Birth Control Options: Emergency Birth Control Information - Copper T IUD

Plan B

Copper T IUD

WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY POSTCOITAL INSERTION OF AN IUD?
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 about one-tenth the failure rate of pills. Complete information about this emergency contraceptive is available from your clinician.

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 1000 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 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, over time it becomes an extremely cost-effective contraceptive.
• The emergency IUD is not available without a prescription. Not all clinicians will insert IUDs.

WHERE CAN I GET GET AN IUD INSERTED AFTER UNPROTECTED SEX?

You can go to your clinician or family planning clinic to obtain ECPs. Some clinicians are not familiar with emergency contraception. In this case, call the toll-free hotline, (1-800) 584-9911 or (1-888) NOT -2- LATE for phone numbers of clinicians near you who can insert an emergency IUD. This hotline also provides information about other emergency contraceptive options. Some of these sources of help are free. You can also go to these websites for additional information: www.opr.princeton.edu, www.PREVEN.com, or www.go2planB.com

The Pill | The Mini-Pill | Birth Control Shot | Abstinence  | Cervical Cap

Breastfeeding | Vasectomy | Female/Male Condom Choices

Contraceptive Film (VCF) | Natural Family Planning  |  IUD's

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) | Vaginal Spermicides

Tubal Sterilization | The Ring | The Patch

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