Care · By concern

Contraception and IUD: choosing, inserting, changing, removing, in Paris 16th

Choosing a contraceptive, having it inserted, changing it or having it removed: one of the most frequent reasons for a gynecological (gynaecological) consultation. At the practice, 42 avenue Mozart, Dr Chaima Gatri and Dr Amel Mahdhi-Basli, both OB-GYNs, inform you about the methods, help you choose the one that fits your life, and insert or remove IUDs and implants during the consultation. English-speaking practice.

Recognizing it

Choosing your contraception: the methods

No single method suits every woman. The right choice depends on your age, your medical history, smoking, your periods, your wish for a pregnancy in the short or long term, and how well you tolerate hormones. The main families:

Emergency contraception exists, available at the pharmacy after unprotected intercourse or a missed pill; it does not replace regular contraception. The choice is made at the consultation and reviewed at each stage: after childbirth, after 40, up to menopause.

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The consultation

An assessment, a choice, a prescription

The contraception consultation begins with a conversation: your personal and family history, your medications, smoking, your periods, your plans. The examination includes a blood pressure measurement and, when useful, a gynecological examination and the screening smear test if it is due. A pelvic ultrasound is performed at the practice during the consultation when it informs the choice or checks the position of an IUD. Dr Gatri and Dr Mahdhi-Basli both provide contraception care and IUD or implant insertion and removal: the physician who sees you sets out the methods suited to your situation and writes the prescription. The chosen device is dispensed at the pharmacy; insertion takes place at a dedicated appointment.

After childbirth, contraception is discussed at the postnatal consultation, together with the rest of your obstetric care. After 40, the method is reassessed up to menopause, according to age, smoking and changes in the cycle. Renewals are part of routine gynecological care.

Treatments

Procedures at the practice, step by step

  1. The contraception consultation — information on the methods, help choosing, a check for contraindications, a prescription; for an IUD or an implant, it prepares the insertion.
  2. IUD or implant insertion — at the practice, during a consultation, in a few minutes. The timing of the insertion is chosen with you, often during your period or just after. Passing discomfort, similar to period cramps, is usual during the procedure and in the hours that follow. The implant is placed under the skin of the arm, under local anesthesia. Aftercare instructions are given to you.
  3. Follow-up, replacement and removal — a check-up consultation follows an IUD insertion; an ultrasound at the practice checks its position when useful. Removal is carried out at the practice, at any time; if you wish to continue, the new device is inserted at the same visit.
  4. Permanent sterilization — tubal ligation, or salpingectomy, is performed by Dr Gatri at the Clinique de la Muette, by laparoscopy, most often as day surgery. It is regulated by French law: a written request and a four-month reflection period. Full information is sent to you by e-mail after the consultation. See the Surgery — ovaries and tubes page.

The information sheets of the French College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF), translated into English, are given to you at the consultation: IUD, voluntary sterilization, laparoscopy.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions, our answers

Can I have an IUD if I have never had children?

Yes. IUDs are inserted in women who have not had children, including the youngest. An IUD does not affect fertility, which returns as soon as it is removed. The model is chosen with you.

Does IUD insertion hurt?

The procedure takes a few minutes. Discomfort and cramps similar to period pain are usual during insertion and in the hours that follow, then fade. The physician explains each step and tells you which pain reliever to take.

Copper or hormonal IUD?

Both are kept for several years and can be removed at any time. The copper IUD is hormone-free: your periods stay natural, sometimes heavier. The hormonal IUD makes periods lighter, sometimes absent — an option when they are heavy or painful. The choice depends on your periods, your tolerance of hormones and your preferences.

How long can I keep an IUD or an implant?

Several years: the duration depends on the device and is stated in its leaflet. Removal is carried out at the practice at any time, before that date if you wish.

What should I do if I missed my pill?

Read your pill's leaflet: what to do depends on its type and on how long ago you missed it. After recent intercourse, emergency contraception is available at the pharmacy. Mention it at the consultation: repeated missed pills are a good reason to change method.

Can tubal ligation be done at the practice?

No. It is a surgical procedure, performed by laparoscopy at the Clinique de la Muette by Dr Gatri. French law requires a written request and a four-month reflection period; it all starts with a consultation at the practice.

Is it covered by health insurance?

The consultation, insertion and removal are covered by the French health insurance (Assurance maladie) under the usual sector 2 conditions; IUDs, implants and pills are dispensed at the pharmacy on prescription and reimbursed under the rules in force. The full picture is in “Fees and reimbursement”, further down.

How do I book?

On Doctolib, with Dr Gatri or Dr Mahdhi-Basli (the team), choosing the matching reason — contraception consultation, IUD or implant insertion or removal, device replacement — or by telephone through the secretariat.

Fees

Fees and reimbursement

Consultations and procedures performed at the practice — insertion, replacement and removal of an IUD or implant — are covered by the Assurance maladie under sector 2 (non-OPTAM) conditions; the devices themselves, IUD or implant, like the pill, are dispensed at the pharmacy on prescription and reimbursed under the rules in force; a quotation is provided before any surgical procedure. Fees are listed in the fee schedule and displayed at the practice. The information framework of this site is described on the Patient information and ethics page.

Appointments

Book an appointment

Appointments can be booked online via Doctolib or by telephone through the secretariat.

Doctolib — Wagram Clinic