Advantages
IUD and IUS:
you do not have to think about birth control, so you are in control of whether you get pregnant or not
it is safe to use and can be removed if you have side effects
you can have it taken out at any time, and your natural fertility (ability to have a baby) will quickly return
you can use it no matter what other medication you are taking, including HIV treatment
you can get a coilfitted four weeks after giving birth, and it’s safe to use if you’re breastfeeding
IUD only:
once fitted, it works straight away
it works for 510 years, depending on the brand
it is nonhormonal so it doesn’t have the same side effects as thecontraceptive pill,implantorinjection
it can be used as a form ofemergency contraception.
IUS only:
it works for three to five years, depending on the brand
you can get one at any point in your menstrual cycle. It&39;ll work straight away if it&39;s fitted in the first seven days of your cycle, but if it&39;s fitted at any other time during your cycle you&39;ll need to use other contraception for seven days afterwards.
it may be a good option ifyou cannot take the hormone oestrogen, which is used in the combined contraceptive pill
it can make your periods less heavy and painful, and after a year they might stop completely
Disadvantages
IUD and IUS:
having a coil fitted can be uncomfortable and even painful. You can have a local anaesthetic (numbing medication) to help if so
a coil doesn’t protect you or your partner fromSTIs,includingHIV– only condoms prevent pregnancy and STIs
it&39;s very unlikely that your coilwill come out, but if you cannot feel the threads or think it has moved, you may not be protected against pregnancy
IUD:
your periods might become heavier, longer or more painful. This is likely to improve after a few months
IUS:
you might get headaches, mood swings, spots or breast tenderness. But these side effects usually go after a few months
