BROADSHIRES HEALTH CENTRE
The following information should help to make sure your IUS/IUD (Coil) fitting or exchange goes smoothly. If you have decided to have an IUS/IUD you should have discussed this fully with a doctor or nurse.
An IUS/IUD can be fitted at any time if we are certain that there is no risk of you being pregnant. Fitting/exchange can be performed when menstruating – this does not cause any problems to the fitting clinician. The use of condoms alone is not considered safe enough but regular use of hormonal contraception is. Do not have intercourse (even with a condom) from the first day of your period until the fitting unless you are using the contraceptive pill, the progesterone only pill (POP) or have the Depo-Provera injection or the implant.
If you are having an IUS/IUD exchange you need to avoid sex (even with a condom) for 7 days before your appointment. As an alternative we can provide a short course of POP to cover this period. This is to avoid any possibility of a pregnancy if it is not possible to insert a new IUS/IUD, which occurs occasionally.
A check for chlamydia a couple of weeks before fitting/exchange can be beneficial (but not essential) , particularly if you have had more than one partner in the last 12 months. Please book with one of the nurses for a swab to be taken. If you are aged 24 or below you are able to do a self test as part of the National Chlamydia Screening scheme. Please ask for a pack from reception or any nurse or doctor at the surgery.
Please take a painkiller such as Ibuprofen 400mgs about 1 hour before your appointment. If you are breastfeeding, have asthma, gastric problems or have a aspirin or NSAID sensitivity, take paracetamol instead.
Most people feel fine after IUS/IUD fitting but we usually advise you not to plan and vigorous activity after fitting
If you have any further queries you can make a telephone appointment with one of our Family Planning nurses Sue Smith or Juliette Potter.