Hormonal Coil Fitting
We understand that the prospect of getting an IUS fitted can be a nerve-racking experience for a lot of people.
We’re here to make this process as easy and simple for you as possible, whilst ensuring your comfort at every stage.
Fittings are available in London, Birmingham and Leicestershire.

Specialists in contraception
From busy NHS clinics
Highly confidential service
And discreetly located clinics
Unhurried appointments
With plenty of time for you
About the Hormonal Coil (IUS)
What is a Hormonal Coil (or IUS)?
An IUS (Intrauterine System) is a small plastic T-shaped device that’s placed into and left inside your uterus (womb).
The IUS releases a hormone called progestogen into the womb which thickens cervical mucus, making it much harder for sperm to enter the uterus and reach the egg. Progestogen also thins the lining of the uterus, making the uterus less likely to accept a fertilized egg.
In some people, the IUS can even prevent ovulation (which stops an ovary from releasing an egg). This is not necessarily something to be concerned about, and does not happen to most women.
What are the benefits of the IUS?
The IUS has the following benefits:
- It is easy to use and there is no room for user error once it has been fitted properly.
- No one can tell that you are using birth control.
- It does not interfere with sex or daily activities. You can use a tampon or a menstrual cup with it.
- It can be inserted immediately after an abortion, a miscarriage, or childbirth and be used while breastfeeding.
- The IUS does not affect your ability to get pregnant in the future, and in fact, your fertility returns almost immediately after removal (which is why we recommend avoiding unprotected sex for 7 days before removal)
- Over time, the hormones in the IUS help to decrease menstrual pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Your periods usually become much lighter, shorter and less painful. They may stop completely after the first year of use. This can be useful if you have heavy, painful periods
- The IUS can be used to manage heavy bleeding
- It can be used if you’re breastfeeding
- The IUS does not contain estrogen, so is suitable for those who are unable to use estrogens (such as those in the combined pill, patch and vaginal ring)
- The IUS can also be used to protect the lining of your uterus if you’re on HRT.
What are possible side effects of using the IUS?
When a woman first uses an IUS, changes in menstrual bleeding are normal and not harmful.
The IUS may cause frequent spotting, more days of bleeding, and heavier bleeding in the first six months of use. Over time, the amount of menstrual bleeding, pain and the length of your menstrual period usually decreases.
For some women using an IUS, menstrual bleeding stops completely, as ovulation becomes inhibited. This is not usually anything to worry about, but we recommend discussing this with your clinician if you have any concerns at all.
Some people may experience hormonal side effects such as acne, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, and mood changes, but these symptoms usually improve after the first few months.
The IUS can cause ovarian cysts (small fluid filled cysts). These aren’t dangerous, and don’t usually require treatment, resolving themselves within a few months in most cases. However, if they cause severe pain or if you are concerned about them, it’s advised to seek medical advice as your doctor may be able to treat and remove them for you.
Can anyone use an IUS?
Almost anyone with a uterus is clinically suitable for an IUS, though this does not factor lifestyle preferences. This includes those who have never been pregnant, young people and those who are HIV positive.
Some conditions which may mean you shouldn’t use an IUS are that you:
- Think you already might be pregnant
- Have an untreated sexually transmitted infection or pelvic infection
- Have problems with your uterus or cervix
- Have unexplained bleeding from your vagina (for example, between periods and after sex)
- Have serious liver disease
- Have breast cancer, or have had it in the past
- Have arterial disease or history of heart disease or stroke
You may still be able to get an IUS despite some of these conditions – however, this will be discussed with you during the time of your appointment.
How is it different from a Copper Coil (or IUD)?
The IUD is a non-hormonal form of contraception, which releases tiny amounts of copper into the uterus. It can last for up to ten years of use.
On the other hand, the IUS (Intrauterine system), is a hormonal form of contraception, which prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestin into the uterus.
When can the Hormonal Coil (or IUS) be fitted?
A Hormonal coil can be fitted at any time of your menstrual cycle, as long as there is no chance of pregnancy.
If you are using a method of contraception, please continue with your pills, patches, injection or implant, including the day of your procedure. This may include reliable condom use.
Your clinician will inform you how long you will need to continue after the device is fitted.
If you are not currently using a method of contraception, it is advised to abstain from any sexual contact from the first day of your period. If attending for a refit of either devices, abstain for 7 days prior to appointment.
