COVID-19 Information

COVID regulations are changing, however physical distancing and face coverings are still required at health care settings across Scotland. This restricts the number of patients we can have in our clinics at any one time. In addition our staffing levels are being affected by COVID. As restrictions for the service ease and staffing levels return to normal we hope to increase the number of coil appointments available.
All of our coil appointments are available to book online this generally works well and suits most of our patients. We do acknowledge however that the number of appointments we have currently can outstrip the number of patients looking for an appointment.

This means that once we have added a clinic the appointments get booked up very quickly. Appointments are generally added on a weekly basis when we can see what our staffing levels are. This is to avoid patients booking appointments that then have to be cancelled as had been happening, which is very frustrating for patients and staff. We recommend checking as often as you are able to look for an available appointment.

It is important that you read the information on this page and watch the video on the coil before attending.

What is Intrauterine Contraception?

There are two types of intrauterine contraception which we can fit, a hormonal (IUS) and non-hormonal option (IUD). Both are often referred to as 'coils'.

A coil is a very effective (8 in 1000 failure rate) reversible method of contraception, which can last for 5-10 years depending on the type. It is a small, T-shaped plastic device that is inserted into your womb (uterus) by a trained specialist. Once the coil is in fitted you do not have to think about it each day or each time you have sex.

At the clinic we will discuss your options with you and check that a coil is a suitable method of contraception for you.

More Information on Coils

You can find out more information about coils over on the NHS Inform website.

NHS Inform

Emergency Contraception

The non-hormonal intrauterine device (copper coil) can be used as a form of emergency contraception. If you think that you need emergency contraception please contact us as soon as possible by phoning: 0141 211 8130.

Please do not bring any other person with you to your appointment including children, partners, friends or family members. They will be asked to wait outside the building as we do not have the facilities for them.

What will happen at my appointment?

After checking in at reception, you will be called into the clinic by a doctor or nurse. They will talk to you about the options and check this is a suitable method of contraception for you. They will ask you about any illnesses or operations you or your family may have had. They will also discuss sexual health and cervical screening with you.

If suitable they will be able to fit your coil for you during the appointment. The appointment generally lasts for 30 minutes.

Information on the procedure

At your coil appointment, you will be having a procedure and some people may feel a little faint or unwell.

Please ensure you have a light meal before attending your appointment.

Some people experience cramping after the procedure. It may be helpful to take some simple painkillers before attending your appointment.

Information on coil Insertion

To ensure we are able to safely fit your coil it is important that:

You avoid any unprotected sex after your last period.
This means using condoms consistently and correctly, or using another form of reliable hormonal contraception such as the combined pill, patch or ring, progestogen-only pill, injection or implant.
If you are not having regular periods you should use effective contraception or avoid sex for at least 3 weeks before having your IUC fitted.

Information on coil replacement

Please ensure you use other methods of contraception or avoid sex for one week before you coil replacement appointment. This is in case there is any difficulty fitting the new coil after the old one has been removed.

After you've had a coil fitted

After you've had hormonal or non-hormonal coil fitted the doctor or nurse who fitted your coil will teach you how to feel for the threads and check that it's still in place. It's important to check your coil is in place a few times in the first month, and then after each period or at regular intervals.

It's highly unlikely that your coil will come out, but if you can't feel the threads or if you think the coil has moved, you may not be fully protected against pregnancy.

Call Sandyford straight away on 0141 211 8130 if you think your coil has moved, fallen out or you have pain or bleeding.

Use extra contraception, such as condoms, until your coil has been checked.

If you've had sex recently, you may need to use emergency contraception.

FAQs for Coils

My 5 year hormonal coil (IUS) has now expired and is due for a change. Will it still protect me?

If you are using a 5 year intrauterine hormonal coil (IUS) from the UK, it is likely to be either MirenaTM or Levoser...

If you are using a 5 year intrauterine hormonal coil (IUS) from the UK, it is likely to be either MirenaTM or LevosertTM.

