At Macklin Street Surgery we offer a service to fit and remove both implants and coils. We can provide this service to all our registered patients free of charge.
Contraceptive implant
The contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) is a small flexible plastic rod that’s placed under the skin in your upper arm by a doctor or nurse. It releases the hormone progestogen into your bloodstream to prevent pregnancy and lasts for 3 years.
Facts about the implant
- The implant is more than 99% effective.
- Once the implant is in place, you don’t have to think about it again for 3 years.
- It can be useful for women who can’t use contraception that contains oestrogen.
- It’s very useful for women who find it difficult to remember to take a pill at the same time every day.
- The implant can be taken out if you have side effects.
- You can have it removed at any time, and your natural fertility will return very quickly.
- When it’s first put in, you may feel some bruising, tenderness or swelling around the implant.
- Your periods may become irregular, lighter, heavier or longer.
- A common side effect is that your periods stop (amenorrhoea). It’s not harmful, but you may want to consider this before deciding to have an implant.
- Some medicines can make the implant less effective.
- It doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you may need to use condoms as well.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
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”.
Facts about the IUD
- When inserted correctly, IUDs are more than 99% effective.
- An IUD works as soon as it’s put in and lasts for 5 to 10 years, depending on the type.
- It can be put in at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant.
- It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It’s then possible to get pregnant straight away.
- Your periods can be heavier, longer or more painful in the first 3 to 6 months after an IUD is put in. You might get spotting or bleeding between periods.
- There’s a small risk of getting an infection after it’s been fitted.
- There’s a small risk that your body may push out the IUD or it may move – your doctor or nurse will teach you how to check it’s in place.
- It can be uncomfortable when the IUD is put in, but painkillers can help.
- It may not be suitable if you’ve had previous pelvic infections.
- It doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you may need to use condoms as well.
Intrauterine system (IUS)
An IUS is a small, T-shaped plastic device that’s put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse.
It releases the hormone progestogen to stop you getting pregnant and lasts for 3 to 5 years. Two brands of IUS are used in the UK: Mirena and Jaydess.
Facts about the IUS
- When inserted correctly, it’s more than 99% effective.
- It can be taken out at any time by a specially trained doctor or nurse. It’s possible to get pregnant straight after it’s removed.
- It can make your periods lighter, shorter or stop altogether, so it may help women who have heavy or painful periods.
- It can be used by women who can’t use combined contraception (such as the combined pill) – for example, those who have migraines.
- Once the IUS is in place, you don’t have to think about it.
- Some women may experience side effects, such as mood swings, skin problems or breast tenderness.
- There’s a small risk of getting an infection after it’s been fitted.
- It can be uncomfortable when the IUS is put in, but painkillers can help.
- The IUS can be fitted at any time during your monthly menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant.
- The IUS doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you may need to use condoms as well.