Can You Use Tampons With an IUD? Considerations and Alternatives
If you use an IUD for birth control, it’s normal to wonder whether tampons, menstrual cups, or other period care products could affect it. After all, your IUD sits inside your uterus, and its strings extend slightly through your cervix—close to where your tampons and menstrual cups go. So, could you accidentally pull it out or cause it to move?
To get a clear answer, we spoke with Dr. Kelly Culwell, an OB-GYN and former medical officer at the World Health Organization.
She explained what’s safe to use, what to avoid right after insertion, and how to lower the already small risk of disturbing your IUD.
Key Takeaways
- Using tampons with an IUD is safe for most people
- If you just got your IUD inserted, wait at least 48 hours before using tampons
- Check the length of your IUD strings before and after using your tampon to make sure there are no changes
- Always remove your tampons gently, and take care not to pull on the strings of your IUD
- If you’re worried, your doctor can cut your IUD strings short
What Is an IUD?
An intrauterine device (IUD for short) is a type of birth control used by people with uteruses. IUDs are long-acting and reversible contraceptives that are inserted into the uterus and last anywhere between three and 12 years.
What does this mean? Once you get your IUD fitted, you don’t have to worry about birth control until it’s time to replace it again. If at any point you decide to get pregnant, your healthcare provider can easily take the IUD out. It’s worth noting that while IUDs protect you against pregnancy (with more than a 99% efficiency rate), they don’t protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.
Once inserted into your uterus, an IUD spreads out into a T shape with little strings that stick out just outside your cervix. These strings make it easy for your healthcare provider to remove the IUD.
IUDs come in two types: copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs.
- Copper IUDs: These IUDs have a thin wire of copper wrapped around T-shaped plastic. Copper affects the function and movement of sperm, preventing them from swimming towards your eggs.
- Hormonal IUDs: These plastic IUDs release a tiny bit of a hormone called progestin into the uterus every day until they expire, at which point they must be removed or replaced. These hormones help keep sperm cells away from your egg by making the mucus of your cervix thicker and physically preventing the sperm from traveling towards your eggs. When the two never meet, pregnancy can never take place.
Can You Use Tampons With an IUD?
Yes, you can use tampons with an IUD as long as you’ve waited at least 24-48 hours after getting your IUD inserted. Tampons and IUDs don’t disturb each other as they are both placed in different areas inside your body. While your tampon sits inside your vagina, your IUD sits higher, inside your uterus, which is blocked off from the vagina by the cervix in between.
Dr. Kelly explains that the only concern with using a tampon with an IUD is that if your IUD strings are on the longer side, you could potentially pull out your IUD while removing your tampon.
“There's not really an infection concern or anything like that. It's really more [that] if you're putting something in your vagina that you're then reaching up and pulling out, there is a chance that you could pull your IUD out, because the strings of the IUD stick out just a little past the cervix,” she says.
However, this generally shouldn’t be an issue since your tampon can easily be removed without you ever having to put your fingers deep inside.
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When to Avoid Tampons With IUDs
Your uterus is very sensitive for a couple of days after you get your IUD inserted. So, if you insert a tampon right away or have sex, you increase the risk of getting an infection or disturbing the IUD. Doctors typically recommend that you wait a minimum of 24-48 hours after inserting an IUD before using a tampon or having sex.
How to Safely Use Tampons With an IUD
If you’re anxious about using tampons with an IUD, here are some steps you can take to make sure you don’t accidentally dislodge the contraceptive.
1. Check the position of your IUD strings before and after your period
While this isn’t a requirement, Dr. Kelly says that checking your IUD strings before and after your period can help reassure you that your IUD hasn’t been displaced. “This is usually a good time just to confirm that they still feel them and that they're about the same length,” she adds.
To check your IUD strings, clean and dry your hands before squatting down or sitting at the edge of your bed. Put your fingers inside and gently feel around for your cervix. It should feel hard, rubbery, and round.
Once you find your cervix, feel for the IUD strings. They should feel firm and plasticky, like nylon wires. Just get a feel for their typical length before your period, and cross-check after your period to confirm that they’re still at the same approximate length.
2. Insert tampons gently at a shallow angle
Don’t thrust your tampon too far into the vagina. Push it inside slowly, while being mindful of the IUD strings.
3. Use the lowest absorbency necessary for your flow
If your flow is light, then use a tampon that’s designed for a light flow. Tampons designed for higher absorbencies can increase your dryness by pulling in your vaginal moisture. When the tampon is dry, it creates more friction, which could potentially displace your IUD.
4. Change your tampons every 4-8 hours
If you leave your tampon in for too long, it can cause infections. Since the IUD is a foreign object inside your body, it’s more prone to infections.
At the same time, don’t change your tampon too frequently. For instance, if your tampon is good to go for five hours, don’t change it every two hours. Use it until it’s at least 90% saturated. If your tampon is too dry it can increase friction when you remove it.
