IUD and Coil Fitting Supplies: The Complete UK Buying Guide (2026)

Whether you are setting up a new LARC clinic or restocking an established family planning service, choosing the right IUD fitting supplies can make a real difference to procedural efficiency and patient comfort. This guide breaks down every instrument and consumable you need for intrauterine device insertion in UK general practice, sexual health clinics and community settings, with a comparison of the leading single-use IUCD procedure packs available today.

In this article

• What is an IUD fitting and who performs it?
• What equipment do you need for a coil fitting?
• How do single-use IUCD procedure packs compare?
• Can you buy IUD fitting instruments individually?
• How do you choose the right speculum size?
• Should you use single-use or reusable instruments?
• What training and simulation equipment is available?
• Frequently asked questions

What is an IUD fitting and who performs it?

An IUD (intrauterine device) fitting is a minor clinical procedure in which a small contraceptive device is inserted through the cervix and placed inside the uterus. In the UK, two main types are used: the copper IUD (sometimes called the "coil"), which works without hormones, and the intrauterine system (IUS), which releases a small amount of progestogen. Common IUS brands available on the NHS include Mirena, Kyleena, Benilexa and Levosert.

IUD and IUS fittings are carried out by specially trained doctors and nurses working in GP surgeries, sexual health clinics, community contraception services and hospital gynaecology departments. Under the NHS National Enhanced Service framework, GPs who hold a Letter of Competence in Intrauterine Techniques (LoC IUT) from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) can offer fittings directly in primary care. The procedure itself typically takes five to ten minutes, though appointments are usually booked for 20 to 30 minutes to allow for patient assessment, consent and aftercare advice.

What equipment do you need for a coil fitting?

A well-prepared instrument trolley is essential for a smooth and safe IUD insertion. Below is the standard equipment list used across UK clinical settings, based on FSRH clinical guidance and NHS procedure protocols.

Core instruments

• Cusco vaginal speculum: Opens the vaginal canal to provide a clear view of the cervix. Available in sizes from X-Small to Large to suit different patients.
• Uterine sound: A graduated, slender instrument inserted through the cervical os to measure the depth of the uterine cavity. Typical length is 225mm to 320mm, with centimetre markings to confirm cavity depth (usually 6 to 9cm).
• Tenaculum or vulsellum forceps: Grasps the anterior lip of the cervix to stabilise the uterus and straighten the cervical canal during sounding and insertion. Vulsellum forceps (such as Teale pattern) grip with broader teeth, while tenaculum forceps use a single-tooth grip.
• Sponge-holding forceps (Rampley pattern): Holds cotton wool or gauze swabs for cleansing the cervix with antiseptic solution before the procedure.
• Mayo scissors (curved): Used to trim the IUD threads to the correct length after placement, typically leaving 2 to 3cm visible at the external cervical os.

Consumables and accessories

• Gallipot (60ml to 120ml): Holds antiseptic solution for cervical preparation.
• Kidney dish: For receiving used instruments and waste during the procedure.
• Cotton wool balls (large): Used with the sponge holder for cervical cleansing.
• Sterile drape and patient drape: Maintains a clean field around the procedure site.
• Sterile field sheet: Placed beneath the instrument tray.
• The IUD or IUS device itself: Ordered separately from the device manufacturer or NHS supply chain.

Additional items to have on the trolley

• Local anaesthetic (if offering cervical block or topical application)
• Long-handled artery forceps or Spencer Wells forceps (for thread retrieval if needed)
• Non-sterile examination gloves and sterile gloves
• Lubricating gel (water-based)
• Sanitary pads for the patient post-procedure
• Sharps bin and clinical waste bags

How do single-use IUCD procedure packs compare?

Pre-assembled, single-use IUCD procedure packs save preparation time and eliminate the cost and logistics of instrument reprocessing. Each pack arrives sterile, ready to open, and is disposed of after a single procedure. Here is how the main options compare.

