Do you have control over fertility? Well, this is among the biggest achievements in the field of gynaecology. There are a wide range of options available as it can be very confusing to know about the right contraceptive coil for your case. Go through this blogpost to know in details about contraceptive coil and how they can prevent unplanned pregnancy.

Some questions you may ask are:

• Do your periods happen on time?
• How soon are you planning to conceive?
• Do you have any issue with hormones?
• Are you having PCOS, endometriosis and any side effects accompanying them?
• How far are you away from menopause?

What are the possible options?

There are two categories of coils and these are – IUS (Intrauterine Systems) and IUD (intrauterine devices).

• The IUS (hormonal coil) has plastic and produce smaller amount of progesterone hormone in the uterus.
• The IUD (or copper coil) has copper and plastic without any hormone.

How are the coils inserted?

The doctor will be inserting IUS and IUD at the clinic and they can also be inserted by a gynaecologist at the hospital at the time of performing other methods. The fitter checks inside the vagina for the size and position of womb before your IUD gets fitted. You will be tested for any infections such as pregnancy and IUD.

The appointment requires near about 20 to 30 minutes and IUD fitting should not take more than 5 minutes.

• The IUD gets inserted into the womb and through your cervix
• The vagina will be open with a speculum

Fitting an IUD may be uncomfortable and you need to discuss with the private GP in London for your case. You might get period-type cramps afterward though painkillers can ease cramps. You may even bleed for a few days after fitting the IUD.

After the IUD gets fitted, it will be checked by a GP in the next 3 to 6 weeks to ensure everything is fine. Speak with the GP when there are issues after the initial checkup or when you wish to remove IUD.

How quickly will it work?

• Copper coil (IUD) – It starts working immediately.
• Mirena / Jaydess (IUS) fitted before day 5 of menstrual cycle – It will work immediately.
• Mirena / Jaydess (IUS) fitted after day 5 of menstrual cycle – It works in 7 days after the insertion.

They can be removed easily by the doctor when you do not need the device anymore or you want to conceive.

Coils are a great choice when you do not take contraceptive pills

Coils last for 5 to 10 years and they are not affected by taking other medicines, diarrhoea or vomiting.

Partners will not feel the coil at the time of intercourse

Some men notice the threads during intercourse though the threads may be trimmed.

Use a coil with menstrual cup safely

It is necessary to check the length of the string of your IUD so that your contraceptive coil and periods work together.

When can it be used after birth?

An IUD or IUS is generally fitted within 4 weeks after a caesarean or vaginal birth. You may use alternative contraception from 3 weeks after the birth till the IUD/IUS gets inserted. There are cases when IUD/IUS may be fitted within 48 hours after giving birth. It is safe to use IUD/IUS when you breastfeed as it won’t affect milk supply.

Non-hormonal coil

Nowadays, women are worried about the effect on taking extrinsic hormones for contraception over a long span of time. If you want to avoid hormones, then copper IUD is a great choice as it is a reliable contraceptive method.

As it does not have any hormones, it will not have beneficial effects for periods. If you previously had been on hormonal contraception for many years and do not know what your natural menstrual cycles are like, then your periods can be heavier than before. You might have spotting during menstrual cycle though most women find side effects begin to improve after the first 6 months of usage.

The IUD will generally last for 5 to 10 years.

• If your periods are an issue, then choosing copper coil might be the right choice for you.
• If you are planning to conceive soon, then this is a good option as it does not have lasting effects.
• When you suffer from PCOS, endometriosis and any side effects accompanying them, copper coil will not help in this regard.
• When you have issue with taking hormones, copper coil is a great choice.
• How many years you are away from menopause depends on copper coil use for any age group.

How effective is the IUD?

The IUD is at least 99% effective when 100 women use it for one year and less than one get unexpected pregnancy.

How will the IUD work?

The IUD consists of copper and plastic where copper changes cervical mucus and makes it difficult for sperm to reach eggs and survive. It can prevent fertilised egg from being able to implant itself. On the removal of IUD, a woman may get pregnant immediately as it should not create lasting impact on fertility.

Hormonal (Jaydess, Eg Mirena) coil

The key benefit is that it will make your periods shorter, lighter and less painful. Some women will not have periods, particularly if they are using it for sometime.

Some women may suffer from irregular bleeding which is not harmful and so, it is worthy enough to take advice of your private gynaecologist.

• If you are having heavy or painful periods, then the mirena might be a great choice for you.
• How quickly you want to conceive will make them reversible easily though it can take sometime for the hormones to regulate. If you want to conceive soon, then it might be the best choice to prevent hormonal contraception.
• When you are suffering from PCOS, endometriosis or any side effect, then IUS can be a great choice.
• If you have any issue with taking hormones, then IUS has hormone progesterone.
• How far you are away from menopause may be the reason for worsening periods and IUS can help to ease this.

How effective is the IUS?

The IUS is more than 99% effective when 100 women use it for a year and less than one will have unexpected pregnancy.

How will it work?

The IUS produce small amount of progestogen hormone which can thicken the fluid around your cervix and prevent sperm from getting to an egg. It makes womb lining thin so that a fertilised egg cannot grow and settle. When the womb’s lining does not grow and become thick each month, you don’t need your period to shed and refill the lining.

IUS has a lower hormone level

The IUS has the lowest hormone level among all the hormonal methods of contraception. The hormones will befocused in the womb than having generalised effects around your entire body. There will be fewer side effects when compared to other contraceptive options such as gain in weight or bloating.

IUS does not lead to infertility

Fertility gets back to normal after IUS has been removed. It can take sometime for your periods to return and become regular in the case they had stopped when the contraceptive coil was in place. If your periods do not become regular within 6 months of trying to conceive, then you should visit your GP for further discussion.

Women do not need a period once in a month

The way mirena works keeps your womb lining thin and so, there is no need for periods. This can have additional benefits of protecting womb from endometrial cancer which arises when the womb lining becomes very thick.

Different kinds of IUS

There are 2 kinds available in the UK and they are – The Mirena and the Jaydess

• The Mirena IUS has been accredited for menorrhagia, contraception and as an essential part of your hormone replacement therapy. It can protect you against endometrial cancer when being combined with HRT. You can use it for 4 to 5 years.
• The Jaydess IUS has been approved for the purpose of contraception only. It is smaller than Mirena with lower dose and can be used for almost 3 years.

Many women like to use IUS for its benefits even though they do not require it for contraception. It can be a great choice to get rid of period pain, light periods and level out your moodiness of premenstrual worry. Thus, you may visit a private gynae clinic and know the benefits of using contraceptive coil in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy.