This is a common question prior to an IUD insertion. I can see where someone who has never seen an IUD up close and personal would wonder about this.
The answer is it all depends.
It depends on what kind of IUD you have and if your OB/GYN is an idiot.
Yes, my artwork. And yes, I'm no Netter.
Okay,so let’s start with the basics. The IUD (in North America, anyway), is a T-shaped device that sites entirely in the uterus. If any part of the IUD itself can be felt, then it is not in correctly and should be removed ASAP (if it’s not in correctly, it’s not preventing you from getting pregnant). The only part that exits through the cervix is the string. The string is there for 2 reasons: A) to make removal a cinch and B) to let you and your GYNO know it is still in the right spot.
With a Copper IUD, the string is soft, like cotton (it’s not really cotton, but you get the point). It is damn near impossible to feel with a finger, and your finger tip has more nerve endings the head of a penis (sorry boys). I sport a Copper IUD (sorry if that is TMI, but they are a fantastic contraceptive providing 10 worry-free years and are highly cost-effective). Anyway, I find the string really hard to feel and I, uh, know my way around a cervix.
So if you have a Copper IUD and it is in the right spot (meaning not sticking out of your cervix), there is no way a guy will feel it. If he claims he can, it’s a case of the Princess Penis and the Pea. Either tell him he’s wrong and can’t possibly feel the string, or congratulate him on his amazing powers and prowess and then tell him the next time you see him that you’ve had it “taken care of,”(nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
However, if you have a Mirena IUD, then a closer inspection of the situation is warranted. The Mirena string is thick, like fishing wire. It needs to be cut long. Not long enough to trip over mind you, but long enough that it can curl at least part way around the cervix. If a Mirena string is cut short, it will stick straight out of the cervix like a bristle. A pokey bristle that a gentleman might indeed feel (you will feel it too by checking). And let me tell you, nobody’s happy with a pokey bristle sticking out of the cervix.
If your GYNO cut your strings too short they have either not inserted very many Mirenas, are an idiot, or both. The only remedy is to remove the Mirena and put in another one with the strings left long enough (or switch to a Copper or an entirely different form of contraception), or cut the strings of your current Mirena super short. Sadly, the Mirena string will not soften with time. If the strings are cut super short they will retract up inside the cervix and will not longer cause the poking problem; however, this can often make removal a bit of a bear.
If your partner is voicing his concern about “feeling your IUD” it’s worth having a feel yourself as well as getting your GYNO to check it out. You want to make sure the IUD has not somehow dislodged itself. If you have a Mirena, also ask about the string length (if they are long and curled around your cervix, you are back to the whole Penis and the Pea problem). If the string is short, well, that could very well be the source of your problem.
And if you are lucky enough to be reading this before getting your IUD inserted and you are going for a Mirena, ask you GYNO how long he or she plans on cutting the string. If they don’t answer, “Long enough to curl a little way around your cervix.” you might want to ask them how many they have actually inserted before going ahead.
Remember, this post does not represent direct medical advice.
You are better than Frank Netter in two important ways: you’re a lot more attractive than him, and you’re not dead.
Posted by Monotreme | October 26, 2011, 2:59 amIUD’s always weirded me out. It makes me uncomfortable to think of a foreign object up inside of me. I believe my mom had one (a long ass time ago), and she said she needed to have it removed b/c it “wandered”. It freaks me out that it might go where it’s not supposed to go. Oh, and I fully expect any doctor I see to totally mess it up, b/c that’s my luck and the service I’ve come to expect from the military medical system. *salutes*
Posted by Always Sick Chick | November 5, 2011, 1:06 amNice post; Thanks you!!!
Posted by BirthControlMethods | November 6, 2011, 12:38 pmGreat post. I just had paragard inserted and I knew the strings were softer than Mirena due to my prior ob/gyn aspirations in medical school (which have since turned to internal medicine residency/interested in endo) and actually feeling the device myself ex-utero. This further confirms it. BTW, I went to University of Kansas for undergraduate education….Rock Chalk!
