Copper coil dilemma

[Greenpineapple]

I'm going to have a copper coil fitted in a couple of weeks time. I've been offered either a 'standard size' one, apparently marketed at 'older' women who have had children, or a 'mini' one for 'younger' women who haven't. I'm 36 and have children, but I've heard the smaller kind are easier and less painful to insert, which appeals. Does anyone know any reason why I shouldn't just have the mini coil anyway? (Should add I'm not in the UK; in this country you have to order your own device from a medical supplier and then get a doctor to fit it.)

[NotCitrus]

I would guess there is a risk of the smaller one falling out of a post-birth uterus? I've never heard of the smaller ones but they used to advise coils were only used once you'd given birth because they were very painful to insert otherwise.

I'd be more concerned as to the experience of the fitter and to ensure they use local anaesthetic. I had to go to the local sexual health clinic as no GP was qualified any more, and it couldn't have been easier. Huge fan!

[dementedpixie]

Does the mini one last as long as the other? Is it more likely to be expelled?

[Ollivander84]

I had an option of 5 or 10 year, when they did the sounding of my womb there wasn't enough room for the 10 year

[Greenpineapple]

Ok..sounds like I would have to have it replaced more quickly but I can live with that. Oddly enough I've read that the risk of expulsion is higher with devices that are too large. This will be the first time I've had one. In your experience how much longer/heavier/more painful are your periods with a coil? Are they as bad as people say?

[Ollivander84]

Mine are 6-7 days and used to be 5-6 so not much change. They were always heavy so no change there!

[TheoriginalKB]

I have a copper coil, period are slightly heavier but are over quicker but are no more painful. I was really worried about it as I have heavy painful periods but it has been fine.
The most noticeable change is I get a lot of clear discharge all through the month but definitely worth it for no more children without taking hormones.

[TheoriginalKB]

Also the insertion didn't take long and was not painful at all.

[CantStandMeow]

Mine were horrible for the first 3/4 months. Horrifically heavy for the first 2 and then just heavy and crampy. Now they are fine, settled right down, pain free and only a tiny bit heavier than previously.

[FATEdestiny]

I became a first time cool used with the copper cool 2 years ago.

In terms of periods before I had the cool fitted (but after children) I had very shirt, very very heavy periods. 36 hours of bleeding only, but soaking a super plus Tampax within 90m - 2h. I was therefore concerned about periods getting heavier, they couldn't really get any heavier.

For the first 6 months after fittibg periods were just as heavy, but longer. Now lasting 4-6 days instead of less than 2 days. Heavy throughout - it wasn't fun.

From 6-12 months they gradually got lighter, but stayed long. After 12 months I now have 2 light days, 2 heavy days (thst are not as extreme heavy as they used to be) and 2 light days.

So my period definately lasts longer than it was before the coil, but now they have settled there is not as heavy. It's like the same amount of blood comes out, but at a slower pace.