Having your IUD removed

If you're having your IUD taken out because you want to become hapū, it’s best to remove it during your period, or just after your period has finished.

If you're having your IUD removed and you don’t want to become hapū:  

• Don't have penis in vagina sex for the seven days before you have your IUD removed  
• If you're having penis in vagina sex, use condoms for the seven days before you have your IUD removed  
• Start your new method of contraception before your IUD is removed — check with us, your nurse, or your doctor, before you do this

Use condoms for the seven days before you have your IUD changed. If you have sex without a condom in the seven days before your IUD is changed — and we can’t put a new IUD in — there's a small risk that you could become hapū. 

Having an IUD removed is usually less painful than having an IUD put in. Before your removal appointment, it’s a good idea to: 

• Eat something — so you don’t get faint or dizzy   
• Take pain killers 1 hour before your appointment — 2 x 500mg paracetamol tablets and/or 2 x 400mg ibuprofen tablets  
• Wear comfortable clothes   

Most people are able to carry on with their day after having their IUD removed. Just in case you feel faint or have cramps afterwards, it’s a good idea to ask a friend or whānau member to take you home after your appointment — so you can rest for a few hours.  

• 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 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 replaced with a new IUD, check out our page on getting your IUD  

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

Expected:

• Some people may feel some pain, cramping, or dizziness when the IUD is taken out    
• You might have some light bleeding afterwards    

Unexpected:

• Pain in your lower tummy 
• Unusual or smelly discharge 
• Bleeding between periods 
• Really heavy or painful periods  
• Pain with sex 
• If your temperature is up AND you have any of the above 

If you have any of these issues, or if you think something doesn't feel right, contact us, or your regular health provider, as soon as possible.   

If you require medical advice outside of our opening hours, call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 anytime or get help from an after-hours medical centre or emergency services.

You can get pregnant as soon as your IUD is taken out.

If you’re having sex, and you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to start using another contraception type before the IUD is removed.  

Make an appointment with us to get your IUD removed. Your regular doctor or nurse can also arrange for your IUD to be removed.

It’s a really bad idea to try and remove your IUD yourself. Always get a medical professional to do your IUD removal.  

If you can’t make your IUD appointment, or you’d like to reschedule: contact us directly, or use our online appointment cancellation form.