IUCD's and Mirenas
Intra-uterine device location
Ultrasound examination is the best way to locate an intra-uterine contraceptive device or a Mirena. If you are able to feel the string, then it is probably in the right position but the only way to be absolutely sure is by ultrasound examination.
- Your doctor may request an ultrasound examination to check the location of the IUCD or Mirena if you have pain or bleeding after the procedure
- You cannot feel the string
- It was a difficult insertion
- There were multiple fibroids which could interfere with the insertion
- There is any suspicion of pregnancy
- You are not experiencing the expected effect from the IUCD
What type of examination?
We usually use the trans-vaginal approach because we get much better views, but occasionally the IUCD is a long way from the vagina and uterus, and so we need the trans-abdominal approach to give us a more global view of the pelvis.
Three-dimensional ultrasound is complementary to two-dimensional ultrasound as you can see from the images below.
This diagram of a Mirena IUCD shows how it works.
A Mirena IUCD correctly positioned in the uterus.
A Mirena IUCD rotated in the top of the uterus causing pain and bleeding. It was easily removed.
