Copper Coil Fitting
The IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device) is a small, T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted into and left inside the uterus, releasing copper as a non hormonal form of contraception.
A copper coil can be fitted at any time during menstrual cycle as long as there is no risk of pregnancy. And rest assured, your care is in the highly experienced hands of those who have been fitting coils for yous.
Fittings are available in both 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 Copper Coil (IUD)
What is a copper coil (IUD)?
The IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device) is a small, T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted into and left inside the uterus.
The IUD releases copper ions into the uterus, which is toxic to sperm and eggs. The copper interferes with the sperm’s ability to survive and travel through the cervix into the womb, which prevents the fertilisation of an egg.
The IUD also alters the cervical mucus, making it difficult for the sperm to penetrate. In the case that the sperm does fertilise the egg, the IUD can prevent the egg from implanting itself in the uterus.
What are the benefits of using the IUD?
The IUD has the following benefits:
- It is a non hormonal contraception and so there are no hormonal side effects (eg. breast tenderness, mood changes, acne)
- It does not affect any other medicines you may be taking.
- It is very unlikely that the IUD will cause you to put on weight.
- There is no evidence to show that the IUD increases the risk of cervical, uterine or ovarian cancer.
- It can last up to ten years.
- It is easy to use and there is no room for user error.
- 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.
- Almost all women are suitable for an IUD. There are few medical problems that prevent its use.
- The IUD 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)
- The copper IUD also is the most effective form of emergency contraception.
What are possible side effects of using the IUD?
When a woman first uses an IUD, changes in menstrual bleeding are normal and expected.
Some women experience heavier menstrual bleeding and menstrual pain, as well as bleeding between periods, bruising and cramps. These changes may last for as long as the IUD is fitted, or may only only last for the first 3-6 months.
However, there are no hormonal side effects of using the copper coil, such as acne, breast tenderness and mood changes.
Can anyone have a Copper Coil (or IUD) fitted?
Almost anyone with a uterus is clinically suitable for an IUD, though this does not factor lifestyle preferences. This includes those who have never been pregnant or had children, young people and those who are HIV positive.
Some conditions which may mean you shouldn’t use an IUD 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 Wilson’s Disease
If you have had an ectopic pregnancy, or you have an artificial heart valve, you must consult your clinician before having an IUD fitted.
How is it different from a hormonal coil (or IUS)?
The IUS (Intrauterine system), is a hormonal form of contraception, which prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestin into the uterus.
On the other hand, 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.
When can the copper coil be fitted?
A copper 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.
Can I use a copper coil as emergency contraception?
An IUD (or Copper Coil) can be used to prevent a pregnancy after a contraceptive-method failure/unprotected sex.
As a rule of thumb, it can be fitted within 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after estimated ovulation.
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.
After introducing this questionnaire, we have been able to ensure that 100% of women who want a coil in the same appointment are able to do so.
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?
A complex fitting is one where a GP/clinician has failed to fit your coil or you have a certain medical condition that requires special attention.
You may decide to have your pre-coil fit Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea test in your appointment. We charge an additional £80 for this service with results in 3 hours (with complimentary postal Chlamydia treatment if positive).
Copper Coil Fitting
£180- Consultation
- Coil fitting (same appt. as consultation, if safe to do so)
- Includes cost of copper coil
- Follow up phone call in approx. 6 weeks (if appropriate)
Copper Coil Replacement
£230- Consultation
- Coil removal & fitting (same appt. as consultation, if safe to do so)
- Includes cost of copper coil
- Follow up phone call in approx. 6 weeks (if appropriate)
You may decide to have your pre-coil fit Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea test in your appointment. We charge an additional £80 for this service with results in 3 hours (with complimentary postal Chlamydia treatment if positive).
Read what our patients say
FAQs about Copper Coil Fittings
How effective is an IUD?
The IUD 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 IUD has been fitted properly.
When inserted and placed correctly, the IUD is over 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 in 100 IUD users will become pregnant in 1 year. When the IUD is used for 5 years, fewer than 2 in 100 IUD users will become pregnant in 5 years.
You can compare this to 100 sexually active women who don’t use any contraception; 80 – 90 of these women will get pregnant in 1 year.
The IUD also begins to work as soon as it is fitted.
What are possible risks of using the IUD?
Serious complications from IUDs are rare. However, some women do have problems. These problems usually happen during or soon after insertion:
- Approximately 1 in 20 women, the IUD may be pushed out of the uterus (expulsion), or move (displacement). The risk is higher in teenagers, women with heavy menstrual bleeding, and women who have an IUD inserted immediately after childbirth. If the IUD comes out, it is no longer effective. You may be able to have a new IUD placed.
- The IUD can perforate the wall of the uterus during placement. This usually does not cause any major health problems, but the IUD 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 IUD is experienced, the risk of perforation is very low. In women who are breastfeeding, the risk is 6 times higher.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after IUD insertion happens very rarely. Using an IUD does not by itself increase the risk of PID. Women with an undiagnosed STI at the time of IUD insertion are more likely to develop PID than women without an STI. We recommend screening for chlamydia and gonorrhoea before or during your IUD fitting where possible.
- Rarely, pregnancy may occur while a woman is using an IUD. If pregnancy occurs, and you wish to continue the pregnancy, the IUD should be removed. If the IUD remains in place during pregnancy, there are increased risks of miscarriage and infection.
- In the rare case that a pregnancy occurs with the IUD 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?
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 IUD 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 IUD 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 IUD.
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 IUD 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 IUD or want to get pregnant?
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 IUD is removed.
When will my IUD start to work?
An IUD can be placed at any point during your menstrual cycle, provided you are not pregnant. The copper coil becomes effective as soon as it is fitted, which is why it’s often used for emergency contraception.
Using condoms is advised to reduce the risk of infection and early expulsion in the first few weeks from fitting.
I’ve just had a baby. Can I have an IUD?
An IUD 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 IUD can be placed, and use another method of contraception until it is fitted.
The IUD does not interfere with breastfeeding and won’t affect your milk supply.
Can I use an IUD 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 IUD?
Yes; it is safe to use tampons and menstrual cups after having an IUD fitted.
During your first period after the IUD 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 IUD. 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.
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.