Copper IUD as emergency contraception?

[cecinestpastout.livejournal.com]

I'm just curious - I've seen posts on here saying that copper IUDs can be used as EC. Today, while unpacking some old things, I found the side-effects leaflet from my copper IUD insertion last year.  When talking about having an IUD removed and replaced with a new one (i.e. after the 10 year effective period is up) it said that this should not be carried out if the woman is mid-cycle and has had unprotected intercourse in the last week, as there was a risk of pregnancy. Surely if that's possible, then copper IUDs wouldn't be effective as EC. Can anyone explain? I'm in the UK if that makes a difference (though I can't see why it should).

Comments

[ends-and-means.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming that they're concerned that if the woman is already pregnant, it could have adverse effects on the fetus. EC (including IUDs, I assume) prevents ovulation/implantation, it doesn't (isn't supposed to) cause abortions.

[cecinestpastout.livejournal.com]

Ah, ok. I interpreted it as meaning there was a risk of her becoming pregnant already, rather than there being a pre-existing pregnancy that might be adversely affected.

[ends-and-means.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I'm not sure. I suppose it depends on how quickly an IUD is effective as EC. Since it takes 5-7 days for a zygote to implant (I think?), it seems as if an IUD would work within a week after intercourse, but who knows.

[cecinestpastout.livejournal.com]

Mm, that was sort of my thinking, which is why I thought I'd see what other people thought :)

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

They definitely are effective as EC. I think the reason the packet says that is because if you are pregnant, you wouldn't want to insert the IUD.

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

I had another thought, which is that some people are Not Ok with using EC....so they would want to know that the IUD would potentially negatively impact a fertilized egg.

[marionravenwood.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that copper IUDs work as EC by preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. This is not the same as the effect an IUD would have on an established pregnancy.

Apparently having an IUD inserted is much more effective than Plan B (http://www.managingcontraception.com/qa/questions.php?questionid=2812).