What is the hormonal coil?

What exactly is the hormonal coil?

The hormonal coil, known by brand names such as Mirena, is also called a hormonal intrauterine system. It is a small, flexible, T-shaped device that sits inside the womb. It looks a little like a Copper T, but it works in a different way. Instead of copper, it contains a hormone that it releases slowly, in a very small amount, directly inside the womb, where it is needed. Because it works locally, very little of the hormone reaches the rest of the body.

It is a highly reliable, reversible method of contraception, and once it is in place you do not need to remember anything from day to day. This guide is by Dr Mayur Pai, MBBS, MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

How does the hormonal coil prevent pregnancy?

The hormone released by the coil works in two main ways. It thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb, the cervix, so that sperm cannot pass through easily, and it keeps the lining of the womb thin, so that a pregnancy is unlikely to settle there. In some women it may also affect the release of an egg.

One hormonal coil protects against pregnancy for up to five years. It can be removed at any time before then if you change your mind or want to become pregnant, and a new one can be fitted at the end of its life if you wish to continue. Once it is removed, your natural fertility returns soon, so it suits women who want a pregnancy later, just not now. If that is part of your plans, you can read about preparing for a pregnancy.

How does the hormonal coil affect periods?

Because the lining of the womb stays thin, periods often become much lighter and shorter, and period pain often eases. For some women, periods stop altogether while the coil is in place. This is not harmful, and periods return after the device is removed. For this reason the hormonal coil is also widely used to help women with heavy periods, not only as contraception.

In the first few months after fitting, it is common to have some light, irregular bleeding or spotting. This usually settles as the body adjusts. Some women notice other effects, such as breast tenderness, skin changes or mood changes, which also tend to settle. If anything troubles you, talk to us.

Who is the hormonal coil suitable for?

The hormonal coil suits many women. It is a good choice if you want reliable, long-lasting protection without a daily routine, if you have heavy or painful periods, or if you want to delay a pregnancy for a few years while keeping the option open. It can often be used by women who have been advised to avoid the combined pill, and by mothers who are breastfeeding.

It is not right for everyone. It cannot be fitted if you might be pregnant, and it may not be suitable if you have an infection in the pelvis at the time, unexplained bleeding, certain conditions affecting the shape of the womb, or certain other medical conditions. That is why we always examine you and talk through your health first. You can compare it with other methods on our contraception page, and we will decide together.

How is the hormonal coil fitted?

Fitting is a short procedure, done at the hospital, and it usually takes only a few minutes. We first make sure you are not pregnant, and we examine you. The coil comes sealed and sterile in its own inserter, and every instrument we use is single-use, opened fresh for you. You lie as you would for an internal examination, a speculum is gently placed, and the device is passed through the neck of the womb with a thin tube and released into position.

You may feel a cramp, like a period pain, during the fitting and for a short while afterwards, and this usually passes quickly. Fine threads are left high in the vagina, out of the way, so that the device can be removed easily later. At a follow-up visit, we check that the coil is sitting well, and an ultrasound scan can confirm its position. Many women go about their day soon afterwards.

What should you watch for after fitting?

Some cramping and spotting in the first days are expected. Please contact us promptly if you have strong or worsening pain low in your tummy, a fever, an unusual or bad-smelling discharge, pain during sex, or if you think you might be pregnant. It is also worth letting us know if you can feel the hard part of the device, or if you cannot feel the threads when you normally could, as this may mean it has moved.

Why do we fit the hormonal coil so often?

In our practice, we fit the hormonal coil very frequently, and it is a method our team knows well. It is one of the options we most often suggest when a woman wants long-lasting protection, lighter periods, or both. That experience means we can explain it clearly, fit it carefully and look after you properly afterwards.

One thing the hormonal coil does not do is protect against infections passed on through sex. If you have a new partner, or are not sure, using condoms as well is a wise habit. And if you are thinking more broadly about avoiding an unplanned pregnancy, we are happy to talk it through.

Getting started

If you would like to know whether the hormonal coil is right for you, call or message us, and we will help you. Whether you are married or not, you are welcome, and everything you share with us stays private. The hormonal coil is fitted in person at the hospital in Goa, after an examination. Free patient transport is available from across Goa and nearby areas. This article is for education only and is not personal medical advice; please consult your doctor about your own situation.

Or call +91 75582 52088 · 0832 251 3641

This page is for general education and is not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your own examination and reports, so please speak to a doctor about your situation. We do not carry out or offer sex determination of any kind.