An IUD (intrauterine device) is inserted into the uterus for contraception or to help manage heavy periods. In Australia, there are two types: hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal (copper) IUDs. See the table below for how they compare.
All our GPs can talk you through your IUD options, whether you're after contraception or period management. See the process below to get started.
Two of our GPs, Dr Susan McSweeney and Dr Libby Ashton-Jones, are trained, certified IUD proceduralists with hands-on experience. See their profiles below.
We also welcome patients from other GPs who'd like to discuss their options with us.
IUD Clinic
Insertion
The device is placed into the uterus by a doctor trained and certified in the procedure after an initial appointment.
Two of our GPs perform IUD insertions with the assistance of a nurse at Ponti Health in our Surry Hills clinic.
Removal
Most removals are done in a standard appointment with your GP. If your removal is more complex, your GP will talk you through the next steps.
If you are having an IUD replaced, the removal and reinsertion happen in the same appointment.
Pain Management
Your comfort matters to us. Your doctor will discuss numbing and pain relief options before the procedure.
We're unable to offer twilight sedation or general anaesthetic on site. If you'd prefer either, raise it with your GP, as this may require an external referral.
Step 1
- Book a 30-minute IUD Pre-insertion appointment with our GP – IUD specialists.
- Discuss suitability
- Explore all options
- Pain management
- Side effects / recovery process
- Rule out any pelvic infections
- Prescription for IUD and pain management
Step 1
- Make an appointment with your existing GP at Ponti Health, who will triage you into the IUD Clinic.
- Discuss suitability
- Explore all options
- Pain management
- Side effects / recovery process
- Rule out any pelvic infections
- Prescription for IUD and pain management
Your IUD Appointment Journey
Booking
Our administrative/nursing team will book you in for your procedure.
Your procedure appointment
Allocate 60 minutes in total: 15–45 minutes for the procedure, plus 15–30 minutes of rest and observation afterwards. Please pick up your IUD and pain management medication from the pharmacy before your appointment.
- Pregnancy test
- Your doctor/nurse will walk you through the process
- Pain management and numbing options
- A heat pad and comfortable setup for the procedure
- Removal of old IUD (if required)
- Insertion of new IUD
Ultrasound
An ultrasound may be required after your procedure.
Follow-up
A 15-minute telehealth or in-person appointment with your GP IUD Specialist.
IUD Quick Facts
| Hormonal IUD | Copper IUD | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Hormonal IUDA small device that releases a low dose of progestogen. Made of soft flexible plastic. | Copper IUDA small device made of plastic and copper. Releases no hormones. |
| Contraception | Hormonal IUD
Yes.
|
Copper IUD
Yes — 99%.
|
| Menstrual control | Hormonal IUDLighter periods, or no periods at all — this is not harmful. Can also be used as the progesterone component of Menopause Hormone Therapy, for up to 5 years. | Copper IUDNo effect on menstrual bleeding. Periods can be heavier. |
| How long will it last? | Hormonal IUD5 to 8 years | Copper IUD5 or 10 years |
| Who can use it? | Hormonal IUDWomen of all ages, whether or not they have had a child. | Copper IUDWomen of all ages, whether or not they have had a child. |
| Who should not use it? | Hormonal IUDCannot be inserted if you are pregnant, or could be pregnant. You may also be unsuitable if you have an allergy to any part of the device, an active pelvic infection, or a history of certain surgeries. Your doctor will go through this with you at your initial appointment. | Copper IUDCannot be inserted if you are pregnant, or could be pregnant. You may also be unsuitable if you have an allergy to any part of the device, Wilson's disease, an active pelvic infection, a history of certain surgeries, or differences in your pelvic anatomy. If you already have heavy menstrual bleeding, a copper IUD is likely to make it heavier. Your doctor will go through this with you at your initial appointment. |
| PBS listed | Hormonal IUDYes | Copper IUDNo |
| Pain management | Hormonal IUD
|
Copper IUD
|
There is more than one hormonal IUD available in Australia, with different hormone doses and different lifespans. Your doctor will talk you through which suits you, and will give you the manufacturer's information leaflet for the device you choose.
- IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Always use barrier protection.
- A pelvic examination is performed to assess uterine size and position and to check for signs of infection.
- An STI swab and a pregnancy test are a routine part of the IUD insertion process .
Ready to book your IUD?
Book a pre-insertion appointment with our GP – IUD specialists, or get in touch with our team about your options.
Clinical and practical FAQs
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An IUD is a small device placed inside the uterus. It is used for contraception or to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
In Australia, there are 2 types: hormonal IUDs and non-hormonal (copper) IUDs.
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A hormonal IUD releases a low dose of progestogen. It usually makes periods lighter, and some people stop bleeding altogether.
A copper IUD contains no hormones. It does not reduce menstrual bleeding, and periods can become heavier and more painful.
Both are highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Your doctor will help you work out which suits you.
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No. A formal referral is not required.
We welcome patients from GPs external to Ponti Health. You can stay with your usual GP for everything else.
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2 of our GPs perform IUD insertions, removals and replacements at our Surry Hills clinic, with a nurse present.
