Tracking ovulation after IUD removal: All there is to know

There are lots of benefits of using intrauterine devices (IUDs) as your form of birth control. They’re very effective at preventing pregnancy — over 99% when inserted correctly. Depending on the type you have, you can keep yours inserted for years, and when you’d like to have it removed, all you need to do is book an appointment with your doctor. 

However, you may reach a point when you no longer want to use your IUD because you’d like to become pregnant or use a different method of contraception. You may be curious if you can track your cycle and ovulation after you’ve had your IUD removed. 

Here, a Flo expert will break down how the different types of IUDs can impact ovulation and the things you might consider if you’d like to conceive. 

Key takeaways

• There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. Both are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.
• Generally speaking, hormonal IUDs can affect ovulation, while copper IUDs work by preventing sperm from reaching your egg and preventing implantation.  
• You may be curious what happens during an IUD removal appointment. Your doctor should always do it, and it can take a matter of minutes. 
• After your IUD has been removed, it’s possible to get pregnant immediately. However, this can depend on the type of IUD you use and differs for everyone. 
• Tracking ovulation after your IUD has been removed can help you to know when it’s the best time to try to get pregnant. You can do this using an app like Flo or monitoring the changes in your body that could indicate ovulation. 

What can you expect after an IUD removal procedure? 

Getting an IUD taken out might feel like a big deal, but it’s a fairly simple process. The first thing you need to do is book an appointment with your doctor. Although it can be tempting, don’t try to remove your IUD yourself. You are more likely to dislodge it rather than remove it, which can be painful. One study showed that while more than half of women are willing to try removing their own IUD, only 1 in 5 actually succeed. In other words, it’s not a risk worth taking.

It usually takes a health care professional only a few minutes to remove an IUD. Like when you got your IUD put in, you’ll lie on your back, with your feet in your stirrups. A doctor or trained nurse will then use a speculum to locate your cervix and the strings of your IUD. With another tool, they’ll grasp the strings of the IUD inside your uterus to pull it out. 

You may experience some pain and spotting durig and just after an IUD removal. You can take painkillers for this. And if the cramps or spotting persist or feel unbearable, then speak to your doctor. 

“The actual process of the IUD removal can be uncomfortable. Many people will experience brief but intense cramping,” says Dr. Jenna Beckham, an obstetrician, gynecologist, and complex family planning specialist at WakeMed Health and Hospitals and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, North Carolina. “Some continued cramping may occur after the removal as well. Some individuals may also experience some spotting bleeding. Mental symptoms are unique to each individual; however, typically, mental symptoms are not expected after an IUD removal.”

Everyone is different, and you know your body best. Try to be gentle with yourself after the appointment and don’t force yourself to do anything too physical. If you have any questions or are concerned about any pain or spotting, make sure you contact your doctor.

Types of IUDs and their impact on ovulation

IUDs are widely considered to be safe and effective forms of long-term birth control. They are more than 99% effective and can work for years.

There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. Depending on the type, copper IUDs usually last for up to 10 years, while hormonal IUDs typically last a little less (around three to eight years).

Hormonal IUDs vs. copper IUDs 

Both hormonal and copper IUDs involve a T-shaped device that opens up inside the uterus and has strings attached to it to help remove the device later on. However, they work in different ways.

• Hormonal IUDs: This type of IUD releases a synthetic progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. It thickens your cervical mucus, which can make it more difficult for sperm to reach your egg after ovulation. It also thins the uterine lining and can sometimes stop ovulation altogether.
• Copper IUDs: Copper IUDs release a very small amount of copper into your body. This creates a toxic environment in your uterus for sperm and can make it more difficult for them to reach your egg after ovulation. Similarly, like a hormonal IUD, copper IUDs can thin the lining of the uterus, making it more difficult for implantation to take place.

How each type can affect ovulation during use

As we’ve said, copper IUDs work by preventing sperm from reaching your egg and preventing implantation. Your menstrual cycle will continue as before, as copper IUDs don’t contain hormones. You may notice that your periods are longer and heavier for the first few months after getting a copper IUD. They may be more painful than usual, too. These extra period cramps should ease up after a few months, but speak to your doctor if they don’t. Other forms of birth control are available, and yours should work for you. You don’t need to deal with painful side effects by yourself. 

