What does a coil do in a woman?

An IUD is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper to stop you getting pregnant, and protects against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. It's sometimes called a "coil" or "copper coil".

Does the coil stop periods?

Your periods may become irregular or stop completely, which may not be suitable for some people. Some people experience headaches, acne and breast tenderness after having the IUS fitted, but these usually settle with time. Some people experience changes in mood.

What are the benefits of having a coil fitted?

IUDs are VERY effective.

IUDs give you great, long-term protection against pregnancy — they're more than 99% effective. They work as well as sterilization and the birth control implant. IUDs are one of the most effective methods you can get because there's almost no way you can mess it up.

Can you still get pregnant with a coil?

You can get pregnant while using an IUD, but it's very unlikely. Less than 1% of women with copper or hormonal IUDs get pregnant each year. An IUD should stay in your uterus to prevent pregnancy. But sometimes it can move out of place and slip into your cervix, which is below your uterus.

Do coils have side effects?

What are the side effects of the coil? The most common side effect from both coils is changes to bleeding patterns. Dr Sonal explains: "In the 3-6 months following coil insertion, women may experience irregular, prolonged or frequent periods, but this usually improves with time.

IUS & IUD (the coil): how do they work?

What are the negatives of an IUD?

Is it painful to have a coil fitted?

Having an IUD fitted can be uncomfortable, and some people might find it painful, but you can have a local anaesthetic to help. Discuss this with a GP or nurse beforehand.

Does coil cause weight gain?

Nope! The copper IUD (Paragard) doesn't cause weight gain. Because the copper IUD is hormone-free, it doesn't have many side effects at all. Some people do have heavier, longer periods and more cramping, especially for the first few months.

What are the pros and cons of the coil?

Is it worth getting the coil?

The protection from pregnancy each year is 99.4%. For some women, there are added benefits to the coil as you can choose a coil that contains the hormone progesterone. The protection from pregnancy from hormonal coils is even more reliable at 99.8%.

Does the coil affect mood?

Some people experience mood changes while using hormonal contraception. Data suggest that around 6.4% of people who use the Mirena IUD experience low mood or depression within 5 years.

Does the coil mess with your hormones?

Using an IUD may change your hormones so that you miss some periods or even just stop having them. Some women might think that's good, especially if they really suffered from PMS before.

Does Mirena coil cause weight gain?

“The studies basically show that there's less than 5% [of IUD users] who show any weight gain, and it's generally a little water weight.” Even with hormonal IUDs like Mirena, which emit progestin, so little of the hormone gets into your system that any effects on weight are minor, he says.

What I wish I knew before getting an IUD?

Can you feel a woman's coil?

All IUDs have strings on them so your nurse or doctor can pull it out of your uterus when you want it removed. When an IUD is in the right place in your uterus, about 1-2 inches of that string sticks out through your cervix — you may be able to feel it if you put your finger deep into your vagina and touch your cervix.

Do you have periods with a coil fitted?

As with the IUD, the IUS can have an impact on your periods. Some women complain about heavier periods while using a hormonal coil. However, it is also possible that your periods stop entirely or become irregular. The Mirena (hormonal) coil often causes irregular periods during the first 2–3 months.

Do you pull out with an IUD?

Do you have to “pull out” with an IUD? If you're relying on the IUD for birth control during sex with pregnancy potential, then “pulling out” (also known as the withdrawal method) won't necessarily add to your protection.

Why do you have to wait a week after IUD?

You do not need to wait to have sex after your intrauterine device (IUD) is inserted. However, there may be some uncomfortable side effects that occur for a day or two after implantation. Make sure you know whether your IUD is effective before having unprotected sex.

Can the coil damage your uterus?

The major health risks associated with IUD use are perforation of the uterus, pregnancy (both intrauterine and ectopic), and pelvic inflammatory disease. Perforation of the uterus by an IUD is a serious complication and this is possible both during the insertion and later.

Where does sperm go with an IUD?

1) Hormonal IUDs make the mucus on your cervix thicker. This mucus blocks sperm so it can't get to an egg. 2) The hormones in the IUD can also stop eggs from leaving your ovaries (called ovulation), which means there's no egg for a sperm to fertilize.

Can an IUD damage your uterus?

Uterine perforation is a rare consequence of IUD insertion. It only occurs in every 1,000 procedures.