How Long After IUD Removal To Get Pregnant: IUD Qs Answered

Getting rid of your IUD is often the first step in the journey to getting pregnant.

But how long after your IUD is removed are you able to get pregnant? Some IUD users will experience a delay in time to conceive because the device is so effective as a form of birth control that prevents unwanted pregnancies.

If you have the copper IUD or hormonal IUD, you will have to get it removed if you're trying to conceive. Your period could start again within days or weeks after you remove the intrauterine device, or it might also take a little bit of time for your uterus to get back to normal.

Read on to find out more about trying for a baby after removing your IUD. And if you want to know more about what to expect while you're expecting, then check out this piece on early pregnancy anxiety, or find out how many days after your period you can get pregnant.

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There are three main types of IUDs: copper, hormonal and copper-hormonal. While it varies from person to person, each lasts between three and 10 years.

The majority of people have the copper ParaGard IUD which lasts for up to 10 years but the Mirena, which is another popular hormonal IUD lasts for up to seven.

When your OB-GYN tells you to remove your IUD, they will likely recommend how long after removal you will need to wait before you can try for a baby.  Some women are advised not to wait longer than six weeks after removal, while others may wait until 12 weeks have passed since their removal date.

The Mirena IUD is the only one of the main types of IUD that can stop or reduce periods completely within three to six months. Some women get reduced periods straight away while others keep getting their period for longer and then one day it will just stop suddenly.

Some women find that once they have had their Mirena in place for a few months, they stop getting any periods at all, especially if their periods were already very light. This is not uncommon.

There are no side effects on your hormones if this does happen, you simply are not having periods any more and you may become pregnant straight away without waiting once you have your IUD removal.

Bleeding is usually light and irregular in the first few days or weeks after your IUD removal, and it's very unlikely you will experience any bleeding at all for the first month or so. Any bleeding that does occur will either be completely light and stringy or lighter and more flowy.

Heavy periods (those that cause you to lose a lot of blood) are possible after any type of IUD removal but they are most likely to happen after Mirena, ParaGard, Liletta, or Skyla removal.

As you can have your IUD removed at any time in your menstrual cycle, you can experience different levels of bleeding depending on what stage you're at. It can actually take up to three months for your normal menstrual cycle to get back to normal.

If you are worried about heavy bleeding, consider waiting a little longer to start trying to conceive after IUD removal to be extra sure you're ready for pregnancy. Always check with your doctor or a medical professional if you are worried about the amount of bleeding you experience after removing IUDs.

It is possible for pregnancy to occur when you have the Mirena IUD in, but this is extremely unlikely. The chance of pregnancy when you have this form of contraception is less than one in 100, as the Mirena is 99% effective as a form of birth control.

In between 2-10 % of all people with IUDs, the device can slip partially or even fully out of the uterus, which is often not noticeable at all and can mean that you aren't protected against unwanted pregnancy.

With hormonal IUDs like Mirena, there are some rare instances where you could get pregnant because the IUD hasn't started to work yet. Mirena and Skyla, and other types of hormonal IUD can take anything up to seven days before they actually start to prevent pregnancy. Your doctor will advise you to use a condom or another type of contraception to prevent pregnancy during this window.

The copper IUD, Paragard is one of the intrauterine devices that protects immediately against pregnancy, so if you're worried about that risk then it's a good idea to ask your doctor if the copper IUD could be right for you.

Another reason that your IUD might be ineffective is if it remains in use after the FDA-approved expiration date.

Cramping is, unfortunately, a completely normal side effect that most people will experience after their OB-GYN inserts their IUD. It can last for anything from a few days to weeks or months after insertion and can feel a lot like menstrual cramps. Some women also experience aches in their lower back.

If you've had the copper IUD inserted, then you might experience even more cramping. After a few months, your uterus should get used to it, and the cramping will subside a bit.

The Mirena IUD increases bleeding and cramping during your period which normally subsides after the first year or two with the Mirena. Some women find it helps to take ibuprofen before bedtime for three or four days around their period

Cramping after IUD insertion and during your period can be very uncomfortable. There are a few things you can do to relieve that crampy feeling: exercise regularly, try changing the position you sit in, or even take a warm bath.

Some bleeding and spotting is another normal side effect of getting the IUD put in, which can last for up to six months after the insertion. This should become lighter as time goes on.

With hormonal IUDs, it's perfectly normal to experience longer and heavier periods than normal during this time and spotting in between periods too.

You might be able to ovulate straight away after IUD removal, but on average it can take between 10 to 12 days after you remove your IUD for you to start ovulating. For most couples, it takes around four to six months of trying to conceive. After around one year of trying to conceive after removing the IUD, around 85-90 % of couples will be successful.

Most women who have had an IUD for several years will get their period back within two to four weeks of having it removed. Some women will not see the return of their periods after the removal of an IUD for a little longer. If you don't get your period by the three-month mark, or if your period is particularly light and/or irregular, you might want to talk to your doctor.

The copper in the device creates a local inflammatory response that can cause your body to hold on to endometrial tissue as a self defense mechanism. This is why many women do not start having periods at all once they have an IUD inserted, and can be the reason they are slower to get back to normal after it's removed.

Your periods and fertility should go right back to normal after you have your IUD removed, so you can actually get pregnant straight away.

However there really isn't a set time for everyone as every person's body reacts differently. Some women get pregnant within the first month and others take up to a year or even longer to conceive. Really, it depends on the woman. If you are concerned about getting pregnant when you get your IUD removed, ask your doctor for advice.

Please remember to seek medical attention if you're ever worried about your IUD.

If you found this article helpful, then why not take a look at top tips for working while pregnant, or what to expect at your 36-week ultrasound?

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