The risk of getting pregnant a year after one of these 5 year devices expire (that is, during the 6th year of use) is very low. In fact, LevosertTM is now actually licensed for 6 years of use, and it is likely that this will also be true in the near future of MirenaTM.

This is because there is now enough evidence that shows it works well as a contraceptive in the sixth year. However since at this time the guidance is still under review, if it is critical for you not to get pregnant you may still opt to use additional contraceptive cover.

Do older women using the intrauterine hormonal coil (IUS) need to have their device changed after 45?

People who are more than 45 when they have the MirenaTM or LevosertTM inserted can use the device for contraception ...

People who are more than 45 when they have the MirenaTM or LevosertTM inserted can use the device for contraception until the age of 55 as it will continue to provide protection against pregnancy.

After this age, contraception is no longer needed. People who are using the MirenaTM as part of their hormone replacement therapy (HRT) taken with oestrogen, still need to change the coil after 5 years.

LevosertTM is not currently licensed to be given as part of an HRT regime.

However, for those using the lower dose or shorter use hormonal coils (eg KyleenaTM, JaydessTM) it is not currently recommended that you extend the use of these products. This is because there is not enough research to say how long they will continue to work well. If you have one of these devices you are advised to use additional contraception if it has reached its expiry date.

My copper intrauterine device has expired and is now due for a change. Will it still protect me?

10 year device Those using a 10 year banded copper intrauterine device can continue to use this device for 12 years ...

10 year device

Those using a 10 year banded copper intrauterine device can continue to use this device for 12 years after insertion.

The risk of pregnancy remains extremely low, although full protection cannot be guaranteed. Some people may therefore choose to use additional precautions after 10 years have passed.

5 year device

5 year copper intrauterine devices should not be assumed to be effective after the 5 years has passed.

Is it safe to leave my coil in place after it has expired?

It is safe for your expired device to be left until you are able to get into services again. The only risk is of an ...

It is safe for your expired device to be left until you are able to get into services again. The only risk is of an unintended pregnancy so make sure you use additional precautions such as condoms or contraceptive pills to provide protection.

It is not uncommon for your bleeding pattern to gradually change towards the end of the lifespan of the device. If ...

It is not uncommon for your bleeding pattern to gradually change towards the end of the lifespan of the device.

If your bleeding pattern changes very suddenly with the hormonal coil, check that your coil is still in place by checking for threads.

Lots of users have sporadic bleeding when using implant or hormonal coil, however if this is unusual for you and you are beyond your replacement date it is recommended to use additional contraception such as condoms, or have a chat with your prescriber about adding hormonal contraception. Although in the first year after change date of implant and hormonal coils it is highly unlikely you will get pregnant, it is not guaranteed. Organising additional contraception can usually be done remotely via your usual provider.

I don’t have periods with my hormonal coil so how will I know whether or not I am pregnant once it is beyond the usual replacement date?

Extended use within guidelines makes the likelihood of pregnancy very low but there is still a risk. That’s why the a...

Extended use within guidelines makes the likelihood of pregnancy very low but there is still a risk. That’s why the advice is to either use condoms or if suitable another hormonal method until you can have your hormonal coil replaced. If you think you might be pregnant you should take a test 3 weeks after any risk and use condoms until you are sure.

If you are worried the coil might have fallen out and are unable to find your threads then you should also use condoms until you are able to get it checked. Organising additional contraception can usually be done remotely via your usual provider.

If I get pregnant while using hormonal contraception, will the hormones harm the baby?

Many women who become pregnant whilst using hormonal contraception continue unknowingly to take hormones before the p...

Many women who become pregnant whilst using hormonal contraception continue unknowingly to take hormones before the pregnancy is identified. There are no known adverse effects on the baby.

Manage your sexual health online

You can book appointments online with Sandyford for all contraceptive options including intrauterine contraception.

Online Booking

What to Expect at Sandyford

All the information you need about your visit to Sandyford. Before, during and after the appointment.

What To Expect at Sandyford