Good news ladies, if you currently have a Mirena®, Benilexa® or Levosert®  hormonal coil in you can now safely rely on it as effective contraception method for up to 8 years. New and existing users can be advised that their device can be used for contraception for eight years and that this is now within licensed use

For women aged 45 years of age or over at time of coil fitting, any Mirena®, Benilexa® or Levosert® hormonal coil can safely be retained up to 55 years of age after which, use of any type of contraception should no longer be required.

Please Note:

• If any of these hormonal coils are being used for contraception and HRT together, or solely for HRT support, the coil will still need to be replaced after 5-years use
• If any of these hormonal coils are being used for bleeding management it is recommended an exchange of coil may be considered between 3-8 years Suffolk Sexual Health Services and Essex Sexual Health Services do not offer an exchange of a coil for HRT-use or for bleeding management only.

Please see your GP for this or ask for a referral to gynaecology.

This new guidance does not apply to other types of hormonal coil (Kyleena® or Jaydess®) or to any copper coil.

If you are unsure which coil you had fitted please contact the original service who fitted your coil and they will be able to give you the type of coil and what date it was fitted.