Different types of birth control IUDs include hormonal and copper devices that vary in how long they last, hormone exposure, and period changes.
Choosing between different types of birth control IUD can feel like a big call. Each device sits in the uterus, works for years, and keeps pregnancy risk low, but the day to day experience differs from one option to another.
This guide looks at copper and hormonal birth control IUD types and the trade offs that matter so you can match a device to your health, cycle, and plans.
Different Types of Birth Control IUD Options At A Glance
All IUDs fall into two main groups: copper and hormonal. Within those groups are branded devices with different hormone doses and lifespans. The table below gives a quick scan of the main options many clinics offer.
| IUD Type Or Brand | Typical Duration Of Action* | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Copper IUD (Paragard or similar) | Up to 10–12 years | Non hormonal, can be used as emergency contraception, periods may be heavier and crampier |
| Hormonal IUD 52 mg (Mirena) | Up to 8 years | Releases levonorgestrel, many users have much lighter periods or none at all, also used for heavy bleeding |
| Hormonal IUD 52 mg (Liletta) | Up to 8 years | Similar hormone dose and effect to Mirena, often available through public programs |
| Hormonal IUD 19.5 mg (Kyleena) | Up to 5 years | Lower daily hormone release, smaller frame, lighter periods but not always complete period loss |
| Hormonal IUD 13.5 mg (Skyla) | Up to 3 years | Smallest frame, designed for people who have not given birth, light hormone dose |
| Hormonal IUDs In General | 3–8 years depending on brand | Can ease cramps and heavy flow, may bring irregular spotting in first months |
| All Modern IUDs | Long acting, reversible | More than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when in place |
*Exact approved duration can differ by country and guideline; local product information and clinician guidance always apply.
Birth Control IUD Basics And How They Work
An intrauterine device is a small T shaped piece of plastic, with or without copper, that a trained professional places in the uterus during an office visit. Once in place, thin strings sit in the upper vagina so the device can be checked and removed later.
The CDC page on intrauterine contraception notes that current IUDs in many countries include one copper device and several levonorgestrel releasing devices with different doses and lifespans.
Copper IUDs release copper ions that make it hard for sperm to move and reach an egg. Hormonal IUDs release a progestin called levonorgestrel, which thickens cervical mucus, thins the uterine lining, and can sometimes block ovulation.
None of the types of birth control IUD protect against sexually transmitted infections. Condoms or other barrier methods are still needed for infection prevention.
Birth Control IUD Types For Different Needs
Different Types of Birth Control IUD exist so that people with different bodies and priorities can find a better match. Thinking about your period pattern, tolerance for hormones, pain level with bleeding, and plans for pregnancy makes the choice clearer.
Copper IUD: Hormone Free Birth Control
The copper IUD contains no hormones at all. The device has copper wire wrapped around the plastic frame. Copper creates a local setting that harms sperm and stops fertilization.
Many people pick this birth control IUD type when they prefer to avoid hormones or cannot take estrogen containing methods. The copper option is also the only IUD that can double as emergency contraception when inserted within a few days after unprotected sex.
Bleeding changes tend to be the main trade off. Copper IUD users often report heavier flow and stronger cramps, especially over the first few cycles. For some, this settles over time; for others it stays. People with already heavy or painful periods may find this device hard to live with.
Copper devices usually stay in place for ten years and sometimes longer.
Hormonal IUDs: Mirena And Liletta
Mirena and Liletta are 52 mg levonorgestrel IUDs. Both release a small daily dose of hormone inside the uterus and are approved in many regions for up to eight years of pregnancy prevention.
These types of birth control IUD are often suggested for people with heavy or painful periods. Many users see much lighter bleeding within six months. Some stop bleeding entirely while the IUD stays in place. Spotting in the first three to six months is common, then bleeding patterns usually settle into a steady rhythm.
Side effects outside the uterus tend to be milder than with pills because the hormone mostly stays inside the reproductive tract. Even so, some users notice tender breasts, mood shifts, acne, or headaches, especially early on.
