IUD Insertion

Victoria Harbour Medical Centre offers intrauterine device (IUD) insertion.

This includes both hormonal (Mirena ® and Kyleena ®) and non-hormonal (copper) IUDs. 

IUDs are a safe, effective and convenient choice of contraception. They are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and can stay in place for 5-10 years, depending on the type of IUD. In the case of hormonal IUDs, they can also help reduce the quantity of menstrual loss, and reduce pain associated with menstruation, making them an excellent choice for people with heavy or painful periods. 

Mirena ® and Kyleena ® 

Hormonal IUDs are small, T-shaped, plastic devices that contain levonorgestrel, a hormone similar to progesterone. They thicken the mucus in the cervix and change the way that sperm move within the uterus, which stops sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg. They also thin the lining of the uterus, which makes it more difficult for an embryo to implant and start a pregnancy. Together, this means that the devices are between 99.7-99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy. 

It takes approximately 3-6 months for the hormonal IUD to settle into the uterus. During this time people may experience spotting or frequent bleeding, however by 6 months most users will experience a light, regular period or no bleeding at all. Both devices will reduce the amount of blood lost each period, but people who use Mirena ® tend to experience slightly less bleeding or spotting days than users of Kyleena ®. 

There can be some side effects relating to the hormone in Mirena ® and Kyleena ®. For example, headaches, breast tenderness, mood changes and skin changes. However, these tend to be less common in IUD users than in those using other methods of hormonal contraception, for example, pills, injections or the contraceptive rod (Implanon ®).

Hormonal IUDs can be left in place for up to 5 years. After this time the device can be removed, for immediate return of fertility, or it can be replaced in the same procedure for continuing contraceptive cover. 

Copper IUDs 

Copper IUDs are small, T-shaped, plastic devices. They do not contain hormones, but have a thin copper wire wrapped around the frame. Copper is slowly released into the uterus, which changes the way that sperm move and survive within the uterus, stopping sperm from meeting and fertilising an egg. Copper also changes the lining of the uterus, making it less likely that an embryo will implant and start a pregnancy. Together, this makes copper IUDs 99.5% effective at preventing pregnancy. 

Copper IUDs have very little effect on the timing of menstrual cycles, however they do tend to make periods about 50% heavier. Some people also find their periods are more painful as well. This makes them less ideal for people with heavy periods or iron deficiency. 

Copper IUDs can be left in place for up to 5 or 10 years, depending on the particular model used. After this time the device can be removed, for immediate return of fertility, or it can be replaced in the same procedure for continuing contraceptive cover.