STOPPING SPERM IN THEIR TRACKS
The IUS is a small, soft, T-shaped device with a reservoir containing the hormone progestin that is placed in the womb by your healthcare provider. The IUS works by continuously releasing a low dose of progestin from the intrauterine system into the womb. It thickens the mucus of your cervix, which makes it harder for sperm to move freely and reach the egg and it also thins the lining of your uterus. At 99.8% effectiveness, you’re about as protected as you possibly can be by a contraceptive method.
HOW TO
Consult your healthcare provider to make sure whether the IUS is the right method for you. Once the IUS has been fitted by a well-trained healthcare provider, you’re highly protected from pregnancy for up to 3 or 5 years, depending on the type. After the IUS is taken out, the contraceptive effect wears off quickly and you can become pregnant as rapidly as women who have used no contraceptive at all.
PROS / CONS
- It can stay in place for either 3 or 5 years (depending on the type), but can be removed any time.
- At 99.8%, it’s one of the most effective contraceptive methods
- It doesn’t interrupt sex
- Heavy periods can become lighter and less painful
- Some women may have shorter lighter or less frequent periods, which reduces the chances of becoming anemic
- Suitable for women who want long-acting reversible contraception for up to 3 or 5 years and wish to avoid daily, weekly or monthly regimens
- It can be used when breastfeeding
- Fertility returns to its previous level once the IUS is removed
- It requires a trained healthcare provider for insertion and removal
- Irregular bleeding and spotting can be common in the first 6 months of use
- Some women experience headaches, tenderness and acne after an IUS is fitted
- It may cause cramps and/or irregular bleeding
- Small risk of infection at insertion and of expulsion
- Does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
An IUS insertion is usually well tolerated by most women. Some women may experience pain and dizziness after insertion, which usually settles after resting for a short time. Normal pain killers or local anesthesia may be applied to the uterine cervix prior to the insertion.
The IUS was not investigated for use as an emergency contraception.
The IUS must be inserted by a trained healthcare provider, who will follow the necessary procedure to ensure it is correctly positioned. Occasionally, the muscular contractions of the womb during menstruation may sometimes push it out of place or expel it. Very rarely it can perforate the wall of the uterus. If a user of an IUS experiences any unusual bleeding, pain or discomfort, the doctor or healthcare provider must be informed as soon as possible.
Neither you nor your partner should feel the IUS during sexual intercourse. If you do, sexual intercourse should be avoided until your doctor or healthcare provider has checked that the IUS is still in the correct position.
Many women with an IUS will experience less and lighter bleeding after the IUS is fitted. Some women may not have any periods at all anymore.
