When to book your fitting

A coil can be inserted at any time in your cycle as long as there is no risk of pregnancy, however the ideal time is between Day 1 and 5 of a natural period. This is because we can be sure you are not pregnant at this time, and the fitting itself is more comfortable for you, as the neck of the womb is a little more “open”. It doesn’t matter if you are still bleeding (unless it is very heavy).

After Day 5, you can still have a coil fitted if you have not had any unprotected sex since the start of your period. If you have had unprotected sex after day 5, you maybe at risk of pregnancy so you will need to speak to a doctor. Please call 020 81466626.

If you have been using a hormonal method (the Combined Contraceptive Pill, Progesterone-Only-Pill, injection method or implant), consistently and correctly (with no missed pills and your injection or implant is not overdue), the coil can be fitted at any convenient time, and you do not need to abstain from sex before your fitting.

If you are having a coil replaced, this can be done on any day except a day of heavy bleeding. You should not have sexual intercourse for the SEVEN days before the fitting. This is to ensure that there is no sperm in your body that could result in a pregnancy.

Remember, a copper coil (IUD) can be fitted as emergency contraception method if you have had unprotected sex within the past 5 days or if you are within 19 days from the first day of your last period (28 days cycle).

Before your coil fitting, we advise the following

Do not skip a meal–it is best to have eaten prior to the fitting.

Please write down and bring the first date of your last period (if applicable) to the fitting.

Some women experience cramps afterwards, so it’s sensible to take a pain-killer at least half an hour before the fitting. Studies have shown benefits with a one-off dose of Naproxen 500mg, Tramadol 50mg, or Ketoprofen 150mg taken an hour before the fitting.  AVOID IF YOU HAVE ALLERGIES TO ANY OF THESE DRUGS.  Please note that these are prescribed pain-killers with potential side-effects so you will need to speak to your regular doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to take, and discuss how to take them safely.

Please allow at least an hour for the appointment. Although the procedure does not take this long, a few women feel faint afterwards and need some time to recover. It is recommended that you have someone you can contact by phone, who would be able to collect you, in case you feel unwell.

Please ensure that you have no major commitments afterwards, as you may need to take it easy and relax for the rest of the day.

Some sanitary protection may be required afterwards. You may wish to bring your own sanitary towel or panty liner with you. Tampons should not be used for the first three days after the fitting

Before your coil removal, we advise the following

A coil can be removed at any time in your cycle as long as there is no risk of pregnancy.  If you don’t want to get pregnant, you need to use additional contraception such as condoms for seven days prior to the procedure, or abstain from sex for seven days prior to the procedure.