Can i still get pregnant with iud

An intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most popular and effective forms of birth control, and the chances of getting pregnant with an IUD are very low. That's because it has a 99.7% efficacy rate, says Lanalee Araba Sam, M.D., an OB-GYN in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. "Very, very few women with one will become pregnant," she notes. "But I always tell my patients that someone on this planet is that one-in-a-million exception. There are instances where someone becomes pregnant with an IUD in place."

Here's what you need to know about the symptoms of pregnancy with an IUD and the complications that can emerge if this unlikely outcome happens to you.

Will I Get My Period With an IUD?

Typically, one of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed period. But if you have an IUD, you may not be able to rely on that sign alone. Cristina Perez, M.D., an OB-GYN at the Women's Specialists of Houston at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, explains that about 25% of menstruating people stop having their period while on Mirena (a type of IUD that uses the hormone progesterone to prevent pregnancy).

The other type of IUD, ParaGard, relies on copper to prevent pregnancy. "ParaGard has no hormones," Dr. Perez explains, so if you're using it, you should still be getting your period as long as you're not pregnant. Either way, if don't get your period as expected and you could be pregnant, it's a good idea to contact your doctor and take a pregnancy test, just in case.

What are the Signs of Pregnancy With an IUD?

Pregnancy with an IUD typically has the same symptoms as a normal pregnancy, including breast tenderness, nausea, and fatigue. If you're experiencing symptoms of early pregnancy and have missed your period, take a pregnancy test and contact your health care provider.

It's important to catch an IUD pregnancy early because of certain health concerns. At-home pregnancy tests, while very accurate when used after a missed period, can't detect a pregnancy as early as a blood test in your doctor's office or lab, so your provider may want you to come in for testing to be sure.

Are There Any Risks of Pregnancy With an IUD?

An IUD pregnancy comes with certain risks and complications. "You're 50% more likely to miscarry if the IUD is left in place, so the recommendation is to let the pregnancy continue and remove the IUD," says Dr. Sam. But it's important to note that you're still 25% more likely to miscarry even if the IUD is removed, so your doctor will want to monitor any IUD pregnancy closely.

Getting pregnant with an IUD also comes with a higher risk of ectopic or tubal pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside the uterus (usually the fallopian tubes). Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and can be life-threatening for the pregnant person, so they need to be treated quickly. Your doctor will diagnose ectopic pregnancy with blood tests, pelvic exams, and ultrasound. If your pregnancy is ectopic, it will be treated with medication or surgery.

What About Getting Pregnant After Removing an IUD?

Research shows that fertility returns quickly after the removal of an IUD, assuming there are no underlying fertility concerns. (That's good news if you want to get pregnant—and fair warning if you don't!)

If you have decided you want to try to conceive, give your OB-GYN a call to have your IUD removed and plan a preconception visit. Some doctors recommend waiting three months after removing an IUD to start trying to conceive to give your body time to bounce back to its usual menstrual cycle. Waiting can also help you get a sense of your cycle and fertile window and give you time to plan and get some healthy habits in place.

But according to Dr. Perez, there's no medical need to wait: "You can ovulate and get pregnant the next month!" So, if you're ready to become a parent and don't want to wait, you can start trying the very first cycle after your IUD has been removed.

The IUD is almost mistake-proof, making it one of the most effective methods available.

How effective are IUDs when used as birth control?

IUDs are one of the best birth control methods out there — more than 99% effective. That means fewer than 1 out of 100 people who use an IUD will get pregnant each year.

IUDs are so effective because there's no chance of making a mistake. You can’t forget to take it (like the pill), or use it incorrectly (like condoms). And you're protected from pregnancy 24/7 for 3 to 12 years, depending on which kind you get. Once your IUD is in place, you can pretty much forget about it until it expires. You can keep track of your insertion and removal date using our birth control app. 

How effective are IUDs when used as emergency contraception?

The Paragard (copper), Mirena, and Liletta IUDs are the most effective method of emergency contraception available. If you get one of these IUDs put in within 120 hours (5 days) after having unprotected sex, it’s more than 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. Then, if you want to, you can keep it and have really effective birth control that you can use for up to 8 to 12 years (depending on which kind you get).

Do IUDs protect against STDs?

No, IUDs don't protect against STDs. Luckily, using condoms or internal condoms every time you have sex does lower the chance of getting or spreading STDs. So using condoms with your IUD is the way to go.

We couldn't access your location, please search for a location.

Zip, City, or State

Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code or city or state.

Please fill out this field.

Service

Filter By All Telehealth In-person

Please enter your age and the first day of your last period for more accurate abortion options. Your information is private and anonymous.

I'm not sure This field is required.

AGE This field is required.

Or call 1-800-230-7526

How do you know if you're pregnant on IUD?

How likely is a pregnancy to survive with an IUD?