Posted by Jayme | January 6, 2012, 5:12 amThanks for this info, and your blog in general!
I have a copper IUD and so far it’s been fantastic in every way. Within the last year, however, it’s migrated low into my uterus, though it’s not actually sticking out of the cervix — this has been confirmed by two ultrasounds. My gynecologist seems really ambivalent about whether this might actually pose a problem or pregnancy risk. I’ve not gotten pregnant during the last year, despite this development, but it’s worrisome to me — and worrisome to not to be able to find anyone who seems to know what ought to be done in this situation. I’ve been seeking more concrete info on this for months to no avail. Do you know whether an IUD situated low in the uterus might pose a greater pregnancy risk? Would you recommend replacement if a patient came to you with this problem?
Apologies for seeking free medical advice — I’m quite frustrated with how little I’ve been able to find on my own about this over the last year.
Posted by ShortyGotLow | February 16, 2012, 10:23 pmI just had my Mirena IUD surgically removed as I neared the 5-year expiration date. I saw different OB-GYN for a few years due to insurance reasons – she was very sweet, but I think suffered from the syndrome of not having inserted many IUDs. My string was always short – difficult for me OR my doctor to find on a good day, impossible on others. At some point, the string retracted into my uterus (yep!) and I just had the fantastic opportunity of meeting my insurance deductible with the outpatient surgery to remove it (I also had to have a laparoscopy at the same time). I like the Mirena a LOT as an estrogen-free birth control option, and I’d consider getting another…but only with a lengthy string left intact! Thankfully, I’m back to my older, wiser, and experienced OB-GYN.
Posted by Linz | February 20, 2012, 10:34 ami had my iud inserted lst yr march n mybf jst complaind recently dat he can fil it whn we hvn sex n im a bit warid coz i also hv some stomatch pains
Posted by ambongile | April 17, 2012, 2:51 pmokay soo, i just had my mirena removed (had it for about 4 mos) after mainy not pleasent side affects, so yeah like two days before my SO and i DTD and well (TMI?) he had two marks on the top from where i thought my mirena hit! strings were short so i didnt understand, well i went to the appointment to have it removed (totally diff doc than put it in) and he informs me the tip was STICKING OUT! so im faced with A) my mans member being unpleasently stabbed and B) the worry that i could maybe be pregger, thanks to the dang thing moving!!! no more IUD’s for this woman! paraguard i got preggo while it was in,
Posted by Starla | September 22, 2012, 9:55 pmYes he can feel the strings. My doctor told me that the string are like strings from a fishing rod she even let me feel them. They are not like cotton. My husband constantly got stabbed with it. He was afraid to have sex with me after a while. So yes he can feel it. If he does just tell your doc to shorten the strings.
Posted by Amy | September 27, 2012, 3:31 pmI wanted the string short so that it wouldn’t interfere with using my mooncup – but now I am a little concerned about eventual removal as I can’t find the string at all. I also don’t have need of the mooncup as I don’t bleed. I wish it had been left longer.
Posted by Rachel Prosser | November 4, 2012, 11:54 amWhat exactly do you mean by this?
Long enough to curl a little way around your cervix.” you might want to ask them how many they have actually inserted before going ahead
Posted by Karina | December 20, 2012, 12:53 pmAbsolutely loved the humor!! Thank u for the info
Posted by Anny | January 3, 2013, 8:12 amHi there I have had a merina could fitted just over a week ago and I am really scared of having sex or inserting a tampon as if I can just about feel the string when I insert a finger any mans Willy is bigger than my middle finger wham erect so when a man inserts his Willy it will surly push the string up further the same with inserting a tampon to as then if the string is pushed up through having sex how am I going to be able to feel if it is still in place when the strings won’t be there please can u advise me
Posted by tina | May 30, 2013, 12:43 pmanyone know how to heal these cuts on the wiener??? my mans hurting bad and bleeding from it ???? help!!!!
Posted by alexandra | June 16, 2013, 1:19 pmits from my iud it couldn’t be anything else I just want to make him feel better
Posted by alexandra | June 16, 2013, 1:20 pm