Pack	Speculum	Sound	Forceps	Scissors	Extras	Price
Comfi IUCD Fitting Pack	Medium Cusco	Galabin 32cm	Teale vulsellum + Rampley sponge holder	Mayo curved 19cm	Gallipot, kidney dish, cotton wool, drapes, sterile field	£14.99
ComfiKit Standard IUCD Pack	ComfiSpec Cusco	ComfiSound	Vulsellum + sponge holder	Included	Full consumable set	£18.99
ComfiKit Premium IUCD Pack	ComfiSpec Cusco	ComfiSound	Vulsellum + sponge holder	Included	Enhanced consumable set with additional draping	£21.99
Instrapac IUD Procedure Pack	Medium Cusco	Galabin 32cm	Teale vulsellum + Rampley sponge holder	Mayo curved 19cm	Gallipot, kidney dish, cotton wool, drapes, sterile field	£20.99
Rocialle IUCD Pack with Sound	Medium Cusco	Galabin	Teale vulsellum + Rampley sponge holder	Mayo curved	Gallipot, kidney dish, cotton wool, drapes	£15.99
Rocialle IUCD Pack without Sound	Medium Cusco	Not included	Teale vulsellum + Rampley sponge holder	Mayo curved	Gallipot, kidney dish, cotton wool, drapes	£13.99

The Comfi IUCD Fitting Pack at £14.99 offers the best value for a complete, all-in-one solution. It includes every core instrument plus all the consumables you need, and is available in cases of 10 at £143.99 for practices with higher fitting volumes. If you prefer the ComfiKit brand's ergonomic speculum and sound design, the Standard pack at £18.99 is a solid mid-range choice, while the Premium adds enhanced draping for clinics that want maximum coverage.

For practices that already stock their preferred uterine sound separately, the Rocialle IUCD Pack without Sound at £13.99 is the most economical option, bringing the per-procedure instrument cost well below the typical reprocessing charge for reusable sets.

Can you buy IUD fitting instruments individually?

Yes. While procedure packs offer convenience, many clinics prefer to buy individual instruments so they can choose specific sizes, brands or quantities that match their workflow. This approach also makes sense for practices that already have some items in stock and only need to top up particular instruments.

Cusco vaginal speculum: The Cusco Vaginal Speculum with Locking Mechanism is available in X-Small, Small, Medium and Large sizes, sold in packs of 25 at £18.00 per pack (that works out at just 72p per speculum). The locking mechanism holds the blades open during the procedure, freeing the clinician's hands. Having multiple sizes available is important because patient anatomy varies considerably, and using the correct size reduces discomfort and improves cervical visualisation.

Uterine sounds: Three options are available as individual items. The Pelican Disposable Uterine Sound 225mm is the most affordable at £1.49 per unit, ideal for practices buying in small quantities. The ComfiSound Disposable Uterine Sound comes in packs of 10 (£16.99) or 50 (£58.99) and features a flexible polyethylene design with clear graduated markings. For a dual-purpose instrument, the PELIspec Uterine Sound Dilator combines sounding and gentle cervical dilation in one tool, available in packs of 50 at £100.00.

Tenaculum and vulsellum forceps: The Instrapac Luer Vulsellum Forceps 9" (£6.99) provide a secure multi-tooth grip on the cervix, while the Rocialle Braun Tenaculum Forceps (£3.99) offer a single-tooth design for clinicians who prefer a lighter grip. Both are individually wrapped and sterile.

Sponge-holding forceps: The Instrapac Rampley Sponge Holder 25cm (£6.59) is designed for securing cotton wool swabs during cervical preparation. Its ring-handle design provides a comfortable, controlled grip.

Scissors: The Mayo Scissors Curved 17cm (£3.86) are the standard choice for trimming IUD threads. The Rocialle Curved Sims Uterine Scissors 20cm (£3.49) offer a longer reach for deeper placements.

How do you choose the right speculum size?

Selecting the appropriate speculum size is one of the most important steps in ensuring patient comfort during an IUD fitting. The right choice depends on the patient's body habitus, parity (number of previous births), and individual anatomy.

As a general guide:

• X-Small: Young nulliparous patients, patients who are anxious or have a narrow vaginal introitus, and adolescents.
• Small: Most nulliparous patients and slimmer parous patients.
• Medium: The most commonly used size. Suitable for the majority of parous patients and many nulliparous patients.
• Large: Patients with higher BMI, multiparous patients, or when the cervix sits high and additional blade length is needed for visualisation.

Most pre-assembled IUCD procedure packs include a medium Cusco speculum. For practices with a diverse patient population, stocking specula in at least three sizes (Small, Medium and Large) alongside the procedure packs is recommended. The Cusco Vaginal Speculum with Locking Mechanism from Vena Cava is available in all four sizes, making it straightforward to have the right option to hand.

A simple clinical tip: if the cervix cannot be fully visualised with the initial speculum, switching to a longer-bladed size usually resolves the issue more effectively than applying additional downward pressure, which can increase patient discomfort.

Should you use single-use or reusable instruments?

