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Contraception - Management
What copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) are available?
- A variety of copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) are available on prescription. The devices vary in design, shape, size, and surface area of copper, as well as the duration of use for which they are licensed.
- Table 1 shows details of the copper IUDs available on the NHS.
- Most IUDs are T shaped and will remain active between 5–10 years, depending on which IUD is used.
- Most IUDs have copper wire or sleeves on a small plastic frame.
- One IUD is frameless. It has six copper sleeves over a knotted, polypropylene thread; the device is anchored in the uterus by inserting the knot into the uterine fundus.
- The copper IUDs have one or two monofilament threads to allow removal and for checking that the device is still in place. The threads have one filament because threads with multiple filaments are associated with bacterial infection ascending into the uterus.
Table 1. Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) available in the UK.
Product | Approximate copper area (mm2) | Shape of IUD | Minimum length of uterus (cm) | Duration* of use (years) |
|---|
Framed copper IUDs |
Flexi-T 300® | 300 | T-shaped | > 5 cm | 5 |
Flexi-T+ 380® | 380 | T-shaped, banded copper on the arms | > 6 cm | 5 |
Load 375® | 375 | U-shaped | > 7 cm | 5 |
Multiload Cu375® | 375 | U-shaped | 6–9 cm | 5 |
MultiSafe 375® | 375 | U-shaped | 6–9 cm | 5 |
MultiSafe 375 Short stem® | 375 | U-shaped | 6–9 cm | 5 |
Neo-Safe T380® | 380 | T-shaped | 6.5–9 cm | 5 |
Nova-T 380® | 380 | T-shaped | 6.5–9 cm | 5 |
T-Safe 380A QL®† | 380 | T-shaped, banded copper on the arms | 6.5–9 cm | 10 |
TT380 Slimline® | 380 | T-shaped, banded copper on the arms | 6.5–9 cm | 10 |
UT 380 Short® | 380 | T-shaped | 5–7 cm | 5 |
UT 380 Standard® | 380 | T-shaped | > 7 cm | 5 |
Frameless copper IUDs |
GyneFix® | 300 | six copper sleeves on polypropylene thread | Suitable for all uterine sizes | 5 |
* The duration of use shown is that recommended in the marketing authorization for the product. Copper IUDs are regulated as medical devices rather than medicinal products [FFPRHC, 2005a]. Consequently, they are not licensed as medicinal products and do not have Summary of Product Characteristics to show licensed durations of use. However, under medical devices regulations, medical devices must be CE (Kitemark) marked to indicate that they conform with European standards. |
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