With the amount of sex today's youth is having, contraceptives have always been a hot topic amongst couples. While condoms and pills still remain to be the most commonly used Birth Control, they still have more cons than pros.

But there is a form of birth control available in the market that lets you have unprotected sex without having to worry about contraception as its effectiveness rate is 99%. Commonly known as the Copper-T, this device has been around for decades.

Despite the effectivness of this intrauterine device, there's still alot of people who have no knowledge of this at all, infact only 3 out of the 25 young women we asked knew that a device like this exists. 

What is a Copper-T?

A Copper-T is a contraceptive implant that is targeted for people who have sex frequently and want to do it without a condom. It's a small metallic 'T' shaped device that is inserted and is placed in the uterus.

How does it work?

The Copper-T is basically a plastic device that has a copper coil wrapped around it. Some models also have copper wrapped on the arms which improve the effectiveness. The primary mechanism of action of the device is to prevent fertilization. Copper acts as a spermicide within the uterus. The presence of copper in the vagina increases the levels of copper ions, and white blood cells which are effective for killing sperm.

A Copper-T has to be installed by a doctor or a nurse. The doctor will use a device to widen the vagina for easy access. An antiseptic fluid is used to clean your insides and the device is then slipped into place. The outer shell of the device then slides off and leaves a string in there to make adjustments. The string is trimmed so that it is barely there and the whole process takes about 5 minutes. And now you are ready to have unprotected sex without having to worry about getting pregnant.

Related Article: Can Dildos Get You Pregnant?

Are there any side effects?

Once the device is introduced in your body, there is an extremely low chance (0.7% of all women who use the device) of any complications, however there are some severe cases where the IUD perforate the vaginal wall. In very rare cases, it intensifies your menstrual flow and cramps for a few months till your body gets used to it. Apart from that, there are absolutely no major side effects. The device is removable and you can go back to fertility within a few weeks of removal. 

How much does it cost and how long will it last?

Copper-T devices start at around Rs 300 and go up to Rs 5000. And a life span depends on the kind of model you purchase. Some models even have a lifespan of 12 years! 

What are the problems with getting it in India?

The main problem with getting a Copper-T device in India is the taboo and stigma around it. First of all, a lot of women do not know that such a device exists! And even if they do, people are scared to approach their gynecologist and get consultation about the device. The device is marketed as a solution for married couples who want to have unprotected sex but don’t want to conceive a child but not of women who like to have unprotected sex.

“If I go and tell my doctor that I want a Copper-T, he/she will obviously judge me because I'm only 22 years old and I think the embarrassment is something that will hold me back!” 

In today's time, Indians are having more sex than ever before. We believe that people should be educated about alternative contraception methods that have a higher success rate than condoms and don’t take away a lot from the experience of having intercourse. If you really think you want to get a Copper-T implanted, you should go ahead and consult your doctor about it without having to worry about judgment.