What are valid reasons for IUD removal?
1. The woman requests removal, whatever her reason. 2. The woman develops a complication. 3. The effective life of the IUD has expired. • Q: Can an IUD be inserted without any lab tests? A: Yes, provided the woman is not at risk for STDs, has no clinical signs or symptoms of infection including purulent discharge, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and is not likely to be pregnant. • Q: Should an IUD be removed if a woman’s sexual partner complains about the IUD string? A: Not necessarily. The couple may need reassurance and an explanation of what the string is. If this is not satisfactory, the end of the string can be tucked behind the cervix. If this too is not satisfactory, the string can be cut flush with the cervix. (This should be noted in the woman’s record.) Such short strings will mean that the woman will not be able to check the strings and a provider will need narrow forceps to grasp the strings when removing the IUD. The woman should be given the choice of w