Dr Susan McSweeney holds the Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (DRANZCOG).
Dr Libby Ashton-Jones has spent several years as a Family Planning educator, training other clinicians in this procedure.
All our GPs can discuss IUD options with you, whether for contraception or menstrual control.
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3 in total.
1st appointment: pre-insertion appointment. This is for patients referred by an external GP, and for patients from outside Ponti Health. If you are an existing Ponti Health GP patient, please discuss this with your current GP at your next appointment and they will triage you into the insertion appointment.
2nd appointment: insertion appointment.
3rd appointment: check in 2 to 6 weeks after your insertion appointment, and an ultrasound if needed.
Removals are usually done in a single standard appointment.
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Your doctor talks through both types of IUD, your medical history, and what you want from contraception or bleeding control.
A pelvic examination is performed to assess the size and position of your uterus, and to check for signs of infection. An STI swab is a routine part of this process. Cervical screening can be done at the same time if it is due.
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Yes. IUDs are suitable for people of all ages, whether or not they have had a child.
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Every procedure carries risks. Your doctor will go through the risks that apply to you before you decide, so you can make an informed choice.
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A hormonal IUD lasts 5 to 8 years, depending on the device. A copper IUD lasts 5 to 10 years, depending on the device.
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A copper IUD works immediately.
A hormonal IUD can take up to 7 days. You may need to use another form of contraception during that time. Your doctor will confirm what applies to you.
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With a hormonal IUD, expect irregular bleeding or spotting for the first few months. Over time most people find their periods become much lighter, and some stop altogether. This is not harmful.
With a copper IUD, periods are often heavier and can be more painful, particularly in the first 3 to 6 months.
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Yes. A 15-minute Telehealth check in will be booked 2 to 6 weeks after your insertion. You may also be asked to have an ultrasound.
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Most removals are done in a standard appointment with your current GP.
If your removal is more complex, your GP will talk you through the next steps.
If you are having an IUD replaced, the removal and reinsertion happen in the same appointment.
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Yes. An IUD can be removed at any time, and fertility returns quickly.
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A hormonal IUD can be used as the progestogen component of Menopause Hormone Therapy for up to 5 years.
If you are using it for this reason, it must be replaced within 5 years, even if you are not relying on it for contraception.
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No. Neither type protects against STIs. Barrier protection is still needed.
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Pain, comfort, and the questions people actually ask
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Pain varies. Some people describe cramping as period pain. For others, it is more intense, and it is usually brief.
If you have severe period pain, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or if pain has been difficult for you in the past, this matters. It is one of the things your Ponti Health GP or one of our IUD proceduralists will talk through with you at your initial appointment.
We will ask what your pain has been like before, and we will believe you. Your doctor will go through your numbing and pain relief options with you then, well ahead of the procedure.
If the right option for you turns out to be twilight sedation or a general anaesthetic, we will help you with the next steps.
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Sometimes, yes. That is the honest answer.
The experience is genuinely varied. For some people it is minimal. For others it is severe. And it is not always predictable. We have had women who have given birth several times find it very difficult, and young women who found it completely fine.
Some of the anger you see online is about being told it would be just a pinch. Doctors trying not to frighten people can end up minimising the procedure instead, and then a patient is left feeling their experience was not real. We would rather counsel you properly than reassure you cheaply.
That is why the initial appointment matters. There are things that make more pain more likely, including period pain, endometriosis, adenomyosis, not having given birth, being very young, or a history of trauma. Your doctor will go through these with you.
If the pain is worse than you expected on the day, we will talk about it afterwards and make sure you are supported. That part matters as much as the procedure.
Ponti Health was built around the idea that looking after yourself is not an indulgence, which is why we recommend taking time before and after any procedure to nourish yourself and rest.
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Options include numbing gel, numbing spray, inhaled pain relief, a heat pack, and simple pain medication before and after the procedure.
Your doctor will go through which of these suit you at your initial appointment, before the procedure is booked. You will be given a prescription to fill before the day.
There is a pharmacy on Holt Street, Surry Hills, 2 minutes on foot from Ponti Health. They stock the medications we commonly use.
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No. We are sadly unable to provide twilight sedation or general anaesthetic at Ponti Health.
If that is what you feel you need, it is not an issue at all. We will help you find a service that can assist.
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The insertion itself is usually over in a few minutes.
The appointment is longer, because we do not rush the part before or the part after.
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Most people feel discomfort for a few minutes during the insertion, then 1 to 2 days of light period cramps.
With a hormonal IUD, bleeding can be unpredictable for the first 3 to 6 months. It does settle, and what usually follows is years of far more manageable periods. With a copper IUD, periods are often heavier and this does not settle in the same way.
You will always have us, or your referring GP, to lean on in the months after your insertion.
Book the appointment on a day you can take it easy afterwards. Bring a pad. Eat and drink beforehand, especially if you faint easily.
Contact us if you develop severe pain, heavy bleeding, fever, or unusual discharge.
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Generally after 3 to 5 days. During that time, avoid anything inserted vaginally, and avoid baths and swimming.
