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Original poster

Please talk to me about the coil

31 replies

Peaspleaselouise · 20/12/2018 21:13

So, I think that the coil is probably my only option for contraception.

Can’t take the pill due to migraines, age and family DVT history.

Don’t want to have the injection or implant due to potential for weight gain (I’ve lost a lot of weight over last few years and don’t want to put it back on).

Been using condoms but we both hate them.

Family is complete so vasectomy is an option and DH is happy to but he’s got some health issues at the moment so he can’t really go through any unnecessary procedures.

BUT I’m nervous of the coil. Worried about heavy/painful periods.

Any experiences?

Yes/no?

Side effects?

Copper or Mirena?

Thanks

OP posts:
CmdrIvanova · 20/12/2018 21:14

Following, in the same boat.

I have heard Mirena is similar to the pill for weight gain and moods.

Soontobe60 · 20/12/2018 21:17

I had a Mirena coil fitted because of heavy periods! After 6 months my periods completely stopped. No weight gain, no mood swings, nothing. I've still got it in 10 years later because I can't be bothered getting it removed!

Chopsypie · 20/12/2018 21:17

I have mirena. No periods. No weight gain. No moods. No skin issues.

The day I had it put it wasn’t fun, but it was bad for 1 minute, sore for 20 minutes and cramps for a day.

That’s it. For 5 years.

I love mine - best thing I ever did

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DelurkingAJ · 20/12/2018 21:18

Have Minera. Mildly uncomfortable being put in. Bled erratically for a month or two. Since little or no bleeding (1 day max for periods and very light). No issues with anything else and never any worry of a missed pill. My skin isn’t as good as it was on the pill but I will have it replaced when its time is up.

BlackLambAndGreyFalcon · 20/12/2018 21:18

I've just had a copper coil put in and have been really impressed so far. I've had one period so far - the first few days were much heavier than I'd had before, but then in settles down and there was no pain at all. Totally worth it for long lasting contraception with no hormones!

franhat · 20/12/2018 21:19

I have a copper coil and have had no problems since it was put in 4 years ago. It can make periods heavier but mine are heavy anyway.

mortifiedmama · 20/12/2018 21:19

Copper. Merina appears difficult to moderate and if it goes wrong (e.g. it can cause excessive bleeding) it can take lots of fighting to get it removed.

ilovepinkgin33 · 20/12/2018 21:19

Had the mirena put in 2 and half years ago, no weight gain, no mood swings, no periods no babies no problems

Mammaof · 20/12/2018 21:21

I had copper coil put in and got pregnant on it lol x

opalescent · 20/12/2018 21:22

I'm on my third copper coil now. Love it- no hormones, normal natural cycle. My periods are slightly heavier, but they are fairly light without, so it's not an issue for me.

I have had two children now though, and my experiences of coils have varied over the years.

My first coil (no pregnancies or children at the time) was quite uncomfortable to have fitted, and did give me quite heavy and painful periods. I hated taking hormones though, so those aspects were not deal breakers for me.

Keepkondoing · 20/12/2018 21:26

Mirena for me had exactly the same side effects as the implant and mini pill. I had constant bleeding on all and the migraine with aura. Copper coil not ideal,y periods are heavier and I’m ridiculously ragey the few days before but best of a bad bunch and I can’t say that I’d be much better without the copper coil!

Waddsup12 · 20/12/2018 21:29

Bit grim for first few weeks, best thing ever thereafter.

I never got on with the pill and had heavy periods. Wish I had got it years before I did, contraception, freedom, no periods, no pain, just love the thing and it's been in 8 years.

Waddsup12 · 20/12/2018 21:32

Advice from the very experienced sexual health clinic doctor was to get someone very experienced to fit it. She said there was no predicting how a person would get on with it but said to try and that they'd take it out if it was a problem. I was very reassured and it was fine. Take a pad tho for after fitting as there is a bit of bleeding.

I forgot to say Mirena in my case.

jammf · 20/12/2018 21:33

Had a mirena now for 3 years. It was a bit uncomfortable on insertion but I had no cramps after. Periods gradually reduced to a tiny amount of spotting each month.
I've not had any side affects.
I regret not getting it sooner. We used condoms for ages but the coil is so much better.

MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese · 20/12/2018 21:34

I've had a copper coil in place for 8 years (it lasts 10). No issues. No painful periods or heavy bleeding. I don't give it a thought.

whatsnewchoochoo · 20/12/2018 21:43

Mirena has worked really well for me and I'm ultra sensitive to hormonal contraceptives

JustBeenNosey · 20/12/2018 21:45

Copper Coil - Pro's&Con's / Thoughts / Experiences http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/whatwoulddyoudo/3435296-copper-coil-pro-s-con-s-thoughts-experiences

Hope it helps!

Original poster
Peaspleaselouise · 20/12/2018 21:49

Brilliant stuff, thanks all! Definitely looks like an option. I’ll investigate further in the new year!

OP posts:
Bogglem · 20/12/2018 21:50

I haven't had the coil so can't comment on that but I was sterilised last year and it was the best decision I ever made.

Maybe that could be an option for you if your family is complete?

littleniki · 20/12/2018 21:53

I had a mirena. Took 18months for my periods to stop (I bled on and off every few days during the 18months but very very light). Discomfort when it was fitted. Had to have it removed when I had appendicitis and I ended up with a abscess in my Fallopian tube. They think though it was my appendix that caused it. I would have another fitted though

ShellieEllie · 20/12/2018 21:57

I've had Mirena for 3 years now. Heavy periods reduced massively but had constant light bleeding so also taking the mini pill. I'm happy with it but do often suffer a bad headache as I start my period (perhaps it's just me!). No weight gain and no mood swings either.

InvisibleToEveryone · 20/12/2018 22:22

There is also now a "mini" mirena coil called jaydess.

Slightly smaller and less hormone than the mirena, but only lasts 3 years compared to the mirenas 5.

itsallgravybaby · 20/12/2018 23:33

I had the same weight gain issue on any hormonal contraception so had a copper coil fit about 4 months ago.

Fitting was painful, probs 4/10 but it was over within seconds. It also gives me cramps that are painful but only last a few seconds so bearable. I haven't had to take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the past 2 months but I did at first.

In terms of heaviness it was more painful and heavy and still is, but definitely got better each month and it's bearable now. And the cramps start a day or two before so I know it's coming soon! I started with night time pads but now I'm back on my mooncup changing every four hours or so for days 1-2.

There's a bit of old bloody discharge (sorry TMI) at ovulation but otherwise fine.

I would recommend it and battle through the first few months! No hormones is the best for some of us! :)

itsallgravybaby · 20/12/2018 23:35

Also I went to a GUM clinic not GP and she was amazing. So quick and efficient they do it several times a day so discomfort was minimised!

Bouledeneige · 20/12/2018 23:39

I had a coil (not mirena - I felt I'd had enough chemicals in my body after being on the pill for years). Easy fitting (babies with huge heads created the Blackwall tunnel) but although I loved the freedom at first, I then got some smelly unpleasant discharge - it made me very unhappy. So my H had a vasectomy. That was great. He's now my XH - no connection.