Pain During Coil Fitting: What to Expect
Medically reviewed by Mr Amer Raza MBBS MRCOG, GMC 5205372 | Last reviewed: 11 September 2026
Pain during a coil fitting is common but usually brief. Most women feel cramping similar to period pain as the cervix opens to let the device through, and it settles within a few minutes of the coil being in place. The whole procedure typically takes 5-15 minutes, and the sharpest moments are short – measuring the uterus and inserting the device – rather than the appointment as a whole. Some women find it more uncomfortable than others, particularly if they haven’t given birth vaginally or if the cervix is harder to reach, however severe pain or feeling faint during the procedure isn’t something to just push through. Knowing what each step feels like, and what options are available for pain relief, makes the experience far more manageable.
Key Facts: Coil fitting takes 5-15 minutes and most pain happens in two short moments – measuring the uterus and inserting the device. Cramping is usually similar to period pain and eases quickly once the coil is in place. Pain relief options include over the counter painkillers beforehand and, if needed, a local anaesthetic at the clinic. Tell your clinician straight away if pain is severe or you feel faint or dizzy.
“The two moments that cause the most discomfort during a coil fitting are measuring the uterus and passing the device through the cervix, and both are over in seconds. I talk women through each step as it happens, because knowing what’s coming next makes a real difference to how it feels.
If someone tells me beforehand that they’re anxious, or that a previous fitting was difficult, we slow down and I’ll discuss options like a local anaesthetic. There’s no reason to grit your teeth through it if there’s a more comfortable way to do it.
Feeling briefly lightheaded afterwards isn’t unusual either, and we always ask women to rest for a few minutes before leaving rather than rushing straight out.”
Mr Amer Raza, Consultant Gynaecologist and Robotic Surgeon, Ovara Health
Is Pain During Coil Fitting Normal?
Yes. Some discomfort during a coil fitting is expected, and on its own it isn’t a sign that anything is wrong.
The cervix has to open slightly to let the device pass through, and that triggers cramping in the same way period pain does – it’s the uterus responding to the cervix opening, not an injury. Most women describe the sensation as strong period cramps that last only seconds at the moments the cervix and uterus are being worked with, rather than constant pain throughout the appointment.
How much it hurts varies a lot from person to person. Cervical sensitivity, whether you’ve given birth vaginally and how relaxed you’re able to stay all play a part, and none of them can be predicted with certainty beforehand.
What Does Coil Fitting Pain Actually Feel Like?
Most women describe two distinct sensations rather than one continuous pain. There’s a pressure or pinching feeling as the speculum is positioned and the cervix is steadied, and then a sharper, period-like cramp lasting a few seconds at the point the device is measured and inserted.
Some women feel only pressure and mild discomfort throughout. Others feel a sharper cramp that takes their breath for a moment, particularly during insertion itself. Both are within the normal range, and neither means the fitting has gone wrong.
The cramping tends to settle quickly once the coil is in place, often within a minute or two, though some mild aching can continue for a short while afterwards as the uterus adjusts.
What Happens Step by Step During a Coil Fitting?
Knowing what each part of the appointment involves – and which moments are the ones that tend to cause discomfort – makes the whole thing easier to prepare for.
Why Is Coil Fitting More Painful for Some Women?
A few factors make the fitting more uncomfortable, and knowing them beforehand helps set realistic expectations rather than assuming something has gone wrong.
Women who haven’t given birth vaginally often find it more uncomfortable, since the cervical opening is naturally tighter and needs to stretch slightly more to allow the device through. A cervix that sits at an unusual angle, or conditions like endometriosis or pelvic floor tension, can also increase resistance and make the cramping feel sharper.
Anxiety plays a real part too – tensing up makes the pelvic muscles tighter, which can make an already brief moment feel more intense than it needs to. Staying as relaxed as possible, and breathing steadily through the sharper moments, genuinely helps.
Worried about pain during your coil fitting? You do not need a GP referral to be seen at Ovara Health. Call us on 0207 751 4488 or book a consultation to discuss pain relief options for your fitting in Chelsea.
Not ready to book? Send us an enquiry instead
Can You Have Pain Relief During a Coil Fitting?
Yes, and it’s worth discussing beforehand rather than assuming nothing can be done. Taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen around an hour before your appointment, if suitable for you, is the simplest step and reduces cramping for many women.
A local anaesthetic can also be used to numb the cervix before the fitting, and it’s worth asking for this directly if you’re anxious about pain or if a previous fitting was difficult. Not every clinic offers it as standard, however it should always be discussed as an option if you want it. At Ovara Health, we talk through pain relief preferences before the appointment starts rather than assuming a one size fits all approach.
Staying relaxed matters as much as any medication. Slow breathing through the sharper moments, and speaking honestly with the clinician if something feels too uncomfortable, both help keep the procedure as brief and manageable as possible.
How Can You Prepare for a Coil Fitting to Make It More Comfortable?
A few practical steps before your appointment can make a genuine difference to how the fitting feels.
Take a suitable painkiller around an hour beforehand if advised, and try to avoid arriving rushed or on an empty stomach, since both can make you feel more lightheaded during the procedure. Wearing something comfortable that’s easy to remove from the waist down saves a bit of stress on the day, and eating a light meal beforehand helps if you’re prone to feeling faint at appointments generally.
If you know a previous smear test or internal examination was uncomfortable, mention this when you book so the appointment can be planned around it – whether that’s allowing extra time, discussing a local anaesthetic in advance or simply talking through the steps in more detail before starting. Bringing a friend or partner for support is also fine if that helps you feel calmer, and arranging a lift home rather than driving yourself is sensible in case you feel a little unsteady afterwards.
