Coil & Implant fit patient information 

1. Coil patient information 

You will need to ensure you are not pregnant by using a reliable method of contraception prior to a coil fit.

• You need to be sure that you do not have a sexually transmitted infection before a coiI fit. You should consider a Chlamydia test if you are under the age of 25, had sex with someone new in the last 3 months or had more than one sexual contact in the last year. You don’t need to test if you have had a negative chlamydia test after these risks. A Chlamydia test can be arranged via the Sexual Health clinic or by calling into the surgery for a self-swab prior to your coil fit.
• Before you book an appointment to have a device fitted, please follow the steps below

a) Please use the links below...

...This will give you the information to help you decide if this is the right method for you.

• Information on the copper coil (IUD)

https://www.sexwise.org.uk/contraception/iud-intrauterine-device 

• Information on the hormonal coil (IUS)

https://www.sexwise.org.uk/contraception/ius-intrauterine-system 

• What to expect when you get your coil fitted

https://healthandcarevideos.uk/sexual-health?videoId=1544 

• Having the copper coil as contraception

https://healthandcarevideos.uk/sexual-health?videoId=1540 

• Having the hormonal coil as contraception

https://healthandcarevideos.uk/sexual-health?videoId=1545 

b) How to make sure you are not at risk of being pregnant at the time of your fitting:

• The IUD and IUS can usually be fitted at any time in your cycle, unless you could be pregnant. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we may have to reschedule your fitting. Ideally you should avoid fitting on day 1-3 of your cycle.
• If you are currently using a hormonal method (pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection and non-expired implant) or condoms please continue to use your current method correctly until your fitting.
• If you are currently using the diaphragm or natural methods of contraception or have an expired implant or expired IUD/IUS device then you have two options:
• Do not have unprotected sex from day 1 of your last period, until your appointment (or avoid sex for three weeks if your periods are irregular)
• Arrange to use a short-acting form of contraception, for example, pill, patch, vaginal ring, for at least four weeks before the fitting.

c) On the day of your appointment:

• Where possible we will fit your device at your appointment. However, there may be reasons why the fitting may need to be deferred. If this happens then the doctor or nurse who is seeing you will explain why.
• Please allow at least one hour for the appointment. Although the procedure does not take this long, some people need a little more time to recover after the procedure.
• We recommend that you eat and take pain relief an hour before your appointment.
• Please bring sanitary protection, as you may experience some bleeding after the fitting.
• We advise that you may not feel well enough to drive immediately after your fitting.
• Please have someone available to call in case you feel unwell post fit.

2. Implant patient information 

It is important to ensure you are not pregnant prior to your implant fit.

How to make sure you are not at risk of being pregnant at the time of your fitting:

• The implant can usually be fitted at any time in your cycle, unless you could be pregnant. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we may have to reschedule your fitting.
• If you are currently using a hormonal method (pill, patch, vaginal ring, injection and non-expired implant) or condoms please continue to use your current method correctly until your fitting.
• If you are currently using the diaphragm or natural methods of contraception or have an expired implant or expired IUD/IUS device then you have two options:
• Do not have unprotected sex from day 1 of your last period, until your appointment (or avoid sex for three weeks if your periods are irregular)
• Arrange to use a short-acting form of contraception, for example, pill, patch, vaginal ring, for at least four weeks before the fitting.
• Please read the information on the website below to help you decide if the implant is right for you.

https://www.sexwise.org.uk/contraception/contraceptive-implant