What is a Copper-T, and is it right for me?

What is a Copper-T and how does it work?

A Copper-T is a type of intrauterine device, or IUD, often simply called a coil. It is a small, flexible plastic frame carrying fine copper wire or sleeves, placed inside the womb. The copper changes the fluid in the womb and the tubes so that sperm cannot survive or swim well enough to reach and fertilise an egg.

Because it contains no hormones, it does not stop your ovaries from working. You keep your natural cycle and still have a monthly period. Once it is in place, it works day and night with nothing for you to remember, which is a large part of why it is such a reliable method. It is also fully reversible: when it is removed, its effect stops.

Which copper coils are there, and how long do they last?

Two copper coils are in common use. The Copper T 380A is shaped like the letter T, and it gives protection for up to ten years. The Cu 375, known by brand names such as Multiload, has a slightly different shape, with flexible curved arms, and it gives protection for up to five years. Both work in the same way, and both can be removed earlier, at any time you choose — for example, if you would like to try for a pregnancy.

Which one suits you depends on your womb, your plans and your preference, and the doctor will talk this through with you before anything is fitted. When the time is up, the old coil can be removed and, if you wish, a new one fitted at the same visit.

What about the hormonal coil?

There is also a hormonal coil, known by brand names such as Mirena. It sits in the womb in the same way, but instead of copper it releases a very small amount of hormone locally, inside the womb. It lasts up to five years, and it often makes periods much lighter and less painful, which is why it suits many women who have heavy or painful periods. We very frequently use the hormonal coil.

It is a different device, with its own benefits and its own side effects, and we explain it in more detail in our separate video on the hormonal coil. If you are unsure which coil to choose, the doctor can help you compare them side by side.

How is a copper coil fitted?

Fitting is a short outpatient procedure at the hospital, and it usually takes only a few minutes. Before anything is done, the doctor asks about your health and your periods, makes sure you are not pregnant, and checks for any sign of infection. You then lie down as you would for a routine internal examination.

The doctor gently steadies the neck of the womb, measures the depth of the womb, and passes the coil through the neck of the womb inside a thin tube. Once it is in place, its arms open out, the tube is withdrawn, and two fine threads are trimmed so that they sit just inside the vagina. Most women feel some cramping, like period pain, during the fitting and for a short while afterwards, and we take care to keep you comfortable. The coil comes in its own sealed, sterile pack, opened fresh for you, and an ultrasound scan can confirm that it is sitting in the right place.

What is it like to live with a copper coil?

Most women soon forget it is there, and a partner should not normally feel it. In the first few months, periods can be heavier, longer or crampier than before, and there may be some spotting in between; for many women this settles with time. A follow-up check, usually after your next period, confirms that all is well, and you can learn to feel for the threads yourself.

A coil does not protect against infections passed on during sex, so condoms still have a place if that is a concern. And if you ever miss a period with a coil in place, or have sudden pain low in your tummy, see a doctor promptly. Pregnancy with a coil in place is uncommon, but it needs a scan to check that it is inside the womb and not an ectopic pregnancy.

Who does a copper coil suit?

A copper coil suits many women, whether or not they have had children. It is a good choice if you would like long-lasting protection without thinking about it every day, if you would rather avoid hormones, or if hormonal methods have not agreed with you in the past. It can also be used while breastfeeding.

It may be less suitable if your periods are already very heavy or painful, in which case the hormonal coil may suit you better; if you have an infection in the pelvis at the time; if you have unexplained bleeding that needs checking first; or if the shape of your womb makes fitting difficult. The doctor will go through all of this with you, so that the method you choose genuinely fits your health and your plans. You can compare other methods on our contraception page.

Can I have it removed, and how soon can I get pregnant?

Yes. A coil can be removed at any time, for any reason, and you do not need to wait until it has run its full course. Removal is usually quick: the doctor gently draws it out by the threads. Your natural fertility returns promptly afterwards, so if you would like a pregnancy, you can start trying straight away; our guide on how to become pregnant may help. Please never try to remove a coil yourself. It should always be removed by a doctor.

Getting started

If you would like to find out whether a Copper T 380A, a Cu 375 or the hormonal coil might suit you, call or message us. A conversation can help you understand your options and guide your next step, and the fitting itself is done in person at the hospital in Goa. Married or unmarried, you are welcome, and your visit stays private. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.