This is one of the most common questions practice managers and clinic leads ask when reviewing their IUD fitting setup. Both approaches have merits, but the trend across UK healthcare is firmly towards single-use instruments for gynaecological procedures.

Arguments for single-use packs

• Infection control: Eliminates cross-contamination risk entirely. Each patient receives a brand-new, sterile set of instruments, meeting the highest standards of decontamination.
• No reprocessing costs: Instrument sterilisation requires autoclaving, validation testing, staff time and equipment maintenance. For a GP practice fitting five to ten coils per month, the cost per cycle of reprocessing a reusable set often exceeds the price of a disposable pack.
• Consistent quality: Every instrument is sharp, undamaged and performs identically. Reusable scissors and forceps degrade over time, leading to blunt blades and loose joints.
• Regulatory compliance: Single-use packs simplify compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection requirements for instrument decontamination records.
• Convenience: No instrument tracking, no waiting for sterilisation turnaround, no risk of a set being unavailable when a patient arrives.

When reusable instruments still make sense

High-volume sexual health clinics fitting 20 or more devices per week may find that the upfront investment in quality reusable instruments, supported by a reliable central sterile services department (CSSD), brings the per-procedure cost below that of disposable packs. However, this calculation should include the full cost of decontamination, not just the purchase price of the instruments.

For the majority of GP practices and community clinics, single-use IUCD packs priced between £13.99 and £21.99 represent the most practical and cost-effective solution.

What training and simulation equipment is available?

FSRH guidelines require clinicians to maintain their skills through regular practice and recertification. For training purposes, gynaecological simulation models allow practitioners to rehearse IUD insertion techniques in a realistic, low-risk environment.

The ZOE Gynecologic Simulator is a life-sized female lower torso model with accurate internal anatomy, including a realistic cervix and uterine cavity. It is designed for practising speculum insertion, cervical visualisation, uterine sounding and IUD/IUS placement. Used widely in FSRH-accredited training courses and NHS training centres, it provides a valuable resource for both initial competency training and ongoing skills maintenance.

Pairing a simulation model with single-use procedure packs during training sessions gives clinicians hands-on experience with the exact instruments they will use in clinical practice, building familiarity and confidence before their first supervised fitting on a patient.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a standard IUCD fitting pack?

A standard IUCD fitting pack typically includes a Cusco vaginal speculum (usually medium size), a uterine sound for measuring cavity depth, vulsellum or tenaculum forceps for cervical stabilisation, sponge-holding forceps, curved Mayo scissors for thread trimming, a gallipot, kidney dish, cotton wool balls, and sterile drapes. The IUD or IUS device itself is not included and must be ordered separately.

How much do IUD fitting supplies cost in the UK?

Complete single-use IUCD procedure packs range from around £13.99 (without uterine sound) to £21.99 (premium packs with enhanced consumables). Individual instruments can also be purchased separately, with items like disposable tenaculum forceps available from £3.99 and single-use Cusco specula working out at approximately 72p each when bought in packs of 25.

Do I need a uterine sound if the IUS comes with its own inserter?

Yes. FSRH clinical guidance recommends sounding the uterus before inserting any intrauterine device, including those supplied with their own insertion tube. Sounding confirms the direction and depth of the uterine cavity, which helps prevent perforation and ensures the device is placed correctly. Some clinicians use a uterine sound-dilator, which combines sounding and gentle cervical dilation in a single step.

How often should GP practices restock IUD fitting supplies?

This depends on fitting volume. A typical GP practice performing five to ten fittings per month would use one to two cases of procedure packs per quarter. All single-use packs have a shelf life of several years when stored in their original sealed packaging, so overstocking is rarely an issue. It is worth ordering one case (typically 8 to 10 packs) at a time to ensure sterile packaging remains intact and to take advantage of case pricing.

Can practice nurses fit IUDs?

Yes. Practice nurses and nurse practitioners can fit IUDs and IUS devices, provided they hold the FSRH Letter of Competence in Intrauterine Techniques (LoC IUT) or equivalent qualification. The training pathway involves a theoretical component, observed insertions and a practical assessment before the clinician can perform fittings independently.

What antiseptic solution is used during IUD fitting?

Most UK clinics use an aqueous antiseptic solution such as chlorhexidine 0.05% or povidone-iodine for cervical preparation. The solution is placed in the gallipot provided in the procedure pack, and applied to the cervix using cotton wool balls held in the sponge-holding forceps. Chlorhexidine is generally preferred unless the patient has a known allergy.

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