THE IUS

An IUS is a small T-shaped plastic device, which contains the hormone progestogen.

A trained doctor or nurse will put it into your womb. The IUS slowly releases the progestogen hormone.

The IUS is licensed to be used for five years.

The first IUS available in this country is called Mirena.

Out of every 100 women who don't use any contraception 80 to 90 will get pregnant in a year.

Out of every 100 women who use an IUS, less than one women will get pregnant in a year.

An IUS works in a number of ways.

• It thickens the mucus inn your cervix, so it helps to stop sperm reaching an egg.
• It makes the lining of your womb thin.

In some women it stops the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation), but must women who use an IUS ovulate.