1. Wot Wud U Do
  2. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

A 'T' shaped plastic and copper device that's inserted into the vagina by a health professional and releases copper to prevent pregnancy

How effective are they?

More than 99% effective. An IUD can stay in place for 5 to 10 years depending on the type but can be taken out at any time. Fewer than 1 in 100 women will get pregnant in a year, depending on the type of IUD. Older types are less effective.

What are the advantages?

  • Your periods can be heavier, longer or more painful in the first 3 to 6 months after an IUD is put in,
  • Not effect by other medicines and no hormonal side effects such as headaches or mood swings,
  • Taken out at any time and its possible to get pregnant straight away,
  • Takes 5 minutes to fit and works straight away,
  • Lasts for 5 to 10 years depending on type.

What are the risks?

  • Doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections,
  • There’s a small risk of getting a pelvic infection or body may push out or move the IUD,
  • If the IUD fails and you get pregnant, there’s a small chance of an ectopic pregnancy.

If you experience pain in your lower abdomen, have a high temperature or experience a smelly discharge coming from your vagina, you should talk to your doctor or a health professional Immediately.

You should also ask about risk factors such as smoking, your age or medical history before you get the intrauterine device

What makes them less effective?

  • Health professionals check inside your vagina, measuring the size of the womb but also testing for sexually transmitted infections which can take 20-30 minutes,
  • Your periods may become heavier, longer or more painful, though this may improve after a few months,
  • 2 thin threads hang down a little way from your womb to the top of your vagina,
  • It can be uncomfortable when the IUD is put in.
"I pick up a lot of the resources off the PSHE association and some come as lesson plans where you work it out yourself, and some come as PowerPoints where you can tweak them, but none of them, are as good as these or as ready to go. All the information is on the slide, it’s detailed, there’s direct links to website and videos and there is a complete package which no other resources, I don’t think, bar maybe a couple of large charity ones, have been that ready to use.’"

Hutton Grammar School