view by subject | view by audience | view by title

Factsheet

The Copper IUD

Date 27 March 2008

WHAT IS A COPPER IUD?

A Copper IUD is a small plastic device which has copper wire wrapped around its stem. For the rest of this information, we will mean the Copper IUD when we talk about the IUD. It is placed inside the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy. The IUD has a fine nylon string attached to it. When the IUD is in place, the string comes out through the cervix (the neck of the uterus) into the far end of the vagina. If you feel high up inside your vagina with your finger, you can check that the string is there and know the IUD is still in place. The string also makes it easy for a doctor to remove the IUD.

HOW DOES THE IUD WORK?

Although the IUD has been available for more than 30 years it is not fully understood how it works. We know that it stops the sperm from moving freely and surviving in the womb, so they cannot get to the egg to fertilise it. We also know that the IUD and the copper released from the wire around its stem cause changes to the transport of the egg and to the lining of the womb so that a fertilised egg may not be able to grow there.

WHO CAN USE AN IUD?

You should be able to use an IUD if:

you have had a baby
you want to have a space of two or more years between pregnancies
after having your children, you want a reliable method of contraception that can be removed easily
none of the things listed under When You Should Not Use An IUD, apply to you.

WHEN YOU SHOULD NOT USE A COPPER IUD

You should not use a Copper IUD if:

You could be pregnant
You are at increased risk of infection because of multiple sexual partners or a recent change of sexual partner
You have a current pelvic infection (PID, infection in the tubes) or have had more than one pelvic infection in the past
You have abnormal bleeding from your vagina that has not been diagnosed
You have fibroids or other conditions that change the shape of your uterus or cervix.

WHEN YOU SHOULD THINK SERIOUSLY BEFORE CHOOSING AN IUD

If any of these things apply to you, it is best to talk them over with your doctor before deciding to use a Copper IUD.

You have not had children but want to have children in the future.
You have painful or long-lasting periods.
You have had an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the tube)
You are anaemic (not enough iron in your blood).
You have a medical condition that makes it very risky for you to have an internal infection eg rheumatic heart disease, or treatment with steroids or other drugs that stop your immune system from working properly.
You have fibroids or other conditions that change the shape of you uterus or cervix or your uterus is fairly large or small (the doctor will be able to tell you when you are examined)
You have an abnormal Pap test that may require treatment.
You have already had an IUD that has come out by itself.
You are unable to have follow-up checks after insertion.

BENEFITS WITH USING AN IUD

The IUD is more than 99% effective. It is more reliable than the Pill, which is 92% effective in general use.

You can't forget to use an IUD - it is always in place. The IUD can stay in place and protect against pregnancy for at least five years.

Although the initial cost of an IUD is more than for other methods, as it lasts for five to eight years (depending on the type of IUD) it is comparatively inexpensive.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH USING A COPPER IUD

There is a small chance of getting a pelvic infection. If a woman has a pelvic infection she has increased risk of infertility (she may not be able to have children).
Your periods may be heavier and more painful.
The IUD may be pushed out of the uterus into the vagina and can even fall out eg when you go to the toilet, without you noticing. This can leave you at risk of getting pregnant (this is why you need to check for the string regularly). However if it is going to come out, it is more likely during the first few weeks after insertion.
Very rarely an IUD can pass into the wall of the uterus, and even more rarely through the wall of the uterus into the abdominal cavity, during insertion.
Occasionally a woman becomes pregnant with an IUD in place. If the IUD is then removed there is about a 30% chance of miscarriage. If it is not removed, the risk of infection during the pregnancy is higher and there is a risk of miscarriage in the last 12 weeks of the pregnancy. The IUD does not cause abnormalities in the baby however, even when it has been left in place for the whole of the pregnancy.
If you fall pregnant with a Copper IUD in place there is a slightly higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, although this is still very low.
Talk to a doctor about all these things if you are considering using an IUD.

HOW DO YOU GET AN IUD?

You need to go to a doctor for an IUD. Usually you are asked to make two visits. On the first visit the doctor will ask you questions about your general and reproductive health. You will need to have a vaginal/pelvic examination, and if necessary a Pap test and possibly a test for vaginal infection.

On the second visit you will have the IUD inserted. You may be given a local anaesthetic before the IUD is inserted, but this is not always needed. Sometimes women are referred to have the IUD inserted with some intravenous sedation or even under general anaesthetic. Your doctor will explain the procedure to you. It takes about 10 minutes and is not usually painful though some women find it a little uncomfortable. You may feel faint during or after the insertion and you will probably need to rest for a while before you leave the clinic and you should allow about an hour to be at the clinic.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER AN IUD INSERTION

You may have period-like cramps and bleeding or spotting in the first few days after the IUD is inserted. Taking paracetemol, and holding a hot water bottle on your stomach may help to relieve any discomfort. If cramps, spotting or pain last more than a few days, see your doctor. You should avoid vaginal sex for two days to reduce the risk of infection. You will need to go back to the doctor for a check-up six weeks after the IUD insertion. After that you will need a check up every two years with your normal Pap test.

HOW IS THE IUD REMOVED?

The IUD can stay in place for five to eight years depending on the type. If you want to get pregnant or if you decide that you do not want to have the IUD for other reasons, it can be removed earlier. You will be given another vaginal/pelvic examination. Then the doctor will use a special instrument to remove the IUD by gently pulling on the string that can be seen coming through the cervix. This only takes a couple of minutes. Some women find it a little uncomfortable but most women don't feel much at all.

THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU DECIDE TO USE AN IUD

Learn to check the string each month after your period to make sure the IUD is still in the right place.
If you have any unusual symptoms eg discharge from your vagina or pain low in your abdomen, see your doctor straight away.
If your period is more than a week overdue, see your doctor or clinic for a pregnancy test.
If you or your partner ever have casual sex, of if you have a new sexual partner, use a condom every time until you both have been checked for sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

Download more info Copper IUD (Adobe PDF File)
[ Get Adobe PDF Reader here ]

For further information

Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.