You have requested and been appointed for a removal of your Intrauterine device (coil) by one of the nursing team at the surgery.
It is imperative that you read and follow the enclosed information, as failure to do so may result in the procedure being abandoned.
Please attend the surgery on time for your appointment. It is important that you do not attend with children of any age as you will not be able to look after them during the procedure. They are welcome to wait in the waiting room with an appropriate adult that you have brought to supervise them adequately.
Please take some pain relief (paracetamol and / or Ibuprofen as allergies or intolerances allow) about 30 minutes prior to the removal. Coil removal is uncomfortable for just a short time, but some women can find it painful.
Please bring a sanitary towel as it is not uncommon to bleed for a day or two after the procedure.
Please ensure that you have had something to eat and drink before the procedure.
Women over the age of 55 years:
There are no special requirements needed
Women who are under the age of 55 years
Please abstain from intercourse for 7 completed days prior to the procedure and be aware that contraceptive benefit is lost immediately after removal.
Should contraception be needed, please arrange this to start before the coil is removed.
Contraceptive advice can be found on our website:
Women’s Health Hub – Beacon Medical Group
Women who are planning a pregnancy:
Please ensure that you have commenced folic acid and Vitamin D 12 weeks prior to the coil removal.
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vitamins-supplements-and-nutrition
If you have a BMI greater than 30, you will need high dose folic acid prescribed by your GP. Please ensure that you weigh yourself at home or using the POD in the waiting room at the Mudge Way site in Plympton and the Station Road site in Ivybridge.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator
Please ensure that your cervical screening (smear test) is up to date. This can be done at the same time as removing your coil if you are due.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening
If you are on a regular medication, please contact your usual GP to discuss whether this is safe in pregnancy.
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/medicines
Contact can be made using the online consultation service:
Women who have lost threads on their device, are having problems or who are using their coil for HRT will not be directly appointed for a nurse removal but will be asked to speak with a General Practitioner from the Well Woman Team first.
Should you need to cancel your appointment, please telephone the surgery in ample time that we can use your appointment for another patient.
Appointments are 15 minutes long and you will be fine to drive home afterwards or return to work.
Dr Louise Horrocks
On behalf of Beacon Medical Group
Date: 23rd November 2022