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They should not feel the device. They may notice the strings, particularly in the first few months while they are still stiff.
If it is bothering either of you, come back. The strings can often be trimmed, though your doctor will manage this carefully, as very short strings can make removal harder later. It is a decision you make with your doctor by your side.
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You do not need to check them routinely if you have no symptoms.
Do not pull on them. If you cannot feel them, or they feel much longer or shorter than usual, use another form of contraception and book in with us.
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Hold off on tampons for the first 3 to 5 days, along with anything else inserted vaginally.
Hold off on a menstrual cup for the first 3 months. The suction can pull on the strings. After that, break the seal carefully before removing it.
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Yes, of course. A partner, a friend, your mum. Whoever makes it easier.
Our space allows for a moment of pause for those who accompany patients to appointments.
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Yes. At any point, for any reason. You do not need to explain why, and you will not have to argue for it.
If we need to stop, we will talk about what happens next. Stopping does not mean you have failed at anything.
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Yes, and please tell us at your first appointment. We want to talk about it and help you make the right decision for you, based on the power of knowledge.
Difficulty with previous pelvic exams is one of the strongest signals that you will find insertion harder, and it changes what we plan for you. We would much rather know beforehand.
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Possibly. Research suggests people who have not given birth report more pain at insertion than those who have.
It is still a suitable option. It is a reason to plan your pain relief properly and look at all the options available, rather than a reason to rule it out.
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This depends on the type of medication used during the procedure. Some options require a 4 hour period where driving is not recommended.
We recommend organising a pick up or a taxi for after the procedure. Be gentle with yourself afterwards.
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If you can, do. Some people go straight back to work. Others need to lie down with a heat pack.
Plan for the second option and be pleasantly surprised.
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Feeling lightheaded or nauseated for a few minutes afterwards is not unusual. Fainting is rare, and a nurse is in the room with you throughout.
This is why we build in time afterwards in the treatment room with our nursing team. Sit with us in one of our recliners, have a herbal tea or a sparkling water, and take a moment before you head back out.
Nourishing yourself before and after an appointment should always be the way, for any procedure. Eat and drink properly before you come in, and plan something nourishing for afterwards. It genuinely helps.
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With a hormonal IUD, some people notice skin changes, breast tenderness, headaches or mood changes in the first few months. These often settle.
If something feels wrong to you, tell us. We are not going to wave it off.
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Then we take it out. You do not have to give it a year first, and you do not have to justify the decision.
If you would like to, we can talk through options that might make it more tolerable before you decide. But that is an offer, not a hurdle. It is your call, and we will help you either way.
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You can, and some people find it slightly easier. It is not required. Just let your doctor know, and they will talk through timing with you.
Useful resources
Important Information
Please read important information around your booking and services prior to attending your appointment. If you have any questions about your booking, please reach out to enquiries@pontihealth.com.
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Medicare benefits are available and vary based on the type of consultation and eligible services provided. You will be required to pay the full cost of the consultation. At the time of payment, we’ll process the electronic Medicare claim for you, which will be credited directly to your debit card or the bank account that you've registered with Medicare.
If you are on a Mental Health Care Plan or an Enhanced Primary Care Plan, you will also be eligible for a benefit from Medicare.
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Once your out-of-pocket medical expenses reach $2,615.50 in a calendar year, Medicare steps in to cover up to 80% of additional costs for Medicare-subsidised services (MBS).
This benefit happens automatically for individuals. Families need to register once to activate this coverage.
The Safety Net applies to all out-of-hospital medical services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, helping to make your ongoing care more affordable.
Read more about the Medicare Safety Net here.
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If you have Private Health Insurance you may be eligible to claim benefits through Extras cover for allied health services such as physiotherapy, psychology, and more. The amount you can claim will depend on your specific level of cover and the service provided.
For more details on your entitlements and how to claim, please check your policy or contact your Private Health Insurer directly.
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We understand that life happens.
If you are unable to attend your appointment time, we ask that you provide notice for any appointment changes or cancellations.
24 hours prior: No cancellation fees
Less than 24 hours or ‘No-Show’ - a $100 cancellation fee may apply and full fees for your next appointment will be payable at the time of booking.
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Our booking platform will request your payment details to secure your appointment.
Fees are paid in full at the conclusion of your appointment. All major credit and debit cards are accepted.
Surcharges are excluded from EFTPOS debit payments.
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Our Psychiatrist, Psychologist and Mental Health GPs work as a team and can step in and support you during business hours, even if your specific doctor is away.
However, should you or someone you know require urgent crisis assistance, pls call please call 000 and ask for immediate support. You can also present to your nearest Emergency or Accident and Emergency service at your local hospital for immediate intervention and support.
The 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line is NSW Health's 24/7 statewide phone service, linking people with NSW Health mental health services. It is a free service.
It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who:
Offer mental health advice
Complete a brief assessment
Make recommendations for appropriate care, including referral to NSW Health mental health services.
The mental health professional will ask you questions to understand your needs and recommend appropriate services.
There are also other mental health resources provided by the state government of NSW, accessible via
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/default.aspx