Long Acting Contraception

The main way they work is to stop your ovaries releasing an egg each month (ovulation). They also: thicken the mucus from your cervix (entrance to the womb), making it difficult for sperm to move through it and reach an egg make the lining of your uterus (womb) thinner to stop a fertilised egg implanting.

If 100 sexually active women don’t use any contraception, 80 to 90 will get pregnant in a year. If the injection is always used perfectly, according to instructions, it’s over 99% effective.

This means that fewer than 1 in 100 injection-users will get pregnant in a year. If the injection is not always used according to instructions, about 6 in 100 injection-users will get pregnant in a year.

It’s important to have your next injection at the right time. If you miss, or are late, having the next injection you may not be protected from pregnancy.

Advantages:

• You don’t have to think about contraception for as long as the injection lasts
• It’s not affected by other medicines
• It may reduce heavy painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms for some people
• You can use it if you’re breastfeeding It’s a good method if you can’t use oestrogens, like those in the combined pill, contraceptive patch and contraceptive vaginal ring 

Disadvantages: 

• Your periods may change in a way that’s not acceptable to you  - click here to find out more (link to FPA site)
• Irregular bleeding may continue for some months after you stop the injections
• Some people may put on weight when they use Depo-Provera or Sayana Press
• The injection works for 13 or 8 weeks, depending on which type you have.
• It can’t be removed from your body, so if you have any side effects, you have to be prepared for them to continue during this time and for some time afterwards
• There can be a delay of up to 1 year before the return of your periods and fertility after stopping the injection
• Contraceptive injections don’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so you
• Some people experience side effects such as spotty skin, hair loss, decreased libido (sex drive), mood swings and headaches

Please call 0208 9705724 to book an appointment three weeks ahead.

For Depo-Provera or Sayana Press, you’ll need to have an injection once every 13 weeks. Depo-Provera is injected into a muscle, usually in the buttocks. It can also sometimes be given in the arm. Sayana Press is injected just beneath the skin at the front of the thigh or abdomen, with a tiny needle.

We offer in-clinic Depo-Provera injections. However, we are encouraging women to consider the equivalent self-injection “Sayana Press”. This method allows you to have full control over your injections and administer them yourself at home.

Please visit the website below for further information on Sayana Press:

https://www.sayanaanswers.co.uk/home

 

Find out more

 

The implant is the most effective method of contraception. It’s well over 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 implant users will get pregnant in the rest year of use. If 100 sexually active women don’t use any contraception, 80 to 90 will get pregnant in a year. The implant is a method of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). LARC is very effective because it doesn’t depend on you remembering to take or use it.

The main way it works is to stop your ovaries releasing an egg each month (ovulation). It also:

• thickens the mucus from your cervix (entrance to the womb), making it difficult for sperm to move through it and reach an egg
• makes the lining of your uterus (womb) thinner to stop a fertilised egg implanting

Advantages

• It works for 3 years
• You can use it if you’re breastfeeding
• Your fertility will return to normal as soon as the implant is taken out
• It may reduce heavy, painful periods It may improve acne for some people

Disadvantages

• Your periods may change in a way that isn’t acceptable to you - click here to find out more
• You may get side effects like headaches, breast tenderness or mood changes
• You may get acne or your acne may get worse
• It won’t work if you use enzyme-inducing drugs
• It requires a small procedure to insert and remove it
• An implant doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so you may want to use condoms as well

Please call 0208 9705724 to book an appointment.

A trained doctor or nurse will give you a local anaesthetic injection to numb the part of your arm where the implant will go. You will have a small scar where the implant went in your arm and this will fade over time.

To remove an implant a tiny cut in your skin is made and it is gently pulled out. It usually only takes a few minutes to remove an implant. If you want to carry on using an implant, the doctor or nurse can put a new one in at the same time.

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The IUD is over 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 IUD users will get pregnant in 1 year. When the IUD is used for 5 years, fewer than 2 in 100 IUD users will get pregnant over 5 years. If 100 sexually active women don’t use any contraception 80 to 90 will get pregnant in a year.

The copper in the IUD prevents sperm from surviving and alters your cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.

An IUD may also work by stopping a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus. An IUD doesn’t cause an abortion.

Advantages

• It works as soon as it’s put in It works for 5 or 10 years, depending on type
• It can be used if you’re breastfeeding
• It’s not affected by other medicines
• Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUD is taken out 

What are the disadvantages? 

• Your periods may be heavier, longer or more painful. This may improve after a few months - click here to find out more (link to FPA site)
• You’ll need an internal examination when the IUD is fitted
• The IUD doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so you may want to use condoms as well
• The IUD doesn’t increase your risk of infection, but if you get an infection when an IUD is in place this could lead to a pelvic infection if it isn’t treated

Please call 0208 9705724 to book an appointment.

Pre-fitting information

Please read the following information and watch the video before your IUD fitting appointment.

It is important that you are suitably prepared prior to the fitting of your intrauterine device (IUD).

Add a similar Video like  Information about intrauterine contraception from CNWL NHS Foundation Trust on Vimeo.

To undergo safe fitting, you must fulfil one of the following criteria: 

• Using a hormonal method of contraception correctly for a minimum of 4 weeks
• Have not had un-protected vaginal sex since the beginning of your last period
• Have not had un-protected vaginal sex for at least 3 weeks
• Using a non-expired IUD that needs replacing and have not had un-protected vaginal sex in the last 7 days

What happens during your fitting. 

The IUD is inserted into your uterus (womb). A doctor or nurse will examine you internally to and the position and size of your uterus before they put in an IUD.

