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Emergency IUD

What is an emergency IUD?

An emergency IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception. An emergency IUD is more effective method of emergency contraception than the emergency pill. The emergency IUD is a plastic and copper device that is inserted into your womb. The device has one or two threads coming out of one end. These threads hang through the cervix and into the top of your vagina. The IUD comes in sizes and, depending upon the type, it can stay in for between three and ten years.

When can an emergency IUD be fitted?

An emergency IUD can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex, provided that this is the only unprotected sex that has happened since your last period.

Who fits an IUD?

A trained doctor or nurse should take about 15-20 minutes to insert an IUD. They will examine you first. The process of inserting an IUD may be uncomfortable and in some cases it’s painful. Some women are given a local anaesthetic. A trained doctor or nurse can take out an IUD at any time. An old version of the IUD used to be shaped like a coil, hence the name.

How does an IUD work?

An IUD stops sperm reaching your egg. An IUD may also stop your womb accepting a fertilised egg.

How effective is an IUD?

The most effective IUDs contain more copper than older versions. With these new IUDs, if 100 women use them for a year, only 1 of them should get pregnant. Ultimately, however, an IUD’s effectiveness will depend upon your personal situation.

Can anyone have an IUD fitted?

Not all women can have an IUD fitted. That’s why you need guidance from a doctor or nurse. An IUD might not be suitable if you think you could be pregnant. In addition, an IUD may not be suitable if you have an untreated pelvic infection or sexually transmitted infection (STI/STD) or if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding.

What are the advantages of fitting an IUD?

An IUD has a number of advantages. It doesn’t interrupt sex, you don’t have to remember to take a pill every day, you can use one when breastfeeding, it’s not affected by other medicines, it works for 3-10 years depending upon which IUD you use, and your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUD is taken out.

What are the disadvantages of fitting an IUD?

Like all medicines, fitting an IUD is accompanied by risks. Risks specific to an IUD include the very small chance that you get an infection within 20 days of having an IUD inserted. There is also a risk that your womb pushes the IUD out or the IUD moves. A doctor or nurse can teach you how to check that an IUD is still in its correct position. There is also a risk that the IUD may perforate your womb or cervix when it’s put in. This may have to be corrected by surgery. If you fall pregnant while using an IUD there is a small risk of an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the foetus grows outside the womb. Having an IUD fitted may cause your periods to be heavier, longer or more painful. This may improve over time. Occasionally it can be the case that a man feels the IUD threads during sex. An IUD won’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs).

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