Ms. He is 51 years old this year and has been feeling uncomfortable in her stomach recently. She has also noticed some discharge on her underwear. After seeing a doctor, she found out that it was due to the intrauterine device. The doctor recommended removing it as soon as possible. Ms. He is worried because she remembers the pain when the device was inserted. She wonders if it will be painful to remove the device after having it for 12 years.
Ms. He, who is responsible for personnel management at work, sits for more than ten hours a day, which has led to chronic constipation. However, she has been slightly less constipated recently, causing her to worry. This change in bowel habits has confused her.
Previously, when she was constipated, she would feel uncomfortable and bloated in her lower abdomen. This discomfort would significantly lessen after a bowel movement.
However, even during the few days of better bowel movements in the past month, she still feels uncomfortable in her stomach, and there is still some discharge on her underwear, adding to her confusion.
She confided in her husband and asked for advice.
Her husband said, “Could it be due to other reasons, such as gynecological issues or urinary problems?”
Hearing this, Ms. He became even more anxious, “This unexplained bloating, what could it be?”
“Don’t overthink it. Everything needs to be checked. Let’s make an appointment at the hospital soon for a thorough examination,” her husband suggested.
The next day, accompanied by her husband, Ms. He went to the gynecologist for an examination. After a physical exam, the doctor also conducted a routine examination of vaginal discharge, revealing elevated white blood cells, indicating inflammation. The urine test results were mostly normal, ruling out urinary infections.
“How is your hygiene during your menstrual period and intimate moments with your spouse?” the doctor inquired.
Upon reflection, Ms. He didn’t think she had neglected her hygiene; she usually considered herself clean.
“An ultrasound revealed that you have an intrauterine device, which is considered a foreign object and is likely causing your discomfort,” the doctor explained after reviewing all the reports. The doctor suggested removing the device to alleviate the bloating sensation.
“But doctor, I have had the device for 12 years. Is it safe and will it be painful to remove it now?” Ms. He expressed her concerns about potential harm as the device had been inside her body for a long time without issues.
The doctor reassured her, “The removal procedure is straightforward and can be done by a skilled doctor in just over ten minutes. There are different shapes of devices, such as circular, rod-shaped, and spiral, all of which are flexible, so the removal process is not as painful as imagined, with only some pulling sensation.”
“Among the many patients I have treated, very few have complained of pain during removal,” the doctor added.
Soon after, the doctor arranged for Ms. He to undergo a brief surgical procedure, during which the device was removed proficiently in just 10 minutes. Ms. He was surprised at how quickly it was done.
After the surgery, Ms. He’s bloating discomfort quickly disappeared, and she was grateful to the gynecologist who removed the device.
The doctor said,
On the surface, the intrauterine device is considered a “perfect” contraceptive tool that does not interfere with normal ovulation, does not disrupt endocrine regulation, and has no adverse effects like regular oral contraceptives.
However, in reality, many women experience various issues, including but not limited to abdominal pain, bleeding, and uterine inflammation due to the device.
These forgotten contraceptive devices inside the uterus constantly remind of their presence through blood and intense pain.
If an intrauterine device remains in the uterus for a prolonged period, especially in women approaching or in menopause, where the uterus may have shrunk, the device may have embedded into the uterine muscle and severely adhered to the uterine wall. In such cases, hysteroscopy may be required for removal. If there are no significant symptoms, forcing removal is unnecessary to avoid potential complications. It is advisable to seek advice from a healthcare professional for guidance on how to proceed.
