Prior to a coil fitting or coil change, we need to ensure there is no infection present. The patient should see the nurse for swabs at least a week before the coil is fitted. If the swabs were done within 6 months, no further swabs needed unless the patient has had a different sexual partner.
We need to ensure that the patient could not be pregnant before fitting a coil.
Ideally a coil is fitted in the first 5 days of a period.
If this is not possible, the patient must not have sexual intercourse, or must carefully use condoms from the beginning of the last period.
For a coil change, this would ideally be during a period. If this is not possible, (eg patient may not have periods if they have a Mirena coil, or we cannot schedule the coil change at the correct time in the cycle), the patient must abstain from sexual intercourse or use condoms for 7 days before the coil change. This is to ensure they do not get pregnant in the process of the coil change, particularly if the new coil will not go in.
Visit the NHS website for more information about having a coil fitted