Intrauterine system (IUS)
How reliable is it?
- Less than 1 woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year.
How it works
- A small plastic device containing progestogen hormone is put into the womb.
- It stops sperm meeting an egg or (rarely) stops an egg settling in the womb.
Advantages
- Works as soon as it is put in.
- Works for at lest 3 years.
- Periods will be much lighter and shorter.
Disadvantages
- Light bleeding is frequent for the first 3 months.
- May be temporary side-effects such as breast tenderness and acne.
Comments
- Women are taught to check the IUS by feeling the threads high in the vagina
- It can be useful for women with very heavy painful periods