Contraception
At Women's Wellness Clinic in Cambridge, we offer a full range of contraception services, including expert coil fitting (IUD & IUS) and contraceptive implant procedures.
WOMEN’S WELLNESS CLINIC | CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANT
Coil fitting (IUD & IUS)
Here at the Women’s Wellness Clinic, are highly experienced in coil fitting, including both intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) and intrauterine systems (IUSs), often referred to as 'coils'. Coils are a safe, reliable, and long-lasting contraceptive method suitable for women of all ages.Once the small device is inserted, it can stay inside the womb for between 3 and 10 years. We will discuss the best coil option for you before fitting.
Types of Contraceptive Coils
Broadly, two types of contraceptive coils are available:
Copper Coil (IUD) : Lasts 5-10 years.
Mirena Coil (IUS): Lasts 5 years for progesterone part of HRT or 8 years for contraception.
There are smaller progesterone coils such as the Jaydess which lasts 3 years or Kyleena that lasts 5 years: Neither are suitable for HRT.
What is an IUD (Copper Coil)?
An IUD (Intrauterine device) is a small, T-shaped device inserted into the uterus. It releases copper to prevent pregnancy and provides effective contraception for 5-10 years.
Advantages of IUD (Copper Coil) Fitting:
Most women use an IUD including the ones who have not become pregnant before.
After an IUD gets fitted, it works instantly and lasts for almost 10 years or until it is removed.
It does not interrupt sexual intercourse.
It can be used if you breastfeed.
Your fertility will return as soon as the IUD is removed.
It is not affected by other medicines.
What is an IUS (Mirena Coil)?
A Mirena coil (or IUS - intrauterine system) is also a small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus. It is plastice and releases progestogen to prevent pregnancy for 3-8 years.
Advantages of IUS Coil Fitting:
It usually works for 8 years (Mirena) 5 years (Kyleena) or 3 years (Jaydess).
It is considered the most effective form of contraception available in the UK.
It does not interrupt sexual intercourse.
Your periods may become shorter, lighter and less painful, and even stop completely after the first year of use.
It is safe to use an IUS at the time of breastfeeding.
It is not affected by other medicines.
It may be a suitable option if you cannot take hormone oestrogen (used in the contraceptive pill).
It is possible to become pregnant once the IUS is removed.
There is no confirmation that an IUS can increase the risk of cancers of the cervix, ovaries and uterus or affect your weight.
Process: Coil Fitting in Cambridge
After your initial consultation, where we discuss the procedure, timings, and consent, we'll book your coil fitting appointment at our CQC registered clinic in Cambridge (Sawston). We prioritise your comfort and use anaesthetic gel for the procedure. Extra pain relief is also available if needed.
Process: Coil Removal in Cambridge
Your coil can be removed at any point of time, however if you do not plan to have another IUD (coil) inserted, but do not want to conceive now, then we strongly advise using additional contraception (i.e. condoms) for 7 days prior to removal. Your natural fertility returns to normal immediately.
Before your appointment
Your appointment is for half an hour – you may find it easier if children are kept at home. However, we appreciate this is not always possible and we will do our best to find them a comfy chair and watchful eye.
Please make sure that you have something to eat before your appointment.
The fitting process can be uncomfortable and you may wish to take a tablet painkiller that is safe for you, an hour or so before the procedure.
It is important that there is no chance you could be pregnant when we fit your coil. Do not have sex from the start of your period until the insertion, unless you are using a method of contraception reliably and consistently.
If you are taking the pill, continue to take it carefully up until the day of fitting.
If you have had a contraceptive injection, come before the injection runs out (12 weeks and 5 days since the last injection).
If you have an implant in place, we prefer to fit the coil first and take the implant out, at least one week later.
If you are using condoms, it may be best to try and abstain, as if you have a burst condom and take emergency contraception in the 21 days before fitting, we probably cannot fit the coil until you have had a normal period.
If you already have a coil in place, please either abstain from sexual intercourse or use a condom carefully in the 7 days before you attend the clinic. Sperm live in the pelvis for 7 days, and a new coil may take 7 days to work, so there is a theoretical chance of pregnancy if this advice is not followed. There is also the chance that the new coil cannot be fitted.
If your coil is out of date, you should not have sex for 21 days (3 weeks) before the appointment so that a pregnancy test is valid.
If you are worried you may have a vaginal infection please let us know prior to fitting day.
It is OK to have a coil fitted if you are bleeding; please attend your appointment as usual. Only very heavy bleeding would stop placement.
How soon does it work?
The copper coil (IUD) works immediately.
Hormonal coils (IUS) – Mirena, Jaydess, Kyleena, Levosert:
Fitted up to day 7 of menstrual cycle - works immediately.
