Guidance has recently changed with regards to duration of use of hormone containing coils.

These are also known as a hormone containing intra-uterine device which is sometimes abbreviated to LNG-IUD referring to the hormone contained within levonorgestrel. You will most likely know it as the Mirena coil (other brand names are Levosert and Benilexa). 

You will either have this coil in place for contraception purposes or as the progesterone component to your HRT. 

Contraception

The Faculty for Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) has recently advised the following changes: 

  • If you are under 45 years and using the Mirena hormonal coil for contraception it can now be used for 8 years (instead of 5 years).
  • If you are under 45 years and using the Levosert or Benilexa hormonal coil for contraception it can now be used for 6 years (instead of 5 years).
  • If you are 45 or over
    • and had the hormonal coil inserted before the age of 45, then the above guidance applies.
    • and had any of the above named hormonal coils inserted after the age of 45 and you are using the hormonal coil for contraception (and Not HRT) you can continue to use it as contraception until you reach 55 years, at which point it is assumed that contraception is no longer needed and it can be removed by our practice nurses.

If you are using a coil for contraception purposes, you can contact the sexual health clinic directly for a replacement coil when it is nearing expiration.

HRT

If you are using the hormonal coil at any age as part of your HRT please note it remains valid for 5 years only.

It is very important that you have an in-date hormonal coil if using it as your progesterone component of HRT. If you have a uterus (womb) (i.e. you have not had a hysterectomy) then you require progesterone alongside oestrogen as part of your HRT. Oestrogen when given alone could cause changes to the lining of the womb (endometrium) which puts you at greater risk of womb or endometrial cancer. A hormonal coil such as the Mirena provides you with good protection from endometrial cancer when on HRT but it is very important that it is in-date. As the hormones wear out you will have less protection and therefore your risk of developing cancer increases.

We do our best to try and code and date coil insertions in your record but if done elsewhere i.e. in gynaecology or sexual health clinics, or in a previous practice, we might not have that information. We expect you to take responsibility for this and make a note of when your coil was inserted and therefore when it will expire and is due to be changed.