For both the IUD and IUS, you may be tested for any existing infections, such as STIs. Once your doctor has confirmation you don’t have any infections, they will book you in for a procedure.
An IUD can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant. If you have an IUD fitted, you’ll be protected from getting pregnant straight away. Although an IUS can also be fitted any time in your menstrual cycle, as long as you’re not pregnant,you will only be protected against pregnancy straight away if it is fitted in the first 7 days of your cycle. In order to be totally protected, if you have your IUS fitted at any other point in your cycle you will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days afterwards.
During the fitting of an IUD or IUS your doctor will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb before inserting the devise. Much like during a cervical smear screening, during the insertion of the coil, the vagina will be held open and the IUD/ IUS will be inserted through the cervix and into the womb.
Your appointment will be under half an hour, and the fitting of the IUD/IUS device will be 5 minutes.
The procedure may be uncomfortable and possibly painful, but ensure that you tell your doctor as they will stop at any time. You will be offered some local anesthetic to help with the pain. Your doctor at OneWelbeck will discuss options with you.
It is totally normal to experience period-pain type cramps after your procedure, which can be eased using pain killers.
Once an IUD has been fitted, it’ll need to be checked by a GP after 3 to 6 weeks to make sure everything is fine.