Does the IUD need to be removed?
Disease description:
I had an IUD inserted three months after giving birth to my baby. It has been two years since the insertion—do I need to have it removed and replaced?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Jianhai
An intrauterine device (IUD) must be removed after reaching its recommended service life; it is not advisable to retain an IUD indefinitely. If continued use is desired, the current IUD should be removed upon expiration and replaced with a new one. Moreover, failure to remove an expired IUD in a timely manner may increase the risk of gynecological inflammation. Generally, metal IUDs may be retained for approximately 20 years, silicone IUDs for about 10 years, and copper-containing IUDs for up to roughly 15 years. Specific recommendations should be obtained from a healthcare provider.