“Copper IUDs do not affect ovulation,” explains Dr. Beckham. “Levonorgestrel IUDs have varying effects. Higher-dose IUDs are more likely to interrupt ovulation, especially in the early years of use, while lower-dose IUDs are less likely to interrupt ovulation. The effect on ovulation decreases over time as the progestin dose decreases.”

Different hormonal IUDs contain different levels of levonorgestrel, so make sure you speak to your doctor about the best option for you. 

Potential delays in ovulation after removal

After your IUD is removed, fertility will return soon, but this can depend on the type of IUD you had. If you had a copper IUD, you could get pregnant right away. This is because your IUD didn’t contain any hormones, and ovulation isn’t impacted by it. If you had a hormonal IUD, it may take a little longer. As some hormonal IUDs can stop you from ovulating, it may take up to three months before your body reestablishes your cycle.

However, it’s really important to remember that it’s very possible to get pregnant after a hormonal IUD has been removed. This can differ for everyone, and it can take up to three months after removal. However, if you don’t want to become pregnant, it’s important to use another type of contraception. 

How to track ovulation after IUD removal 

After you’ve had an IUD removed, there are a few ways to track or know when you’re ovulating. Different methods work for different people, and you can use one or a combination. 

Use Flo’s ovulation calculator 

Knowing when you’re ovulating can help you better understand your cycle as a whole and when your fertile window might be. This is the point in your cycle when you’re most likely to get pregnant.

Flo’s easy-to-use ovulation calculator can provide you with an estimate of your ovulation and fertile window based on your cycle dates and let you know when your body is most fertile if you’re trying for a baby. 

Use Flo’s cycle-tracking features 

“Many people will have changes in their menstrual cycle with an IUD in place, especially with a levonorgestrel IUD,” Dr. Beckham explains. “This can make tracking ovulation by tracking your cycle challenging. Once the IUD is removed, the cycle may take a few months to return to normal in terms of bleeding pattern, but ovulation kits, cervical mucus, and basal body temperature monitoring can easily be used.” 

Flo can help you better understand when ovulation might happen for you by using previous cycle data. The more you log your cycle dates and any symptoms, the more accurate your Flo app will be. You can also learn more about the signs of ovulation and what happens at each point in your cycle. 

Take an ovulation test

One of the quickest and easiest ways to confirm if you are ovulating is by taking an ovulation test. Ovulation tests are 99% accurate in detecting the surge in luteinizing hormone. This surge happens just before ovulation.

Check for changes in cervical mucus

One sign that ovulation is happening soon is a change in your vaginal discharge (cervical mucus). This discharge may be different from what you might usually see in your underwear; it could be clear and have a thinner, more slippery consistency, similar to raw egg whites.

Check your basal body temperature

After ovulation, you might also experience a small rise in your basal body temperature. This is the temperature of your body when you’re resting. It may rise by around 0.5ºF (0.3ºC). We aren’t expecting you to notice this without a little help. You can use a specific type of digital thermometer. To spot patterns, you should track your temperature around the same time each day, preferably first thing in the morning. 

Look for potential ovulation symptoms

You can think of the three changes above as the key signs that either you’re about to ovulate or you’ve just ovulated. However, some people report feeling different symptoms, including:

• Bloating
• Breast tenderness
• Light bleeding or spotting
• Mild pain in the abdomen

Track ovulation to better understand your most fertile days

We are all different, and it can be hard to keep track of symptoms that you suspect might be related to ovulation by yourself. This is why it can be useful to use a period-tracking app like Flo. You can keep a note of your symptoms, better understand when you might be ovulating, and spot patterns in how you might be feeling. That way, you can feel more prepared and confident for what’s to come. 

As it’s possible to get pregnant after you’ve had your IUD removed, Flo’s pregnancy test calculator can also help you to determine when it’s the best time to take a pregnancy test, including when you can take a test if you’ve had unprotected sex during ovulation. But remember, this can differ slightly for everyone.