Contraception is used to stop unwanted pregnancies by either preventing the man’s sperm reaching the woman’s ova (egg) and fertilising it, or by stopping the woman producing eggs at all. A popular method of contraception used is an intrauterine device (IUD), commonly known as a coil, a T-shaped device inserted into the womb by a trained health professional and which may be used for three to 10 years.
There are several benefits to using an IUD and this form of contraception is suitable for both the childless and those who have already had a child. Having the coil fitted can be painful, particularly if you have never had a child.
This method of contraception is a long-term solution that gives you peace of mind that you don’t have to think about taking a daily pill or use another method of protection at all while the coil is fitted. It is worth remembering, however, that contraceptive sheaths will also provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
Wearing an IUD is a particularly effective form of contraception with a 99% success rate. The coil, which is only around the size of a matchstick, works from the minute it is inserted and prevents pregnancy by stopping sperm entering the womb and by preventing a fertilised egg implanting in the womb.
An IUD is reversible and you can ask your doctor to remove the IUD at any time, making this a convenient choice for women who may change their minds about trying for a child. After the IUD is removed, a woman can expect her fertility levels to return to normal quickly.
There are some risks and potential side effects to having an IUD fitted, such as an infection taking hold within three weeks. There is also the chance that your body may spontaneously expel the device and in such cases, you should seek medical advice immediately. Periods can become heavier, more painful or last longer but these changes are likely to settle down after a few months. If the heavy bleeding persists, talk to your GP or practice nurse who can prescribe an effective method of treatment.
While there is only a tiny chance of you becoming pregnant when an IUD has been fitted, those who do face an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy, a complication of pregnancy that occurs when a fertilised egg implants outside of the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes. The risk remains very small, however, because of the overall effectiveness of the IUD.
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