Having a coil (IUS/IUD) fitted

Preparation

• You must take an STI test and use a condom to protect yourself against STIs until the coil is inserted.
• You must not be pregnant. If you are not using hormonal contraception, you must use a condom if you have sexual contact until the insertion.
• If you use contraception such as the pill, patch or ring, continue this until the coil is fitted. Skip the break week. This way, you will be protected against pregnancy from the moment the coil is fitted.
• Collect the coil with your prescription from the pharmacy and take it with you to the appointment.

Fitting the coil

1. The coil is preferably fitted during or right after your period. The coil is then often immediately reliable. If your appointment is at a different time in your cycle, you will find additional instructions in the text above to make sure you are not pregnant when the coil is fitted.
2. Inserting the coil can be unpleasant. We, therefore, recommend that you take a painkiller two hours before the insertion. For example, naproxen 2x 275 mg or 1x 500 mg, or ibuprofen 2x 400 mg. You can also take 2x 500 mg paracetamol.
3. You will lie in a gynaecological chair with your legs in the leg supports. Your uterus will be examined with a speculum and a local anaesthetic. First, we will measure the depth of the uterus, and then the coil is inserted through a thin sheath. We will withdraw the sheath and cut the threads of the coil to size. These threads remain palpably outside the cervix in the vagina.
4. We will perform an ultrasound to see if the coil is positioned correctly.

What can I expect after the insertion?

Some people feel a little dizzy after the insertion. If you feel fine afterwards, you may go home immediately. We advise you to take it easy for the rest of the day and use a hot water bottle to relieve abdominal pain. If your abdomen hurts a lot, you can take painkillers. If you have a fever or increasing abdominal pain in the first few days after the insertion, please contact your GP or the Centre for Sexual Health.

How do I know if the coil is positioned correctly?

There is a small chance that the coil is not positioned properly after insertion. You can check this yourself by feeling the threads of the coil in the cervix. We will explain how to do this after the insertion. We also recommend that you have the coil checked by us or your GP at least 4-5 weeks after insertion.

Side effects

Some women with a coil may experience more vaginal discharge. This is not a problem. If the discharge changes significantly or you experience abdominal pain or fever for a longer period, contact us or your GP.

Checklist

• Do an STI test.
• Use condoms until the fitting if not using other contraception.
• Take the pill or other hormonal contraception until the coil is fitted.
• Make an appointment for the coil fitting during or just after a period if possible.
• Collect the coil from the pharmacy with a prescription and take it to the appointment.
• Have someone accompany you to the fitting for support if necessary.
• Take painkillers 2 hours beforehand.