IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE REQUESTING A CHANGE OF THEIR INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES

PLEASE READ BEFORE REQUESTING AN APPOINTMENT

The advice from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) about how long some Intrauterine Contraceptive devices (IUDs) are effective for has recently changed.

There are 2 types of Intrauterine Contraceptive devices:

Copper IUDs - with these devices most people will continue to have normal periods. They provide effective contraception for 5 or 10 years depending upon the brand and this advice has not changed.

Hormonal IUDs - which usually give people lighter periods and in some cases no periods at all. 

They come in 2 strengths:

Low dose Hormonal IUDs - Jaydess and Kyleena, which are effective for 3 and 5 years respectively and this advice has not changed.

Full dose Hormonal IUDs - Mirena, Levosert and Benilexa. These devices all use the same size plastic frame and contain the same amount of the hormone Levonorgestrel. Levosert and Benilexa have been used to provide effective contraception for SIX years for some time.

It has now been shown that Mirena also provides effective contraception for SIX years rather than the FIVE years that you may have previously been told.

Thus, if you are using a Mirena for contraception that has been in place for 5 years it can safely be left in place for another year - that is Six years from the original insertion date.

If you are using Mirena, Levosert or Benilexa as part of an HRT regimen it must still be replaced after FIVE years as you were previously told.

When your device needs changing please contact us about 3 months before the expiry date to make an appointment for replacement.

If you are having problems with your device at any time, please make an appointment to discuss it with us.