Intrauterine contraception (copper coil and hormonal coil)
Commonly known as coils, these are devices that we fit inside the uterus (womb), to prevent pregnancy. We provide two types of intrauterine contraception: copper coil and hormonal coil. Both types are small plastic devices. One contains copper and the other a hormone called levonorgestrel. Different devices are licensed for use for between 3 and 10 years.
Do you currently have a 52mg hormonal coil fitted?
If so, Mirena is licenced for contraception for 8 years and Levosert is also approved by the FSRH (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare) for contraception use for 8 years too, meaning that you may not be eligible for replacement yet.
Coils have one or two soft threads attached to them and these pass through the opening at the entrance of your uterus (cervix) into the top of your vagina. These threads tuck out of the way and do not interfere with sex or tampon use.
Coils are fitted by a trained clinician and fitting one takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The procedure may cause painful cramps for some women, whereas others experience nothing except mild discomfort. All patients are advised to take whichever painkillers they would normally take, around an hour prior to their appointment. It is normal if you experience mild period-type cramps and some light bleeding for a few days after the fitting.
Your doctor may be asked to request a uterine ultrasound or biopsy prior to insertion, especially if you are over 45 years old and have heavy bleeding. This is to check that there is no medical reason why it would not be safe to fit a coil in a community clinic. If you are aged 45 or older when a Mirena or Levosert hormonal coil is fitted, or 40 or older when a copper coil is fitted, it can be left in situ until the menopause unless a hormone coil is being used as part of your hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
We are commissioned to fit coils for contraception purposes only, and not for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding or as part of HRT. If your primary reason for requiring a coil fitting or exchange is not for contraception, please visit your GP, to ensure that you are seen in a timely way by the appropriate service. We do not have the clinical expertise to manage HRT and gynaecological conditions and therefore ensure your safety.
Please note that we do not share your information with GPs or other health providers.
More information about hormonal coil
More information about copper coil
If you already have an appointment please fill in this pre-consultation form as requested by our team.
If 100 sexually active women don’t use contraception, 80–90 will become pregnant in a year.
The coil is over 99 per cent effective. Less than one woman in every 100 women who use it will get pregnant over five years.
Copper coil
It stops sperm reaching an egg. It does this by stopping sperm from living in the cervix, uterus or fallopian tube, it might also work by stopping a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus.
Hormonal coil
- It makes the lining of your uterus thinner so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.
- It also thickens the mucus in your cervix. This makes it difficult for sperm to move through it and reach an egg.
- In some women it stops the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation), but most women who use a coil continue to ovulate.
A coil does not cause an abortion.
Copper coil
- It works as soon as it is put in.
- It works for 5–10 years depending on the type.
- Most women can use it, including women who have never been pregnant and women who are HIV positive.
- It can be used if you are breastfeeding.
- Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the coil is taken out.
- It is not affected by other medicines.
- It does not interfere with sex or tampon use.
Hormonal coil
- It works for up to 8 years depending on the type.
- Your periods usually become much lighter and shorter, and sometimes less painful.
- Periods may stop completely after the first year of use.
- It can be useful if you have heavy, painful periods.
- It can be used if you are breastfeeding.
- Most people can use this method including those with HIV.
- Your fertility will return to normal when the coil is removed.
- It is useful if you cannot use estrogens, like those found in the combined contraceptive pill.
- It is not affected by other medicines.
Copper coil
- Periods may be heavier, longer or more painful. This may improve after a few months.
- An internal examination is required to make sure the coil is suitable, and so it can be fitted.
- It does not protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- It does not increase your risk of infection, but if you get an infection when a coil is in place this could lead to a pelvic infection if it is not treated.
- There is a very small risk of a coil being pushed out by your uterus (expulsion) or it can move (displacement) It is not common, but there is a risk that a coil might go through (perforate) your uterus or cervix when it is put in. The risk of perforation is low when a coil is fitted by an experienced doctor or nurse.
- If you do become pregnant while you are using an IUD there is a small increased risk of you having an ectopic pregnancy. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is less in women using a coil than in women using no contraception at all.
Hormonal coil
- Your periods may change in a way that is not acceptable to you
- A few women may get acne, headaches and breast tenderness, especially in the first few months and this usually improves over a few months.
- Some women develop small fluid-filled cysts on their ovaries. These are not dangerous and do not usually need to be treated. These cysts usually disappear without treatment.
- It does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you may need to use condoms as well.
The doctor or nurse will teach you how to feel the threads to make sure the coil is still in place. It is very unlikely that a coil will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads, or if you think you can feel the coil itself, you may not be protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use an extra contraceptive method, such as condoms. If you had sex recently you might need to use emergency contraception.
Rarely, a partner may say they can feel the threads during sex. If this is the case, get your doctor or nurse to check the threads.
Taking a coil out is a simple, quick procedure. If you are not going to have another coil put in, and you don’t want to become pregnant, use additional contraception, such as condoms, for seven days before the coil is taken out.
Your periods will change after having the coil fitted. In the first six months it is common to have irregular bleeding or spotting. Some women with copper coil may have heavier, longer and more painful periods. This may improve over time and alternative treatments rather than removal can be given. For women with hormonal coil, periods may become lighter than usual or may continue to be irregular and many women find that their periods stop altogether. If this happens to you, do not worry, this is not harmful.
Some of the conditions which may mean you should not use an hormonal coil are:
- You think you might already be pregnant
You have now or had in the past:
- Breast cancer or breast cancer within the last five years
- Cirrhosis of the liver and liver tumours
- Unexplained bleeding from your vagina (for example between periods or after sex)
- Arterial disease or history of serious heart disease or stroke
- An untreated sexually transmitted infection or pelvic infection
- Problems with your uterus or cervix