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Contraception, Pregnancy

Emergency Contraception: The IUD

If you’ve had unprotected sex you may be able to prevent pregnancy by using the copper coil (IUD).

There are two types of emergency contraception: The copper coil and the morning after pill.

The morning after pill works by delaying or preventing the release of an egg. There are two types of morning after pill in the UK. They are both less effective than the copper coil as they will only prevent pregnancy if ovulation hasn’t already happened. Whereas the IUD can be used to prevent pregnancy at any time during your menstrual cycle.

Continue reading to learn more about using the copper coil as emergency contraception.

If you’re unsure if you need emergency contraception you can use the risk of pregnancy calculator to help you.

Remember that if you have unprotected sex, this always puts you at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so it’s a good idea to get tested.

Quick guide

How it works

The copper coil works within five days of unprotected sex (sex without using a method of contraception e.g. condoms) to stop pregnancy from occurring.

Pros & cons

If taken within 5 days it can prevent pregnancy
If kept in it can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years
It prevents pregnancy even if you have already ovulated
Over 99% effective
Some people may find the procedure of fitting the copper coil uncomfortable

Where to get it

The copper coil must be fitted by a specially trained doctor or nurse. You can get the copper coil from a range of services, including Brook, sexual health clinics and your GP. Read more

How emergency contraception works

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When the copper coil can be fitted

The copper coil can be fitted within 120 hours (five days) of unprotected sex or five days after the earliest time you could have ovulated.

Emergency contraception doesn’t cause an abortion. The copper coil prevents a pregnancy from happening.

Where to get an emergency coil fitted

The copper coil must be fitted by a specially trained doctor or nurse. You can get the copper coil from a range of services, including Brook, sexual health clinics and your GP. Find your nearest using our find a service tool.

When you go to get emergency contraception you will be asked some questions including:

  • Whether you are taking any other medications
  • When you had unprotected sex
  • Where you are in your menstrual cycle
  • Whether you are taking a regular method of contraception and what this method is

This is to check which method of emergency contraception is the most suitable.

It takes about 15-20 minutes to fit the the copper coil. It can be uncomfortable however, you can have a local anaesthetic to help with this. If you can’t have the copper coil fitted straight away and an appointment is made for this to happen at a different time, you may have to take the emergency contraceptive pill before you have the copper coil fitted.

After having the copper coil fitted you can continue to use this is as your usual method of contraception. If you want to have the coil removed this will need to be done by a specially trained doctor or nurse after your next period.

Side effects

There are no serious short or long-term side-effects from using the copper coil. Some people may experience some, or none, of these possible side effects:

  • Periods may be heavier, more painful or last longer
  • Small risk of infection
  • Small risk of coil being pushed out

After pregnancy

You can get pregnant from as little as three weeks after giving birth and around two weeks after an abortion or miscarriage. The copper coil is safe to use when breastfeeding. Speak to your midwife, GP or a nurse at a sexual health clinic to find out if the copper coil is an option for you.

Emergency contraception FAQs

How do I know if the emergency contraception has worked?

If your next period comes at about the time you would normally expect it and is not lighter than normal, it is unlikely that you’re pregnant.

If your period is lighter or shorter or you miss your next period or withdrawal bleed (if your usual method of contraception is a combined contraceptive method) then you should see a nurse or doctor. They will recommend doing a pregnancy test but to ensure an accurate result the test should be no earlier than three weeks since you had of unprotected sex.

What is unprotected sex?

Unprotected sex is sex without any form of contraception.

These are some example scenarios below when you might need emergency contraception:

  • The condom broke or came off during sex
  • You forgot to take your contraceptive pill or change your ring or patch and have had sex
  • You didn’t use any form of contraception including condoms
I’ve had unprotected sex more than five days ago, what do I do?

If you have had unprotected sex more than five days ago, you will not be able to use emergency contraception but it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test either:

  • As soon as you realise your period is late
  • If your period is shorter or lighter than usual
  • Or three weeks after having unprotected sex as this is approximately how long it will take for any pregnancy hormones to show up on a urine pregnancy test.

You can get a free pregnancy test a Brook service (if you are under 25), young person’s service, contraception and sexual health clinic and some GPs.

I’m not sure if I need emergency contraception, what do I do?

If you have had unprotected sex you can use the Risk of Pregnancy Calculator to help you work out your risk of pregnancy. It’s a good idea to talk to a nurse at a sexual health clinic, GP or pharmacist if you’re unsure. It’s better to take action now, even if that’s just talking to medical professional, than waiting- the longer you wait the less effective emergency contraception becomes.

I had unprotected sex on my period, do I need emergency contraception?

It’s possible to get pregnant at any point during your menstrual cycle, including during your period, as sperm can survive for up to five days in the body.

It’s a good idea to use the risk of pregnancy calculator to help you decide if you need emergency contraception and talk to a healthcare professional such as a nurse at a sexual health clinic, pharmacist or GP as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

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