The mysterious expulsion after 2.5 years

Hello everyone -- I posted yesterday about a possible hysteroscopy regarding my lost strings. I have since deleted that post, because here's the story . . .  (cut placed for ease of reading)


Got my Paragard 2.5 years ago at my 6-week postpartum (I'm 35 and have 2 kids). I've loved it ever since. I could always reach/feel my strings, so after checking them about once a week for the first year, I backed off to once a month. My period was kind of long, but not super heavy. You could almost set a watch to it -- it was incredibly regular. 

So life was happy in Paragard land until Monday, when I went looking for my strings as usual. Nothing to be found. I freaked out, but was happy I was on day 10 of my cycle and knew I hadn't ovulated yet (I practiced FAM for a several years, so I knew the signs). So I went to my GP to see if she could find my strings with a pelvic exam. Nope.

I was sent to get an ultrasound. The tech said she was having a hard time seeing the IUD, and eventually the report came back "inconclusive." The OB/GYN thought he could see the IUD, but it wasn't in all the views.

Soooo . . . my saga ended (kind of) today. At first I was scheduled for a hysteroscopy to locate the errant IUD, but thankfully, I got a second opinion from my OB (who did my insertion) that recommended an x-ray to see if it was there. So today, I got a KUB x-ray (kidney, ureters, bladder), and . . . my IUD was GONE. Gone!!! :-(


All I can figure out is I expelled it sometime during my last period, which was particularly heavy. But I never noticed!!!!! Thankfully, I checked for my strings. So glad I did.

I would be lying if I said I was OK with this experience. I placed a LOT of trust in my little copper buddy. In fact, just last month my period was a day late, and I just kept thinking, "I trust this." I feel like I was betrayed.

That being said, I'm now weighing my options. I'm leaning towards getting another Paragard. It worked perfectly for 2.5 years, and if I can get another 2 years out of it, I would be happy. Then again, I'm happy with my 2 kids, and really don't want any more, so I'm considering a tubal.

I don't want this story to freak anyone out. Like I said, it worked perfectly for a couple of years. I have no idea how or why it expelled. I'm sad, but it also gives me some time to think about my next option. (My poor husband has not been allowed to touch me in a week, and I'm thinking he'll have to wait until I get my period in 2.5 weeks!!!)