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Original poster

Told no sex before Mirena coil fitting but am on pill. Confused.

28 replies

NoMoreLimbo · 02/04/2023 17:58

So, as it says above… I am going (for my third attempt) to have a coil fitted (cervix has stop sign) tomorrow.
I am on the mini pill.
For the first two the nurse (different nurses as at two separate locations) did not mention anything about no sex prior appointment but this time I’ve been told not to have sex prior appointment.
I cannot see anything anywhere online or on NHS websites to say that you cannot have sex. Again, I am using contraception as on mini pill for years. I am a tad confused about the reason. Anyone out there with a good answer?

OP posts:
ChatterMonkey · 02/04/2023 18:01

Is it that difficult to just not have sex one night...? Maybe they just dont want the risk of someone turning up with a load of spunk inside them 🤷‍♀️

Are you planning on continuing to use the mini pill for a week or so after the coil is fitted?

GlassBunion · 02/04/2023 18:03

I don't know for sure but it might be because your cervix needs to be opened in order for the coil to be fitted. Any stray sperms , which can live for a while, might push through maybe?
So if you're not on any existing contraception then you might get pregnant???

PousseyNotMoira · 02/04/2023 18:04

Does it really matter? Just don’t have sex for one night?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
Slimjimtobe · 02/04/2023 18:05

I don’t know but I would refrain from it to be honest as there must be a valid reason

it could be risk of pregnancy and then having the coil in (vaguely remember hearing this)

dementedpixie · 02/04/2023 18:08

I dont see why you need to avoid sex. Keep taking the mini pill for at least 7 days after its been put in.

dementedpixie · 02/04/2023 18:10

I think its more of an issue if you weren't using any contraception prior to getting it but you are.

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 02/04/2023 18:10

Previously I was told to (if the coil fitting worked) just carry on with the mini pill for a few days. I was just trying to understand if there would be any other reason other than risk of pregnancy and have not seen anything about anything else online….

OP posts:
PousseyNotMoira · 02/04/2023 18:11

NoMoreLimbo · 02/04/2023 18:10

Previously I was told to (if the coil fitting worked) just carry on with the mini pill for a few days. I was just trying to understand if there would be any other reason other than risk of pregnancy and have not seen anything about anything else online….

If you want an explanation, then ask at the coil fitting.

Exl · 02/04/2023 18:13

A pregnancy with the coil in would be very dangerous for you, and so they ask you to make the risk of pregnancy zero, and the only way to do that is not have sex. The pill is not 100% effective and neither is any other contraceptive.

(Also it isn’t particularly nice for the person putting their face down there while they insert it, to be that near to your husband’s leavings when that’s so avoidable.)

dementedpixie · 02/04/2023 18:13

It's a bit late to ask once you get to the coil fitting!

YouWithoutEnd · 02/04/2023 18:24

If it’s your third attempt because your cervix isn’t playing ball, perhaps they’re just wondering if it could be to do with your cervix being affected in some way by recent intercourse? Spasm? Bruising?

PousseyNotMoira · 02/04/2023 18:25

dementedpixie · 02/04/2023 18:13

It's a bit late to ask once you get to the coil fitting!

Not if she just wants to know why. 🤷🏽‍♀️

I think not shagging beforehand if you’ve been told not to is a no brainer (and hardly a great hardship). She can go hell for leather afterwards. 😅

Lennybenny · 02/04/2023 18:26

It's because the sperm can stay alive for a while. The coil would push it into a more favourable place for conception.

Try placing your butt on a pillow and tilting your hips up. This opens everything up a bit more. Another option is to sit on your hands and tilt.

Sosadsolangafter · 02/04/2023 18:30

I guess it's not nice for them if you are a bit spunky 😳

Mammillaria · 02/04/2023 18:34

Might it be an infection thing? Increased chance of introducing infectious agents into the uterus.

Not that I'm implying your DH is infectious!

bizzywiththefizzy · 02/04/2023 18:36

Would this not be in regard to risk of infection while fitting coil ? I know that when I had the coil I was always told there was an increased risk .

DivorcedAndDelighted · 02/04/2023 18:56

There are some very speculative answers on here. I have a background in public health & health research and have checked NHS sources on this. It is perfectly reasonable to want to know why the advice was given and if it is appropriate in the individual circumstances.

You should not need to abstain at all, according to the sources I have seen, and also from biological plausibility. As you are on hormonal contraception and are continuing to take it, you will be protected from pregnancy.

The advice to abstain beforehand for those on no or certain methods of contraception is just in case the IUD cannot be fitted, and there are viable sperm still present which could result in conception. For instance, if you're having an IUD replaced you're advised to abstain for 7 days in case they remove the old IUD but then cannot insert the new one. Sperm could be present & ovulation occur after the removal of the old IUD.

I've attached screenshots of one NHS Trust's advice which explains things clearly, but you'll find other examples eg here

Told no sex before Mirena coil fitting but am on pill. Confused.
Told no sex before Mirena coil fitting but am on pill. Confused.
DivorcedAndDelighted · 02/04/2023 19:10

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare publishes guidance for healthcare professionals in IUD use. There does not appear to be anything in these standards which would require you to abstain, if you are taking your hormonal contraceptives correctly. There is advice to abstain if an STI is being treated, but otherwise, as above, the guidance is to avoid pregnancy by abstaining beforehand if you're not using a method which will continue to provide protection. See attached screenshot.

Told no sex before Mirena coil fitting but am on pill. Confused.
cont · 02/04/2023 19:18

Sosadsolangafter · 02/04/2023 18:30

I guess it's not nice for them if you are a bit spunky 😳

This is what I thought too...

teacakie · 02/04/2023 19:25

Because having sperm inside you when you go for a coil fit is a bit gross. I'm surprised you wouldn't know this though.

DivorcedAndDelighted · 02/04/2023 20:00

I really don't think it's anything to do with the person fitting the IUD not liking to deal with semen. These are health professionals who, working on sexual health, will be regularly dealing with semen, discharge, STIs, the lot. They will be wearing gloves. They are unlikely to be fazed by semen. Also, there is no mention of this in the guidance from the sexual health professional faculty mentioned above.

teacakie · 02/04/2023 20:03

DivorcedAndDelighted · 02/04/2023 20:00

I really don't think it's anything to do with the person fitting the IUD not liking to deal with semen. These are health professionals who, working on sexual health, will be regularly dealing with semen, discharge, STIs, the lot. They will be wearing gloves. They are unlikely to be fazed by semen. Also, there is no mention of this in the guidance from the sexual health professional faculty mentioned above.

But in the real word it would be gross thing to do. Totally unnecessary.

Original poster
NoMoreLimbo · 02/04/2023 20:10

@DivorcedAndDelighted Thanks so much for your reply and sharing the information. Which is really what I was looking for and not opinions on whether it is unpleasant or not for the nurse/health professionals if I would have had sex in day before fitting.

OP posts:
LucieLemon · 02/04/2023 20:18

I really doubt it would be sat there in a puddle by the following day! Semen would be indiscernible from any other secretions.

mindutopia · 02/04/2023 20:25

Sex can irritate the cervix. I expect if they think your cervix is being tricky, it’s best to avoid irritating it as much as possible.

That said, I’ve always been advised to abstain from sex before any cervical exams.