What is the IUD?

Overview

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped piece of plastic that a health care provider puts inside a woman’s uterus. The IUD makes it harder for sperm to move efficiently, preventing it from fertilizing an egg. In the U.S., there are five brands of IUDs available: Kyleena, LILETTA, Mirena, Paragard, and Skyla.

IUDs can offer years of protection from pregnancy. How long they last depends on the type. Some last for up to three years and others last for up to 12 years. If someone wants to get pregnant or simply wants to switch to a different method of birth control at any time, they can have the IUD removed. And if they have plans to get pregnant in the future, don’t worry—having an IUD now doesn’t affect fertility in the future.

While the IUD is safe and super effective at preventing pregnancy, it doesn’t offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For STI protection, people can use condoms, internal condoms, dental dams, gloves, and/or PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis, which lowers the risk of getting HIV from sex).

Three types of IUDs (LILETTA, Mirena, and Paragard) can also be used as emergency contraception if you get them within five days of having unprotected sex. These three types of IUDs are the most effective methods of emergency contraception, preventing pregnancy in over 99% of cases.

Quick Facts

Super effective, lasts for years, low-maintenance, and private (though some partners can feel the strings). There are hormonal or non-hormonal options.

Effectiveness

The IUD is super effective—one of the most effective birth control methods.
Perfect use: Over 99% effective
Typical use: Over 99% effective
What is the difference between perfect and typical use?

Hormones

There are hormonal and non-hormonal versions.

Side Effects

With the hormonal IUD, women may have spotting between periods. With the non-hormonal IUD, they may have heavier periods.

Cost

Could range from $0 (with insurance) to $1300. There may be an extra cost for insertion and removal.

STI Protection

The IUD doesn’t protect against STIs.

Ongoing Effort

Once it’s in, there’s nothing to do. A woman can keep it in for years with no ongoing effort.

Hormonal IUD

There are four hormonal IUDs available in the U.S.—Kyleena, LILETTA, Mirena, and Skyla. All of them are made of plastic and release a small amount of the hormone progestin. Progestin is a synthetic version of progesterone, which is a hormone the body makes naturally. The main way progestin prevents pregnancy is by thickening cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching the uterus. The hormonal IUD may change periods, making them irregular, lighter, or shorter, or it may stop a period entirely.

How long an IUD can be used for depends on the type. The longest-lasting hormonal IUD (Mirena) prevents pregnancy for up to eight years, but the IUD can be removed at any time.

Non-hormonal/copper IUD

There’s only one IUD without hormones available in the U.S. It’s called Paragard, and it’s made of plastic and a small amount of copper. Paragard works for up to 12 years, which is longer than any of the hormonal IUDs. It doesn’t change the timing of periods or cause spotting (bleeding between periods), but it may cause increased bleeding and cramping during periods.