YouTube star Catherine McBroom removed her own IUD to 'get healthy,' according to her reported Snapchat post

• A reported screenshot of McBroom writing that she removed her own IUD has been circulating online.
• Social-media users criticized the sentiment, arguing it could encourage other people to do the same.

Catherine McBroom from the YouTube-famous ACE Family is facing backlash after internet commentator DefNoodles posted a reported screenshot from her Snapchat account that appears to suggest she removed her IUD herself at home, which some experts say is not recommended.

The screenshot includes Catherine's handle as well as an image of a hand holding what appears to be an IUD along with on-screen text saying having it inserted was "the biggest mistake."

The text of the reported Snapchat post continued, "I also haven't had my period for the past 8 months. Got a download the other day that I needed to immediately remove it to get myself healthy again. I read it was difficult to take it out yourself but that didn't stop me. When I got it out was like my body gave it right up, I cried of happiness knowing my body was finally going to be happy and thank me. Anything but this."

Catherine and her husband Austin are known for running the ACE Family YouTube channel which has amassed over 19 million subscribers since it was launched in 2o16. It features vlogs depicting the couple's life with their three young children. The McBrooms have faced numerous controversies throughout 2021, and their LA mansion valued at $10 million was foreclosed on in October.

The Snapchat post is no longer available to view on her account since it expired, but internet commentators DefNoodles and Dustin Dailey both posted images of it on December 20.

A Snapchat posted by Catherine on December 21 viewed by Insider shows her responding to a follower asking her if she's had any "crashes" since she took the IUD out. According to Healthline, a crash refers to "one or a cluster of symptoms that last for days, weeks, or months" after a hormonal IUD has been removed.

Catherine's response read, "Yes it's so bad right now. Someone help me." A second post shows a response from another user saying, "Ur body is just transitioning back to normal just give it time."

Twitter and Instagram users have argued Catherine's purported post was "promoting" self-removals of IUDs to a potentially young fanbase, with many calling the practice "dangerous."

On DefNoodles' Instagram post of the screenshot, the top comment, with over 1,400 likes, reads, "This is really dangerous and should only be done by a Dr."

YouTuber and streamer Paige Christie wrote in a tweet, "THIS IS SO DANGEROUS, PLEASE don't take these out yourself…"

An IUD is a form of long-term contraception that should be inserted and removed by medical professionals.

In August, Insider reported that a number of people were posting TikToks about removing IUDs themselves due to a lack of health insurance and long appointment delays. Public-health experts and OB-GYNs told Insider that self-removal is generally safe and straightforward, with some doctors offering discussions around self-removals to ensure patients have accurate information.

Experts also told Insider they were generally concerned about posts on social media from people who are not medical professionals promoting misconceptions about IUDs, with some saying that while it is possible to take IUDs out at home, it's not recommended and may in some cases lead to complications like the device dislodging or not being fully extracted.

Representatives for the McBrooms did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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