In plain words
A copper IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed inside the uterus by a provider. It does not contain hormones. It works by causing a mild, sterile inflammatory response in the uterus that stops sperm from reaching an egg. It can stay in place for many years. Some people notice heavier or more painful periods, especially in the first months. After birth, the copper IUD can be placed in the hospital or at a visit, depending on the setting. Because it has no hormones, it is often considered by people who are breastfeeding. Your provider can help you decide whether it is a fit.
The deeper version
The copper IUD acts through a sterile inflammatory reaction in the endometrium, with copper ions affecting sperm motility and fertilization, and it has no systemic hormonal effect. It is classified as category 1 for immediate postpartum insertion in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women in the US Medical Eligibility Criteria (CDC, 2024), with insertion within 10 minutes of placental delivery or at four weeks or more postpartum, and category 1 for interval placement. Failure rates are very low, below 1 percent per year in typical use in the contraceptive CHOICE project (Winner and colleagues, New England Journal of Medicine 2012). Expulsion is more common after immediate postpartum placement. Increased menstrual bleeding and cramping are the most common adverse effects.
Where it comes up
What mothers here say about copper IUD
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Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — US Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 2024
- Peipert JF et al. — Preventing unintended pregnancies by providing no-cost contraception: CHOICE project. New England Journal of Medicine 2012