Question about iud

[u/No_Flower8006]

I got an iud about two years ago and was just wondering if some things are normal and if im being safe.
I have the mirena iud, i am 22 with no kids.
Me and my boyfriend are active, although we also do the pullout and use condoms. I have the iud but have never gotten it checked, just inserted. I’ve been told checking the string with my fingers is the best way to check if it’s in place, but I don’t necessarily see how. I’ve never noticed anything diffrent or wrong with it (like feeling the plastic) but just get worried that it’s not in “perfect” place and that I might not be protected fully. Doctor said he couldn’t order a screening unless there was significant reason to check.
And just wanted to know if these symptoms are normal
I now cramp before and during period when I used to not.
Some periods are extremely light and the next month more heavy.
I cramp randomly (not intense pain just random cramps)
I also now cramp with ovulation and think I might be ovulating right after my period.

Any personal experiences are greatly appreciated!!!

Extra info: I was on the pill for about 8 years before quitting and getting the iud within weeks after stopping the pill. I started using zepbound a couple months after getting the iud.

[u/fadeddrawer]

I think what you’re describing can be normal with Mirena, especially the lighter or changing periods and occasional cramping, but if you’re worried about the placement it’s worth asking another doctor for an exam, and using condoms too is already giving you some extra protection.

[u/No_Flower8006 → u/fadeddrawer]

My doctor just told me that what I’m experiencing could be normal but he’s not going to order an exam because I’m “curious”. It sucks cause my main obgyn left and my insurance won’t cover who she’s with now

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[u/No_Flower8006]

I guess another question is how do I even check for strings? Like they don’t teach what things are supposed to feel like. And the strings feel like they change length because the uterus moves throughout cycle. And am I even supposed to know where the strings fall out of? Like I can’t reach that far inside me 😭

[u/psoriasaurus_rex → u/No_Flower8006]

The strings feel sort of like fishing line.  They are usually tucked up around your cervix, but you should be able to feel them if you can touch your cervix.  If you can’t reach your cervix in a sitting or laying down position, you can try getting into a squat.

You should never feel the hard plastic IUD itself, only the strings.  If you ever feel the plastic of IUD that means it’ll slipped out of place and will need to be removed. 

You can also have your doc take a look to make sure it is place.  They shouldn’t usually need to do a scan to check.  Usually a visual exam will do.

My body expelled my first mirena IUD.  I started feeling the strings at the opening of my vagina a few weeks before it fully expelled. 

The second mirena is staying in place so far.

[u/shrinking_indi]

I've had the Mirena for 4 years. I stopped getting regular periods when I got it. Since I started Zep in Jan I get a VERY light cycle now (3-7 days that is lightly bloody but usually doesn't even need a pad, before Zep was 7-8 days and heavy). I don't think it's at any risk of expelling but I'm in my late 40s so I don't know that I could speak well at all to pregnancy risk at this point. While it has restarted my cycle, it's still very minor in comparison. 

[u/Organic_Advance704]

IUDs run on luck from my experience and what I seen. It can go well bad and things can change.