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The hormonal coil is a small, T-shaped plastic device, which contains the hormone progestogen to control your fertility. The device is put into the uterus (womb) through the vagina by a specially trained doctor or nurse.
Contains progestogen (low dose)
Can help with feeling low or anxious
No protection against STIs
No one else can see it
Good at making heavy periods lighter and less painful
Lasts up to 8 years
Can cause acne
More than 99% effective
Can only be started if there is no chance of pregnancy. Requires an appointment with a specialist nurse or doctor to have it fitted. You may have to use additional contraception for seven days depending on when in your cycle you get the hormonal coil fitted.
The hormonal coil – sometimes known as the IUS or mirena (a common brand of hormonal coil) – is a small T-shaped flexible plastic device, which contains the hormone progestogen to control fertility. It is slightly bigger than a 50p coin, which is put into the uterus through the vagina by a trained doctor or nurse.
It prevents pregnancy by releasing the hormone progestogen, which thins the lining of the womb, preventing a fertilised egg from implanting. It also thickens the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach an egg. For some people, it may also stop ovulation (stopping ovaries from releasing an egg).
The hormonal coil is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (or LARC). These methods don’t rely on you remembering to take them, but they do need a trained doctor or nurse to administer or fit them for you.
There are different brands of hormonal coil. They come in different sizes and hormone dosages, and can last up to three or five years, depending on the type. Currently there are four brands of hormonal coil- Mirena, Kyleena, Levosert and Jaydess. Some brands work for three, four, or eight years.
It doesn’t protect against STIs so condoms are still needed.
It is common for periods to become lighter, less painful, shorter or stop altogether. However, you may experience some temporary irregular bleeding in the first few months.If you get periods while on the hormonal coil, your provider may recommend you don’t use menstrual cups or tampons for the first few weeks of use.
The coil needs to be fitted by a doctor or nurse who has been specially trained. It is available free from a range of services including contraceptive clinics, your GP and Brook. Find your nearest using our find a service tool.
Contraception and sexual health services such as Brook are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16. Health professionals work to strict guidelines and won’t tell anyone else about your visit unless they believe you’re at serious risk of immediate harm. Find out more about Brook’s confidentiality policy.
You will need to book an appointment at a contraceptive clinic or with your doctor. This appointment will typically include:
Some services may be able to fit it at the same appointment, or you may need a second appointment.
Fitting the coil shouldn’t take longer than 5 minutes.
The coil fitting may be uncomfortable for some people. The doctor or nurse may discuss painkiller tablets and/or using local anaesthetic to make the fitting more comfortable.
Most people feel well enough to leave straight after the appointment.
You may get some period-type pain and possibly some light bleeding for a few days afterwards.
The coil has two threads which hang through the opening at the entrance of your uterus (cervix). You should check the threads a few times during the first month and then at least once a month.
You will then only need to go back when the coil needs to be replaced (3 to 8 years depending on the type of coil).
The hormonal coil can be fitted any time in your cycle if it is certain that you are not pregnant. If it is fitted in the first seven days of your menstrual cycle, you will be immediately protected against pregnancy. If it is fitted at any other time, you will need to use an additional method of contraception (such as condoms) for the first seven days.
If you have a short menstrual cycle (where your period normally comes every 23 days or less) you will have to start the coil in the first six days (because you might ovulate early in your menstrual cycle).
You can get a hormonal coil fitted after a birth, abortion or miscarriage but when you can get it fitted does vary.
The hormonal coil can sometimes be fitted 48 hours after giving birth. However, in most cases you will need to wait four weeks. As you can get pregnant from as little as 3 weeks (21 days) after giving birth, you will need to use alternative contraception from week three (21 days) after the birth until the coil is fitted. The copper coil is safe to use whilst breastfeeding.
The hormonal coil can be inserted immediately after an abortion or miscarriage and you will be protected immediately from pregnancy. Be aware that you can become pregnant from two weeks after an abortion or miscarriage, so if you are having the coil fitted later, you should use alternative contraception from two weeks after an abortion or miscarriage.
The coil must be removed by a trained doctor or nurse. The procedure should be less painful and quicker than when the coil was inserted. If you are not going to have another coil you’ll need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for the seven days before the coil is taken out if you do not want to become pregnant.
Your fertility should return to normal as soon as the coil is removed.
Some people may find the fitting painful but you can have pain relief (local anaesthetic) to help. If this is something you would like, it’s a good idea to talk to the nurse or doctor beforehand. For most people pain only lasts a couple of minutes and then you don’t have to worry about contraception for the next five years!
The hormonal coil is better for those who:
The copper coil is better for those who:
Always speak to your midwife, GP or nurse at a sexual health clinic to check this is the right method for you.
You can get a coil fitted at any time during your cycle. There is no medical evidence to prove that having it fitted during your period has any additional benefits.
No, the hormonal coil is used to prevent pregnancy and should not be used if there is any chance of pregnancy, as this may cause an ectopic pregnancy.
At your contraception appointment, you may be asked to do a pregnancy test to confirm that you’re not pregnant. If you’ve recently had unprotected sex (sex without a condom), you may have to wait until a pregnancy test can accurately determine that pregnancy definitely hasn’t occurred before you can have a coil fitted.
There can be occasions where a coil can perforate the uterus. However, this is rare and normally the uterus will heal itself without any major issues, including infertility.
Yes – it’s perfectly safe to use tampons, menstrual cups and sex toys whilst using a coil or IUD. Just be careful not to pull on the threads when removing them.
It’s pretty rare, but some partners say that can sometimes feel the threads. If this is an issue for you, just ask the nurse or doctor to trim the threads to be slightly shorter in length. It doesn’t make sex unpleasant, but rather, knowing you are protected should mean that sex is even more enjoyable. The threads may also soften over time.
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