5. Remove tampons slowly and gently
Basically, you want to make sure that you avoid accidentally tugging on the strings of your IUD. If your tampon has strings, they will sit outside your vagina, so you shouldn’t even have to put your fingers in to remove it. If it doesn’t have strings, feel around for the part of the tampon that’s near your vaginal opening.
Slowly slide the tampon out to make sure that your IUD strings don’t get tugged or disturbed. Don’t use any sudden or forceful movement.
Following these precautions makes it very safe for you to use tampons with your IUD. “I have an IUD in. I use tampons. I'm not concerned at all, and I do not tell my patients that they can't use tampons,” says Dr. Kelly.
Common Myths About Tampons and IUDs
Here, we burst the three most common myths associated with using tampons and IUDs together.
Myth: Tampons can pull out your IUD
Truth: Tampons and IUDs sit in different areas inside your body (vagina vs. the uterus, respectively), so a tampon dislodging your IUD is extremely rare.
Myth: Tampons increase the risk of infection.
Truth: As long as you change your tampons every 4-8 hours, the risk of infection is low.
Myth: You can’t use any internal period products with an IUD.
Truth: You can safely use internal period products such as tampons and menstrual cups once your IUD is properly settled.
Does this mean there’s zero risk of you dislodging your IUD when you use a tampon? No. Dr. Kelly says that she has seen patients have an IUD pulled out, so it can happen; it’s just that it’s very rare, so this minimal risk shouldn’t stop you from using the period care product you want to use.
“If you just pulled it out a little bit and didn't remove the whole thing, you could have what we call a partial expulsion of the IUD. A lot of times, the IUD will still work, as long as it's at least partly in the uterus,” says Dr. Kelly.
She further clarifies by saying that although there’s always some risk that you could accidentally remove the IUD, the actual risk is very low. “And if that did happen, it is unlikely to cause any pain or injury. The only concern is that your IUD could be less effective.”
So, as long as you take the precautions we mentioned above, you shouldn’t have a lot to worry about.
Signs Your IUD Might Have Moved
If you experience any of the following, it might be an indication that your IUD isn’t where it should be:
- Strings feeling longer than before, or missing completely
- Feeling the plastic tip of the IUD near the opening of your cervix
- Unusual cramping or bleeding
- Pain during sex
- Your partner feels the plastic device during intercourse
“If you felt your strings after your period and they felt longer than they did before, that could be a sign of a partial expulsion, and that should be something that you go in and see your healthcare provider about. Really, it's all about how effective the IUD will be. But it is not going to hurt you,” says Dr. Kelly.
Alternatives to Tampons With an IUD
If you’re feeling anxious or stressed at the thought of using a tampon with your IUD, there are several other alternatives you can use to be worry-free.
- Pads: There’s zero risk of your sanitary pad disturbing your IUD. On the flipside, pads may feel bulkier in your underwear.
- Period panties: Like pads, period underwear will never interact with your IUD. They’re also comfortable, reusable, and sustainable. If you prefer a non-tampon option, LOLA’s period underwear offers reliable, reusable protection that’s safe for IUD users.
- Menstrual cups: Like tampons, menstrual cups go inside your vagina. While they’re safe for most people, you’ll have to apply the same precautions as using a tampon. The most important part is to carefully release the suction and remove the cup.
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Talking to Your Doctor About Period Products and IUDs
Everyone’s body and IUD placements are unique, so it’s best to discuss the best product choice for you with your doctor. If you’re still worried about using tampons with your IUD, Dr. Kelly says that you can ask your doctor to cut your IUD strings really short.
“The only downside to cutting your strings short is that it sometimes can make the IUD a little bit more difficult to remove when the time comes, but they can be removed even if there are no strings. A healthcare provider, or at least an OB-GYN, or people who are skilled at IUD removal, can get the IUD out,” says Dr. Kelly.
Here are some questions you can ask your doctor:
- Will you cut my IUD strings short if I want to use tampons?
- What period care products do you recommend after inserting an IUD?
- How soon can I use tampons after having an IUD inserted?
- If I notice any change in the length of the IUD strings, when should I check in with you?
FAQs About Tampons and IUDs
Can a tampon accidentally pull out an IUD?
Tampons and IUDs sit in very different places inside you, so the risk of your tampon pulling out your IUD is very low. You can, however, accidentally tug on the strings of your IUD when removing your tampon, so be mindful of that.
What should I avoid with an IUD?
If you’re using a tampon or a menstrual cup, or planning on having sex, you should wait a minimum of 24-48 hours after getting your IUD inserted.
Can a tampon get stuck on IUD strings?
The risk of your tampon getting stuck on IUD strings is very low. If you’re worried, you can ask your doctor to cut your IUD strings short.
What period products can you use with an IUD?
You can use any type of period care product with an IUD. The only caveat is that you wait 24-48 hours after IUD insertion if you’re going to use any insertable period care product, such as tampons or menstrual cups.