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IUD Patient Information

Intrauterine devices - Mirena IUD and Copper IUD

  • Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small devices that are put into the uterus (womb).
  • They are used as contraception (prevent pregnancy) and can also be used as a treatment for painful periods and/or excessive bleeding.
  • Hormonal IUDs (MirenaTM) and non hormonal IUDs (Copper) are available.
  • Both types are very effective, and can stay in place for five to ten years.

Intrauterine device (IUD) insertions and removals are performed by Dr Huei-Min Chen

 

Booking your IUD insertion

All patients wishing to have an IUD inserted will need to book in 3 visits in total:

  1. The first visit will take 30 minutes where the doctor will assess your suitability for IUD insertion and discuss any issues or questions you may have. A script for the IUD will be given to you at this visit and you will need to purchase it at a pharmacy.
  2. The IUD will inserted in the second visit (allow 2 hours for this). You must bring the IUD with you on the day.
  3. The third visit will be a follow up 6 weeks after IUD insertion.

Please take a moment to view the following patient education video:

IUD - Excluding pregnancy

  • It is very important that any possibility of pregnancy is excluded before an IUD insertion. You must use a reliable method of contraception until your IUD is inserted (withdrawal is not considered reliable).  We will not proceed with an IUD insertion if you have taken emergency contraception (morning after pill) or had unprotected sex within three weeks of your appointment date. 
  • If you are having an IUD changeover, it is important not to have sex without a condom in the seven days prior to the appointment day.
  • Please continue using any hormonal method of contraception until the IUD is inserted. We will advise you of when to cease using it.
  • A pregnancy test will be done on the day of insertion.
  • A copper IUD may be used as emergency contraception if inserted within 5 days of unprotected intercourse.

 

On the day of  IUD insertion

  • Please bring your IUD (pre purchased from the pharmacy) to the appointment. 
  • Do not worry if you have your period on the day, it can sometimes make the IUD insertion easier. 
  • Please make sure you have had something to eat at least 2 glasses of water to drink before you come for your appointment.
  • About 1 hour before your appointment, please take 2 Ibuprofen or 2 Naprogesic. If you are breastfeeding take 2 Ibuprofen. This will help to ease any cramping you may have during and after the insertion.  If you are unable to take anti-inflammatory medication, please discuss this with your doctor.
  • Allow at least two hours for your appointment time.
  • We would recommend that you do not bring children with you to the appointment unless you have someone available to care for them during your appointment
  • You may need to take the rest of the day off work. We can provide you with a medical certificate.

In some women, it is not physically possible to insert an IUD without a general anaesthetic. We may not know this until the day of insertion.  If this is the case, you may need to organise an insertion under a light general anaesthetic at another clinic.

 

IUD - Cost

Please ask reception staff.