Can't Find Mirena Strings!??

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2003
Can't Find Mirena Strings!??
3
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 11:32am
I had the Mirena inserted last Tuesday. I know that I am supposed to periodically check for the the strings to ensure that it's still in place. The doctor did not even mention checking the strings, or how to do so. I knew before I had the Mirena that I would have to check for the strings though ... so just to get a feel for what I am looking for, I have tried to check for the string. I can't seem to be able to feel anything. Perhaps my fingers are not long enough, but I had DH try to check, too, and he did not feel anything either. So my question is, how easy or difficult is it supposed to be the check the Mirena strings? What should they feel like? How long should they or might they be? I wouldn't think that it has moved or been expelled or anything ... any advice or suggestions would be highly appreciated!
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2003
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 1:36pm
I can only sometimes feel my Mirena strings. Sometimes I can feel a lot of them, other times only just the ends of them. DH usually can't feel them at all. If I can't find them I squat when I'm in the shower so I can place my finger further up...sometimes it's that the strings were where my fingernail was so obviously I couldn't feel them til I turned my finger round (sometimes a bit tricky!!). They feel quite 'rigid' and 'wire-like' to me...probably not the best way to describe them but that's all I can think of!

It depends how long or short the strings were cut...mine I think were kinda long because I passed out just as they were about to cut them, so they had to hurry up whilst tipping the bed back etc to raise my blood pressure.

I wasn't shown how to feel them either, nor was my mum, I think they do that at the 6 week check (I've had my Mirena for 4 weeks).

If you're worried go to your doctor, but if you've got no other signs that you've expelled it, it's probably still there.

Hope that helps,

~Lys~

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 3:45pm
Hi pregnante, welcome!

You would almost certainly have felt it if you had expelled your IUD. Can you feel your cervix? If your fingers are short or your vagina is deep, squat and bear down as though you are having a bowel movement. That will push your cervix down toward the entrance to your vagina where it is easier for you to feel. The cervix is a solid conical projection at the back of your vagina and its tip feels like the end of your nose with a dimple in it. The strings will be coming out of the dimple and should be at least 2 1/2 cm long. When they soften the strings will often wrap around the cervix.

Another way to check would be for you to purchase a plastic speculum from a pharmacy and with a flashlight and mirror look at your cervix to see if you or DH can see the strings. If you or DH still can't feel or see them I would call your doctor, explain the situation and be guided by your doctor’s advice. Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 6:00pm
sometimes the position of the cervix can affect whether or not your strings are down enough for you to feel them....mine go "up and down" at different times of the month...