pregnancy complications related to IUDs:

• Pelvic Inflammation Disease (PID) is caused when bacteria cultures inside or outside the vagina are introduced into the uterus. While your IUD will not cause an infection, it can spread the infection.
• Pelvic infections are an uncommon side effect associated with IUD insertion that can occur occur within the first twenty days. 
• Though extremely rare, an IUD can puncture a small hole in the uterus during insertion potentially damaging the womb and making it difficult to get pregnant. 

No matter what method you choose, if you have worries or experience any symptoms linked to your contraceptive – like bleeding, fever, abnormal discharge, or pelvic pain – you should talk to your healthcare provider. Remember that everyone’s fertility journey is different and it takes some people longer to get pregnant than others. 

Avoiding pregnancy after IUD removal

Birth control is not one size fits all. While the IUD is highly effective, as with other hormonal or invasive birth control methods, it has its downsides. With side effects like increased period cramps, heavier bleeding, longer periods, and an impact on mood – it may not be the best choice for everyone. On the plus side, any side effects that you experienced while you had the device will go away once the IUD is out.

If you’re planning to remove an IUD but don’t want to get pregnant, you will need to use another form of contraception before and after your removal procedure. And remember, you have choices. Check out our post: Non-hormonal contraception methods to learn about your options for preventing pregnancy.

Finding the right contraception for you

You’re in control of your birth control. If you’re thinking about switching birth control methods, it’s always a good idea to talk to your reproductive healthcare professional to consider all your options. And if you’re looking for natural birth control without side effects, why not give Natural Cycles a try? 

Whether you want to prevent pregnancy today, plan for it one day – or follow the stages of your pregnancy, Natural Cycles provides support throughout your fertility journey. The NC° app offers three modes – NC° Birth Control, the only FDA Cleared digital contraceptive; NC° Plan Pregnancy, which pinpoints ovulation so you can get pregnant faster; and NC° Follow Pregnancy so you can track Baby’s growth every step of the way.