How long does the appointment take?
The appointment is approx. 30 minutes long and this includes enough time for the consultation + the fitting of the coil.
Those looking to have an implant or previous coil removed in the same appointment may require 45 minutes.
How does the fitting work?
Step 1: Pre-appointment online questionnaire
We will start the process by asking you to fill out an online questionnaire.
This will help us determine whether or not it is safe to offer you a coil, when will be the right time for you to come in and who will be best for you to see.
Step 2: Prepare for your appointment
We recommend a Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea PCR test
It is important that there is no underlying infection at the time of your coil fitting. This is to prevent any infection (if present) from travelling further up the uterus during the fitting and to avoid long term complications such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
You may also wish to take a painkiller an hour before attending your appointment and have something to eat or drink.
Bring someone to drive you home
Some patients may feel a little faint after the fitting and may feel more comfortable to have someone drive them home.
Step 3: Begin with the consultation
We will begin by covering your medical, sexual and contraceptive history before moving to discussing any questions you may have about the coil.
We will spend plenty of time before the fitting to make sure that you are comfortable with the procedure and are confident that it is the right contraceptive method for you.
We will then turn to fitting your coil in the same appointment if you would like and it is safe to do so.
Step 4: Inserting your coil
The actual fitting of the coil usually takes approx. 5 minutes. We will begin by offering you a local anaesthetic gel – we will discuss this in the consultation.
Your clinician will then need to examine you internally by placing 2 fingers into the vagina and a hand on your abdomen. This can be briefly a little uncomfortable but it doesn’t take long.
A speculum is then inserted into the vagina so the neck of the womb (Cervix) can be seen.
A small clip then is placed onto the cervix to keep it still while a small straw like tube is placed through the cervix to measure the length of the womb. This can cause a fleeting period-like cramping pain.
Then it is time to place the device. The device is held in a tube which is inserted into the uterus. The coil is then released from the tube. Once in place, the threads to the device are trimmed and normally about 2cm outside the cervix. The clip and speculum are then removed and you can then rest back.
Once we’ve taken the speculum out, we will show you how to feel for the thread by yourself. We will also teach you how to check the coil threads yourself and discuss anything to look out for.
Some patient may experience a period-like discomfort after the coil fitting – this is quite normal.
Some patients also take this time to have their routine smear test, to save another visit. This, of course, depends on whether you feel comfortable doing so.
Step 5: After-care
We will then give you some privacy after the coil fitting, time to apply a sanitary pad (if required) and time to get dressed.
You may also wish to check in with us in 3-6 weeks if you have any further questions you would like to discuss.
How much does the fitting cost?
Please note that we offer ultrasound guided hormonal coil fittings as well. Please contact us for more information on this.
Hormonal Coil Fitting (£300)
- Consultation
- Previous coil removal – if applicable
- Hormonal coil fitting
- Supplying of hormonal coil
Read what our patients say
How effective is an IUS?
The IUS is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). LARCs are extremely effective forms of contraception, as there is no room for user error, provided that the IUS has been fitted properly.
The IUS is over 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 IUS users will become pregnant in 1 year. When the IUS is used for 5 years, fewer than 2 in 100 IUS users will become pregnant in 5 years.
What are possible risks of using the IUS?
Serious complications from IUSs are rare. However, some women do have problems. These problems usually happen during or soon after insertion:
- In a small number of women, the IUS may be pushed out of the uterus (expulsion), or move (displacement). The risk is higher in women with heavy menstrual bleeding, and women who have an IUS inserted immediately after childbirth. If the IUS comes out, it is no longer effective. You may be able to have a new IUS placed.
- The IUS can perforate the wall of the uterus during placement. This usually does not cause any major health problems, but the IUS will need to be removed, sometimes through surgery. It is rare and occurs in only about 1 out of every 1,000 placements. If your clinician fitting the IUS is experienced, the risk of perforation is very low.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after IUS insertion happens very rarely. Using an IUS does not by itself increase the risk of PID. Women with an undiagnosed STI at the time of IUS insertion are more likely to develop PID than women without an STI. We recommend screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea before or during your IUS fitting where possible.
- Rarely, pregnancy may occur while a woman is using an IUS. If pregnancy occurs, and you wish to continue the pregnancy, the IUS needs to be removed. If the IUS remains in place during pregnancy, there are increased risks of miscarriage and infection.
