It's more than 99% effective. Less than one in every 100 women who use the IUS will get pregnant in five years.
It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse and your fertility quickly returns to normal.
The IUS can make your periods lighter, shorter or stop altogether, so it may help women who have heavy periods or painful periods.
It can be used by women who can't use combined contraception (such as the combined pill), for example those who have migraines.
Once the IUS is in place, you don't have to think about contraception every day or each time you have sex.
Some women may experience mood swings, skin problems or breast tenderness.
There's a small risk of getting an infection after it's inserted.
It can be uncomfortable when the IUS is put in. Painkillers can help with this.
The IUS can be fitted at any time during your monthly menstrual cycle, as long as you're definitely not pregnant. Ideally, it should be fitted within seven days of the start of your period because this will protect against pregnancy straight away. You should use condoms for seven days if the IUS is fitted at any other time.
The IUS does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By using condoms as well as the IUS, you'll help to protect yourself against STIs.
Having an IUS fitted
An IUS can be fitted at any stage of your menstrual cycle, as long as you are not pregnant. If it's fitted in the first seven days of your cycle, you will be protected against pregnancy straight away. If it's fitted at any other time, you need to use another method of contraception (such as condoms) for seven days after it's fitted.
Before you have an IUS fitted you will have an internal examination to determine the size and position of your womb. This is to make sure that the IUS can be positioned in the correct place.
You may also be tested for any existing infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is best to do this before an IUS is fitted so that any infections can be treated. Sometimes, you may be given antibiotics at the same time as an IUS is fitted.
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to insert an IUS:
the vagina is held open, like it is during a cervical screening (smear) test, and
the IUS is inserted through the cervix and into the womb
The fitting process can be uncomfortable or painful for some women, and you may also experience cramps afterwards.
You can ask for a local anaesthetic or painkillers before having the IUS fitted. Discuss this with your GP or nurse beforehand. An anaesthetic injection itself can be painful, so many women have the procedure without one.
Once an IUS is fitted it will need to be checked by a doctor after three to six weeks to make sure that everything is fine. Speak to your GP or clinician if you have any problems after this initial check or if you want the IUS removed.
Also speak to your GP if you or your partner are at risk of contracting an STI as this can lead to infection in the pelvis.
See your GP or go back to the clinic if you:
have pain in your lower abdomen
have a high temperature
have a smelly discharge
This may mean you have an infection.
How to tell if an IUS is still in place
An IUS has two thin threads that hang down a little way from your womb into the top of your vagina. The GP or clinician that fits your IUS will teach you how to feel for these threads and check that the IUS is still in place.
Check your IUS is in place a few times in the first month and then after each period at regular intervals.
It is very unlikely that your IUS will come out, but if you can't feel the threads or if you think the IUS has moved, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use extra contraception, such as condoms, until your IUS has been checked. If you've had sex recently, you may need to use emergency contraception.
Your partner shouldn't be able to feel your IUS during sex. If he can feel the threads, get your GP or clinician to check that your IUS is in place. They may be able to cut the threads a little. If you feel any pain during sex, go for a check-up with your GP or clinician.
Removing an IUS
Your IUS can be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse.
If you're not going to have another IUS put in and you don't want to become pregnant, use another contraceptive method (such as condoms) for seven days before you have the IUS removed. Sperm can live for seven days in the body and could fertilise an egg once the IUS is removed. As soon as an IUS is taken out, your normal fertility should return.
Advantages and disadvantages of the IUS
Although an IUS is an effective method of contraception, there are several things to consider before having an IUS fitted.
Advantages of the IUS
it works for five years
it's one of the most effective forms of contraception available in the UK
it doesn't interrupt sex
an IUS may be useful if you have heavy or painful periods because your periods usually become much lighter and shorter, and sometimes less painful – they may stop completely after the first year of use
it can be used safely if you're breastfeeding
it's not affected by other medicines
it may be a good option if you can't take the hormone oestrogen, which is used in the combined contraceptive pill
your fertility will return to normal when the IUS is removed
There's no evidence that an IUS will affect your weight or that having an IUS fitted will increase the risk of cervical cancer, cancer of the uterus or ovarian cancer. Some women experience changes in mood and libido, but these changes are very small.
Disadvantages of the IUS
An uncommon side effect of the IUS is the appearance of small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries – these usually disappear without treatment.
An IUS doesn't protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so you may also have to use condoms when having sex. If you get an STI while you have an IUS fitted, it could lead to pelvic infection if it's not treated.
Most women who stop using an IUS do so because of vaginal bleeding and pain, although this is uncommon. Hormonal problems can also occur, but these are even less common
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