'I needed a coil to ease the bleeding but I just sat on a waiting list'

"Elaine Gracey was told more than three years ago by her doctor that she should have a coil fitted to help with her heavy and painful periods. The 50-year-old is still waiting. She said she was expected to just put up with the bleeding. "One night I was in so much pain I just sat in the bath which turned literally into a blood bath - I was passing so much blood and clots which were the size of baby potatoes," she said."

"The hormonal coil - known as an intrauterine system (IUS) - is also widely used during perimenopause and menopause to manage heavy, irregular bleeding. It acts as the progesterone part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is inserted into the womb and the fitting/removal should take about five to 10 minutes and is usually done by a doctor or nurse at a GP surgery."

Elaine Gracey was advised over three years ago to have a coil fitted to treat heavy, painful periods but remains on a waiting list. She experienced severe bleeding and pain, sometimes passing large clots and sleeping on towels due to exhaustion. Northern Ireland has the highest gynaecology waiting lists in the UK. The hormonal coil (IUS) is commonly used during perimenopause and menopause to manage heavy irregular bleeding and acts as the progesterone component of HRT; insertion typically takes five to ten minutes in primary care, though some cases require hospital procedures. The Department of Health said early-stage work is under way to reduce waits, and the Southern Trust apologised for distress caused.

Read at www.bbc.com