Hormonal coils / IUS

Initially you may get prolonged, frequent, or irregular bleeding, this is common in the first 3 months. In most cases this bleeding continues to get better between 3-6 months, then better still between 6-9 months after having your coil fitted.

After 12 months the majority of people with a Mirena Coil (studies suggest around 72%) will either have no periods at all, or very light infrequent bleeding.  With Kyleena it’s around 49% and Jaydess studies suggest around 32%.

There are some people where bleeding may not settle into a pattern they are happy with. Studies suggest that 5% of hormonal coil users, discontinue this method, due to side effects including bleeding issues.

Copper Coil / IUD

The copper coil can make your periods more heavy and more painful. This will often get better over time.

Studies suggest that 11% of Copper coil users will discontinue this method, due to side effects, including heavy periods and painful periods.

If your periods are already heavy and painful a hormonal coil may be a better option for you.

Every person reacts differently to having a coil fitted. You should expect some cramping and light bleeding after a coil fit. So, most people tend to want to go home and relax afterwards. However, if you feel well enough, there is nothing to stop you from exercising. We only ask that you listen to your body.

Your coil will be fitted up inside your womb, so neither you nor your partner will be able to feel your coil. The coil strings or threads will be sitting just outside of your cervix. They will be around 2-3cm long. These are there so that you can feel for them and be reassured our coil is still in the right place, they are also what we gently pull on to remove your coil. Your partner may feel them at first during sex, they will not hurt them. Within a few weeks, these threads will have softened and tucked themselves away, so your partner will not feel them.

You should expect to have some cramping for a few days, possibly up to 1 week following your coil fit. We recommend you take a simple pain killer like paracetamol or/and Ibuprofen regularly if you have cramping discomfort.
Having pain that’s not taken off by simple pain killers or that lasts longer than a week, is not expected and you should call the clinic if this happens.

You should expect spotting or light bleeding for a few days, possibly up to 1 week after having your coil fitted.
Having a hormonal coil fitted may change your bleeding pattern as well, so bleeding may be on and off for a while.
Any very heavy bleeding, where you are having to go through a lot of sanitary pads or bleeding with a lot of pain, is not expected and you should call the clinic if this happens.

A coil can be fitted at any time during your cycle, if you are certain you are not pregnant.
However, if you are on a very heavy day of your period, there is a slight increased risk of the coil being expelled (falling out)
So, we do advise its best to avoid these days where possible.

You should expect some cramping and bleeding after having your coil fitted, but most people do feel well enough to work and drive after. However, a small number of people can feel lightheaded, sick or dizzy after a coil fit.
We advise everyone to make sure they have someone that can pick them up from the clinic if they don’t feel well enough to drive/travel home alone.
Listen to your body, this is a procedure so you may wish to make alternative plans for the rest of your day.

Most people describe having a coil fitted as a mild to moderate, deep cramping discomfort. Every person’s body is different, some will hardly feel a coil being fitted, whilst others may find it painful. For most people, the part that causes the deep cramping will only last a few minutes and then your coil will be in.
We recommend taking Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen 1 hour before your appointment.

Talk to your coil fitter if you have concerns. Every clinic can offer a local anaesthetic gel which we can apply to your cervix, this may help with discomfort, but it won’t take it away completely.

This is your body, and you are in control, so please say if you would like to pause the procedure, or if you want to stop.

A copper coil is effective as soon as it is fitted, you can then stop all other contraception.
Hormonal coils have different guidance, this depends on what contraception you were on before you have a coil fitted. If you are on no contraception, you will need to avoid unprotected sex for 7 days after a hormonal coil is fitted. Unless you are within 7 days of the start of your period.
If you are taking the pill, it will depend on what you are taking and where you are in your packet.
If you have an Implant in or have Depo injection and they are in date, you can switch straight over to a hormonal coil without needing additional contraception.
The coil fitter will advise you what to do and when to stop other contraception, at your appointment.

You may be cramping for the first few days after a coil is fitted. Once settled, sex with a coil in shouldn’t hurt for either you or your partner. You coil is fitted high up in your womb, so neither of you will be able to feel the coil.
If sex if painful or you think you can feel the coil, this should be checked, and you should contact the clinic.

A coil can sometimes be fitted at the time of a vaginal delivery or a caesarean section. If a coil isn’t fitted within 48 hours of giving birth, you would need to wait until 4 weeks after the birth.
You would need to use another method from 3 weeks after the birth until the coil is fitted.
You may safely have a copper or hormonal coil when you are breastfeeding as it won’t affect the breast milk supply.

If you have a pelvic infection, an infection following having a baby or an abortion, or a sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia it is important that your infection is fully treated and that you have no symptoms before a coil is fitted. Please contact the clinic to discuss.

If you are taking lamotrigine and have a hormonal coil fitted it is possible that the coil may increase the levels of lamotrigine. Please seek advice from the clinic before attending for your coil fit.

It is very uncommon for coils to affect medicines. We recommend you bringing a list of your medicines with you and discussing these with your coil fitter.

Yes, as long as you feel well, the coil shouldn’t restrict you travelling.

A coil can be removed at any time by a trained nurse or doctor gently pulling on the threads. We recommend trying the method for at least 3 to 6 months to see if it suits you. If you don’t want to be pregnant avoid sex without a condom in the 7 days before your coil is removed.

Some people experience side effects like changes to their bleeding pattern, acne, headaches, or breast tenderness. These are usually mild and get better after the first few months. If you are concerned, you can contact the clinic or your GP for advice.

The hormonal coils release a very low dose of progestogen hormone which is much less than that in a contraceptive implant. There are different types and sizes:
Mirena contains the most progestogen (52mg) and works for 6 years. If you’re aged over 45 when a Mirena is fitted, it’ll work as contraception until after the menopause when contraception isn’t needed. It is thought to be similar to taking one progestogen-only pill a week.
In the first six months, irregular bleeding or spotting is common. Periods usually become lighter, shorter, and less painful over time. Many people find their periods stop altogether by a year of use. This isn’t harmful and can be useful if you have heavy, painful periods

Kyleena and Jaydess are smaller and contain less hormone (19.5mg and 13.5mg progestogen). This is thought to be similar to taking one progestogen-only pill a month. Kyleena works for 5 years and Jaydess for 3 years.
Periods usually become lighter and shorter and sometimes less painful.
Copper coils do not contain any hormones and are effective for 5 to 10 years depending on which type is fitted. If fitted after age 40 years it will work until after the menopause.
Many people find that although the copper coil doesn’t affect the frequency of bleeding, periods may be heavier, longer, or more painful.

It’s safe to use tampons or a menstrual (moon) cup. It is possible that using a menstrual cup may increase the risk of a coil being expelled so make sure that the menstrual cup is put in the correct place and not too high in the vagina. Take care not to pull on the IUS threads when you’re removing tampons or a menstrual cup.

There’s a small chance of you getting an infection during the first few weeks after an IUS is put in.
The coil can be pushed out by your uterus (expelled) or it can move. You will be taught how to check the threads so that you know it is still in place.
It’s not common, but there’s a very small risk that the coil might go through (perforate) your uterus or cervix when it’s put in. This may cause pain or there may not be any symptoms and the uterus or cervix would heal. The risk is small but if it did happen the coil may need to be removed through surgery.
Although you are unlikely to become pregnant when you have a coil in, if you did, there is a small risk that it may be an ectopic pregnancy.
The person fitting your coil will be able to answer any further questions that you may have.