- A new viral TikTok is making doctors sound the “don’t try this at home” alarm.
- The video shared by user mikkiegallagher, shows her pull out her Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) on her own.
- Health experts are begging people not to try this at home. That’s because if the device is embedded in the uterus, it could lead to severe pain and bleeding, or result in uterine prolapse. Only a doctor should remove an IUD.
Before you see a trend go mainstream, it often launches on TikTok.
You may have found the movie theatre popcorn butter hack via a video there, learned an iconic dance routine , or been converted to one of the platform’s cult beauty product picks. But TikTok’s also home to some dangerous viral trends, such as the milk crate challenge, dry-scooping pre-workout powder, and the frozen honey challenge.
And a new viral TikTok is making doctors sound the “don’t try this at home” alarm. The video shared by user mikkiegallagher, shows her pull out her Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) on her own using just her (gloved) hands.
FYI, an intrauterine device is a small plastic T-shaped device used for birth control. It is inserted into the uterus by a doctor, where it stays to prevent pregnancy. With a 99 percent effectiveness rate, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is now recommending that ob-gyns suggest IUDs as the first line of contraception. The use of IUDs increased from 2% to 14% between 2002 and 2017, according to a CDC report.
“this is NOT medical advice but it only took 2 minutes 😳 #fyp #momsoftiktok #periods #iudremoval #iud #mirena #momtok #diy #birthcontrol #gonefishing,” the video is captioned.
The video starts out with Gallagher showing off her hands in blue medical gloves, as a caption across the screen reads, “Come along for a little IUD removal.”
this is NOT medical advice but it only took 2 minutes 😳 #fyp #momsoftiktok #periods #iudremoval #iud #mirena #momtok #diy #birthcontrol #gonefishing
From there, she posts a caption “Diving right in…”, and she visibly winces as she “goes fishing” for her inserted IUD. Within seconds, the IUD is out. “A lot easier than I thought, TBH,” she added in the caption. “Catch of the Day: Mirena IUD 2 inches.”
She noted in the comments, “🚨PSA THIS WAS A LAST RESORT AFTER 2 YEARS OF CONSTANT PAIN & 5 DOCTORS REFUSING REMOVAL – AND WAS DONE AFTER A TELEHEALTH CONSULTATION WITH PP 🚨”
The video has since gone viral with more than 2 million views—and thousands of mixed reactions. A hashtag created for the trend, #iudremoval, has more than 64 million tags linked to videos of women trying to DIY the procedure at home or filming their visit to the doctor.
Many women have turned to DIY methods to avoid the cost of a professional IUD removal, which can cost anywhere from $50 to more than $1,000, and is often not covered by insurance, Insider reported.
But health experts are begging people not to try this at home. That’s because if the device is embedded in the uterus, it could lead to severe pain and bleeding, or result in uterine prolapse. Only a doctor should remove an IUD.
“The most likely issue with attempts at self-removal is an inability to remove, usually because the person cannot reach or find the string for removal,” says Kelly Culwell, M.D., A board-certified Ob-Gyn told Women’s Health. “However, rarely an IUD can become embedded or stuck in the uterus, so trying to remove it on your own can be painful or cause damage to the uterus or cervix when you’re trying to remove it.”
IUD removal can even be tricky for experienced ob-gyn’s. One common issue is that the device’s strings may curl up into the cervical canal, so they’re not visible. “That can make removal a little more challenging,” Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an ob-gyn in Westchester, New York, and the co-author of V Is for Vagina, previously told Women’s Health.“Most of the time, we can still get it out without difficulty by searching for it with a small instrument, even though we can’t see it.”
So what does it actually feel like to have an IUD properly removed in your ob-gyn’s office?
“Removal is along the same procedural lines as insertion. The doctor puts in a speculum, then uses an instrument that can grab onto those fine threads, clamp down on them, and pull out the IUD,” said Dr. Dweck. “There may be a little cramping, but if you’d like another IUD to replace that one, you can get it right away and walk out of the office knowing you’re protected for years to come.”
If you’d like to get yours removed, you should see your doctor to get it done safely.
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