What are the alternatives to hormonal coil?

The copper coil provides long-acting contraception without hormones, although periods may become heavier or more painful for some people. The contraceptive implant is a hormone-releasing method placed under the skin of the arm and can be removed when pregnancy is desired.

Female sterilisation is intended as a permanent contraception choice. Endometrial ablation treats heavy bleeding rather than providing contraception, and pregnancy after it can be dangerous, so reliable contraception is still needed. Painful or heavy bleeding may also reflect adenomyosis or another womb condition that needs separate assessment.

Tell your clinician whether you want hormone-free contraception, lighter periods, long-term protection, easy reversibility or no future pregnancy. Discuss your bleeding pattern, pelvic pain, migraine history, medicines and any condition affecting the womb.

If the hormonal coil was suggested to treat heavy bleeding rather than contraception, ask what other treatments address the underlying cause. A scan or examination may be useful when symptoms suggest adenomyosis or endometrial hyperplasia.

Seek prompt care for severe pelvic pain, fever, faintness, very heavy bleeding, a positive pregnancy test with pain or bleeding, or concern that a device has moved. New bleeding after a procedure should be assessed if it is heavy, persistent or accompanied by illness.

Which option is safest with my medical history? Could it change my periods? How quickly does fertility return after removal? Do I need contraception after ablation? Should my bleeding or pain be investigated first?