What If the Fitting Feels More Painful Than Expected?
Tell your clinician straight away if pain is more than you expected, rather than trying to push through it. It’s normal to check in part way through, and pausing for a moment rarely takes more than a minute or two.
A small number of women feel dizzy, faint or nauseous during or just after the procedure. This is known as a vasovagal reaction and is a recognised, usually harmless response to cervical stimulation rather than a sign of a problem with the coil itself. It’s why you’re asked to rest for a few minutes before leaving the clinic.
If the cervix is proving difficult to reach – because of its angle, or scarring from previous procedures – your clinician may pause, adjust technique or, in some cases, recommend fitting under sedation or general anaesthetic at a later date instead of continuing with a fitting that isn’t progressing comfortably.
During the appointment, tell your clinician immediately if you feel severe pain, or if you feel faint, dizzy or nauseous. These are common and manageable, however they’re always worth flagging in the moment rather than afterwards.
How Long Does the Pain Last After the Coil Is In?
The sharp cramping during insertion typically eases within a minute or two of the coil being in place. Mild aching, similar to the start of a period, can continue for a few hours afterwards and is normal.
Pain that continues to build in the days after fitting, rather than settling, is a different pattern to what happens during the procedure itself and is covered in more detail in our guide to pain after coil fitting.
What Happens at a Coil Fitting at Ovara Health?
You do not need a GP referral to be seen. A coil fitting at our Chelsea clinic is carried out by a consultant gynaecologist rather than a nurse or trainee, and the whole appointment – including time to talk through the procedure and any questions beforehand – usually takes around 30 minutes.
We talk through pain relief options before starting, including timing of painkillers and whether a local anaesthetic would help, so nothing comes as a surprise once the fitting begins. You’re talked through each step as it happens, and asked to rest for a few minutes afterwards before you leave.
If you’ve had a difficult fitting before, or you’re anxious about pain, mention it when you book. We can plan the appointment around that rather than treating every fitting the same way.
For related reading, see our guides to pain after coil fitting, bleeding after coil fitting and coil advice and aftercare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain During Coil Fitting
Does it hurt to have a coil fitted?
Most women feel some discomfort, usually described as strong period cramps lasting a few seconds at two points – measuring the uterus and inserting the device. It’s rarely painful throughout the whole appointment, and the sharpest moments are brief.
How painful is a coil fitting on a scale of 1 to 10?
It varies a lot between women, but most describe it somewhere around 3-6 out of 10 at its sharpest point, similar to strong period cramps. A smaller number find it more painful, particularly if they haven’t given birth vaginally or feel very anxious.
Can I ask for local anaesthetic for a coil fitting?
Yes. A local anaesthetic to numb the cervix can be used if you’d prefer it or if a previous fitting was difficult. It’s worth asking for this directly when you book, since not every clinic offers it as standard.
Can I take painkillers before a coil fitting?
Yes, taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen around an hour before your appointment, if suitable for you, is a simple step that reduces cramping for many women.
Is coil fitting more painful if you haven’t had children?
It can be, since the cervical opening is naturally tighter and needs to stretch slightly more for the device to pass through. It doesn’t mean the coil is unsuitable, simply that the fitting itself may feel a little more intense.
What happens if I feel faint during a coil fitting?
Feeling briefly lightheaded, dizzy or nauseous during or after the procedure is a recognised response called a vasovagal reaction, and it’s usually harmless. You’ll be asked to rest for a few minutes before leaving the clinic to make sure you feel steady.
How long does the coil fitting procedure take?
The fitting itself usually takes 5-15 minutes. The whole appointment, including discussion beforehand and rest afterwards, is typically around 30 minutes.
Can a coil be fitted under sedation or general anaesthetic?
In most cases a coil is fitted awake in clinic, however if the cervix is difficult to reach or a previous fitting has been very difficult, sedation or general anaesthetic can sometimes be arranged instead. This is worth discussing with your consultant if it applies to you.
Does a hormonal coil hurt more to fit than a copper coil?
No. Both are fitted using the same technique and the same instruments, so the level of discomfort during the fitting itself is very similar regardless of which type of coil you’re having.
What’s the difference between pain during and after a coil fitting?
Pain during the fitting is brief, lasting seconds at a time as the cervix opens and the device is inserted. Pain after the fitting is a longer, milder settling in period that can continue on and off for 1-2 weeks. See our guide to pain after coil fitting for more detail on that stage.
Can I bring someone with me to a coil fitting?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring a friend or partner for support if that helps you feel more comfortable. Let us know when you book so we can plan the appointment accordingly.
When should I be concerned about pain during a coil fitting?
Tell your clinician straight away if pain is severe, doesn’t ease once the coil is in place, or is accompanied by significant dizziness or feeling unwell. These are the moments to speak up in the appointment itself rather than waiting to see if things settle.
Sources
- NHS. What happens: Intrauterine device (IUD). nhs.uk
- NHS. What happens: Intrauterine system (IUS) or hormonal coil. nhs.uk
- Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. Intrauterine contraception guidance. fsrh.org
This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice. If you’re concerned about pain during a coil fitting, please speak to a doctor. If you need urgent help, contact your GP, call 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
Speak to a Consultant Gynaecologist in Chelsea
If you’re anxious about pain during a coil fitting, a conversation beforehand about pain relief options can make a real difference to how the appointment feels. No GP referral is needed.