Hormonal IUDs: Kyleena And Skyla
Kyleena contains 19.5 mg of levonorgestrel and works for up to five years. Skyla contains 13.5 mg and works for up to three years. Both are smaller than the 52 mg devices, which can help people with a smaller uterus or those who felt a lot of cramping with larger IUDs.
Lower hormone dose means fewer users stop bleeding entirely, yet many still see lighter, shorter periods.
Different Types Of Birth Control IUD And Everyday Life
Beyond hormones and copper, life details matter. Cramps, sport, travel, and plans for pregnancy all shape which IUD feels right.
Period Changes And Comfort
Copper IUDs often bring heavier flow and stronger cramps, especially in the first months. Pain medicine, heat packs, and rest can help many people through this stage, but some still decide the method is not a good fit.
Hormonal IUDs usually move bleeding in the opposite direction. Early spotting is common. Over time, periods often grow lighter or stop.
Any sudden severe pain, fever, or foul discharge calls for urgent care, no matter which device you have.
Fertility, Removal, And Pregnancy Plans
All current IUD brands are reversible. Once the device comes out, fertility returns quickly for most users. The CDC reports that fewer than one user out of a hundred becomes pregnant in the first year of typical IUD use.
Removal is usually quick. A trained professional gently pulls the strings with a small tool, and the device folds and slides out. Cramping is common, but the process rarely takes more than a minute or two.
Anyone who knows they want pregnancy within a year or so might still like an IUD, yet some prefer short acting methods such as pills or rings.
Comparing Birth Control IUD Types By Priorities
The table below lines up common goals with how copper and hormonal types of birth control IUD tend to behave.
| Priority | Copper IUD May Suit You If | Hormonal IUD May Suit You If |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding Hormones | You want hormone free birth control and accept heavier periods | You are comfortable with low dose progestin in the uterus |
| Lighter Periods | Your baseline flow is light and extra bleeding would not bother you much | You hope for lighter or no periods and can handle early spotting |
| Emergency Contraception Option | You like that insertion within five days after unprotected sex can cut pregnancy risk sharply | You plan regular use only and do not need an emergency function from the IUD itself |
| Duration | You prefer a set and forget method that can last a decade or more | You want three to eight years of cover, depending on brand |
| Painful Cramps Now | Your cramps are mild and you can manage extra discomfort during your cycle | You would like cramps to ease over time with thinner uterine lining |
| Uterine Size Or Past Insertion Trouble | Your uterus took a standard IUD well in the past | You might do better with a smaller device like Kyleena or Skyla |
| Monthly Spotting Tolerance | You prefer one predictable flow, even if heavier | You can accept short term spotting in trade for lighter long term bleeding |
Safety, Risks, And When To Get Help
Modern birth control IUD types have strong safety records, but no medical method is risk free. Serious problems like uterine perforation or pelvic infection are rare.
The ACOG FAQ on long acting reversible contraception outlines known risks, such as a slight rise in pelvic infection risk in the first few weeks after insertion and a small chance that the device can slip out or move.
Call a clinic or emergency service right away if you notice severe lower belly pain, chills, fever, foul discharge, or if you cannot feel strings that you used to find easily.
IUDs do not shield against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. Barrier methods, regular screening, and honest talks with partners still matter for sexual health.
How To Talk With A Clinician About IUD Choices
Talking through the different types of birth control IUD with a clinician who knows your health history is the best way to land on a safe choice. Bring a short list of your main concerns so the visit stays focused.
Helpful points to share include your age, smoking status, past pregnancies, heavy bleeding, anemia, migraines, clotting history, and any current medicines. This gives the clinician a clear view before suggesting copper or hormonal options.
Good questions to ask might cover how long each IUD offered in the clinic lasts, what bleeding changes to expect, how removal works, and what follow up visits look like.
The right device is the one that fits your body, health status, and tolerance for bleeding changes and side effects. Reading about Different Types of Birth Control IUD options is a helpful first step; pairing this knowledge with personal medical advice gives you the best chance of steady, low effort birth control that suits your life.