An IUD can stay in for three to
ten years, depending on type. It should only be
fitted by a trained doctor or nurse. An IUD used
to be called a 'coil'.
How
effective is an IUD?
How does an IUD work?
What are the advantages
of an IUD?
What are the disadvantages
of an IUD?
Can anyone use an IUD?
Where can I get an IUD?
How is an IUD put in?
What if I feel unwell after
the IUD is put in?
How will I know that the IUD
is still in place?
Is it safe to use tampons if
I have an IUD fitted?
How often do I need to see a
doctor or nurse?
When can the IUD be removed?
Will an IUD affect my periods?
What if I become pregnant
while I am using an IUD?
I've just had a baby. Can I use
an IUD?
Can I use an IUD after an
abortion or miscarriage?
How effective is an IUD?
How effective any contraceptive is depends on
how old you are, how often you have sex and whether
you follow the instructions.
If 100 sexually active women don't
use any contraception, 80 to 90 will become pregnant
in a year.
IUDs are around 99% effective.
With newer, and more commonly used, types of IUD
less than one woman in 100 will become pregnant
in a year. With older IUDs up to two women may
become pregnant in a year.
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How does an IUD work?
The main way an IUD works is to stop sperm reaching
an egg. It does this by:
• preventing sperm from
surviving in the womb or fallopian tube
•
making it
difficult for sperm to get through cervical mucus.
It may also work by stopping a fertilised egg
from implanting in the womb.
An IUD does not cause an abortion.
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What are the advantages of an IUD?
•
It
works as soon as it is put in.
•
It
works for three to ten years depending on type.
•
You don't have to think about
contraception for as long as it is in place.
•
It
doesn't interrupt sex.
•
Your
normal fertility returns as soon as the IUD is
taken out.
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What are the disadvantages of an IUD?
•
Your
periods may be heavier, longer or more painful.
This may improve after a few months.
•
There
is a very small chance of you getting an infection
during the first 20 days after an IUD is put in.
You may be advised to have a check for any possible
existing infection before an IUD is fitted.
•
The
IUD does not protect you from sexually transmitted
infections, so you may have to use condoms as
well.
•
If
you get a sexually transmitted infection when
the IUD is in place this could lead to a pelvic
infection at any time.
•
The
IUD can be pushed out by your womb (expulsion)
or it can move (displacement). This is more likely
to happen soon after it has been put in and you
may not know it has happened. This is why your
doctor or nurse will teach you how to check your
IUD threads every month.
•
It
is not common, but there is a risk that an IUD
might go through (perforate) your womb or cervix
when it is put in. This may cause pain but often
there are no symptoms. If it happens, the IUD
may have to be removed by surgery. The risk of
perforation is low when an IUD is fitted by an
experienced doctor or nurse.
•
If
you do become pregnant while you are using an
IUD there is a small increased risk of you having
an ectopic pregnancy. This is when the pregnancy
develops outside your womb, usually in a fallopian
tube. Although this is not common, it is dangerous.
This risk of ectopic pregnancy is less in women
using an IUD than in women using no contraception
at all.
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Can anyone use an IUD?
Most women who want to use an IUD can do so, including
women who have never been pregnant and women who
are HIV positive. Your doctor or nurse will need
to ask you about your medical history to check
if the IUD is suitable for you. Do mention any
illness or operations which you have had. Some
of the conditions which may mean you should not
use an IUD are:
•
you
think you might already be pregnant
•
you and your partner are
at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection.
•
you have:
- an untreated sexually transmitted
infection or pelvic infection
- problems with your womb or cervix
- unexplained bleeding from your vagina (for example
between periods or after sex)
- an artificial or diseased heart valve - this
will require specialist advice.
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Where can I get an IUD?
You can go to a family planning clinic, sexual
health clinic or to your GP. Some GPs and practice
nurses will fit IUDs, but not all. All the treatment
is confidential and free.
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How is an IUD put in?
An IUD can be put in at any time in your menstrual
cycle if it is certain that you are not pregnant.
