The IUD, or called copper IUD, is a means of contraception without hormone which has a duration of action of 5 to 10 years. What are his other advantages? On the contrary, does it have drawbacks? How does it work and where to get it? Explanations.
THE intrauterine (IUD) to copper device – still called sterilet, wrongly because it does not make it at all sterile – is a means of Hormone -free contraception. The health professional, be it the gynecologist, the midwife or a doctor, inserts him into the uterus via the vagina. This contraceptive allows Make the sperm inactive and can be effective for 5 to 10 years Depending on the model chosen. What is it composed of? How do you put it and how does it work? What are its advantages and side effects? Who is it indicated? Everything about the CIPA DIU.
The copper IUD is a small “t” in flexible plastic of 3 to 4 cm covered with one or more copper wires. A small wire is attached to the end of the IUD just at the entrance to the uterus and makes it easier to withdraw. L’DIU efficiency is proportional to its copper content : that is to say that the more the IUD contains copper (the DIU prescribed currently contain between 375 to 380 mm² of copper)the more effective it is. Copper thus makes it possible to block fertilization in preventing sperm from reaching the egg. The contraceptive effect is also made thanks to the copper which prevents the fixing of the ovum in the uterus. To know that there are DIUs of different sizes depending on the size of its uterus: the “shorts”shorter than the IUD “standard”. For women who have never had children, we will rather favor the “short” IUD because their uterus is often a little smaller.
| The installation of a copper IUD requires a Regular gynecological monitoring. 1 to 3 months after the installation, a control visit is recommended to see if it is properly positioned and that this contraception is well suited. Then, as for each contraception, a visit to the gynecologist once a year is recommended. |
The copper IUD arises, after medical advice, by a general practitioner, a gynecologist or a midwife. Unlike a hormonal IUD which must ideally be put in the week depending on the rules, the copper IUD can be posed at any time in the cycle. Before installation, the doctor can possibly make hysterometry: that is to say that he introduces into the uterus a graduated rod to assess the depth, shape and sensitivity of the patient’s uterus. The installation of a copper IUD is done in the office. The healthcare professional will first disinfect the pass and then using a speculum (medical tool to spread the walls), insert the IUD, its branches being retracted to facilitate its passage. The copper IUD is then inserted into the collar, then pushed into the uterus. If the collar is difficult to pass, specific pliers (called Pozzi pliers) allows the collar to be opened slightly the time to set up the IUD.
The installation of a copper IUD is fast and relatively painless (if it is done gently and a lubricant, nevertheless the feeling is specific to each woman, some evoke a feeling of “pinching” at the bottom of the belly, others of the pain “as during the rules”). If we apprehend the installation of the IUD, it is possible to take a painkiller or a relaxant just before.
Depending on the model, The copper IUD can be kept between 5 and 10 years old (namely that some models are only kept for 4 years). The woman can decide to remove it at any time and must inform her doctor, her gynecologist or a midwife. To remove it, the health professional places a speculum (like during a smear) then delicately pulls, using a small adapted pliers, on the wire attached to the end of the IUD, placed at the entrance to the uterus. The IUD will thus slide through the collar and vagina to be removed. Again, the withdrawal is fast and relatively painless (But here again, it all depends on women, you can feel a feeling of “pinch”): it does not require local anesthesia, nor hospitalization. It is advisable to Coming with a hygienic towel when we remove the IUD because light bleeding can occur). How do you know when to remove it? It is advisable to withdraw it during its period In order not to risk withdrawing it during a cycle and risking an unwanted pregnancy. Do not worry, the gynecologist or the doctor will be able to tell you, during your control visit, when to remove it.
Effective from the installation, the IUD is contraception with the PEARL index (statistical tool to measure the effectiveness of a contraceptive, it is between 0 and 100) the highest. The copper one has an index of 0.8 in everyday use: that is to say that out of 1,000 women with a copper IUD, only 8 fell pregnant during the year. As a comparison, the Hormonal IUD has a 0.2 pearl index, it is therefore even more effective than that with copper. To know that the copper IUD can be used in emergency contraceptives Up to 5 days (120 hours) after a badly protected report: alternative to the next day pill, copper acts on gametes thus inhibiting fertilization and can also cause inflammation of the endometrium thus preventing the implantation of the fertilized oocyte in the uterus.
The copper IUD can be offered to all women, whether or not they have already had children, as soon as infectious risks and risky situations have been dismissed. It has often been said that the copper IUD was not recommended for young women on the pretext that it could act on fertility. However, this is a misconception and it is quite possible to put a DIU for women who have never had children. This is also one of the recommendations of the High Authority for Health (HAS) since 2004. However, according to WHO, the COPPIn DIU is contraindicated to women who have:
- A high genital infection (uterus or tubes) in progress, recurrent, or dating from less than 3 months
- genital tuberculosis
- a malformation of the uterus, a large fibroma or “Any anatomical anomaly Congenital or acquired uterine resulting in deformation of the uterine cavity so that it is impossible to insert a DIU“, Specifies the WHO
- cervical cancer, endometrial cancer before treatment
- unexplained vaginal bleeding (suspicion of serious pathology)
- Hypersensitivity to copper or to one of the components of the device
- An increased risk of sexually transmitted infections or wealthy IST for less than 3 months
- a suspicion of pregnancy or proven pregnancy
- Women who have just given birth (better to wait 4 weeks after childbirth) or who have just had less than 3 months ago.
The main advantages of the CIPA DIU remain the simplicity of use and its duration of action (5 to 10 years on average). Unlike the pill, for example, the IUD is “forgotten” (it does not feel and is painless) and you don’t have to think about it every day. However, it requires regular visits to the gynecologist to see if everything is in place. Furthermore, as it does not contain hormones, the copper IUD has no influence on appetite and therefore does not promote weight gain. Its almost optimal efficiency (99 %) is also very interesting. All these advantages can be decisive in your choice of contraception, especially if you want to opt for a hormone -free method.
Like any contraception, copper IUD can have undesirable effects. During insertion, the patient may feel pain, uterine contractions or bleeding. Sometimes there may also be risks of expulsion and uterine perforation. The risks of pelvic inflammatory disease or extra-uterine pregnancy are very rare. One of the most frequent side effects is the Modification of menstrual cycles (Menorrhagia, irregular bleeding, pain and cramps at the time of the rules). Indeed, the installation of a copper IUD tends to lengthen the duration of the rules and to return them more abundant. In patients who have short and not abundant rules, the difference can be imperceptible.
To have you prescribe and put a copper IUD (see the different models below), contact your attending physician, your gynecologist, a midwife or a family planning and education center (CPEF). If your doctor does not practice IUD installation, he can easily head to another healthcare professional. The IUD is issued in pharmacies against a medical prescription. It costs 30.50 euros (indicative public price) and is Refunded at 65 % by health insurance. The copper IUD is free for minors under the age of 15.
On the Health Forum: discussions about copper IUD
Retain
► Copper IUD is contraception without hormones.
► Copper prevents sperm from reaching the ovum and fixing the ovum in the uterus.
► The copper IUD can be kept between 5 and 10 years old but can be removed at any time before.
► The copper IUD is effective as soon as the installation is.
► The copper IUD is a little less effective than the hormonal IUD.
