Hormonal coil
A hormonal coil is a form of birth control (contraception) called an intrauterine system (IUS).
It is placed inside your uterus and releases progesterone – the same hormone found in contraceptive pills. A hormonal coil can also be used to treat heavy periods.
How does a hormonal coil work?
The coil is a small, plastic T-shaped device. It slowly releases progesterone; not only preventing pregnancy but also making your periods lighter and less painful by:
- Thickening the mucus in your cervix preventing sperm from traveling to fertilise an egg
- Making the lining of your uterus (endometrium) thinner preventing an egg from implanting
- Preventing ovulation (in some women)
What happens during hormonal coil fitting?
Hormonal coil fitting takes between 15 and 20 minutes. It is usually fit within 7 days after the start of your period.
A nurse or gynaecologist will check to make sure you are not pregnant, that you do not have any existing infection in your womb and the size and position of your womb.
The device is inserted through your cervix into your womb. Two fine threads attached to the bottom of the coil will remain at the top to your vagina. The threads allow you and your gynaecologist to check the device is in place.
Coil fitting can be uncomfortable however most women do not experience any pain.
After hormonal coil fitting
You may feel cramping similar to period pain just after your fitting. Take over the counter pain killers such as paracetamol to ease this symptom. It is not unusual to experience light vaginal bleeding for a few days.
Your consultant or nurse will probably want to see you for a follow-up after your first period. You can continue to wear your hormonal coil for five years. It will need to be replaced or removed by a trained professional.
Most women experience no symptom following hormonal coil fitting. You should contact your consultant or nurse if you experience:
- Continued abdominal pain following fitting
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- If you think your coil has dislodged (fallen out)
Select a region to find a hospital
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Bournemouth01202 291866
67 Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1RW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Brentwood01277 695695
Shenfield Road, Brentwood, CM15 8EH
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Brighton01273 624 488
Warren Road, Brighton, BN2 6DX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Bristol0117 906 4870
3 Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1BN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Cambridge01223 370 922
4 Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AF
CQCOverall ratingOutstanding -
Cheltenham01242 246574
Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 6SY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Chester01244 680 444
Wrexham Road, Chester, CH4 7QP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Chichester01243 530600
78 Broyle Road, Chichester, PO19 6WB
Overall rating -
Derby01332 540100
Rykneld Road, Derby, DE23 4SN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Edinburgh0131 447 2340
40 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5BT
HISOverall ratingGood -
Exeter01392 276 591
Wonford Road, Exeter, EX2 4UG
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Glasgow0141 334 9441
25 Beaconsfield Road, Glasgow, G12 0PJ
HISOverall ratingGood -
Guildford01483 555 800
Stirling Road, Guildford, GU2 7RF
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Haywards Heath01444 456999
Burrell Road, Haywards Heath, RH16 1UD
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Hereford01432 355 131
Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DF
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Highgate020 8341 4182
17-19 View Road, Highgate, London, N6 4DJ
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Ipswich01473 279100
Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP4 5SW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Leeds0113 3227251
2 Leighton Street, Leeds, LS1 3EB
CQCOverall ratingOutstanding -
Leicester0116 276 9401
Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, LE5 1HY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Newcastle upon Tyne01912 816 131
Clayton Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 1JP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
North Staffordshire01782 432227
Clayton Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 4DB
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital020 3386 9000
38 Giltspur Street, London, EC1A 7BS
Overall rating -
Oxford01865 307777
Beech Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7RP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Parkside020 8971 8000
53 Parkside, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5NX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Plymouth01752 775 861
Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BG
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Shrewsbury01743 282500
Longden Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9DP
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Taunton01823 286 991
Staplegrove Elm, Taunton, TA2 6AN
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Tees01642 360 100
Junction Road, Norton, Stockton on Tees, TS20 1PX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
The Holly020 8505 3311
High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, IG9 5HX
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Tunbridge Wells01892 531 111
Kingswood Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4UL
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Warwickshire01926 427971
The Chase, Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa, CV32 6RW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Wessex02380 266 377
Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Woking01483 227800
Shores Road, Woking, GU21 4BY
CQCOverall ratingGood -
Wolverhampton0300 1311406
Wood Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, WV6 8LE
CQCOverall ratingGood -
York01904 233225
Haxby Road, York, YO31 8TA
CQCOverall ratingGood
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