Playin' It Safe

Emergency Intra-Uterine Device ('Coil')

What is an emergency Intra-Uterine Device?

If you have had sex without using contraception (unprotected sex) or think your contraceptive method may have failed, a nurse or doctor can fit an emergency Intra-Uterine Device (IUD), also know as the 'coil', in your womb up to 5 days after you had unprotected sex.

An IUD is a small plastic and copper device which stops sperm meeting an egg or stops an egg settling in the womb. The IUD will prevent 98% of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used.

What are the advantages?

  • After it is fitted, you can also use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception if you wish

What are the disadvantages?

  • Small possibility of the IUD moving or being pushed out by your womb. The nurse or doctor will teach you how to check your IUD threads every month to make sure it is still in place