The hormonal IUD

The hormonal IUD is a contraceptive method. The hormonal IUD is a t-shaped plastic tube. It contains a hormone.

Hormonal IUD

How the hormonal IUD works

The hormone makes it harder for the sperm in the semen to move. The sperm will not be able to get to the uterus or the mature egg. Due to the hormone, the egg cannot implant itself in the uterine lining.

  • A doctor, public health nurse or midwife will insert the IUD into your uterus. This can be painful. If it is painful, the doctor can offer you a pain reliever.
  • The hormonal IUD is effective for three years. There are also hormonal IUDs that work for five years. After three or five years, the IUD must be replaced.
  • After the hormone spiral has been inserted, you will feel two short threads far up in the vagina. They hang out of the cervix, making it easy to remove the IUD.
Woman standing. The focus is on the internal sexual organs.
IUD placed in the uterus. 2 short threads are left high up in the vagina, outside the uterus.

Reliability

The hormonal IUD is very reliable when it is properly placed. However, some medicines against HIV may reduce the effect. In some rare cases the IUD might fall out.

Impact on your health

The hormonal IUD contains a hormone. This hormone usually don't affect your health. Some women get acne, their breasts become sensitive, they have mood swings, or they get a headache. The side effects are always most severe in the beginning, and usually go away on their own within three months. If the problems don't go away you can switch to a different contraceptive method. 

Your menstrual period is usually lighter and can even go away completely.

If you want to get pregnant, you can have the IUD removed.

Protection against STIs and HIV

The hormonal IUD does not protect you against STIs or HIV. Only a condom can protect you.

Condom

The copper IUD

The copper IUD is a contraceptive method. The copper IUD is a t-shaped plastic tube. A copper thread is wrapped around the IUD.

Copper IUD

How the copper IUD works

  • The copper IUD limits the mobility of the sperm.
  • It prevents the egg from implanting itself in the uterine lining.

A doctor, public health nurse or midwife will insert the IUD into your uterus. This can be painful. If it is painful, the doctor can offer you a pain reliever.

The copper IUD is effective for five years. After five years the IUD must be replaced.

After the IUD has been inserted, you will feel two short threads far up in the vagina. They hang out of the cervix, making it easy to remove the IUD.

Reliability

The copper IUD is very reliable when it is properly placed. Sometimes the IUD can slip. In some rare cases the IUD might fall out.

Impact on your health

The copper IUD does not contain any hormones. The copper IUD will not make you any less fertile. If you want to get pregnant you can have the IUD removed.

Your menstrual period can become a little heavier and more painful. In the beginning, you may have some bleeding between menstrual periods. This means you can bleed more often than every four weeks. Sometimes you may also have pain in your abdomen before or after your monthly period.

Protection against STIs and HIV

The copper IUD does not protect against STIs or HIV. Only a condom can protect you.

Condom

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