Wellness

ALL the different types of IUD and IUS contraceptive choices in the UK, because there's far more than you probably realise

Were you taught about this at school? We weren't.
By Charley Ross
Uterus with intrauterine system .
Uterus with intrauterine system (IUS).Sora Kobayashi

Contraception is a tricky subject for many reasons – access, cost, funding for research, side effects, the lack of equivalent treatment for men. 

Options like the IUD and IUS are rarely discussed and many are not aware of their benefits and availability, with many opting for the pill, even if it doesn't work well with their body. In fact, research in 2019 found that nine in 10 English women opted for the pill, while 4.4% chose an IUD or IUS.

While there are countless contraceptive pill brands to try in order to find the right one for you, general knowledge of the different types IUD and IUS can feel fairly limited. A study found that a small proportion of people with uteruses opt for these methods of contraception, and knowledge of how it works is fairly limited.

This may lead to us choosing the wrong contraception for our bodies and not knowing enough about other options to make a good change for ourselves.

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GLAMOUR has asked Sarah Welsh, gynaecologist and co-founder of sexual and intimate wellness brand Hanx, to break down everything we need to know about both types of contraceptive devices.

First of all, it’s important to understand the key difference between an IUD and an IUS – as they are often used interchangeably when talking about contraception, and they are different things. An IUD releases copper to provide contraception, and an IUS releases hormones.

With this in mind, here’s everything else you need to know about each device.

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A guide to the 4 different IUS systems

According to Sarah, an IUS is a “long-acting reversible form of hormonal contraception. A device is placed inside of the uterus to prevent pregnancy by releasing a synthetic form of a progesterone hormone called levonorgestrel into the uterus".

There might be a range of reasons why you opt for an IUS, she adds. "As well as contraception, some hormonal coils are recommended for heavy menstrual bleeding, including when women have anaemia due to the loss of blood they lose during their periods, protecting the womb lining as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or painful periods (including endometriosis). 

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“An IUS may also be recommended for someone with PCOS as they keep the lining of the womb thin and can reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.”

Here are the four different types:

  1. Mirena® 
    "This contains 52mg of Levonorgestrel and is licensed to stay in situ for up to 5 years. It can, however, stay in until the age of 55 is the device is inserted in women aged 45 or over for contraception or bleeding problems. 

    “It is considered the gold standard and IUS of choice for many women. Healthcare professionals would prescribe or recommend a Mirena coil include for contraception, heavy menstrual bleeding, and endometrial protection as part of HRT after the menopause.”
  2. Levosert®
    “Similar to Mirena, this contains 52mg of Levonorgestrel and is licensed to stay in situ for up to 5 years. Healthcare professionals would prescribe or recommend a Levosert coil include for contraception and heavy menstrual bleeding. The inserter is large, and this is preferably used for women under 45, due to the fact it is not recommended as part of HRT.”
  3. Kyleena®
    “This IUS contains a lower dosage of 19.5mg of Levonorgestrel and is licensed to stay in situ for up to 5 years. Kyleena is prescribed for contraception only. This device is smaller in size and is therefore a good option if the patient has not given birth, has a narrow cervix or the Mirena or Levosert is too painful to insert.”
  4. Jaydess® 
    “This contains 13.5mg of Levonorgestrel and is licensed to stay in situ for up to 3 years. It is smaller in size, and also has less progesterone hormone and is  a good option if the patient has side effects from progesterone from Mirena, Levosert or Kyleena.”

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A guide to the IUDs

“Intra-uterine devices are also called IUDs, copper coils or intrauterine contraceptive devices,” Sarah advises.

“There are many types of IUDs available on the NHS in the UK, and they are also often used as a form of emergency contraception.”

Here's everything you need to know about all the different types of IUD:

  1. T-Safe 380A QL® (similar devices include the TT 380 Slimline® and the Copper T 380A®) “These T-shaped devices contain 380mm2 of copper in a band around the T-shape. They are licensed to stay in the uterus for up to 10 years. They are often referred to as the gold standard and IUD of choice for many women.”\
  2. Nova T 380® (similar devices include the UT 380 Standard®, the Novaplus T 380® Cu, and the Neo-Safe® T 380) 
    “These T-shaped devices contain 380mm2 of solid copper on the T-shape. They are licensed to stay in the uterus for up to 5 years, so slightly smaller in size than the T-Safe 380A QL®. This IUD contains 380mm2 and can therefore be used as emergency contraception or kept in the uterus until the menopause if inserted at the age of 40 or over.”\
  3. Mini TT 380 Slimline® 
    “These T-shaped devices contain 380mm2 of copper in a band around the T-shape. They are licended to stay in the uterus for up to 5 years. Although the device is small, the inserter is large. This IUD contains 380mm2 and can therefore be used as emergency contraception or kept in the uterus until the menopause if inserted at the age of 40 or over.”\
  4. UT 380 Short® (similar devices include the Novaplus T 380® and Cu Mini) 
    "These T-shaped devices contain 380mm2 of solid copper on the T-shape. They are licensed to stay in the uterus for up to 5 years. These devices are shorter in length than the others containing 380mm2 of copper, and the inserter is slim. 

    “This IUD also can be used as emergency contraception or kept in the uterus until the menopause if inserted at the age of 40 or over.”\
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5. Multiload® Cu375 (similar devices include the Multi-Safe® 375, the Ancora® 375 cu, and the Load® 375)
“These M-shaped devices contain 375mm2 of solid copper and are licensed to stay in the uterus for up to 5 years.”

6. Flexi T 300® 
“These T-shaped devices contain 300mm2 of solid copper on the T-shape. They are licensed to stay in the uterus for up to 5 years.”

7. Intrauterine Ball® (IUB) Midi
“This device has 300mm2 of copper balls in a sphere shape, with no frame (unlike the T-shaped devices). It can stay in the uterus for up to 5 years but currently is not recommended by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health due to lack of data. Special training is also required to insert them.”

8. GyneFix® Standard 
“This frameless device has 330mm2 of copper and can stay in the uterus for up to 5 years. However, special training is also required to insert them."