Related to this topic: Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | UK Guidelines | News | Weblinks | Medicines | Pharmacy | Equipment | Books | Your Experience | Other resources | Glossaries
Print options: Printer friendly version of this leaflet (html)     Other options: See related products available from our registered pharmacy AddThis Social Bookmark Button (what's this?)

PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD)

There are 150 million users of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) worldwide. The majority are in China. They are ideal for a woman in her forties, with children. Recent evidence suggests that the latest banded copper IUCDs are better than the combined oral contraceptive and as effective as reversible sterilisation,1,2

Summary of Main points

  IUD - Gold standard is the banded T-safe copper 380A IUS (Mirena)
Method of Action Prevents fertilisation and inhibits implantation Prevents implantation mainly
Duration of Action

  • 5-10 years if contains 380mm Copper.
  • Until no longer requires contraception.
5 Years or until contraception no longer required.
Failure Rate Less than 2 per 100 women for 5 years. Expulsion in less than 1 woman in 20 per 5 years. Less than 1 per 100 per 5 years. Expulsion in less than 1 in 20 per 5 years.
Risks

  • 50% request removal within 5 yrs.
  • Mainly due to bleeding or pain.
  • PID incidence is less than 1% if low risk for STI.
  • Perforation incidence is less than 1 per 1000.
  • Ectopic pregnancy risk is 1 in 20, if pregnant with IUD in-situ.

  • 60% request removal within 5 years.
  • Due to bleeding , pain or hormonal problems.
  • PID risk is less than 1%, if low-risk for STI.
  • Perforation risk is less than 1 per 1000.
  • Ectopic pregnancy risk is 1 in 20, if pregnant with IUS in-situ.
  • ?? increased risk of acne.
Effect on Menses Increased menstrual loss and dysmenorrhoea.

  • Irregular bleeding and spotting for first 6/12.
  • Oligo-amenorrhoea likely if persist for 1 year.
Return to fertility No delay No delay
Advice given at fitting

  • Pain and discomfort last few hours, followed by light bleeding for a few days.
  • Watch for signs of perforation.
  • Follow-up in 3-6 weeks.
  • Return if concerned.
  • Check threads.

  • Pain and discomfort last few hours, followed by light bleeding for a few days.
  • Watch for signs of perforation.
  • Follow-up in 3-6 weeks.
  • Return if concerned.
  • Check threads.
Pre-insertion Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Precautions

Evidence suggests that IUCDs are not intrinsically responsible for PID,3 and the greatest risk of PID is within 20 days of insertion. Practically this means that elective insertions, or re-insertions should be preceded by:

  • Verbal screening to assess patients risk of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
  • In high prevalence populations, i.e. most UK under 25s, DNA based screening for chlamydia
  • Recent history of purulent discharge should prompt referral to genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic for thorough investigation prior to insertion.
  • Detection of chlamydia should also prompt GUM referral
  • The cervix should be thoroughly cleansed, with swabs, pre-insertion
  • A post-insertion check within the first 3 weeks should detect women with infection
  • Blind prescription of appropriate antibiotic is appropriate in emergency insertion. Screening should still be carried out, to allow contact tracing.
Contraindications4
  • Absolute, permanent:
    • Very distorted uterine cavity, or cavity depth less than 5.5cm
    • Allergy to known constituent
    • Wilson's disease-in copper bearing devices
    • Previous history of bacterial endocarditis after prosthetic valve replacement
  • Absolute, temporary:
  • Relative- usable with caution:
    • Nulliparous, young age
    • Definite history of pelvic infection
    • High risk of STD
    • Known HIV infection
    • Structural heart disease, with risk of endocarditis
    • History of ectopic pregnancy
    • Patient has prosthesis which could be compromised by blood born infection
    • 2 days to 4 weeks post-partum
    • Benign trophoblastic disease
    • Severe cervical stenosis
    • Fibroids or congenital abnormality of uterus, but no marked distortion of the cavity
    • After endometrial ablation or resection
Use as Emergency Contraception

Insertion of a copper, banded IUD prevents conception in 98%5of women if:

  • It is inserted up to 5 days after first episode of unprotected sex
  • It is inserted up to 5 days after the earliest calculated ovulation date. To be precise an IUCD can be inserted more than 5 days after unprotected sex, if the woman presents up to 5 days after the earliest date that ovulation could have occurred in that cycle. For a woman with a regular 4 week cycle, an IUCD can be inserted up to and including day 19 of her cycle, regardless of when the unprotected sex took place following her last period.

