Can You Get Pregnant Even With an IUD?
Key Takeaways
- Pregnancy with an IUD is uncommon, but it is possible.
- Both hormonal and copper IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹
- If you receive a positive pregnancy test while you have an IUD, contact your healthcare provider for medical evaluation.
- If pregnancy occurs with an IUD in place, there is a greater chance that the pregnancy could be ectopic.¹
- Severe pelvic or abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness, fainting, or shoulder pain during a possible pregnancy require immediate medical attention.²
If you have an IUD, pregnancy may be the last thing you expect. Thus, a late period, unusual symptoms, or a positive pregnancy test can come as a major surprise.
IUDs are among the most effective forms of birth control. Both hormonal and copper IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹ Still, no birth control method completely eliminates the possibility.
If you think you could be pregnant with an IUD, start by taking a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
IUDs are among the most effective forms of birth control. Both hormonal and copper IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.¹ Still, no birth control method completely eliminates the possibility.
If you think you could be pregnant with an IUD, start by taking a pregnancy test. If the result is positive, contact your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
How Can You Get Pregnant With an IUD?
An IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed inside the uterus. Depending on the type, it prevents pregnancy by releasing hormones or using copper to interfere with sperm.
Although pregnancy is rare with an IUD, it can still happen. An IUD can sometimes shift out of position or come out of the uterus. Pregnancy can also occur while the device remains in place.
Pregnancy symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, or changes to your period. However, hormonal IUDs can also make periods lighter or cause them to stop, so a missed period may not always stand out as an unusual symptom.
If something feels different or you have another reason to suspect pregnancy, taking a test can help you find out.
Although pregnancy is rare with an IUD, it can still happen. An IUD can sometimes shift out of position or come out of the uterus. Pregnancy can also occur while the device remains in place.
Pregnancy symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, or changes to your period. However, hormonal IUDs can also make periods lighter or cause them to stop, so a missed period may not always stand out as an unusual symptom.
If something feels different or you have another reason to suspect pregnancy, taking a test can help you find out.
Can You Take a Pregnancy Test With an IUD?
Yes. You can take a pregnancy test while you have an IUD. Pregnancy tests look for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy. Having an IUD does not prevent a pregnancy test from detecting this hormone.
If you receive a positive home pregnancy test, don't assume the result must be wrong because you have an IUD. Follow up with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy and receive appropriate medical care.
If you're unsure whether you're pregnant, our reproductive healthcare clinic can also provide free and confidential pregnancy testing.
If you receive a positive home pregnancy test, don't assume the result must be wrong because you have an IUD. Follow up with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy and receive appropriate medical care.
If you're unsure whether you're pregnant, our reproductive healthcare clinic can also provide free and confidential pregnancy testing.
What Should You Do If You Get a Positive Pregnancy Test With an IUD?
Contact your healthcare provider if you receive a positive pregnancy test while an IUD is in place. One important reason for follow-up is to determine the location of the pregnancy. Your provider may use blood tests, an ultrasound, or other evaluation to learn more about the pregnancy.²
It’s vital that you do not try to remove your IUD yourself. Your healthcare provider can evaluate your individual situation and determine what medical care is appropriate.
If you need help confirming a possible pregnancy, schedule a free pregnancy test and ultrasound at our clinic.
Can Pregnancy With an IUD Be Ectopic?
Yes, which is why medical follow-up is key. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies develop in a fallopian tube.²
IUDs are highly effective at preventing pregnancy overall. However, Cleveland Clinic notes that if pregnancy does occur while an IUD is in place, the chance of that pregnancy being ectopic is higher.¹
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and requires medical treatment.² Symptoms can include pelvic or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, weakness, or pain near your shoulder. Symptoms can vary, so contact your healthcare provider if you think you may be pregnant with an IUD even if you aren't experiencing these signs.
Seek emergency medical care for severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, extreme dizziness, or other serious symptoms.
IUDs are highly effective at preventing pregnancy overall. However, Cleveland Clinic notes that if pregnancy does occur while an IUD is in place, the chance of that pregnancy being ectopic is higher.¹
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally and requires medical treatment.² Symptoms can include pelvic or abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, weakness, or pain near your shoulder. Symptoms can vary, so contact your healthcare provider if you think you may be pregnant with an IUD even if you aren't experiencing these signs.
Seek emergency medical care for severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, extreme dizziness, or other serious symptoms.
What If You Don't Have Any Pregnancy Symptoms?
Pregnancy symptoms aren't always obvious, especially early on. Some early pregnancy symptoms can also resemble changes you might normally experience around your period. If you have a hormonal IUD, changes to your menstrual cycle may make it harder to use your period as an indication of pregnancy.
If you have a reason to suspect pregnancy, taking a pregnancy test is more useful than relying on symptoms alone. A negative test taken very early may not always provide a clear answer. If your period doesn't arrive or symptoms continue, consider testing again or talking with a healthcare provider.
If you have a reason to suspect pregnancy, taking a pregnancy test is more useful than relying on symptoms alone. A negative test taken very early may not always provide a clear answer. If your period doesn't arrive or symptoms continue, consider testing again or talking with a healthcare provider.
What If You Never Expected to Be Pregnant?
A positive pregnancy test can be particularly surprising when you were actively using a highly effective form of birth control. Start with the immediate information you need. Confirm whether you're pregnant and contact your healthcare provider if you receive a positive result with an IUD in place.
Once you know more about your pregnancy, you can begin considering what comes next. Our pregnancy clinic offers free and confidential pregnancy services if you need a place to start.
Schedule an appointment at our reproductive healthcare clinic for free, confidential pregnancy services and a clearer understanding of your next steps after an unexpected positive test.
Once you know more about your pregnancy, you can begin considering what comes next. Our pregnancy clinic offers free and confidential pregnancy services if you need a place to start.
Schedule an appointment at our reproductive healthcare clinic for free, confidential pregnancy services and a clearer understanding of your next steps after an unexpected positive test.