Do you need to wear condom's for the first 6 weeks of having the merina coil fitted?

[stars130783]

Do you need to wear condom's for the first six weeks of having the Merina Coil fitted? I've read on line that its sensible to do so, i was not told this, now im worried as myself and my long term boyfriend have not used "extra" protection. I had the coil fitted just over 4 weeks.

[CharlieJoe]

Hi,

The short answer is no.....

The Intra-uterine System (IUS) or Mirena coil provides full contraception after being in place for 7 days so after 7 days you are covered against pregnancy. It is important that you and your partner have been screened for STI's before you stop using condoms though.

I think where the six weeks comes from is that's the time period where the mirena is most likely to be expelled (your womb doesn't like the coil being there and forces it out). This is why it's important for you to check the strings (you should have been shown how to do this when it was fitted) regularly to start with then after every time you have a period after that.

If you can't feel the strings you need to assume it's fallen out and you aren't covered by contraception and head back to your sexual health clinic to have a look and give you emergency contraception if its needed.

Hope that helps..

[BASHH1 Partner]

The family planning association does some great information leaflets on all contraceptive methods.

fpa.org.uk/helpandadvice/co...

Should give you all the information you need.