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Intrauterine Device (IUD)

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a birth control device that is inserted into a woman’s uterus by a health care provider. IUDs are typically made of plastic or metal and have a string attached. Their presence changes the physical environment of the reproductive tract. These changes can prevent the egg from being fertilized and/or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. IUDs containing the female hormone progesterone can stay in place up to 5 years. IUDs containing copper can stay in the uterus for up to 10 years.

Read our fact sheet (pdf) on this topic.