Can a man feel the coil strings during intercourse?

I had a coil inserted in 2013. My husband claimed he would feel the strings during sex and asked me to remove it. However, my doctor advised against it and he has since stopped complaining. Why?
Alaisha

Dear Alaisha,
A Copper Intra Uterine Device prevents pregnancy by more than 99 per cent mostly by the copper stopping or killing the sperms (spermicide) before they fertilise the egg. Copper also alters the thickness of cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to get through. Copper IUDs can effectively stay in the uterus for up to 10 years.

Usually, the woman and her spouse do not feel the strings (except when she checks using her fingers) but if a man discovers that his sexual partner has secretly put it, or when he does not want contraception, he will claim he feels the strings or the strings hurt him. If they are actually felt, it may be necessary to cut the strings shorter but this may risk cutting them too short, making the devices retrieval when required difficult.

That said, commonly, if the IUD is out of place, a man is likely to feel the strings requiring visiting a family planning clinic for consultation. Your doctor could have checked and found the device in place without needing any further intervention.

Usually after the device is inserted, it is advised that one squats to get a feel of the strings because she will be required to check the strings after every period to ensure that the device is not out of place or expelled. Also, a woman should check for the strings at any time she feels unusual cramping during her period or the husband says he feels them.