- In the rare case that a pregnancy occurs with the IUS in place, there is a higher chance that it will be an ectopic pregnancy. This is a serious condition that needs medical attention right away.
Does the procedure hurt?
It can be mildly painful to have the coil inserted or removed. Our specialists will walk you through what to expect and how to be prepared during the consultation. You may ask any questions you may have and then discuss ways in which to make the procedure more comfortable.
We also offer a local anaesthetic which is administered in a tube and is a very clear jelly like substance. Whilst this does not guarantee the procedure will be pain free, it can help to reduce some of the discomfort.
How do I check that the IUS is in place?
During your fitting, your clinician will show you how to check that the threads are in place. It’s best to repeat this a few times after the procedure and then every few months or so afterwards.
If you think that your IUS has moved, you can feel something hard like the end of a matchstick or you can’t feel the strings, we would advise that you use another form of contraception and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us so that we can remove or refit the IUS.
Otherwise, the strings should not bother you, but in rare cases your partner may be able to feel them during sex. If this causes a problem, please do get in touch, as our clinicians may be able to trim the strings for you.
What if I feel unwell after the IUS is fitted in?
Some women may feel dizzy, faint, or light headed immediately after the procedure. It is advised to stay lying down until these symptoms have passed.
If you feel unwell and have pain in your lower abdomen, with a high temperature or a smelly discharge from your vagina, this may be a sign of infection, so please don’t hesitate to contact us, or your local healthcare provider.
What if I want to stop using the IUS or want to get pregnant?
Please get in touch to arrange a removal appointment. It is recommended to avoid unprotected sex for 7 days before the removal to avoid unexpected pregnancy, as you can become pregnant from the moment the IUS is removed.
Can anyone use an IUS?
Almost anyone with a uterus is clinically suitable for an IUS, though this does not factor lifestyle preferences. This includes those who have never been pregnant, young people and those who are HIV positive.
Some conditions which may mean you shouldn’t use an IUS are that you:
- Think you already might be pregnant
- Have an untreated sexually transmitted infection or pelvic infection
- Have problems with your uterus or cervix
- Have unexplained bleeding from your vagina (for example, between periods and after sex)
- Have serious liver disease
- Have breast cancer, or have had it in the past
- Have arterial disease or history of heart disease or stroke
You may still be able to get an IUS despite some of these conditions – however, this will be discussed with you during the time of your appointment.
When will my IUS start to work?
An IUS can be placed at any point during your menstrual cycle, if it is certain that you’re not pregnant.
If it’s put in the first seven days of your menstrual cycle, it starts to work immediately. If it’s fitted at any other time, you’ll need to use additional contraception for the first seven days.
I’ve just had a baby. Can I have an IUS?
An IUS can be fitted immediately after delivery or caesarean. If it is not fitted within 48 hours, you will need to wait at least 4 weeks until the IUS can be placed, and use another method of contraception until it is fitted.
You’ll need to use another method from 3 weeks after delivery until the IUS is fitted in.
The IUS does not interfere with breastfeeding and won’t affect your milk supply.
Can I use an IUS after a miscarriage or an abortion?
Yes. You’ll also be protected from pregnancy immediately.
Can I continue to use tampons and menstrual cups if I have an IUS?
Yes; it is safe to use tampons and menstrual cups after having an IUS fitted.
During your first period after the IUS fitting, using tampons is fine during heavier days of bleeding, but please be careful when the bleeding begins to subside, as the new threads can catch on a dry tampon.
Please be careful not to remove the thread when removing tampons and menstrual cups.
What if I think I’m pregnant?
It is very unlikely that you will become pregnant when using an IUS. If you do get pregnant, there is an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube.
If you have a period that is unusually light, miss a period, suspect you may be pregnant and/or have sudden or unusual pain in your lower abdomen, please get in touch, and seek medical advice immediately.
How long does the appointment take?
The appointment is approx. 30 minutes long and this includes enough time for the consultation + the fitting of the coil.
Those looking to have an implant or previous coil removed in the same appointment may require 45 minutes.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes. You can bring someone with you to your appointment. Some patients feel a little faint after the procedure and may want someone to drive them home.
Will I need a time off after the procedure?
Most patients do not need any time off work after the procedure. However, it is advised to rest immediately afterwards, avoid strenuous activity and avoid menstrual cups for up to 6 weeks after the procedure.