Are you wondering if an IUD device inserted into the uterus is likely to get dislodged with time and this can expose you to unwanted pregnancy.
Here is my personal opinion based on the studies I have analysed and what I see normally in x-ray imaging.
Happy reading!😀 and feel free to ask questions in the comments or share your own experience.🙏
Last updated: June, 2026. Written by Juliet Semakula, a diagnostic radiographer.
▶️What is an intrauterine device (IUD)
An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped plastic device inserted into the uterus to provide long-acting, reversible contraception in women who are not ready to get pregnant (Long 2021)
They are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can last for several years, making them one of the most reliable forms of birth control available (Gunbey 2014)
While intrauterine devices (IUDs) are highly reliable, they can occasionally shift from their original position near the fundus (top) of the uterus.
This misplacement ranges from minor shifts within the uterine cavity to complete expulsion or rare migration into other parts of the body.
The number of searches for dislodged intrauterine devices on the internet is alarming; this is a general problem that health sectors deal with occasionally.
Below are some of the google search phrases from people who have had IUS inserted.
▶️How likely is it for an intrauterine device (IUD) to get dislodged?
It is relatively unlikely for an IUD to become dislodged or fully expelled, with a total expulsion rate of approximately 2–10%
Displacement is most common within the first 3–6 months of insertion, and the risk decreases significantly after one year (van 2019)
▶️How can you be sure that it is NOT misplaced?
When the doctor inserts your IUD, they leave one or two thin plastic strings hanging down into your vaginal canal.
These strings are about 2 inches long, so you may be able to feel them with the tip of your longest finger.
X-ray Abdomen showing IUCD in the pelvic region (oblique position).
You may not experience any new or unusual symptoms if your IUD only shifts slightly out of place.
So, the only way to be sure, is to perform a self-check of the strings or consult a healthcare professional for imaging, as some displacements cause no symptoms
I have seen patients come for x-ray to check whether an IUD is dislodged.
Here is an x-ray showing an IUD dislodged.
Plain x-ray Showing Intrauterine Device Malposition (Lanzola,2025)
Intrauterine Device (IUD) malposition occurs when the device is not properly located in the upper part of the uterus (fundus). It is a spectrum of displacement, ranging from sitting low in the cervix to being embedded in the uterine wall or migrating into the pelvis.
▶️Here are signs or symptoms of a displaced intrauterine device (IUD)
⚪Some people have sudden shape cramps.
⚪Unusual vaginal bleeding.
⚪ Pain during virginal penetration during sex can raise suspicion of device dislodge (Dimitropoulos,2016)
⚪ If the strings feel longer or shorter than usual, or you suddenly can’t feel the strings after being able to touch them in previous months, there’s a chance your IUD may have moved.
However, this is only a reliable indicator if you have a history of being able to feel your IUD strings.
Many people can’t feel the strings from the start, likely because the strings coil inside the cervix.
▶️Can heavy lifting cause intrauterine devices (IUD) to fall out?
The short answer is NO; heavy lifting itself does not typically cause an IUD to fall out.
While some experts and patients suggest caution immediately after insertion, long-term exercise and heavy weightlifting are generally considered safe and do not increase the risk of the IUD dislodging
Clinical experience and studies show that vigorous movement-including running, jumping, and lifting does not affect the IUD’s position.
▶️What really causes intrauterine device (IUD) to move
While IUDs are designed to stay in place, they can shift or move due to several biological and physical factors
Here are some of the common causes identified in research cases:
⚫Uterine Contractions are a normal and expected response during and immediately after IUD insertion.
Because the uterus is a hollow organ composed of smooth muscle, it naturally contracts when its tissues are stretched or when it detects a foreign object inside its cavity.
⚫Anatomical Factors such as uterine fibroids or an unusually shaped uterus can increase the risk.
⚫Timing of Insertion: normally displacement is most frequent shortly after insertion or during a period.
⚫Age and Medical History: Younger individuals (especially aged 14–19) and those who have never been pregnant may face higher rates of expulsion.
