IUD

Intrauterine Devices (IUD) or Systems (IUS) are female methods of contraception that involve the insertion of a small device into the uterus by a medical practitioner which prevents the sperm and egg meeting and also prevents implantation of an embryo. An IUD is a small plastic and copper device which is inserted into the uterus. It is over 99% effective and can stay in for 5-10 years. An IUS is a small plastic T shaped device that is inserted into theuterus and it secretes progesterone; it works in a similar way to the pill/implant and the IUD. It is over 99% effective and can stay in the uterus for three to five years. The copper coil is hormone free and suitable for women who cannot tolerate, or for medical reasons, cannot have hormonal contraception. With the copper coil, your periods will stay the same, or may get heavier and/or more painful. Before fitting any type of coil, your doctor may suggest you have vaginal swabs to test for STIs. This is because introducing a coil into the womb when an STI is present can spread the infection to your tubes or pelvis, leading to infertility and long-term pain. The most common type of IUD is the Mirena coil, which releases a low dose of progesterone into the womb cavity. It thins the lining of the womb, reducing heaviness of periods in 9 out of 10 women. It can also reduce painful periods. Some women have spotting and irregular bleeding to start off with, but this improves the longer the Mirena coil is left inside the womb. Because the dose of hormone is much lower than with the pill, other hormonal side effects are less common and less severe.

These contraceptive methods do not protect against sexually transmitted infection.