THE IUD

An IUD is a small plastic and copper device with one or two soft threads on the end. These thin threads come through the opening at the neck of your womb (cervix) into the top of your vagina. A trained doctor or nurse should only fit IUDs. An IUD works for at least five years. An IUD used to be called a coil.

Out of every 100 women who use an IUD, up to 2 women may become pregnant in a year. With newer types of IUD less than 1 woman in 100 will become pregnant in a year.

The main way an IUD works is to stop sperm reaching an egg.

It may also do the following

• Make the egg move slower along the fallopian tube.

Stop the egg from settling in the womb.