Your appointment will last around 20 to 30 minutes. Inserting the IUD usually takes around 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people and you may be offered a local anaesthetic. Your doctor or nurse should talk to you about this beforehand. You may get a period-type pain and some light bleeding for a few days after the IUD is fitted. Pain-relieving drugs can help with this.

The doctor or nurse will teach you how to feel the threads to make sure the coil is still in place. It is very unlikely that a coil will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads, or if you think you can feel the coil itself, you may not be protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use an extra contraceptive method, such as condoms. If you had sex recently you might need to use emergency contraception.

Post-fitting information

What you should expect after the fitting and when you should seek advice. 

• Bleeding - You may experience some light vaginal bleeding after the fitting.
• Pain - You may experience some lower abdominal (tummy) cramping for a few days after the fitting. Taking regular pain relief can help to relieve these symptoms.
• Having sex - A copper IUD is effective as a contraceptive immediately.

You should seek further help if:

• The pain does not settle within a week, or is getting worse
• You experience a continuous aching pain in your lower abdomen or a smelly discharge, or feel hot, shivery or unwell, particularly within the first 3 weeks of fitting. This may suggest an infection.
• You get deep pain during sex
• You cannot feel the threads or think you can feel the stem of the device

Alternatively, you may visit your GP or your local A&E if you are very unwell / if it is an emergency.

Find out more

The hormonal IUD is very effective because it doesn’t depend on you remembering to use it. It’s over 99% effective. Fewer than 1 in 100 hormonal IUD users will get pregnant in a year. If 100 people who could get pregnant don’t use any contraception, 80 to 90 will get pregnant in a year.

• It thickens the mucus in your cervix (entrance to the womb). This makes it difficult for sperm to move through it and reach an egg
• It makes your uterus (womb) lining thinner to help stop a fertilised egg implanting
• In some people, it stops the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation). Most people who use a hormonal IUD will continue to ovulate
• A hormonal IUD doesn’t cause an abortion

Advantages

• Periods usually become much lighter and shorter and sometimes less painful. For some people, bleeding stops completely. This isn’t harmful
• Some types (Mirena, Levosert and Benilexa) can be used to treat heavy or painful periods
• You don’t have to remember to use it
• Works as contraception for 3 years (Jaydess), 5 years (Kyleena), 6 years (Levosert and Benilexa) or 8 years (Mirena)
• It’s not affected by other medicines
• Can be used if you’re breastfeeding
• Your fertility returns to normal as soon as the hormonal IUD is taken out
• It’s useful if you can’t use oestrogens, like those in the combined pill, the contraceptive patch and the contraceptive vaginal ring
• A Mirena, Levosert or Benilexa IUD can be used as the progestogen part of HRT to protect the lining of your uterus (womb)

Disadvantages

• Your bleeding pattern may change in a way that is not acceptable to you – see Will the IUD affect my periods?
• You may get side effects like spotty skin, breast tenderness, headaches or mood changes. These usually get better after the first few months
• You’ll need an internal examination. Your healthcare professional will gently feel your tummy and inside your vagina to check the position, size and shape of your uterus
• The hormonal IUD doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so you may want to use condoms as well

Please call 0208 9705724 to book an appointment.

Pre-fitting information

Please view this video for useful information about your fitting:
 

To undergo safe fitting, you must fulfil one of the following criteria: 

• Using a hormonal method of contraception correctly for a minimum of 4 weeks
• Have not had un-protected vaginal sex since the beginning of your last period
• Have not had un-protected vaginal sex for at least 3 weeks
• Using a non-expired IUD/IUS that needs replacing and have not had un-protected vaginal sex in the last 7 days

What happens during your fitting?

The IUS is put into your uterus through your vagina by a trained healthcare professional. They will feel your tummy and inside your vagina first to find the position and size of your uterus (womb). Your appointment will last around 20 to 30 minutes. Inserting the IUS usually takes around 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people. Your healthcare professional should discuss pain relief options with you, including over the counter painkillers and local anaesthetic. Tell your healthcare professional if it feels painful or uncomfortable when the IUS is being fitted. You can choose to pause or stop at any time. You may get a period-type pain and some light bleeding for a few days after the IUS is fitted. You can take painkillers if you want to.

The doctor or nurse will teach you how to feel the threads to make sure the coil is still in place. It is very unlikely that a coil will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads, or if you think you can feel the coil itself, you may not be protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use an extra contraceptive method, such as condoms. If you had sex recently you might need to use emergency contraception.

Post-fitting information

What you should expect after the fitting and when you should seek advice. 

• Bleeding - You may experience some light vaginal bleeding after the fitting.
• Pain - You may experience some lower abdominal (tummy) cramping for a few days after the fitting. Taking regular pain relief can help to relieve these symptoms. 

Having sex:

• If it’s fitted in the first 7 days of your cycle, you’ll be protected from pregnancy straight away. If you have a very short cycle or a cycle that changes, ask your healthcare professional if condoms are advised for the first 7 days
• If it’s fitted at any other time, you’ll need to use condoms or avoid sex for the first 7 days

You should seek further help if:

• The pain does not settle within a week, or is getting worse
• You experience a continuous aching pain in your lower abdomen or a smelly discharge, or feel hot, shivery or unwell, particularly within the first 3 weeks of fitting. This may suggest an infection.
• You get deep pain during sex
• You cannot feel the threads or think you can feel the stem of the device
• Alternatively, you may visit your GP or your local A&E if you are very unwell / if it is an emergency.

Find out more: