Please note that it can take three to six months for your body to get fully used to the coil. In the beginning, you may very well experience some discomfort but this will likely settle over this time.
Stage 1
You may experience light bleeding after the procedure and we will offer you a sanitary pad to help.
Stage 2
The next 24 hours can vary from person to person, with no discomfort to moderate-period like cramps and light bleeding. OTC painkillers regularly can help with the discomfort, along with a hot water bottle/bath.
Stage 3
Over the next few days, any discomfort/symptoms should begin to gradually improve. However, cramps may start/stop and bleeding may change to light spotting & be darker in colour.
Stage 4
After approx. 7 days, patients who have had a coil fitted before or a full term pregnancy should find minimal to no discomfort.
Stage 5
After approx. 14 days, most patients should find any discomfort/symptoms settle. For those still experiencing symptoms (e.g offensive discharge or bleeding, pain, a fever and feeling unwell) for examination into an underlying uterine infection.
Common Concerns
And some helpful advice
Periods More Heavy Than Expected (with Copper Coil)
The copper coil is likely to make periods more prolonged and heavier. Periods might start lighter, become heavier (sometimes with clots), and then settle into dark spotting. It can take up to 6 months for your periods to settle into a ‘new normal’. If they haven’t settled after 6 months, contact a clinician.
Periods More Heavy Than Expected (with Hormonal Coil)
With a low-dose hormonal coil (e.g., Kyleena), periods usually become shorter, lighter, and less painful, sometimes stopping altogether.
With a higher-dose hormonal coil (e.g., Mirena), periods typically become lighter or stop (perhaps with occasional spotting).
While your body adjusts (usually the first 3-6 months), you might experience unscheduled, intermittent bleeding, which can vary in heaviness and colour (red, brown, or very dark). Typically, blood loss reduces significantly after 3 months. If bleeding remains heavy and doesn’t settle, contact a clinician.
Coil Threads Are Difficult to Feel
It takes practice to feel your threads. If you can’t feel them, try again on another day.
Avoid unprotected sex until you can confirm the threads are there.
If you or your partner cannot feel them, contact us (or your GP) for a coil check. If threads aren’t visible, an ultrasound scan (and possibly an X-ray) will be used to locate the coil. If it cannot be found, it’s considered expelled. Do not rely on the coil for contraception if you cannot feel the threads.
Coil Has Fallen Out
In a small number of cases, the coil can move or be expelled from the womb, usually soon after fitting. This is a known possibility and not related to the quality of care you receive.
To help us advise you quickly, please contact our team confirming:
- When you noticed your coil had come out;
- Whether you saw or kept the device, and if it appeared complete;
- The date of your last menstrual period (LMP);
- Whether you’ve had any sexual contact since the coil may have come out.
This information will help us assess whether emergency contraception may be needed. In the meantime, please use back-up contraception (such as condoms) until we can confirm the next steps.
Coil Threads Are Too Long (and Partner Can Feel Them)
Threads are usually left about 2cm long. If they feel longer, or if you feel anything hard, the coil might be expelling. Avoid unprotected sex and contact us for a check.
If your partner can feel them, you may need to wait a few weeks for them to soften.
If the coil is in place but threads cause discomfort, they can be trimmed. If there’s a dramatic change in length, an ultrasound scan (USS) may be advised.
Coil Threads Are Harder Than Expected
Threads can take a few weeks to soften. We recommend using condoms during this time to avoid partner discomfort.
If discomfort persists after a few weeks, contact us (or your GP) for a coil check.
Signs of Infection
If you experience a high temperature, pain in the lower abdomen, and an unusual, bad-smelling discharge, this suggests an infection. Please contact us (or your local GP) for a coil check. You will likely be offered antibiotics.
Dos & Dont’s
Check your threads regularly to ensure your coil is in place
Undertake regular STI screening with every new partner
If using a menstrual cup, break the seal on the cup before removing to avoid the possibility of removing the coil
Use a heavy flow tampon, for light flow after the first few weeks of your coil being fitted
Checking Your Threads
The threads at the end of the ‘coil’ project through the cervix (neck of the womb). By feeling them, you know your device is still in place.
