Coils – IUS & IUD
Coils are a method of contraception. The coil is placed in your uterus. It is just as reliable in preventing pregnancy as the pill.
How do coils work?
A doctor puts the coil into your uterus. It can stay there for several years. A coil protects against pregnancy. There are 2 different types:
1. IUS (intrauterine system – a hormonal coil): the hormones in an IUS stop you getting pregnant. A hormonal coil prevents pregnancy for 5, 6 or 8 years. This depends on the brand.
2. IUD (intrauterine device – a coil): the IUD contains copper and that stops you getting pregnant. An IUD doesn’t contain any hormones. It prevents pregnancy for 5-10 years.
Which kind of coil should you choose?
Take a look at the following list of advantages and disadvantages and discuss them with your doctor or with Sense. There are different types of each kind of coil too.
Reliable
In theory, a coil is just as reliable as the pill. But actually the coil is more reliable, because you don’t have to think about it all the time. That’s what makes the pill riskier, having to remember to take it every day.
Are there any side effects?
With an IUD, your period might be a bit more painful. You may also bleed slightly more.
When you first have an IUS, your body has to get used to the hormones the coil contains. Possible side effects are:
- irregular blood loss
- headaches
- acne
- hair loss
- painful breasts
- low moods
- weight gain
Usually, the side effects disappear after a couple of months. If you’re having trouble with side effects, get in touch with your doctor or a Sense clinic.
How to go about it
- First decide which kind of coil you want: an IUS with hormones or an IUD with copper.
- Make an appointment with a doctor or another healthcare professional. He or she will insert the coil into your uterus.
- You can leave the coil in place for 5-10 years.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
Both:
- Very reliable: you can’t forget a coil like you can forget the pill.
- You only need to think about it once every 5-10 years.
- A coil is even reliable if you vomit or have diarrhoea.
- Nobody can tell that you are using contraception.
IUS:
- Your period is usually shorter, lighter and less painful. Sometimes your periods stop completely.
IUD:
- If you do not want to take hormones, a coil that releases copper is a good option.
Disadvantages:
Both:
- A doctor has to insert it.
- Insertion can be a bit painful.
- Some women have side effects.
- You can’t plan or postpone your period with a coil.
- A coil does not protect against STIs.
- If you use a menstrual cup, you’ll need to release the vacuum before you take it out of your vagina. Otherwise the coil might come out too.
IUS:
- You may have irregular bleeding or spotting.
- Some women have side effects.
IUD:
- Your period might be more painful and you may also have slightly more bleeding than before you had the coil.
Is your coil in place?
If you have a coil, you might wonder whether it’s still in place. Use your finger to check whether you can feel the threads. Aren’t you sure if you can feel them? Then use condoms for sex, just in case, and make an appointment to see your doctor, Sense doctor or gynaecologist so that they can check the coil for you. Also arrange to see someone if you have a coil and get unexpected, heavy bleeds.
Be careful when using a menstrual cup! Because the cup sucks in to your cervix, you could pull out an IUD.
Squeeze the tip of the cup so it is no longer sucked in. Or put your finger between the cup and your cervix. Always check the cup before cleaning it.
Where can you get a coil?
Your doctor can fit an IUS or IUD.
When do you run the risk of pregnancy?
- If you were too late getting a new coil inserted (how often you have to do that depends on the type of IUS or IUD - it may be 5 or 10 years).
- If you have abdominal pain, but haven’t had your coil checked. Very rarely, an IUS or IUD is rejected by your uterus. In that case, it’s no longer reliable.