Question about IUD displacement
Hello! Sorry in advance for the long post. I had a Paragard copper IUD placed in July. Other than pretty terrible cramps the day of the insertion, I've had an amazing experience with it up until now. I had even considered making a post about how much I loved it. A few days ago, at the end of my most recent period, I noticed while checking my strings that I could feel hard plastic inside of my cervix, so I messaged my women's health doctor's office and scheduled an ultrasound. Today I heard back that the IUD is displaced and needs to be removed, with the option of inserting a replacement. For what it's worth I'm in zero pain.
During my last two menstrual cycles, I was trying out a menstrual disc the first time (Saalt small). I made sure to give the IUD some time to settle before trying the disc — I just used pads from July until October, when I started using the disc. The reason I'm making this post is to ask whether anyone has any idea whether I could have caused my IUD to move by using the disc. Could the disc have dragged/tugged on the strings during removal? I never felt the string in my grasp, but it could have gotten pulled on regardless.
Alternatively, is it possible the IUD was dislodged during sex, or that it was just misplaced from the start? I waited just over two weeks after placement before any kind of penetration; but during the first month or so that I started having sex again, I experienced pretty notable pain when my cervix was hit, which hasn't totally gone away but has improved significantly. I don't know if that could be indicative of the IUD being misplaced from the beginning, or if pain is to be expected after the trauma of insertion. I'm also just wondering whether I could have affected it by having sex too early and should have waited longer.
The biggest thing I'm mulling over is whether I want to try this again. If the displacement was caused by factors within my control, like using the menstrual disc, then I can just avoid doing that. I'm leaning towards just going back on the pill, because I don't know if I want to worry about this anymore (plus my acne has definitely come back, lol).
Sidenote; the receptionist who gave me my results over the phone also let me know that my ultrasound was potentially indicative of PCOS. I've had a cyst before, so it's it wouldn't be the hugest surprise, but definitely not what I wanted to hear. Planning on discussing it further with the doctor. Oh well.
TL;DR, is it likely that I did anything to cause my IUD to be displaced, or was it unavoidable? Is it very likely to happen to me again? I'm unsure whether I should give up on it or try again.
Posted Dec 4, 2025, 10:52 PM UTC