Copper Intrauterine Device (Cu-IUD)

Provenance

Written by SPS and the College of Sexual and Reproductive Health (CoSRH), with the support of specialist stakeholders working within clinical practice, for use within reproductive services.

August 2025 – note the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) has now changed its name to the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH). Some web pages and CoSRH documents will continue to display the FSRH name; where you see FSRH, this refers to CoSRH. All weblinks are still active.

Planned Review

Following the December 2025 launch of revised UKMEC guidelines from CoSRH, all reproductive health PGDs/protocols are being reviewed to ensure they reflect the updated UKMEC.

There are minor changes that apply to the protocol for the copper IUD, which will be covered in the planned end of life review in late spring:

• References to intrauterine contraception (IUC) or intrauterine systems (IUS) have been replaced with intrauterine device (IUD) to reflect WHO terminology.
• Living with HIV – removal of all reference to CD4 counts, and using person-centred language so will state “living with HIV infection if clinically unwell and not on treatment”.

Protocol template attachment

The template protocol is attached below to download and use in conjunction with our implementation advice (SPS page).

• Template-protocol-for-the-insertion-of-copper-IUD-V1.1-FINAL Nov 24Opens in a new window · Word · 45 KB

More reproductive health PGDs and protocol templates

• Lidocaine plus prilocaine cream for IUD insertion or removal
• Lidocaine 10mg/ml spray for IUD insertion or removal
• Ulipristal acetate 30mg tablets for emergency contraception
• Lidocaine injection for subdermal etonogestrel in contraception
• Etonogestrel (e.g. Nexplanon®) implant for contraception
• Progestogen only pill (POP) for contraception
• Progestogen-Only Intra-Uterine Device (LNG-IUD) for contraception
• Levonorgestrel 1500 microgram tablets for emergency contraception
• Copper Intrauterine Device (Cu-IUD)
• Combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring
• Combined hormonal contraceptive transdermal patch
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (SC-DMPA) injection for contraception
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) IM injection for contraception
• Combined oral hormonal contraceptive (COC) in reproductive health

All PGD templates

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