regarding being cut by IUD
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| Mon, 04-05-2004 - 11:54am |
No, the IUD was not expelled-I went in to have a physical about 3 weeks ago and YES it is VERY common for the string of the IUD to cut your partner. The string is attached at the end of the iud and hangs down the cervix so that the gynocolgyst could remove it easily and you are supposed to check the IUD monthly to ensure that it has not slipped or has been expelled. The string looks kinda like a thin clear fishing wire so you could understand how it would cut your partner. It did not cut him everytime- only during deep penetration, like when I was on top or other positions like that. I don't mean to be graphic but the reason I am surprised about these questions is this is the Birth Control message board and I am wondering if no one has ever brought this topic up before. It is something women should know if considering The IUD.
Like I said before I actually LOVED having it. I can't think of any thing to complain about other than the fact that it would cut my husband.
Oh and by the way thank you for your responses about the Patch. It will be very valuable to consider whether I will continue on it.

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“YES it is VERY common for the string of the IUD to cut your partner.”
Please share with us the basis for that comment? I think it is a function of a couple’s anatomies and the positions used as it is with the partner of a diaphragm user bumping its rim. It is certainly something a potential user might want to ask about, but VERY common? If the strings are cut very short, that can allow them to poke a partner. I have been a member of this board for 18 months and unless the IUD is being expelled it is uncommon to have the injury of a partner by the strings of an IUD mentioned.
Are your strings short where the ends can poke him? Or, are the strings long and wrapped around your cervix?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Jill
If your partner being poked during sex is "very common", it is something women should know about. However, in the time I've been reading this board, I've never read about that. Maybe, right at the beginning before the strings have softened, but not after that.
If you have further information on the topic, why not share it with other women?
It likely is an anatomy thing. Many people will tell you that neither partner can feel a diaphragm - when we used one (over 10 years ago) he hit it (hard enough to hurt us both) frequently. I would never post this as a common occurence though.
Please, share with us the information you have, we could all stand to be better informed.
Don't worry, nobody is attacking you and the information you put out there is good for us to discuss!
I'm sorry that you took my comments as an attack, they were not intended in that way and I apologize for having seemed to come across like that. It certainly does happen and if your Gyn said that was his or her experience, that's fine. I did research my original reply and could find nothing that indicated 'partner poking' is a ‘common’ problem. After reading your post I did further research and still could find nothing that suggested “the #1 reason a women has the IUD removed is because The string cuts her partner.”
In the cases that do occur there are usually solutions to the problem other than removal:
From Contraceptive Technology (17th Ed. 1998 P.534)
“4. OTHER STRING PROBLEMS
Condition / Action
1. Partner is irritated by strings:
a. Strings have short, sharp points coming from the cervix:
. Counsel the partner at the time of insertion that he may feel strings but they usually won't hurt him.
. Cut the strings shorter, carefully record their length, and inform the patient.
. Consider removing and replacing the IUD, leaving the strings longer.
b. Strings are long:
. Try cutting the strings shorter.
. Consider removing the IUD.
2. Strings are too long:
. Rule out expulsion by exam and by sounding the cervix.
a. IUD seems in place:
. Trim the strings.
b. Any doubt:
. Remove the IUD and replace with a new IUD.”
________________________________________
I also took the time to chat with a very experienced Gyn who said that in his practice he has never had to remove a properly positioned IUD because the strings were hurting the partner. He did say that in his opinion and experience the strings should be cut no shorter than 2 cm and preferably should be 2.5cm. in length. If the strings were cut too short and are poking him the only solution is removal.
It would be relevant to readers of this discussion who are contemplating using the IUD to tell us if your strings are short or long and if your doc has tried to adjust them.
If you like your IUD, and you said that you do, then perhaps you should consider getting a second opinion from another gyn. about your string problem before you have it removed. Just a thought.
Also, thanks for giving me a great idea for a poll of the membership to see what the experience of past and current IUD users has been.
I hope you are feeling better.
Jill
If there is a sharp object poking through the vaginal/uterine wall then your SO really needs to see her Gyn, quickly! Could it be the result of vaginal repair from a difficult birth? Scar tissue usually isn't hard though. IUDs have been known to perforate the uterus and migrate into other nearby organs. If that happens then in addition to a health hazard her IUD would not be an effective contraceptive. Often with a perforation there is considerable discomfort but not always. Let me stress again, if there is a sharp object pressing on or through the wall of her vagina or uterus she needs to see her Gyn immediately! Let us know how she’s doing, ok?
Good luck
Jill
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