IT’S EASIER THAN IT LOOKS
An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.2
The copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, flexible plastic frame with copper sleeves or wire around it.1
A health care provider inserts it into a woman’s uterus through her vagina and cervix.1
The Copper makes it more difficult for the sperm reaching the egg.2
It can also stop a fertilised egg from being able to implant itself.2
An IUD works for contraception for 5 or 10 years, depending on the type.2
If you're 40 or over when you have an IUD fitted, it can be left in until you reach the menopause or you no longer need contraception.2
Adapted from Reference 4
Adapted from Reference 4
HOW TO
An IUD can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you're not pregnant.2
You'll be protected against pregnancy straight away.2
Before your IUD is fitted, a doctor or nurse will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb.2
Your IUD can be removed at any time by a doctor or nurse.2
Your periods and fertility will return to normal as soon as the IUD is removed.5
A doctor or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you.3
PROS OF INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
- It can stay in place for up to 5 or 10 years (depending on the type),2 but can be removed any time (reversible)3
- Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception4 Fit and forget: Once you've got one, you don't need to remember to take or use contraception for at least 5 years.5
- It isn’t affected by other medicines.5
- It can be fitted up to five days after sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could’ve ovulated (released an egg).6
- There are no hormonal side effects, such as acne, headaches or breast tenderness.2
- It can be used when breastfeeding.2
- Fertility returns to previous levels once the IUD is removed.5
CONS OF INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
- It requires a doctor or nurse for insertion and removal.2
- Your periods may become heavier, longer or more painful, though this may improve after a few months.3
- Some people feel pain, cramps or dizziness when the IUD is put in or taken out.3
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Inserting the IUD usually takes around 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people and you may be offered a local anesthetic.5
Your doctor or nurse should talk to you about this beforehand.5
You may get a period-type pain and some light bleeding for a few days after the IUD is fitted. Pain-relieving drugs can help with this.5
Usually your partners won’t be able to feel the IUD string with their penis during sex, but every once in a while some people say they can feel it. If this happens and it bothers you or your partner, talk with your nurse or doctor — they may be able to trim the string so it doesn’t stick out as much. And IUD strings usually soften over time, so after a while it might not bother your partner.7
Before your IUD is fitted, a GP or nurse will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb.2
It's very unlikely that your IUD will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads or think it's moved, you may not be protected against pregnancy.2
See a GP or nurse straight away and use additional contraception, such as condoms, until your IUD has been checked.2
GP: General Practitioner
Yes, it’s safe to use tampons.3 Take care not to pull on the IUD threads when you’re removing tampons.5
You can expect some bleeding or spotting immediately after insertion. Irregular spotting can continue during the first month after insertion.1
You’ll find Changes in the bleeding pattern: Prolonged and heavy monthly bleeding, Irregular bleeding, More cramps and pain during monthly bleeding.1
Most IUDs can stay in for 5–10 years depending on the type of device, the doctor or nurse will advise you. If you have had a copper device fitted after your 40th birthday it does not need to be changed unless you are having problems with it.8
Your periods may become heavier, longer or more painful, though this may improve after a few months.2
Yes. A woman who has not had children generally can use an IUD, but she should understand that the IUD is more likely to come out because her uterus may be smaller than the uterus of a woman who has given birth.1
The IUD never travels to any other part of the body outside the abdomen.1
The IUD normally stays within the uterus like a seed within a shell.1
Rarely, the IUD may come through the wall of the uterus into the abdominal cavity.1
This is most often due to a mistake during insertion.1
If it is discovered within 6 weeks or so after insertion or if it is causing symptoms at any time, the IUD will need to be removed.1
For a woman having menstrual cycles, an IUD can be inserted at any time during her menstrual cycle if it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant.1
Inserting the IUD during her monthly bleeding may be a good time because she is not likely to be pregnant, and insertion may be easier.1
It is not as easy to see signs of infection during monthly bleeding, however.1
There are two different types of IUD:
-Copper IUD, contains copper, a type of metal.
-Hormonal IUD, contains the hormone progestogen.3
The non-hormonal releases copper to stop you getting pregnant, and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. It's sometimes called a "coil" or "copper coil".2
The copper alters the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive. It can also stop a fertilized egg from being able to implant itself.2
The hormonal releases the hormone progestogen to stop you getting pregnant and lasts for 3 to 5 years, depending on the brand.8
It thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to move through the cervix, and thins the lining of the womb so an egg is less likely to be able to implant itself.9
No, a woman can become pregnant once the IUD is removed just as quickly as a woman who has never used an IUD, although fertility decreases as women get older.1
Research studies find no increased risk of infertility among women who have used IUDs, including young women and women with no children.1
Whether or not a woman has an IUD, however, if she develops pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and it is not treated, there is some chance that she will become infertile.1
An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.2 the copper makes it difficult to the sperm reaching the egg.3
Sometimes, sperm does reach the egg (fertilization) so the IUD stops the egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus.3
It works as soon as it's put in and lasts for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type.2
References :
1-Copper-Bearing Intrauterine Device. Available at : Reference Last accessed: (11/7/2021).
2-NHS. Intrauterine device (IUD). Available at: Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
3-Family Planning. INTRA UTERINE DEVICE (IUD). Available at : Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
4-American Family Physician . Insertion and Removal of Intrauterine Devices. Available at : Reference Last Accessed :16/11/2021.
5-SexWise. IUD (Intrauterine device). Available at : Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
6-SexWise. your guide to the IUD. Available at: Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
7-Planned Parenthood.Can a guy feel an IUD during sex? Can you get an IUD without parent permission , Available at : Reference Last Accessed :5/9/2021
8-NHS. Advice to Intrauterine device (IUD) users. Available at: Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
9-NHS. IUS. Available at: Reference Last Accessed: (11/7/2021).
SF0087OA713/042023
11/04/2025
PP-PF-WHC-EG-0033-1