You should do this after every period, or, if you have no periods, choose a regular time each month. The best time to check if the device is still in place is after a period if you have one, or pick a date every month (especially within the first 12 months of fitting).
To check the threads, first get into a comfortable position, either the position you insert a tampon or lying on your back with knees apart. Then insert a finger into the vagina, aiming towards your lower back.
The vagina is only open when something goes in or out of this space, so it will feel warm and tight around your fingers. The neck of the womb (cervix) feels very different to the vagina, it is usually quite firm, like the end of your nose. It does take practice and can be tricky to locate so if you push or bear down (the same as when you have your bowels open) it will move the cervix forward and can make it easier to find.
Once you find your cervix which is like a mini doughnut, then feel around the surface of it and you should be able to feel the threads with your finger tips. Your specialist will show you what your threads feel like after your device is fitted so you know what they expect to feel like.
Once you have felt the threads and many women then get to know the best position and time to check them, you can also make sure you don’t feel anything hard, like the end of a matchstick, which would mean the device is being expelled and not in the uterus.
- If you can’t feel them, they are probably there but tucked up in the canal of the cervix. You should contact us or your GP and use a condom until we can be sure your coil is in the right place.
- If you think you can feel the plastic end of your coil it may be coming out. Do NOT rely on it for contraception. Seek medical advice. You may need emergency contraception.
Will I require a follow up appointment?
A coil check is not routine after a coil fit. However, if you would like one, the best time is in about 4-6 weeks.
Please note that we do charge for this service.
When will my coil start to work?
Copper Coil
Once your device is fitted, your method will protect you from pregnancy straight away.
Hormonal Coil
The hormonal coil takes 7 days to be effective, so if you are not using a method prior to fit, then abstain or use condoms until it is effective.
If you are using a method already, then continue this for the next 7 days at least, and then the hormonal coil will be effective and all other methods can be stopped. Your specialist will advise you exactly what you need to do to prevent pregnancy at your appointment.
Emergency Coil
If you plan to keep the coil in as your long term method, then undertake a pregnancy test, 3 weeks after the fitting, even if your period arrives, to ensure it is a negative result. If you don’t wish to keep the coil for ongoing contraception you can have it removed after your next period starts.
How soon after my coil fitting can I have sex?
We would recommend the use of condoms for the first couple of weeks following your fitting, as it will protect you against infection and will be more comfortable for your partner (as the threads will take a couple of weeks to soften).
Please be aware that the immediate effectiveness of a coil is dependent on where you are in your menstrual cycle when the device is fitted and the type of coil – your Specialist will inform you of this.
Can I use tampons?
Using tampons immediately after a coil fit with heavy bleeding is not an issue; however, if you are only experiencing slight spotting we would always recommend you wait until after your next period before resuming tampon use, and use a panty liner instead. This is because the threads of the coil are still quite firm and could get caught on the tampon, risking removing the device when changing tampons.
Similarly, there is no evidence to suggest that you cannot use a menstrual cup with a coil. If you would like to resume use of your menstrual cup, please wait until after your next period and ensure you break the seal of suction prior to each removal.
What if I want my coil removed?
A specialist will need to do this – don’t try yourself. If you don’t want to become pregnant and haven’t already started another method of contraception you should either use condoms or abstain from intercourse in the 5 days before your coil is removed.
Dig Deeper
Repeat Medications
If you are seeking repeat medications, you can complete the following form to speed up the process.
Follow Up Discussion
If you have any concerns after your procedure, we can arrange a follow up discussion with a clinician without delay.
Further visits
If you require a further visit, this will be discussed with you in the appointment. Please follow the link below to request one.
Your feedback is essential to us. It lets us know that we are on the right path. It encourages us to keep moving forward. It gives confidence to others who may need our support. Would you consider leaving us a Google review?