A qualified healthcare provider usually inserts The Non-hormonal IUD in a healthcare facility. Even though you can purchase it from a pharmacy, you must visit a healthcare facility to have it inserted. While it can be inserted at any time of the month, some healthcare providers will prefer to insert it during one’s menstrual period because they are sure that you are not pregnant. In addition, the cervix is usually dilated during one’s menses, making inserting the IUD easier. [4].
You do not require a rest period after the removal of an expired IUD. The Copper IUD can be inserted as soon as the old one has been removed, immediately after childbirth or abortion, or even as an emergency contraception(within 5 days of unprotected sex).
How to prepare for Copper IUD insertion?
The first step to getting a Copper IUD is to discuss your eligibility with your healthcare provider. You will be asked questions that will help to determine if you have any sexually transmitted infections, copper allergies, or any other condition that may prevent you from using a copper IUD. You will be asked to take a laboratory test if there are reasons to suspect an infection. You will also be given a pelvic examination to ensure the IUD is right for you [3]. Once it has been determined that you qualify for this method, a healthcare provider might give you a painkiller to help with any pain that you are likely to feel during and after the insertion. This will usually happen about 30 minutes before the insertion. Alternatively, the provider might administer a numbing injection to your cervix.
What is the procedure for a Copper IUD insertion?
Like any other gynecological examination, your healthcare provider will ask you to lie on your back for the IUD insertion. Your legs will be elevated with stirrups. Then a sheet will be used to cover your body. Your healthcare provider will explain every step of the procedure and even show you the devices used for insertion, including the copper IUD itself. A device known as the speculum will be inserted into your vagina to hold the cervix open. The provider will then clean your vagina and cervix using an appropriate antiseptic. This help to prevent any insertion-related infection. The copper IUD will be placed inside your uterus using a special inserter. Once the IUD is in, the inserter will be removed. The health care provider then will trim the IUD strings to a desirable length. Once this is done, the speculum will be removed.
Some women have reported feeling a cramp during the insertion. Others experience slight discomfort. The insertion pain will usually disappear within 2 minutes. This can also be eased with painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen. Your healthcare provider will alert you once the insertion is done and ask you to rest. Once ready, you will be advised to sit up slowly and get dressed. The provider will then share more information on what to expect and when to do the follow-up visits(usually 3-6 weeks after insertion).
What to expect after Copper IUD insertion?
In many cases, IUD insertion is not a complicated procedure and you should be able to return to your day-to-day activities as soon as it has been inserted. Some people will however experience low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, and slowed heart after the insertion but will rarely faint. Other experience post-insertion pain. These effects can be managed with rest and painkillers. In some countries, it is mandatory to have someone take you home after the IUD insertion. Make sure to inquire about all the requirements before booking your appointment.
How do you check the Copper IUD position?
Once the IUD is in, you may notice a little string that hangs down from around two inches from the uterus to the very top of your vagina (the string does not hang out of the vagina). It is there so that the IUD can be removed later [5].
Once it is in, you should check the ends of the strings a few times a year to make sure it is in place.
– wash your hands with soap and water then squat down.
– Insert your finger inside your vagina until you reach your cervix, which will feel firm and rubbery like the tip of your nose.
– feel for the strings. If you find them, congrats, your IUD is good to go. But, if you feel the hard part of the IUD against your cervix, you may need to have it adjusted or replaced by your provider [6].
Do not tug on the strings! If you do, the IUD could move out of place. If you are unable to feel the IUD strings, you should either avoid sex or use condoms until your healthcare provider confirms that the IUD is in the right place. If you had sex 5 days before noticing the missing string, you should take emergency contraception.
If you are not comfortable with personally checking for the strings, your provider can do it 3 to 6 weeks after insertion and then yearly after that [7].
How long does cramping last after Copper IUD insertion?
The pain experienced after a copper IUD insertion varies from woman to woman. For some, cramping and back pains will usually disappear within 1 to 2 days. For others, it will take weeks or even up to 3 to 6 months. You may also experience heavy, irregular and crampy bleeding for those 3 to 6 months.
How long do you bleed after Copper IUD insertion?
You will likely bleed for 1 to 7 days after getting an IUD inserted. This bleeding will be heavier hours after the insertion but then reduce with time. If after the insertion you experience fever, very heavy bleeding(soaking 1-2 pads within an hour), or smelly bleeding, it may mean that you have an infection. Seek immediate medical care. It is also normal to see some blood clots on the first day after the insertion but this should not continue for long. The spotting or bleeding should let up within 3-6 months but if it continues for more than 6 months, you should consult your health care provider.
How soon after insertion is Copper IUD effective?
A Copper IUD becomes effective in preventing pregnancy immediately after insertion.
When can I have intercourse after Copper IUD insertion?
To reduce the risk of infection it is advisable to wait for at least 24 hours after the copper IUD insertion before you can have vaginal sex, use a tampon or menstrual cup, take a bath (totally immersed), or go swimming.
Can you get pregnant with Copper iud?
Pregnancy with a Copper IUD is highly unlikely. According to the Family Planning Handbook for providers, only 1% of people using a copper IUD will get pregnant within the first year of using it. When a pregnancy occurs, there is a slight chance of it being an ectopic pregnancy. If you suspect any early signs of pregnancy, you should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. If the test comes out positive, you should immediately consult your healthcare provider to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. If pregnant, an IUD can be removed to allow you to continue with a safe pregnancy or have an abortion. When one continues a pregnancy with the copper IUD in the uterus, there is a high risk of losing the pregnancy.
Can the Copper IUD cause pelvic inflammatory disease(PID)?
The Family Planning handbook for providers explains that a Copper IUD does not cause pelvic inflammatory disease(PID). However, if an IUD is inserted in someone with Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, these diseases may cause PID. While this is not a common occurrence, when it happens, it will usually be within the first 20 days following the insertion. It is estimated that within a group of individuals at a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections(STIs) and the STI screening questions have Identified half of the STI cases, the rate of PID will be less than 2 for every 1000 insertions.
If you experience the following unusual symptoms within 20 days after the Copper IUD insertion, there is a chance that you have developed PID. You should immediately return to your healthcare provider for further evaluation and appropriate treatment.
abnormal discharge from your vagina;
nausea and/or vomiting
severe pain during sex;
fever/chills; and
pain in the lower part of your tummy.