Although it is not suitable for all women, because of the reasons above, it should be offered when:

  • Efficacy is the womans main priority
  • When exposure occurred more than 72 hours ago, or there have been multiple exposures
  • When it is to be retained as a long-term method of contraception
  • When there is contraindication to hormonal methods
Clinical Scenarios
  • Lost Threads:
    • Always consider the woman with lost threads to be either already pregnant, or at risk of being so
    • Determine whether patient is pregnant
    • Explore cervix with narrow artery forceps, under direct vision. Gently open and close jaws and withdraw. The majority of threads will be found with this procedure.
    • If unsuccessful consider ultrasound to establish position or proceed to exploration of uterine cavity with retriever hook. Needs appropriate analgesia, e.g. mefenamic acid 500mg.
    • If still unsuccessful, refer for ultrasound, hysteroscopy or laparoscopy if extra-uterine
    • If pregnant with IUCD in-situ and wishing to proceed to full-term, gentle removal in the first trimester has been found to halve the miscarriage rate6
    • If patient elects for termination of pregnancy, the IUD can be removed at time of surgery.
  • Nulliparous patient:
    • This is not a contraindication in itself, and is acceptable with carefully selected and screened patients.
    • As they have optimum fertility a banded copper T 380-A is the device of choice.
    • An IUCD may be the method of choice if hormonal contraception is contraindicated
  • Actinomyces-like Organisms:
    • This may be reported on the cervical smear report of an asymptomatic woman
    • Call patient for consultation and bi-manual examination
    • Look for pain, dyspareunia, tenderness or signs of an adnexal mass. If positive arrange ultrasound and urgent gynaecology referral.
    • Discuss with microbiologist and remove device. Send for culture.
    • If there are no positive findings at examination, you can either ( after discussing with the patient) remove the device and inform patient of symptoms to watch for. Do not start treatment. Repeat the smear and examination in 3 months.
    • The alternative is to leave the device in-situ and having supplied written information on what to look for, advise the woman to have a further check in 6 months time. Cervical screening to proceed at normal intervals.
    • Keep meticulous records of the consultations
  • Pre-menopausal Removal:
    • As fertility returns immediately, woman should have alternative arrangements available, if desired
    • The removal should be timed to minimise pregnancy risk i.e pre-ovulation.
    • The Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care states that any device sited in a woman over 40 years, can be safely left in situ until the menopause, even though it is unlicensed for that duration.7


Document References
  1. Sivin I, Shaaban M, Odlind V, et al; A randomized trial of the Gyne T 380 and Gyne T 380 Slimline Intrauterine Copper devices.; Contraception. 1990 Oct;42(4):379-89. [abstract]
  2. Andersson K, Odlind V, Rybo G; Levonorgestrel-releasing and copper-releasing (Nova T) IUDs during five years of use: a randomized comparative trial.; Contraception. 1994 Jan;49(1):56-72. [abstract]
  3. Farley TM, Rosenberg MJ, Rowe PJ, et al; Intrauterine devices and pelvic inflammatory disease: an international perspective.; Lancet. 1992 Mar 28;339(8796):785-8. [abstract]
  4. WHO Contraceptive Medical Eligibility Criteria.
  5. Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare. Emergency Contraception. (April 2006)
  6. Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care RCOG; The copper interuterine device as long-term contraception (2004)
  7. Newton J, Tacchi D; Long-term use of copper intrauterine devices. A statement from the Medical Advisory Committee of the Family Planning Association and the National Association of Family Planning Doctors.; Lancet. 1990 Jun 2;335(8701):1322-3.

Internet and Further Reading
  • NICE Clinical guideline; #CG30;Long acting reversible contraception: the effective and appropriate use of long-acting reversible contraception (October 2005)
  • Contraception Today. J Guillebaud. 5th Edition. Taylor and Francis. London. 2004.
  • Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care; Can provide advice and training (Diploma in Family Planning) including experience with cap and diaphragm fitting
AcknowledgementsEMIS is grateful to Dr Hayley Willacy for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2007.
DocID: 464
Document Version: 1
DocRef: bgp130
Last Updated: 13 Jul 2007
Review Date: 12 Jul 2008






















Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site














Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site


PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

^ Top of Page