When I had my IUD replaced at my doctor’s office, it wasn’t the pain that surprised me—it was the question I was asked after the procedure.
‘Would you like to keep it?’ Dr. Yuliya Boruch, a New York-based obstetrician and gynecologist, asked as she held up the device she had just removed from my body for me to see.
Assuming he was joking, I awkwardly responded “no” (I had no desire to take him home on the New York subway) and studied his eyes hoping he would crack a smile, but no, he was dead serious.
Dr. Boruch revealed that an increasing number of her patients are asking to take the T-shaped device, a long-term method of birth control inserted into the uterus, home, where they are transformed into wearable pieces of jewelry.
“Several of my patients also framed them and hung them on the walls of their homes,” he added.
Dr. Boruch told me that she now asks all of her patients if they would like to keep their IUDs, as she has noticed the emerging trend.
A quick Google search shows that “IUD jewelry” is, in fact, something to “celebrate womanhood” and “spread birth control awareness.”
“I’m clearly behind,” I thought.
An IUD is a T-shaped device that is more than 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.
An IUD is inserted into the vagina through a small tube and passes through the cervical opening to the uterus.
One of the top results that came up was a Reddit post titled “I made a necklace out of my old IUD.”
In the post, the Redditor explains how he had an IUD for five years and had a great experience with it: “No major cramps, fewer weight and mood fluctuations than on the pill, and very little to no period.”
When it was removed and replaced, she asked her OB/GYN if she could keep it.
She continued: ‘I took (my IUD) home, soaked it in hot water with dish soap and scrubbed it VERY well, then went to a friend’s house who taught me how to make resin jewelry.
‘I made this necklace to celebrate femininity, access to contraception, and my own inner strength! I am happy to share this article to spread more awareness about birth control.’
A photo of her IUD pendant shows the device encapsulated in resin, with small flowers and butterfly motifs surrounding it.
An IUD is one of the most effective methods of birth control, with a success rate of more than 99 percent in preventing pregnancy.
There are two types of IUDs: copper and hormonal. The former releases a small amount of copper into the uterus, creating an inflammatory response that is toxic to sperm and eggs.
A creative Redditor shows how she turned her IUD into a resin pendant with flowers and butterflies framing it.
Many women reveal on social media how creative they have been with their old IUDs
The latter releases a small amount of the hormone progestin, which thickens the cervical mucus and makes it difficult for sperm to reach the egg. It can also prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.
According to 2023 National Health Statistics Information Regarding contraceptive use, the last year available, 20 percent of sexually active women between the ages of 15 and 49 reported ever using an IUD between the years 2015 and 2019.
But there is no information on how many women keep their IUDs.
Getting an IUD inserted is a minor procedure during which a doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina and uses a small tube to pass the IUD through the cervical opening to the uterus.
To remove the device, the doctor will pull small strings attached to the bottom of the IUD through the vagina.
It is after this removal that people apparently request to take the IUD home.
Later in my search on TikTok, I found dozens of other women who had taken their IUDs home to make jewelry and ornaments.
content creator @I love almond butter shows how she made an earring out of her old IUD, while @claraburke42069 she turned hers into a necklace and asked her followers if it was appropriate to wear it to work.
TikTok user Camille Schim filmed herself going to a craft store looking for supplies to turn her old IUD into wall art.
Schim washed his IUD in the kitchen sink and showed off his framed device.
Driving creativity at full speed, @adrienneog She took her old IUD home in a medical specimen container and turned it into an accessory for her car. He spray painted it gold, tied it to a chain, and hung it from his rearview mirror.
Meanwhile, @camilleschim took her followers to a craft store to buy a shadow frame and turn her IUD into a piece of wall art.
She filmed herself washing her IUD in the kitchen sink and then showed off her device in a frame surrounded by pink flowers.
“We were best friends these last five years,” the TikToker wrote in the caption.
While commenters have deemed these repurposed IUDs “cute” and “adorable,” others called these projects “gross, weird” and added, “I hope you don’t use them.” Kinda weird.’
One Reddit user considered taking it home, but said her old IUD was “covered in uterine gunk.”
Dr. Boruch told me the devices. They are completely safe to keep, but “they should be cleaned with soap, water and alcohol wipes, since after all, they have been inside the womb for quite a few years… in some cases, a decade.”
The gynecologist added: “Surprisingly, they come out quite clean, but there are always a few drops of blood left after extraction.”
‘The out-of-pocket cost of an IUD is $1,200 to $1,500 depending on the brand if you don’t have insurance, so it’s certainly an expensive piece of jewelry.’
No matter public opinion or doctors’ recommendations, I’m glad I turned down the offer.
RIP to my IUD: it was a pleasure meeting you.