Intrauterine device (IUD)
Pregnancy prevention for up to ten years, remove at any time
An effective, long-acting and reversible method of contraception
The IUD is a small, T-shaped device that is placed in a woman’s womb and provides contraceptive protection for up to ten years.
The IUD is a long-acting, reversible method of contraception (LARC). Long-acting methods of contraception all have the advantage that, once in place, you don’t need to think about them until they need replacing and none of them interrupt sex.
A woman can use an IUD whether or not she’s had children. IUDs are also straightforward for a trained provider to insert and remove, which can generally be done at any time.
Effectiveness
99% – If one hundred women used the IUD for a year and carried on with their normal sex life then only one of those women would fall pregnant during that period.
Availability
IUDs are available at all of our clinic locations.
Pricing
Please contact our team for more information about pricing.
If you’re starting to use contraception for the first time, or thinking about using a new method, it’s a good idea to have a full consultation.
Call us toll-free for a confidential chat
0808 00 19/20
Find our locations that offer contraception and family planning services.
Advantages of an IUD
There are plenty of advantages for using an IUD as an effective way to prevent pregnancy.
Both types of IUD (hormonal and non-hormonal) offer the following advantages:
- Easily inserted by a trained Marie Stopes provider
- Effective immediately
- Easy to use – nothing to remember after insertion
- Can be easily removed
- Works as soon as it’s put in
- Fertility returns immediately after it’s removed
- It does not interrupt sex.
These benefits come from the correct use of the IUD when inserted by a trained provider. If using an IUD you should also make sure to follow any product manufacturer instructions.
Other methods of contraception at a glance
How an IUD works
The IUD works by stopping a man’s sperm meeting an egg or it may also stop an egg implanting in the uterus.
Inserting an IUD is a simple procedure that takes a few minutes. A trained person inserts the IUD. The IUD sits in your womb and does not move from there. There are threads attached to the IUD which hang down into the vagina that assist with removal or if you or your provider want to check on the IUD. Do not pull on the threads as this is how the device is removed.
The IUD starts working as soon as it is put in and stops working as soon as it is taken out, at which point your normal fertility returns immediately.
IUD aftercare advice
If you have an IUD fitted, it will work straight away. When your IUD is fitted, you should plan a follow-up appointment after 6 weeks to have your IUD checked.
Once a month, after your period, gently insert a finger into your vagina during a bath or shower. The neck of your womb (cervix) feels a bit like the end of your nose, and you should be able to feel the threads of your IUD. If you can’t, please contact us or your doctor, and use condoms or abstain from sex until the presence of the IUD is confirmed.
Your partner should not be able to feel the threads during sex. If this happens, seek advice as above, as your threads might be too long.
Please contact us at any time if you have any aftercare concerns, or find out more if you’re looking to learn about removing an IUD.
Find your best fit
If you’re unsure what method is best for you, take our online contraception quiz.