The doctor or nurse will examine you internally
to find the position and size of your womb before
they put in an IUD. Sometimes they will check
for any possible existing infection. It is best
to do this before the IUD is put in. In some circumstances
antibiotics may be given to you at the same time
as fitting the IUD.
Fitting an IUD takes about 15-20
minutes. It can be uncomfortable, or painful for
some women, and you might want to have a painkiller
or a local anaesthetic. Your doctor or nurse should
talk to you about this beforehand. You may get
a period-type pain and some light bleeding for
a few days after the IUD is fitted. Painkillers
can help with this.
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What if I feel unwell after the IUD is
fitted?
If you feel unwell and have any pain in your lower
abdomen, with a high temperature or a smelly discharge
from your vagina in the first three weeks after
the IUD is fitted, see a doctor or go back to
the family planning clinic as soon as possible.
This is because you may have an infection.
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How will I know that the IUD is still
in place?
An IUD has one or two threads attached to the
end that hang a little way down from your womb
into the top of your vagina. The doctor or nurse
will teach you how to feel the threads to make
sure the IUD is still in place. You should do
this a few times in the first month and then after
each period or at regular intervals. It is very
unlikely that an IUD will come out, but if you
cannot feel the threads, or if you think you can
feel the IUD itself, you may not be protected
against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight
away and use an extra contraceptive method, such
as condoms. If you had sex recently you might
need to use emergency contraception.
Rarely, your partner may say he
can feel the threads during sex. If this is the
case, get your doctor or nurse to check the threads.
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Is it safe to use tampons if I have an
IUD fitted?
Yes, you can use either tampons or towels during
your periods.
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How often do I need to see a doctor or
nurse?
You should have your IUD checked by a doctor or
nurse three to six weeks after it is put in. An
IUD can stay in for three to ten years depending
on type. Do contact your doctor or nurse if you
have any problems. It's important to seek advice
if you think you could be at risk of getting a
sexually transmitted infection, as this can lead
to a pelvic infection.
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When can the IUD be removed?
A trained doctor or nurse can take the IUD out
at any time, by pulling gently on the threads.
If you are not going to have another IUD put in,
and you don't want to become pregnant, use an
extra contraceptive method, such as condoms, for
seven days before the IUD is taken out. This is
to stop sperm getting into your body. Sperm can
live for up to seven days inside your body and
could cause a pregnancy once the IUD is removed.
Your normal fertility returns as soon as the IUD
is taken out.
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Will an IUD affect my periods?
During the first few months it is common for your
periods to be heavier or longer than normal. This
usually improves over time. If it continues for
more than six months, your doctor or nurse may
want to check that there are no other reasons
for this.
You may also have some slight
bleeding between your first two or three periods
after you have had the IUD fitted.
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What if I become pregnant while I am using
an IUD?
Very few women become pregnant while using an
IUD. If you have a light or delayed period, or
if you have a sudden or unusual pain in your lower
abdomen, go to your GP or clinic straight away
or a hospital as these might be the warning signs
of an ectopic pregnancy.
If you want to continue with the
pregnancy, and it is not an ectopic pregnancy,
the IUD should be removed if possible. Removing
the IUD can increase the risk of miscarriage,
but this risk is less than if the IUD remains
in the womb. If you do not have a miscarriage,
the IUD will not harm the baby.
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I've just had a baby. Can I use an IUD?
An IUD is usually put in from four weeks after
a vaginal or caesarean birth. You will need to
use another method of contraception from three
weeks after the birth until the IUD is put in.
It can also be put in within 48 hours of birth
when it will be effective immediately.
An IUD can be used while you are
breastfeeding.
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Can I use an IUD after an abortion or
miscarriage?
An IUD can be put in immediately after an abortion
or miscarriage if you were pregnant for less than
24 weeks. If you had a medical abortion (using
pills) an IUD should be fitted in the first two
days after the abortion is complete otherwise
you will need to wait for four weeks.
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