Can an IUD fall out? Why? And what to do?

Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by By Dr. Huong Nghiem-Eilbeck, Board Certified Ob/Gyn of Pandia Health, birth control delivery. 

Can an IUD fall out? What could cause that? What should you do?

What can cause an IUD to fall out?

Yes an IUD can fall out.

We don’t know what causes IUDs to fall out. Research shows it happens more in those who:

• are under the age of 20 (5.5 times great risk),
• have really heavy or painful periods (2.4 times greater risk),
• just gave birth or just had a 2nd-trimester abortion,
• have never been pregnant (though recent research says that doesn’t matter)
• may have an irregular shaped uterus (large fibroids, unknown septum or double uterus).

If the person putting in the IUD is inexperienced, that makes it slightly more likely to fall out too. If it falls out, it’s more likely to do so within the first 3 months of being put in. 

It also happens more if you have the hormonal IUD than the copper IUD. 

Once it’s placed, the risk is just after the first period. After that period, if everything is in place, it won’t fall out. The chance of it falling out is really low – from 2 to 10 out of 100 – in the first year. 

What to do if it falls out?

If it falls out, you should abstain from sex.

If you had sex within the past 5 days, you will have to use Emergency Contraception. Check out our explainer videos on Emergency Contraception to know your options (copper IUD, Ella, Plan B), how they work and how efficient they are.

At Pandia Health, we write prescriptions for Ella because it is more effective than Plan B and for women who weigh more than 176 pounds or have a BMI>26.

If you have any pain, then you should call your provider. If there is severe pain, fever, etc, then go to the ER. But generally, it should be painless. 

If you are looking for an alternative to the IUD, Pandia Health offers birth control pills, patches, rings, and emergency contraceptives to women with and without insurance coverage.

Contact our doctors and Patient Care Advisors to explore your options for having birth control delivered straight to your door.

The above information is for general informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/primary care provider before starting or changing treatment.