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Emergency Postcoital IUD Insertion
(06/28/2004) by Unknown
WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY POSTCOITAL INSERTION OF AN IUD?- The Copper T - 380 A (ParaGard)
For up to 5 to 8 days after unprotected intercourse, you can have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted to keep you from getting pregnant. This is the most effective currently available postcoital contraceptive in the United States. When used after unprotected intercourse, the Copper T 380 A IUD is inserted into the uterus. It prevents implantation of a fertilized egg (if an egg was fertilized by the unprotected sex). Women wanting the most effective emergency contraceptive should consider IUD insertion. It has a lower failure rate than emergency contraception pills. Complete information about this emergency contraceptive is available from your clinician or by calling (1-888) - NOT 2- LATE.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
• 50% of the 3.5 million unintended pregnancies each year in the US could be prevented by the widespread use of emergency contraception. It is much better to use a contraceptive at the time of intercourse (condoms, pills or even withdrawal), but if you have unprotected sex, emergency insertion of an IUD will reduce your chance of getting pregnant.
• The emergency IUD can be inserted for 5 to 8 days after unprotected sex.
• If 1,000 women have unprotected intercourse in the middle 2 weeks of their cycle, 80 would become pregnant without emergency contraception, but only 1 will become pregnant if a Copper T 380-A is inserted as emergency contraception.
• Once in place, this IUD can be used for at least 10 to 12 years as an effective contraceptive.
• The emergency IUD may be used by some women who cannot take emergency contraceptive pills.
• Fertility returns immediately after IUD is removed.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
• You may have some cramping or pain at the time of or just after insertion of the IUD.
• If you leave the IUD in place, it may cause irregular periods or more cramping with periods.
• IUDs offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Use a condom if infection is a possibility.
• There is a high initial cost of insertion of the Copper T. However, if it is left in place, over time it becomes an extremely cost-effective contraceptive.
• Not all clinicians will insert IUDs.
WHERE can I get an IUD inserted after unprotected sex?
You can go to your clinician or family planning clinic. Some clinicians are not familiar with emergency contraception. In this case, call the toll-free hotline: (1-888) NOT-2-LATE to obtain the phone numbers of clinicians near you who may be willing to insert an emergency IUD. Some of these sources of help are free. You can also go to these web sites for additional information: www.opr.princeton.edu. PLAN B is the emergency contraceptive pill that causes the least nausea, the least vomiting, and has the lowest failure rate.
The above information is taken from http://www.managingcontraception.com/cmanager/publish/choices.shtml
This information is not copyrighted, and may be copied or adapted without asking permission. Lengthier descriptions may be found in the books Managing Contraception, Contraceptive Technology and LA Planification Familiar, which may be ordered from the above website or by calling (706) 265-7435.
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