An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a long-acting reversible birth control that is inserted and removed into the uterus by medical professionals. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) does not recommend that individuals remove IUDs themselves. Sometimes people may try to remove the IUD themselves to avoid the cost of visiting a physician, or if an appointment with a doctor is not available.

The overall recommendation on self-removal of an IUD is mixed. Many people on social media are sharing their experiences of removing their own IUD and believe that doing so provides them with autonomy over birth control and reduces barriers to the use of IUDs, while several OB/GYNs strongly advise against doing so for safety reasons. Please consult your doctor for individual advice.

For doctors, removing an IUD can be a fairly quick and simple procedure. A layperson would not know how hard to pull, the precise angle to pull at, and how to handle complications like the IUD getting stuck or the uterus or cervix getting ripped by trying to pull too hard on the IUD string. If the IUD does not slip out easily, it may be a more complicated process that requires the attention of a gynecologist.

A study conducted in the United States on 326 women using IUDs showed that more than half of them were willing to try to remove the IUDs themselves. Of those, one in five were successful at removing it themselves. 

Gynecologists are trained and experienced in working with uterus-related health and can gauge if the situation requires pulling harder, how much pressure to apply, or if the IUD is embedded in the uterus and requires a more invasive procedure.

IUD or intrauterine devices are a way to prevent pregnancy, using a small T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus. Once placed inside the uterus, they prevent pregnancy by stopping the sperm from accessing and fertilizing the eggs. IUDs are made of copper or plastic, with a string attached to the end to enable removal. The copper devices are hormone-free and last longer, while the plastic ones release small amounts of progestin hormones into the body. IUDs are considered to be long-acting birth control methods because they can remain in the body for three to ten years, depending on the type of IUD, as well as on an individual's choice of when to remove it.