Need advice from those who have/tried the marina coil. My doctor reccomended it & I am holding back.

[Pinkchampagne]

She said it sorts bleeding problems & has next to no side effects - seems like the perfect contraception - but I have heard horror stories of how much it hurts to have fitted & how it doesn't agree with some women. I was too scared to commit to it today, so have a prescription for another mini pill. Would love to hear of others experiences of the coil first!

[Starbear]

I have the normal coil fitted and wished I did this years ago because I'm rubbish with the pill. Only problem is longer bleed period other wise okay. Family planning suggest marina but it has hormal drug added and I'm allegic to some pills so not sure. Coil very easy no pain at all and they can always take it out. I think the horror stories are just that stories that might not apply to you.

[Niecie]

It didn't hurt to have it fitted at all, despite the doctor saying that it might and that I should take some paracetamol before I went in. It was not big deal at all - no worse than having a smear.

There is a huge thread though, on whether or not it has side effects. I don't think I had any although I have put a lot of weight on since having it which some might blame on it.

However, on the upside, nearly 5 years of no periods, just an occasional bit of spotting. That is getting more regular now but the coil is coming to the end of its life so not surprising. I know some women take a while to get used to it but it reduced my bleeding from the very beginning although it took a couple of months for the monthly bleeding to stop completely.

[Hobnobfanatic]

I had it fitted at the FPC and it was absolute agony! I almost passed out and had to lie down for 10 minutes! I have a high pain threshold, and couldn't believe the pain. A friend had a similar experience at the FPC.

BUt I've heard from others that had it done with a GP that it wasn't too bad, so I'd recommend that route!

After a year of feeling bloated and tender and sensitive, I begged for them to take it out - and I'll never use it again. Periods all but disappeared - but it was a high price to pay!

[zazen]

Pinkchanpagne, if you're on the mini pill and can tolerate that you should have no problem with the mirena. If you're on noriday the progestin you are taking is called norgestimate.
The mirena has progestin only: levongesterel, also and is the equivalent of taking three mini pills a week.
Go for it.

[bleurgh]

It gave me a very large hormonal ovarian cyst which did not disappear until the coil was removed. My doctor said this was not uncommon. There are many women here who have had bad experiences too. I wouldn't do it again, no way, no how.

[twentypence]

I have migraines and so didn't want to try it - the lack of periods worried me also - how would you know if it had failed?

I got a normal coil and was pleased that I had it done as soon as we decided no more children. Dh has had the snip, but I will leave it in as it is really no trouble and I may as well get my money's worth

[mumto2andnomore]

Ive had mine for 2 years and its great, I had a small amount of on and off spotting for about 6 months, since then nothing, no periods at all. Was no more uncomfortable than a smear test to be fitted. I would highly recommend it.

[Pinkchampagne]

Thanks for your replies - a real mix of experiences. The fitting process is what is scaring me most atm. I have heard it is really painful, so reassuring to hear some didn't find it that bad. I am quite tempted as I am having a nightmare with bleeding problems on cerezatte.

[squeaver]

Make sure it's fitted by someone who's done a lot of them. My GP did it and she told me she does 3 or 4 a week. For me it was about as uncomfortable as an uncomfortable smear iyswim.

Make sure you go home and put your feet up afterwards. Don't be a moron and go to work on the tube like I did.

I cannot recommend it highly enough. No period, no pain, no bleeding at all. And it sorts out contraception, obv.

[Pinkchampagne]

Sounds very tempting! I am going to try this new pill, and if I have the same problems that I had with my other pill, I think I will brave the coil.

[Niecie]

I agree with Squeaver - my GP actually ran coil fitting clinics once a week so she was an expert at it which may be the reason it was really no big deal.

Mind you for all my bravado I am not looking forward to having it out in the next couple of weeks!

[squeaver]

My, there's a specialism Niecie!

[woodenchair]

Niecie, having it out is easy peesy! I had mine out a month ago and it took about 2 minutes. No pain at all.

pinkchampagne if you can cope with the hormones you will love it. I had mine for 3 years but the mood swings had turned into depression to I had it taken out. Feel like a new person now. I also turned into a looney on the pill too when I took it in my 20s so it's non hormonal for me now.

[Prufrock]

I've had mine for nearly 3 months now and I love it. I previously had really heavy (filling mooncup to top every 2 hours on worst day) periods when I had an Implanon, but am down to just spotting now, which I hope will soon disappear. Mood swings still there, but no worse than when on Implanon or pill. No other side effects.

However - insertion was horrid. First pain was when she was checking size of uterus (still not sure why) and I yelped. Then same again to actually insert, which I almost didn't go through with. Bt it was over in seconds, and whilst I felt a bit wierd for an hour or so afterwards, it was still worth it.

[BibiThree]

Well mine hurt like hell going in (they clamping of my cervix did anyway) and totally ruined any sex drive I had.

On the plus side, I had no periods for 9 months and once it was in, it was no bother.

[Pinkchampagne]

Oh my life, those last couple of posts have put me right off! Clamping of the cervixouch! Weight gain, more bleeding & bad mood swings don't sound good at all!

[dannyb]

I am almost certain that it led to my luteal phase deficiency and low progesterone problems resulting in multiple m/c. If you are not planning any more children then fine but if you are then avoid it.