Advice following a coil fit

You may get period like cramps after a coil fit. Take 500mg Paracetamol or 400mg Ibuprofen (after food, if you are not allergic to it) three times a day to ease them. These cramps may last for 1 to 3 days.

You may notice some bleeding for the first few days after fit. Use sanitary towels rather than tampons in the first 7 days after coil fit. You may have irregular bleeding in the first few months, which may settle down more quickly in some women than others.

Avoid sex for the first 3 days after the coil fit for your own comfort. A hormonal coil will take 7 days to start working so please use an alternate method of contraception for those 7 days.

Contact the clinic if you have any concerns or if you develop a temperature, smelly discharge, constant lower abdominal discomfort and painful sex.

You can check threads of the coil yourself after 3 to 6 weeks any time and then once in a month, preferably after a period if you are having any periods. If you can not feel threads it is important to have a check up as soon as possible in the walk- in- clinic. In the meantime, use extra contraceptive method such as condoms or have no sex. If your coil was placed post C-section you will need a review at 6 weeks to trim your threads and check everything is fine. Please book an appointment on the above telephone numbers or online at: Sexual Health Hounslow – https://westmiddx.liliehub.health/Lilie-WMUH/Hub/home

The coils are 99% effective. Very few women become pregnant with them. If you become pregnant there is a small risk of the pregnancy developing outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. Although it is rare, it is serious. You should attend the sexual health clinic or see your doctor if you are pregnant or have a light or delayed period or if you have sudden or unusual pain in you lower abdomen.

Self checking of coil

Instructions

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.
Get into a squatting position. You can also raise one leg on a stool or the edge of the bathtub.
Insert one finger into the vagina. Push back until you reach the cervix. The cervix is the lower narrow end of the uterus (womb). It is rounded and cone shaped.
Palpate the cervix it should feel firm.
Feel for threads. They will be located near the cervix. Threads are usually wrapped around the cervix and can be felt if you sweep your finger on the cervix. Be careful not to pull the strings as doing so could displace the coil.
If you can feel the hard tip of the coil against the cervix this may indicate that the coil has slipped out of place.
Come for a check up if you feel the coil is out of place. DO NOT attempt to reinsert or remove the coil on your own.

Phone numbers

Coils inserted in the Sexual Health Clinic: Clinic no 0208630 3295 (Hounslow) / 0208 321 5718 (WMUH)

Coils inserted in the Gynaecology Clinic at WMUH site: Telephone: 0208321 5005

Coils inserted in the Gynaecology Clinic at CWH site: chelwest.gynaecology.admin@nhs.net, telephone: 0203 315 4007 option 2