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

I'm ready to get my IUD out. Can I remove it myself?

You may be able to find some stories online about people removing their own IUD, but we wouldn’t recommend trying it. There just isn’t enough research at this point to know if it’s safe.

Plus, 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.

Want to learn more?

Select one of the related topics to find more.