The Hormonal Coil (IUS): A “Fit and Forget” Option

Key Information:

Simplifying the Choice: With so many contraceptive options available, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. This video breaks down one of the most effective methods, the hormonal coil (Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System), answering what it is, why people choose it, and how it works.

What is it?:

A small, soft, T-shaped plastic device (about the size of a pound coin).
It is fitted inside your womb by a trained professional during a short appointment.
Once fitted, it lasts between 3 to 8 years (depending on the type).

Why Choose the Hormonal Coil?

High Effectiveness: It is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, making it one of the most reliable methods available.

Convenience: It is a “fit and forget” method. There are no pills to remember every day.

Reversible: If you want to get pregnant or stop using it, it can be removed at any time. Your fertility returns to normal straight away.

Period Management: It can make periods much lighter and less painful. For many, periods stop completely after the first year.

How It Works: The “Watering Spike” Analogy

The device works by releasing a very small amount of a hormone called progesterone.

Local Delivery: Think of it like a watering spike for a houseplant. Instead of flooding the whole plant (the body) with water, the spike delivers a tiny, steady drip directly to the roots (the womb) where it is needed most.

The Mechanism: This local hormone release prevents pregnancy in two ways:

Thins the Lining: It thins the lining of the womb so a fertilised egg cannot implant.
Thickens Mucus: It thickens the mucus at the entrance to the womb, stopping sperm from getting through.

The Hormonal Coil (IUS): A "Fit and Forget" Option

Key Information:

Why Choose the Hormonal Coil?

How It Works: The “Watering Spike” Analogy

What Happens Next?

Further Information