The non-hormonal coil, also known as the Cu-IUD (intrauterine device) or ‘copper coil’, is a small T-shaped device that sits in your womb. It is long-acting but can be easily removed if you decide you want to become pregnant or use alternative contraception. It is also very effective emergency contraception. It is particularly popular amongst 20-34 year olds.
A clinician will insert the Cu-IUD into your womb (uterus).
Once the Cu-IUD is in place, you don't have to think about contraception for up to 5 or 10 years. It won't interrupt sex and your partner should not be able to feel it.
It can be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse, but you must use condoms as well or abstain from sex for 7 days prior to removal.
The Cu-IUD can be used as emergency contraception if it is inserted up to five days after you’ve had unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy. It will not protect you against STIs so you should take a test if you think you may have been exposed to an STI.
The Cu-IUD does not contain a hormone, but instead slowly releases copper, which prevents sperm from surviving in your cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes. It may also stop fertilised eggs from implanting in the womb.
Things to consider
The Cu-IUD does not protect you from STIs. You should use a condom as well if you think you are at risk of an STI.
Some women find the procedure to insert the Cu-IUD uncomfortable or painful.
An Cu-IUD has 2 thin threads that hang down a little way from your womb into the top of your vagina. You will be taught how to feel for the threads and check the Cu-IUD is still in place. If you can't feel the threads or if you think the Cu-IUD has moved, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use extra contraception, such as condoms, until your Cu-IUD has been checked.
It is unlikely that your Cu-IUD will come out. This is most common in the first three months after insertion and happens in 1 out of 20 cases.
Most women can use the Cu-IUD, but your clinician will ask about your family and medical history to determine whether or not it is the best method for you.
It is a good alternative for women who can’t take the hormones oestrogen or progestogen.
It may not be suitable for women who have:
Short term:
Common
May get cramps and spotting/bleeding for a few days after fitting.
Periods may become heavier or more painful, though this should settle after a few months.
Rare
Small risk of infection within 20 days of fitting.
Long term:
Common:
You may have irregular bleeding for six months.
Having a coil fitted can be uncomfortable and painful but the pain shouldn't last long and is described as quite similar to period pains. A fitting is likely to be less painful if you have had a natural birth (vaginal delivery) as your cervix will have previously been stretched.
The clinician doing the fitting will use a speculum to hold your vagina open (the same instrument is used when having a smear test done). Local anaesthetic spray or gel is applied to the cervix and this feels cold.
Read more about the coil fitting process.
Occasionally people feel nauseous or faint afterwards. They may need to lie down for 5-10 minutes but are usually fine after a short while. The clinician will always make sure you are recovered and happy to make your way home before letting you leave.
Some people prefer to have no plans after their appointment so that they can relax and be comfortable at home afterwards.
It is fairly common for women to experience some slight cramping and/or spotting for a couple of days after a fitting; if you are concerned about this, please contact your GP or sexual health clinic.
A routine follow-up is not usually necessary. You will be advised of any signs and symptoms of infection, perforation and expulsion and can return to have these checked by the clinic who fitted your Cu-IUD.
Your partner shouldn't be able to feel your Cu-IUD during sex. If he can feel the threads, get your GP or clinician to check your Cu-IUD is in place. They may be able to cut the threads a little.
Yes, whilst using the Cu-IUD you can use tampons, pads or a mooncup.
You may have irregular bleeding patterns during the first few months of using the Cu-IUD. For some women their periods are heavier, longer or more painful. While using the Cu-IUD you can use tampons, pads or a mooncup.
There's no evidence that having an Cu-IUD will increase the risk of cervical cancer, cancer of the uterus or ovarian cancer.
No, the Cu-IUD will not set off airport security metal detectors.
The coil can be pushed out by your uterus or it can move. This is not common. This is more likely to happen soon after it has been put in. This is why your doctor or nurse will teach you how to check your coil threads every month.
It is unlikely that the Cu-IUD would move, but the clinician that fits your Cu-IUD will teach you how to feel for the threads and check that the Cu-IUD is still in place. If you can't feel the threads or if you think the Cu-IUD has moved, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy. Contact the clinic who fitted the device straight away and use extra contraception, such as condoms, until your Cu-IUD has been checked.
