Emergency IUD (Copper)

The Copper IUD is more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 out of 100 copper IUD users will get pregnant in a year.

The Copper IUD works for up to 12 years. People who have never given birth can safely use the IUD.

You may want to take the Copper IUD out earlier than 12 years. For example, You might want to try to get pregnant or you may be having bleeding that bothers you. It is your right to ask your health care provider to take it out anytime you want.

The Copper IUD makes it hard for sperm to join an egg (fertilize). It also makes it hard for a fertilized egg to nest into the uterus wall (implant). The Copper IUD does not remove an implanted pregnancy from the uterus.

The Copper IUD is easy to take care of. Once the IUD is put in your uterus, it works on its own.

A trained health care provider puts the IUD in the uterus during a short office procedure. Some people feel cramping. For others, it can be more painful. Pain is often, but not always, worse for those who have never had a vaginal birth or have anxiety or past trauma. You have a right to ask questions about the procedure and what to expect.

You can take pain medicine before and after the procedure, like ibuprofen or Motrin. Some providers can inject numbing medicine in the cervix.

Other providers may prescribe anti-anxiety medicines, like Ativan, that you take right before the procedure to help you relax. When you are more relaxed, it is easier to manage pain.

Anti-anxiety medicines can make you sleepy or make it hard to think clearly. You will need a responsible person to take you home after the procedure.

There are some health care providers who do not prescribe anti-anxiety medicines before a procedure. If you need help finding a health care provider who does, please check out the “Find Birth Control” icon at the bottom of the screen.

During any procedure, it can be comforting to have someone you trust right by your side. Ask your provider if you can bring a friend or family member with you into the procedure room.

After the IUD is put in, your provider will trim the IUD strings, which will be tucked inside the vagina. The strings will not “hang out” the vagina. Your partner should not feel the IUD strings during sex. If they do feel the strings, you can ask your provider to cut the strings a little shorter.

The Copper IUD can be taken out any time. A routine IUD removal is quick and causes brief cramping. The provider gently pulls the IUD out by grabbing onto the strings.

Most people will not notice much change in their periods. For some, periods can get heavier, longer, or more painful. If you already have very bad periods, the Copper IUD may not be the best method for you. (You may want to check out the progestin IUD instead).

You can still use tampons even with an IUD in place.

The Copper IUD is hassle free birth control. You can ”set it and forget it” for up to 12 years. The IUD is very private because it cannot be seen by others.

The Copper IUD does not make it easier or harder for you to get pregnant in the future. After the Copper IUD is taken out, your fertility (natural ability to get pregnant) quickly returns to normal for you. You can get a new Copper IUD placed right away, if you want.

The Copper IUD is hormone free. It is safe for people who cannot use estrogen or progestin hormones.

The Copper IUD can be used as emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy if it is put in within 5 days after unprotected sex. The Copper IUD can then be left in place for regular birth control for up to 12 years.

Some people may have heavier, longer, or more painful periods.

The Copper IUD is very safe. Because it has no hormones, the Copper IUD is also safe for people who cannot use estrogen or progestin hormones.

When the IUD is put in, there is a rare chance (1 out of 1,000) that the uterus gets a hole poked in it (a perforation).

The IUD can fall out of the uterus after it is placed. This happens 1-2 out of 100 insertions. This is more likely to happen if the IUD is put in right after giving birth.

When it is time to take the IUD out, there is a small chance that the provider cannot find the IUD strings. Special instruments and ultrasound may be needed to get the IUD out. Very rarely, surgery is needed.

No. However, correct use of condoms can prevent HIV and STIs. You can use an outer (male) or inner (female) condom with the IUD in place.

If you have health insurance, including Medicaid, the IUD and the procedure may be covered at low cost to you. If you pay out of pocket, the cost can be quite high (up to $1,000 or so).

If you need help finding a clinic that may provide low-cost IUDs click here: Bedsider: Find Birth Control

For more info click here: Planned Parenthood: IUDs