Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: An intrauterine device (IUD) has been in place for 31 years and has never been removed. Recently, I went to the hospital to remove the IUD, but the doctor said it has grown into the tissue. If it is removed, surgery will be required. If there are no adverse reactions, it may not need to be removed. I would like to ask the experts and doctors, should this IUD be removed? What kind of impact would leaving it in have on the body?Thank you!
Doctor's answer:
Hello, after women go through menopause, ovarian function gradually declines, estrogen levels in the body decrease rapidly, reproductive organs gradually shrink, the uterus becomes smaller, the uterine muscle becomes thinner and more brittle. The longer the time since menopause, the more pronounced these changes become. Since intrauterine devices (IUDs) are of fixed size, when the uterus shrinks, the IUD can become embedded in the uterine wall. If the embedded part of the IUD has blood vessels, it can cause bleeding; if the IUD is pushed into the pelvic or abdominal cavity, it can lead to infection and abdominal pain.