The Cu-IUD works for contraception immediately after it is fitted.
Although it is unlikely that you would become pregnant while the Cu-IUD is fitted, if you do, there is a small increased risk of you having an ectopic pregnancy. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is less in women using an Cu-IUD than in women using no contraception at all.
There is a very small chance of you getting an infection during the first 20 days after an Cu-IUD is put in. You may be advised to have a check for any possible existing infection before an Cu-IUD is fitted.
There is a very rare risk that an Cu-IUD might make a tiny hole in the womb or neck of the womb (cervix) when put in. This may cause pain but often there are no symptoms. Contact your GP straight away if you feel a lot of pain in the lower abdomen after having an Cu-IUD fitted. If there is a suspected perforation, go to A&E to see a specialist. If perforation occurs, you may need surgery to remove the Cu-IUD.
A coil can be removed at any time by a trained doctor or nurse.
If you're not going to have another coil put in and you don't want to get pregnant, use another method (such as condoms) for 7 days before, as sperm can live for up to 7 days inside the body.
Removal of a coil is a very quick procedure (about 30 seconds). It may be a little uncomfortable but is much less uncomfortable than the fitting procedure.
A routine follow-up is not usually necessary, you will be advised of any signs and symptoms such as infection, perforation, pregnancy and missing threads.
If you're 40 or older when you have the Cu-IUD fitted, it can be left until you reach menopause or you no longer need contraception.
The non-hormonal coil, Cu-IUD, releases copper that creates an environment where sperm do not survive.
The hormonal coil, LNG-IUD, releases a progestogen hormone, which thickens the mucus from the cervix (opening of the womb), making it harder for sperm to move through it and reach an egg. It also causes the womb lining to become thinner and less likely to accept a fertilised egg. In some women, the LNG-IUD also stops the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation), but most women will continue to ovulate.
The Cu-IUD contains copper and should not be used by those who are allergic to copper.
Before you have a coil fitted, you may be tested for any existing infections, such as STIs, so that any infections can be treated beforehand.
The coil can be fitted at any time during your monthly menstrual cycle, as long as you're definitely not pregnant.
Having a coil fitted can be uncomfortable and painful but the pain shouldn't last long and is described as quite similar to period pains. A fitting is likely to be less painful if you have had natural birth (vaginal delivery) as your cervix will have previously been stretched.
Whilst you lie down, with your knees bent, a speculum will be used to hold your vagina open (the same instrument is used when having a smear test done). Local anaesthetic spray or gel is applied to the cervix and this feels cold.
The clinician will then use forceps to hold the cervix steady in order to determine the size and position of your womb with a sterile probe.
The coil comes with its arms folded down packed inside a narrow tube. The clinician will insert the tube into the vagina, through the cervix and into your uterus (womb).
Then they will pull the plastic tube out, leaving the coil in place allowing the arms of the coil to fold open. Before the speculum is removed, the strings of the coil are cut, leaving 2 to 3 cm hanging down at the top of your vagina so that you can feel to make sure it is still in place.
The whole process should take about 5 minutes.
People normally have some cramping pain afterwards, so it is recommended you take some pain killers just before your appointment.
Yes, the Cu-IUD is suitable for women who are breastfeeding, though you will need to wait 4 to 6 weeks after giving birth before you have it fitted.
Some services offer the option to have an Cu-IUD fitted immediately after delivery. This is called a post-partum Cu-IUD fitting.
There is a very small risk of infection. If you have any of the following symptoms within a few days of having an Cu-IUD fitted, you should see your GP (or clinician who fitted the Cu-IUD) straight away:
Fertility will return to normal when the Cu-IUD is removed.
If you get an STI while you have an Cu-IUD fitted, it could lead to pelvic infection. STIs and pelvic infections need to be treated as soon as possible. A Cu-IUD does not protect you against STIs, so you may also have to use condoms when having sex.
Cu-IUD may not be suitable for you if you have or have had:
