You need to be sure that you do not have a sexually transmitted infection before a coiI exchange.

You should have a Chlamydia test if you are under the age of 25, had sex with someone new in the last 3 months or had more than one sexual contact in the last year. You don’t need to test if you have had a negative chlamydia test after these risks.

To order a chlamydia test please click here before booking an appointment.

Before you book an appointment please follow the steps below

1. Use the links below to read the information on the sexwise website and watch the videos:

This will give you the information to help you decide if this is still the right method for you. If you would like to discuss your options further please call 01904 721111 to arrange to talk to a clinician.

Information on the copper coil (IUD)

Information on the hormonal coil (IUS)

What to expect when you get your coil fitted

Having the copper coil as contraception

Having the hormonal coil as contraception 

2. How to make sure you are not at risk of being pregnant at the time of your coil exchange: 

The IUD and IUS can usually be exchanged at any time in your cycle, unless you could be pregnant. If there is a risk that you might be pregnant then we may have to reschedule your fitting.

If your current IUD/IUS device has not yet expired then you must avoid sex or use condoms in the 7 days before your appointment or you may be at risk of pregnancy

If your current IUD/IUS device has expired then you have two options:

1. Do not have unprotected sex from day 1 of your last period, until your appointment (or avoid sex for three weeks if your periods are irregular)

2. Arrange to use an additional short-acting form of contraception, for example, pill, patch, vaginal ring, for at least four weeks before your coil is exchanged.

 

3. Preparation checklist:

Our self-assessment checklist will help you to decide if you are ready to have your exchanged.  You will need to print a copy of our self-assessment checklist and bring a completed copy to your appointment.

Click here to download the self-assessment checklist.

4. On the day of your appointment:

• Where possible we will fit your device at your appointment. However, there may be reasons why the fitting may need to be deferred. If this happens then the doctor or nurse who is seeing you will explain why.

• Please allow at least one hour for the appointment. Although the procedure does not take this long, some people need a little more time to recover after the procedure.

• We recommend that you eat and take pain relief an hour before your appointment.

• Currently due to COVID-19 restrictions we ask that you attend your appointment alone, wear a mask and postpone your appointment if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms.

• Please bring sanitary protection, as you may experience some bleeding after the fitting.

• We advise that you may not feel well enough to drive immediately after your fitting.

• Please have someone available to call in case you feel unwell after your coil exchange.

 

5. Booking your appointment:

Please ring the YSH booking line on 01904 721111 to arrange a suitable coil exchange appointment. If your coil has already expired or you are wanting to change the type of coil you will be offered an initial telephone assessment with a clinician.

YSH is a training service. This means there may sometimes be a qualified nurse or doctor in training working alongside the YSH practitioner at your appointment.