regarding being cut by IUD

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
regarding being cut by IUD
16
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 11:54am
WOW, I just checked the message board about the post I put up about the patch and I was so supprised to see two posts asking about my husband being cut up from the IUD.

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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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 12:59pm
Hi meleighleigh,

“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

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2004
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 1:23pm
Hi Jill, Reading your comment I feel as if it is an attack. According to my Dr the #1 reason a women has the IUD removed is because The string cuts her partner. I am very surprised noone has ever brought up this subject. I am just giving my personal testamony and I belive it is something women should be aware of. I you don't belive me then read up on it for yourself!
Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 1:29pm
whoo thanks for clarifying that for me- I am considering the IUD, and that would be awful. I got worried when I read that post too. Thanks gain :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 1:59pm
Forgive me for answering on Jill's behalf, but I really don't think she was attacking you!!!

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2004
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 4:00pm
I agree, Jill was not attacking anyone. I think she was merely trying to understand the comments. If it is indeed, VERY common to be cut by the IUD that is definitely something someone considering one would be interested to know. I think she was just trying to clarify that!

Don't worry, nobody is attacking you and the information you put out there is good for us to discuss!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 04-05-2004 - 7:14pm
Hi meleighleigh,

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

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 8:58am
I have the same issue, only have never been cut. Thank you for the info, I will tell my SO. I feel it everytime we have entercourse in almost any position. I have found a few where I do not hit it, but it removes the ability to do any slow grinding. Which I and SO love. I have told her many times that I feel it, and I have even started a thread on the topic. I do not think it is the string I feel. I have checked it with my fingers, and found that it seems to be poking the wall of the uterus, causeing a large ridge behind her vaginal wall. I have been poked several times by it. I am going to advice her to get checked out, but I am also very much in favor of removal. I do not like the IUD and have never liked it. Regardless of how safe they claim it is, I still feel it can cause to much damage, and I do not like the Idea that it causes miscarrages as a form of BC.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 9:56am
Hi jeephead,

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

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 10:58am
It is not sharp, or actually poking through. Put your finger straight out, then put a cloth over it. That is how it feels. It may have to do with our last child, but I can almost feel the entire shape of the T. I am hoping she will have it removed as I do want another child and I do not want any permanent damage to come from this device. I was strongly against it from the beginning, and now my SO is less likely to listen to me, since I have asked her repeatedly to have it removed.
Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Thu, 06-03-2004 - 12:25pm
I really thing you should let your SO make her own decisions. She should go to her doctor to make sure everything is ok from what you have said. Pressuring her is the worst thing you can do, it is her body and she can decide on what for of BC is the best for her.

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