Fitted after day 7 of menstrual cycle - works after another 7 days.
Follow up
We don’t routinely need to see you after a coil fit. However, if you have any concerns we are happy to see you again. We suggest at the 6 week you check your threads. It is unlikely to be expelled, however it is always sensible for you to know what the threads feel like:
Clean your hands with soap and water.
Either sit or squat.
Insert your index or middle finger into your vagina until you touch the cervix (which should feel firm like the tip of your nose).
If the IUD threads feel longer or shorter than the last time you checked, or you cannot feel them, it is possible that your IUD may have moved. Please get in touch if you have concern.
After the fit
Sex – we would advise waiting for 24 hours before having sex to allow the coil to settle.
Tampons – in the first 24 hours use a pad if you need to. This will give the coil time to settle. Make sure you are confident feeling the coil threads and know the difference from a tampon thread before using.
Moon cups – manufacturers recommend delaying use of a moon cup for six weeks after having a coil fitted. They also recommend that you make sure the cup is low in the vagina and that you break the seal before you remove it. You may want to think of alternative sanitary products if you are not confident in this.
Exercise including swimming – it is best to wait 24 – 48 hours before exercise to let the coil settle. If you are still experiencing pain after the fitting it is best to wait until that stops.
X-rays including an MRI – having an Xray, including an MRI is generally fine but always tell the person doing your Xray or scan that you have a coil.
Contraceptive Implant (Nexplanon)
We also offer contraceptive implant services in Cambridge, including the Nexplanon implant. The Nexplanon implant is a small, flexible rod placed under the skin that releases progesterone to prevent pregnancy for up to three years.
About the Nexplanon Contracteptive Implant
Nexplanon is a small flexible rod that is placed under your skin.
It releases Progesterone into your bloodstream over 3 years to prevent pregnancy.
Nexplanon is licensed to have a contraceptive effect for three years after insertion.
At or before 3 years it needs to be removed and replaced or another form of contraception used.
It is the patients’ responsibility to keep a record of the date that the Nexplanon implant expires
Nexplanon is a highly effective form of contraception. Less than 1:1000 women become pregnant using this method.
Before your appointment
Your appointment is for half an hour – it may be less stressful for you if children are left at home however where needed we can usually offer a watchful eye or chair nearby.
Please make sure that you have something to eat before your appointment.
The fitting/removal process can be mildly uncomfortable and you may wish to take a tablet painkiller that is safe for you, an hour or so before the procedure.
Prior to fitting the implant (Nexplanon)
It is important that there is no chance you could be pregnant when we fit your implant. Do not have sex from the start of your period until the insertion, unless you are using a method of contraception reliably and consistently.
If you are taking the pill, continue to take it carefully up until the day of fitting and for 7 days after.
If you have had a contraceptive injection, come before the injection runs out (12 weeks and 5 days since the last injection).
If you have a coil in place, we prefer to fit the implant first and take then coil out, at least one week later.
If you are using condoms, it may be best to try and abstain, as if you have a condom failure and take emergency contraception in the 21 days before fitting, we probably cannot fit the implant until you have had a normal period.
If your current implant is out of date you should not have sex for 21 days (3 weeks) before the appointment so that a pregnancy test is valid.
Note on removal of implant: Be aware that fertility can come back immediately after removal. If you require a different form of contraception please try get this arranged prior to the removal appointment
Process: Insertion & Removal of Contraceptive implant (Nexplanon)
The insertion and removal of the implant requires a surgical procedure, performed by a trained healthcare professional. Please let the clinician know if you have allergies to local anaesthetic or dressings.
Insertion:
A small amount of local anaesthetic is used to numb the area, and the device is inserted under the skin.
After insertion the clinician will ask that you feel the device under your skin.
You should check this periodically over the 3 years.
There is a low risk of the device moving, but if you cannot feel the device, you should seek medical advice from your GP or family planning clinic.
Avoid heavy lifting/ heavy arm exercise during this time. The device can migrate or be expelled so please ensure that you do not push the device or ‘play’ with it after insertion.
Removal:
A small dose of local anaesthetic is injected into the skin at the lower end of the implant to numb the area.
When numb, a small cut is made through which the implant can be pushed to remove it.
After care
After insertion/removal, steristrips are placed over the site of the cut to hold the skin edges together to allow healing. You are advised to keep the area clean and dry for 5 days.
A pressure bandage will be placed over the wound to reduce the risk of bruising or swelling. This can be removed after 24 hours.
There is a small chance of infection occurring at the wound. Please report redness/pus/fever (rare). There will be a small scar that will fade in time.
You will be given a card with details of the arm the Nexplanon Implant has been placed in, the date of insertion and date due to remove/replace. It is your responsibility to have removed/changed on time.
