It is possible to get pregnant with an IUD, but it is very rare and happens mainly when it is out of the correct position, which can lead to an ectopic pregnancy.
Thus, it is recommended that the woman check every month if she can feel the IUD in the intimate area and, if this does not happen, consult the gynecologist as soon as possible to see if she is well positioned.
When pregnancy occurs, it is easier to identify when the IUD is copper, because in these cases menstruation, which continues to fall, is delayed. In the Mirena IUD, for example, since there is no menstruation, a woman can delay until the first symptoms of pregnancy to suspect that she is pregnant.
How To Identify Pregnancy With IUDs
Symptoms of an IUD pregnancy are similar to any other pregnancy and include:
- Frequent nausea, especially after waking;
- Increased breast tenderness;
- Cramps and swelling of the belly;
- Increased urge to urinate;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Sudden mood swings.
However, the delay of mesuring, which is one of the most classic signs, only happens in cases of copper IUD, because in the IUD that releases hormones the woman does not have menstruation and, therefore, there is no delay in menstruation.
In some cases though, the woman who has a hormonal IUD, such as Mirena or Jaydess, may have a pink discharge, which may be one of the first signs of pregnancy.
Learn more about early signs of pregnancy.
Risks of getting pregnant with IUDs
One of the most common complications of getting pregnant with the IUD is the risk of miscarriage, especially when the device is held in the uterus until a few weeks of gestation. However, even being withdrawn, the risk is much higher than that of a woman who became pregnant without the IUD.
In addition, IUD use can also lead to an ectopic pregnancy, in which the embryo develops in the fallopian tubes, putting at risk not only the gestation, but also the female reproductive organs. Understand better what this complication is.
Thus, to decrease the chances of these complications arising, it is advisable to consult the gynecologist as soon as possible to confirm the suspicion of pregnancy and to remove the IUD if necessary.
