Is it okay for me to take my own IUD out?

While some people choose to remove their own IUD, whether someone can successfully remove it depends on several factors, like the length of the IUD strings and the position of the cervix. If you try to remove your IUD and it won’t come out (or you can’t find the strings), contact a health care provider to help.

If you’re not happy with your IUD, going to your health care provider to get it removed will give you a chance to ask about other options for birth control. Or if you’re ready to get pregnant, you can talk with your provider about things you should do to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

Still not working?

If you’re not happy with the IUD but you’re not ready to get pregnant, you may want to consider a different kind of IUD (there are five!) if you’ve only tried one. If you want something that lasts for a while and is easy to use, the implant might be another good option.