Implant fitting, exchange & removal
In our Bournemouth clinic only, Dr Rosemary Crinion carries out Coil procedures every Thursday afternoon and Nurse Jenna carries out Implant procedures every Tuesday afternoon.
Implants
A medical device inserted into the upper arm as a form of contraception and lasts up to 3 years.
Copper and Hormone Coils
A medical device fitted into the uterus as a form of contraception and can last between 5 and 10 years. The Hormone Coil can also be used as part of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to help with peri-menopause and menopause symptoms.
If you have not had an implant or coil fitting before and you are wondering which procedure is best for you, please feel free to book a 20-minute appointment with Dr Rosemary Crinion or Dr Catherine Hukins. A 20 minute consultation is priced at £93
If you have already made the decision to have a coil or implant fitted but have not had a pre-coil/implant consultation with one of our women’s health clinicians before, then we will require a 10-minute telephone consultation to be booked in before the procedure is carried out. Please see below for prices and frequently asked questions.
Implant fitting, exchange & removal
- Pre-fitting consultation (if required) - £47
- Implant fitting - £250
- Implant exchange £330
- Implant removal £150
Hormone Coil fitting, exchange & removal
- Pre-fitting consultation (if required) - £47
- Hormone coil fitting - £450
- Hormone coil exchange £470
- Hormone coil removal £93
Copper Coil fitting, exchange & removal
- Pre-fitting consultation (if required) - £47
- Copper coil fitting - £350
- Copper coil exchange £370
- Copper coil removal £93
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the implant and how is it fitted?
The implant we use at Dorset Private GP is a very small device that’s placed just under the skin of the inner, non-dominant upper arm. It measures 1.6 inches in length (4 centimeters) and is approximately 2mm in diameter.
It releases a steady, low dose of progestin, a hormone that works to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways:
- Stops ovulation by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary.
- Thins the lining of your uterus, which makes implantation of the egg more difficult.
- Thickens mucus in the cervix, which makes it harder for the sperm to reach the egg.
It is just as effective as the pill without the daily hassle of taking a tablet every day. The implant prevents pregnancy for up to 3 years.
The implant is the size of a matchstick. Our doctor will give you a local anaesthetic to numb the part of your arm where the implant will go, so it won’t hurt.
It only takes a few minutes to put in and feels similar to having an injection. You won’t need any stitches.
What are the side effects of the implant?
In studies, 1 in 10 women stopped using the implant because of an unfavorable change in their bleeding pattern. You may have:
- Longer or shorter bleeding during your period
- No bleeding at all during the time of your period
- Spotting between your periods
- Varied amounts of time between your periods
Other possible common side effects are:
- Mood Swings, Depressed Mood,
- Weight Gain
- Headache
- Acne
- Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
- Breast pain
- Viral infections such as sore throats or flu-like symptoms,
- Stomach pain, Painful periods or Back pain
- Nausea or dizziness
- Pain at the site of insertion
What is the Copper Coil and how is it fitted?
The copper coil is a form of contraception used by thousands of women all over the world.
The copper coil, is also known as an intrauterine device (IUD)
It is a small T-shaped plastic and copper device that is put into your womb (uterus).
The IUD releases copper into the womb and the copper alters the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to reach an egg and survive. It can also stop a fertilised egg from being able to implant itself. It can stay in place and protect against pregnancy for between 5 and 10 years. IUDs are more than 99% effective.
The IUD can also be fitted as an emergency contraception up to day 19 of a woman’s cycle.
It can be taken out at any time by the doctor and it’s then possible to get pregnant straight away.
If you’re 40 or over when you have an IUD fitted, it can be left in until you reach the menopause, or you no longer need contraception.
An IUD can be fitted at any time during your menstrual cycle, as long as you are not pregnant.
Before your IUD is fitted, the doctor will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb. A nurse will assist the doctor during the fitting, and it should take no longer than 5 minutes.
It’s possible you could feel minor pain and cramping during insertion, but a local anaesthetic is used to numb the areas before the procedure to make it as comfortable as possible.
The vagina is held open, like it is during a smear test (cervical screening) and the IUD is inserted through the cervix and into the womb.
What are the side effects of the copper coil?
The side effects of the IUD can be as follows:
- heavier menstrual bleeding
- slight intermenstrual bleeding
- anaemia
- painful cramping (Dysmenorrhoea) usually in the lower abdomen
- Perforation – There is a very rare risk of perforation within the uterus or cervix and this is usually during insertion of the IUD. If perforation occurs during insertion, the doctor will immediately remove the IUD and treatment will be advised. If perforation occurs due to the IUD becoming dislodged or migrating from its intended position, the common symptoms may include:
- pain and discomfort in the abdomen,
- irregular bleeding
- shortening or disappearance of the strings.
What is the Hormone Coil and how is it fitted?
The hormone coil is a form of contraception used by thousands of women all over the world.
It is also known as the intrauterine system (IUS)
The IUS is a small T-shaped plastic device that is inserted into your womb (uterus).
It releases the hormone progestogen to stop you getting pregnant and lasts 5 years. An IUS is more than 99% effective.
It can make your periods lighter, shorter or stop altogether, so it may help women who have heavy or painful periods.
It can be used by women who cannot use combined contraception (such as the combined pill) – for example, those who have migraines.
There’s no evidence that an IUS will affect your weight or increase the risk of cervical cancer, cancer of the uterus or ovarian cancer.
It can be taken out at any time by the doctor and it’s possible to get pregnant straight away.
The IUS releases the hormone Progestogen into the womb. This thickens the cervical mucus, which makes it more difficult for sperm to move through the cervix; it also thins the lining of the womb, so an egg is less likely to be able to implant itself. For some women, it can also prevent the release of an egg each month (ovulation), but most women continue to ovulate.
If you’re 45 or over when you have an IUS fitted, it can be left in until you reach the menopause, or you no longer need contraception.
Before the IUS is fitted, the doctor will check inside your vagina to check the position and size of your womb.
A nurse will assist the doctor during the fitting, and it should take no longer than 5 minutes.
It’s possible you could feel minor pain and cramping during insertion, but a local anaesthetic is used to numb the areas before the procedure to make it as comfortable as possible.
The vagina is held open, like it is during a smear test (cervical screening) and the IUS is inserted through the cervix and into the womb.
What are the side effects of the Hormone Coil?
You may get period-type cramps after the fitting, but painkillers can ease this. You may also bleed for a few days after having an IUS fitted.
In rare case there can be Damage to the womb
In rare cases, an IUS can make a hole in the womb when it’s put in. This may be painful, but often there are no symptoms. The GP fitting your IUS is very experienced and therefore the risk is extremely low.
Some side effects of the hormone are as follows:
- headaches,
- acne
- breast tenderness
- Some women experience changes in mood and libido, but these changes are very small.
Rare complications following a hormone coil fitting are:
- Perforation – There is a very rare risk of perforation within the uterus or cervix and this is usually during insertion of the IUS. If perforation occurs during insertion, the doctor will immediately remove the IUD and treatment will be advised. If perforation occurs due to the IUS becoming dislodged or migrating from its intended position, the common symptoms may include: pain and discomfort in the abdomen, irregular bleeding, shortening or disappearance of the strings.
- Ovarian Cysts – An uncommon side effect of the IUS is that some women can develop small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries – these usually disappear without treatment.
HOW TO BOOK OR ASK ANY QUESTIONS
If you would like to make a booking or you have any questions, please fill in the form below and we will be in touch as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can call us on 01202 761150 or email reception@dorsetprivategp.co.uk
