To be scared of coil insertion?

Make sure you're not too warm when you're having it inserted. So, don't wear a thick jumper or anything like that. A friend of mine works at a GP surgery and it is relatively common for people to faint during/after the procedure. There has also been more than one occasion where the woman has vomited and soiled herself , which was horrendous for all concerned. So keep cool and take pain relief!

I take the pill for this reason. I find anything like a smear test and vaginal exams very traumatic.

This seems to be one of those things that varies enormously. I was going to have the coil as part of HRT treatment. With me the pain was so bad I left the hospital feeling traumatised and I have a high pain threshold. Never again. I have children but they are adopted so have never given birth.

i left the hospital without having it done as my cervix opening was too small. This was despite taking pesseries beforehand to supposedly help soften and open it up. I didn’t even realise having a GA was an option until speaking to people about it afterwards.

Well, I found it total agony, passed out from the pain. The first time. Second time they gave me local spray anaesthetic, didn't make the blindest bit of difference.

Third time I asked for, and got, GA.

Taking it out I had the local again (needle in my cervix, oh yeah, fucking great) and I screamed. That was at the complex clinic because the strings had got tangled up. I'm done now, 57 and it's all in the past now.

I do wonder why they don't offer sedation. I had that for both a colonoscopy and a endoscopy and it's fine, don't feel anything. But no, we're expected to just put up with it.

Sorry to put you off. I kept being told "it will be fine, it's uncomfortable, might hurt a bit but it's very quick" etc, and one memorable doctor "yes, I've heard it does smart a little". None of that was my experience.

But, I guess it all beat having to bring up kids!

Take paracetamol and ibuprofen 1h before, then call them in advance to say you want them to make a note for the nurse - so that they bring it out. If they don't know in advance they may say rebook or do it without ir - it just makes sure they have it ready and you don't have to stress etc.

When you call reception, ask them to make sure the nurse/doctor prepares it all, and for reception to put a note on your appointment. Say on the phone you want licodaine injected into your cervix (a local anesthetic, but be specific - all Gps will have it as they use it for other minor procedures etc) and also numbing gel/spray as well, and lubricant as well - somtimes with people with vaginismus etc it helps to relax the coil and get the speculum in easily.

You can't get a referral to complex coil insertion clinic without having

1. The GP nurse/doctor etc fail to get the coil in
2. Maybe it falls out previously, prolapse issues etc
3. Another conditon like vaginismus and they offer it to you initially.

You'll be fine, take deep breaths and stay calm - that will relax the cervix and make it easier, also they'll be a chaperone - they are happy for your to squeeze their hand if you need to.
When is your coil insertion date? Is it the mirena or copper one?

Also I recommend getting a hand warmer, like the small ones you activate with pressing, and after sit on it. Like put it in your trousers or on the chair/bed and sit on it through your trousers. It helps soothe the area for me, maybe wait a bit if you don't want high heat. I hope it goes well and it's not painful for you.

Sorry OP, I have a high pain threshold (3 births with no pain relief at all). But the coil insertion is the worst pain I've ever experienced.
The coil itself worked brilliantly at stopping postmenopausal bleeding, but even so I wouldn't do it again.
Get all the pain relief.

Yes I was about to ask the same. I can very much believe it’s less painful when you’ve had kids. I’ve had two and never get periods pains at all now, pre-kids they were much more painful. Stretched to hell I would say now! 😬

OP- do you have a retroverted uterus? That can make insertion more painful and tricky- not impossible at all though. If you do, then despite what you think, a long speculum is better for visualising the cervix.

Ask for all the pain relief, not just paracetamol.

Do you have DCs OP? I don't and was advised to have mine done while I was under GA for a gynae issue as apparently it's more painful if your cervix hasn't been stretched by labour. I don't know if this is true or not, just what I was told by my gynae.

It’s the complex coil clinic (not difficult patient 😂) - I went to one the other day after a failed attempt to replace my coil previously. I have a retroverted uterus and quite a clamped shut cervix apparently. It was ok. It was pretty uncomfortable for about 2 minutes. Not excruciating- I would rate the pain as 5/10. They put some cooling spray in. They offered me an injection to reduce the pain but I said no. They told me the injection itself stings a bit so I decided to try without. I went straight to work after (not ideal).

Pain relief you can ask for and I also go to the “difficult patient” clinic. There’s a better name for it but they do a longer appointment and the staff are great!

if it helps then the speculum bit is as for a smear
i felt a cramp when they were sounding (measuring the uterus)
another cramp when they put the coil in - like a big period pain but so quick I couldn’t finish saying “ow”!
then they trim the strings and give you time to sit up, get dressed etc
i usually keep the rest of the day free as I cramp after

Coil stopped my periods at 30, haven’t had any of that nonsense for 16 years. Listen to perimenopausal women now and very, very grateful, it’s my fave invention. Absolute game changer OP if it does the same for you.

I agree that explaining your issues and requesting pain relief will be important for you.

I've never had issues with smears and I found my could insertion quick but painful.

Mine lasts until next year but I will go for a second, it hasn't put me off.

Mine was very quick. It was painful but only for about a minute. I just did some deep breaths and held the nurse's hand. They are very reassuring and said they would stop at any time. Took paracetamol 30 mins before. Honestly much better than I was expecting.

I think you can have local anesthetic?

Ask for pain relief (numbing gel/spray) and let them know about smear issues. It’s incredibly quick - seconds, but there’s lots they can do which isn’t always routinely offered, like the pain relief. I’ve had 3 without and was fine (not painful just a weird split second feeling) but don’t have your issues - the pain relief is there for you, The coil is life changing btw.