⚫Uterine perforation is a rare complication with an incidence ranging from 0.3 to 2.6 per 1000 insertions (Verstraeten 2024) but it can happen.
Uterine perforation is where an intrauterine device (IUD) punctures the uterine wall. This can lead to the migration of the device, where it moves through the opening and travels into the pelvic or abdominal.
This can often cause pain, missing strings, or unintended pregnancy
A routine follow-up after IUD placement is recommended. If an IUD is not visible on ultrasound, it should not be automatically interpreted as “expelled” but further imaging should be conducted
▶️If my intrauterine device (IUD) moved, can I get pregnant
If your IUD has moved or shifted out of its proper position, your risk of pregnancy increases significantly.
An IUD must be correctly placed high in the uterus to provide the intended 99% contraceptive effectiveness
Yes, it’s possible to get pregnant if your IUD has moved or is displaced.I have seen someone who got pregnant twice with an IUD in place.
A shifted intrauterine device (IUD), which often occurs within the first 3 months or during menstruation, significantly reduces its effectiveness, as it no longer sits in the proper position to prevent pregnancy.
▶️What happens if your intrauterine device (IUD) moves
If your IUD moves (a condition called displacement), its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy decreases significantly
Depending on how it shifts, it can lead to various outcomes ranging from minor spotting to rare medical emergencies
I will share with you what advice I was given after my IUD was inserted.
♦️ Do not try to fix it: Never attempt to push the IUD back in or pull it out yourself, as this can cause further injury.
♦️ Use backup protection: Start using condoms immediately, as you may no longer be protected from pregnancy.
♦️Contact your doctor: They will typically use an ultrasound to locate the device. If the IUD is displaced, a healthcare provider will need to remove it and can usually replace it with a new one during the same visit
Seek urgent medical care if you experience severe pain, heavy bleeding that soaks through pads quickly, or a high fever
xxx
We have come to the end of this article, wishing you a quick recovery!🙋
Below are the research studies I have relied on for this article!
📚Source:
Gunbey HP, Sayit AT, Idilman IS, Aksoy O. Migration of intrauterine devices with radiological findings: report on two cases. BMJ Case Rep. 2014 May 14;2014:bcr2013202522. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202522. PMID: 24827647; PMCID: PMC4024539.
Lanzola EL, Auber M, Ketvertis K. Intrauterine Device Placement and Removal. [Updated 2025 Feb 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. [Figure, Plain Radiograph Showing Intrauterine Device.
Verstraeten V, Vossaert K, Van den Bosch T. Migration of Intra-Uterine Devices. Open Access J Contracept. 2024 Mar 12;15:41-47. doi: 10.2147/OAJC.S458156. PMID: 38495451; PMCID: PMC10944303.
Long S, Colson L. Intrauterine Device Insertion and Removal. Prim Care. 2021 Dec;48(4):531-544. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2021.07.001. Epub 2021 Oct 7. PMID: 34752267.
van Eijk AM, Zulaika G, Lenchner M, Mason L, Sivakami M, Nyothach E, Unger H, Laserson K, Phillips-Howard PA. Menstrual cup use, leakage, acceptability, safety, and availability: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health. 2019 Aug;4(8):e376-e393. doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30111-2. Epub 2019 Jul 16. PMID: 31324419; PMCID: PMC6669309.
Nouri M, Fassi M, Koutani A, Ibn Attya A, Hachimi M, Lakrissa A. Migration intravésicale d’un dispositif intra-utérin. A propos d’un cas [Migration of an intrauterine device into the bladder. Report of a case]. J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris). 1999 May;28(2):162-4. French. PMID: 10416143.
Dimitropoulos K, Skriapas K, Karvounis G, Tzortzis V. Intrauterine device migration to the urinary bladder causing sexual dysfunction: a case report. Hippokratia. 2016 Jan-Mar;20(1):70-72. PMID: 27895447; PMCID: PMC5074402.