If you have an IUD, you can have sex as soon as a full day passes after having it inserted. However, it’s best to use condoms during penetrative sex.
You may feel some cramping or spotting for a few days after an IUD is placed, but this should go away. Some women also notice their periods getting longer, heavier or more painful.
1. It is not advisable to have sex within 48 hours of having the IUD inserted
IUDs are an amazing contraceptive — they’re more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, you don’t have to remember to take them like a pill, and they work for years. But some women worry that sex can dislodge or cause the device to fall out of their uterus. Luckily, it’s very unlikely to happen, but it’s still important to understand how an IUD works and what to do if you have one.
A health care professional inserts an IUD during a routine office visit, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. During the procedure, the doctor will lie you on an exam table and clean your cervix and vagina with an antiseptic liquid. They will then fold the IUD into an applicator tube and insert it through your cervix and into your uterus. After the IUD is in place, the doctor will remove the applicator and trim the strings to a comfortable length.
IUDs have two thin strings at the end that are similar in thickness to floss and hang down over your cervix. You can check that your IUD is in place by feeling for the strings with your fingertip. If they are shorter or longer than normal, or if you feel a lump in your uterus, contact your doctor for an appointment. You should also contact your doctor if you experience any bleeding or cramps after having sex.
2. It is not advisable to have sex within a week of having the IUD inserted
A hormonal IUD (such as Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla, or Liletta) releases a hormone called progestogen to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A copper IUD, on the other hand, releases a different substance that changes the make-up of the fluids in your uterus and fallopian tubes and stops sperm from surviving there. You can also use an IUD with a diaphragm and other “natural methods” like Persona, but you should always use condoms with non-hormonal IUDs.
Your healthcare provider will use a tool to hold your cervix steady while they insert the IUD, which can cause cramping. It’s a good idea to ask your provider for some pain relief. They will probably recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever or a prescription pill to help you relax and get some sleep.
Once the IUD is in place, you’ll have a string about 2 inches long that comes out of your cervix and into your vagina. It may feel uncomfortable when you have sex, but it shouldn’t hurt. If your partner can feel the strings, they may want to talk to their doctor or nurse about trimming the length. It’s also important to check the strings once a month. You can do this by putting your fingers in your vagina and reaching up toward your cervix. If the strings feel longer than usual, you should use a back-up method of birth control until you see your doctor or nurse.
3. It is not advisable to have sex within a month of having the IUD inserted
When you have your IUD inserted, it will be done at your doctor’s office and is usually pretty painless. They will ask you some questions, do an exam, and clean your cervix before inserting it. It’s best to make the appointment when you’re on your period, which can help prevent pregnancy and makes the insertion less painful. It’s also a good idea to take 600mg of ibuprofen before your appointment, which can reduce the inflammation in your uterus and make the procedure more comfortable.
It’s important to know that it is possible for your partner to feel the strings during penetrative sex, but it should not be intense or painful. The healthcare professional who inserts your IUD should trim the strings to a shorter length so they’re not visible during intercourse, and the mucus in your cervix will make them difficult to feel with a penis.
IUDs are long-acting birth control that protect against pregnancy for up to 12 years. They work by releasing a small amount of the synthetic hormone progestin, which thickens cervical mucus and inhibits sperm movement to make it harder for sperm to reach and fertilize an egg. If you decide to get an IUD, be sure to discuss the different types with your healthcare provider. They’ll be able to help you find the right one for your needs and lifestyle.
4. It is not advisable to have sex within a week of having the IUD removed
IUDs are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it is possible to become pregnant from unprotected vaginal sex even after the IUD has been removed. In order to prevent this, it is important to use condoms or other forms of birth control for at least 7 days before having sex with your partner.
Sperm can survive in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days after sex, so it is not uncommon for women who have had unprotected sex to conceive within 7 days of having their IUD removed. This is because sperm can be present in the reproductive tract for up to 5 days and will continue to survive until the woman ovulate. In addition, the uterus can become infected after having sex, and this can cause a miscarriage or complications during a later pregnancy.
Generally, it is very unlikely that IUDs will move or fall out (called displacement) or poke through the uterus wall (called perforation). However, it is important to monitor your IUDs for any unusual symptoms such as spotting between periods, lower abdominal pain, or bleeding.
Removing an IUD takes place during an office visit, just like a regular gynecological exam. The doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina and clean it with an antiseptic liquid. Then they will use a tool to push the IUD through the narrow opening of your cervix and into the uterus. The procedure is very quick and easy, although it can be painful. If you’re worried about the discomfort, you can take a painkiller like ibuprofen before your appointment.
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