Getting your IUD

An IUD may be put in at any time you choose — as long as you're not hapū or at risk of being hapū. These are the best times to get your IUD put in:

• During your period, or just after your period  
• Four weeks after your pēpi is born  
• At the time of a surgical abortion 
• If you’re using the copper IUD as emergency contraception — up to five days after unprotected sex 

If you have an infection, you should get it treated before you get an IUD put in.   

There must be no risk of pregnancy at the time of your appointment — unless you are getting the copper IUD as emergency contraception.

For the month before your appointment, you need to stop having penis in vagina sex — or you need to use contraception correctly each time you have sex during that month.

It's best to use reliable contraception like the pill or condoms  — ideally both — to prevent pregnancy for the month before you get an IUD. Make an appointment with us to get a prescription for the pill, condoms, or both.

Your appointment may have to be cancelled, rescheduled, or changed to another appointment type if: 

• You’ve had unprotected sex 
• There is any chance that you are hapū — unless you are getting the copper IUD as emergency contraception 

You’ll be responsible for any fees incurred because of this change.   

If you're having your IUD changed to a new IUD, you need to: not have sex — or use condoms correctly each time you’ve had sex — for the seven days before your appointment.

If you have sex without a condom in the seven days before your IUD is changed — and for some reason we're unable to put in a new IUD — there's a small risk that you could become hapū.    

• Eat something before your appointment — so you don’t feel faint or dizzy 
• It’s a good idea to take pain killers one hour before your appointment — 2 x 500mg paracetamol tablets and/or 2 x 400mg ibuprofen tablets  
• Wear comfortable clothes 
• If you have tamariki, it’s a good idea to have someone look after them while you're at your appointment  
• Give yourself enough time for the appointment — up to an hour. You might need to rest after having the IUD put in 
• Most people go straight back to their day after an IUD is put in. In case you feel faint or have cramps afterwards, you might want to organise for a friend or whānau member to take you home — so you can rest for a few hours  

• An IUD appointment takes about 40 minutes  
• At the beginning or your appointment, your nurse or doctor will talk to you about the IUD — to make sure it’s right for you. They’ll tell you how the IUD works and what to expect after the IUD has been put in. This takes about 20-30 minutes
• Putting the IUD in takes about 5-10 minutes   
• The IUD is put into your uterus by an experienced nurse or doctor. This is simple and safe. Some people may feel some pain, cramping, or dizziness when the IUD is put in 
• If you're having your IUD changed to a new IUD, this can usually be done in the same appointment

The IUD is often put in at your first appointment. These are a few reasons we wouldn’t put the IUD in at your first appointment:

• We can’t be reasonably sure you’re not pregnant  
• You haven’t had a period since taking the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP)  
• You have heavy bleeding which needs to be checked out 
  It's difficult to insert the IUD  

If you can’t get the IUD put in at your first appointment, we can make you another appointment to have it put in. 

There are some risks from having an IUD put in: 

• There is a small risk of infection — about 1% — when an IUD is put in 
• There is a very small risk of damage to the uterus — about 1 in 1000 people This risk is a bit higher if you are breastfeeding — up to 6 in 1000 people 
• If you get pregnant with an IUD in, there is a chance of pregnancy complications 
• A copper IUD might give you more bleeding and cramping during your period — but this usually gets better over time 
• The copper IUD can cause an allergic reaction. This is very rare 
• The hormonal IUD might give you irregular or light bleeding — but this usually gets better over time 
• The IUD can sometimes come out by itself — about 5% of all IUDs do this. We can teach you how to check the threads are still in the right place at any time 

Most people go straight back to their day after their IUD is put in. 
  
Use pads — not tampons or a menstrual cup — for 48 hours after your IUD is put in. You can use tampons or a menstrual cup after 48 hours. 

Expected:

• Some people may feel some pain, cramping, or dizziness when the IUD is put in 
• The removal threads come out of your cervix and curl up inside the top of your vagina — they don’t hang outside your vagina in the way that tampon threads do 
• Once the IUD is put in, you can’t feel it, or tell it's there — except by checking for the threads 
• If you're having sex, your partner shouldn't be able to feel it   
• Most people notice some changes to their period 
• With a copper IUD, your periods might be longer, heavier, and more painful — especially in the first few months.  
• With a hormone IUD — Mirena or Jaydess — you might have spotting in the first few months and then light or no periods 

Unexpected:

• Pain in your lower tummy 
• Unusual or smelly discharge  
• Bleeding between periods  
• Really heavy or painful periods   
• Pain with sex 
• If your temperature is up AND you have any of the above  
• You're unable to feel the threads —but you could before  
• You can feel the plastic stem of the IUD — or you think the IUD is coming out 

If you have any of these issues, or if you think something doesn't feel right, contact us or your regular health provider as soon as possible. 

If you require medical advice outside of our opening hours, call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 anytime or get help from an after-hours medical centre or emergency services.

Pregnancy is very rare if you have an IUD in place.

If you become hapū — or think you might be hapū — with an IUD in place, see your nurse or doctor as soon as possible. There's no extra risk for your pēpi, but there is a risk of complication in the pregnancy.

If you want to continue the pregnancy, it's best for your IUD to be taken out. This needs to be done early.   

An IUD can stay in place for 3-10 years — depending on the type of IUD. You can decide to get your IUD taken out at any time.

You may be able to keep the IUD in longer, if you're in your 40s. If you get a copper IUD put in after you turn 40 — or a hormonal IUD put in after you turn 45 — your IUD may be able to stay in place until menopause.

Find out how to have your IUD removed

We can prescribe and fit your IUD.

Make an appointment with us to get an IUD, or to get advice about an IUD. Let us know you want an appointment for an IUD.

If you can't make your IUD appointment — or you want to reschedule your appointment — contact us directly or fill in an online appointment cancellation form.