There are lots of reasons you might choose to have your Intra Uterine Device (IUD) removed or changed. Don't try to remove the IUD yourself - contact Family Planning, or your doctor or nurse.  

HAVING YOUR IUD REMOVED 

If you're having your IUD removed because you want to get pregnant, the better time for it to be removed is during your period or just after your period has finished.  

If you're having it removed and don’t want to become pregnant: 

• don't have sex (penis in vagina sex) in the previous seven days before you have your IUD removed, or 
• if you're having sex, use condoms in the previous seven days before you have your IUD removed, or 

• you may be able to start your new method of contraception before your IUD is removed. If you're getting your IUD removed or changed you must not have sex, or have used condoms each time you’ve had sex, in the previous seven days before your IUD is changed. 

This is because, if you do have sex without a condom in the previous seven days before your IUD is changed and we're unable to put in a new IUD, there's a small risk that you could get pregnant.   

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT 

Although it's usually less painful to have an IUD removed than having an IUD put in, you may like to:

• Eat something before your appointment so you’re less likely to feel faint or dizzy.  
• We suggest you take pain killers one hour before your appointment - paracetamol (two 500mg tablets) and/or ibuprofen (two 400mg tablets). 

• Be dressed in comfortable clothes. 
• Most people go straight back to work/study/usual activities after having an IUD removed. In case you feel faint or have cramps afterwards, you might want to organise for a friend or family member to take you home so you can rest for a few hours. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT 

• An IUD removal appointment takes about 20 minutes.  
• It’s generally a quick process and is usually less painful than having an IUD put in. 
• Removing the IUD itself will take about 5 minutes.  
• An experienced nurse or doctor will take out your IUD by putting a medical instrument (speculum) into your vagina and then using a little tool to grab the threads of the IUD to pull it out. This might be uncomfortable for a few seconds. You might have some light bleeding afterwards.  
• Sometimes the IUD threads are not visible to the nurse or doctor. This can make taking your IUD out more difficult. You may need a scan to check if your IUD is still in place.  

• If you’re having your IUD changed (replaced with a new IUD), see Getting your IUD. 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT 

Most people go straight back to work/study/usual activities after the IUD is taken out. 

Use pads (not tampons or menstrual cup) for the first 48 hours after your IUD is removed. You can use tampons or a menstrual cup after 48 hours.

CAN I GET PREGNANT AFTER MY IUD IS TAKEN OUT? 

Yes. You'll be able to get pregnant as soon as the IUD is taken out. 

If you’re having sex and don’t want to get pregnant, you need to be using other contraception from before the IUD is removed. 

HOW DO I GET MY IUD Removed?

Make an appointment at Family Planning or talk to your nurse or doctor. 

CAN’T MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT? 

If you can no longer make your IUD appointment with Family Planning, or would like to reschedule, please contact your local Family Planning clinic, or complete our online appointment cancellation form.