You may wish to have your coil (IUCD) removed for the following reasons:
- You want to become pregnant
- Your current device has expired and you want to have another fitted
- You are having problems with the device and wish to change to another method of contraception
Before you have your coil removed
- If you do not want to become pregnant and are not going to have another IUD or IUS put in you must use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days before the IUD or IUS is taken out.
- This is to stop sperm getting into your body. Sperm can live for up to seven days inside your body and could cause a pregnancy once the IUD or IUS is removed. Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUD or IUS is taken out.
- If you want to try for a baby, start pre-pregnancy care such as taking folic acid, stopping smoking and reducing the amount of alcohol you drink prior to the coil being removed. You can ask your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist for advice. Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUD or IUS is taken out.
How is your coil (IUCD) removed?
- A trained doctor or nurse can take the IUD out by pulling gently on the threads
- There is normally no, or very little, discomfort when having it removed
- If the threads are not present you may need to have an ultrasound scan and an appointment for removal in one of our specialist contraception clinics