Opinions on the coil please

[Itstheprinciple]

I am nearly 40 and my nurse is telling me I need to consider other methods of contraception. I've been on the pill since I was 18, except for having a baby 14 years ago. I have always been happy with the pill primarily to have control over my periods. However, I am finding it increasingly difficult to lose weight and my libido is through the floor so I'm starting to think I should consider other options.

So my priorities are: light or absent periods, no weight gain, better sex drive. Oh and I'm a bit squeamish so will I be able to feel it? Any coil experiences welcome, good or bad.

I am in my forties and had a. Items for around three years. You do bleed quite a bit when it’s first put in for a few months and then it settles. By about one year I was just spotting and now I have spotting for around a day or two a month but only when I wipe so no protection needed at all.
Can’t feel it at all. Not sure if increased my libido at all but mine is naturally low due to low levels of hormones I think. No weight gain at all

The mirena coil has changed my life. No periods, no weight gain, no moods.
However a friend of mine had the opposite experience and hated it. She does have peri menopause however - not sure if that is related however.

I'm on my second Mirena. The first was for contraceptive reasons, this one is for heavy periods.

The first was amazing, bled for a couple days after fitting, light periods for a couple months then absolutely nothing until removal.

This one I bled a lot more after fitting and three months in still have a blood stained discharge. This is however a massive improvement on how things were beforehand so a cross I'm willing to bear!

I had one - needed anaesthetic to get it in, in agony from day 1 until 2.5 years later when they eventually agreed to take it out . It was too big for me seemingly and twisted back on itself. Would never have one again . I’d never had children though .

OTOH friend - given birth to two big babies and 45 when it was fitted - had hers fitted two weeks later and still raves about it, says totally pain free and periods a hundred times lighter - she was on brink of needing a hysterectomy so very lucky indeed that it worked so well .

I've got one. Once in, it's perfect for me (no n hormonal). It's given me slightly longer and heavier periods but mine were super light anyway. No change to weight/sex drive so all good.
Putting in was unpleasant. I had some form of vasovagal shock, and ended up with a hospital appointment. Overall was fine but if you're nervy about appointments etc., not great. Apparently that's rare though.
Otherwise all good! I have had a child but via c section so for these purposes I haven't been through childbirth.

My mirena is great - hardly any periods, body is fine with the hormones (can't find a pill that works for me). It did really hurt being fit the second time though (to the point I passed out)

To counter the argument the mirena was literally the worst year of my life! Had it fitted to treat heavy bleeding. It made me bleed more days than I didn't and the heavy days got heavier and I had cramps so bad I took days off work sick. Gained weight but probably due to drinking more wine and doing less exercise because of all the bleeding! Libido none existent but then again that could have been due to all the bleeding.
Have I mentioned all. the. bleeding?? Honestly, I should have been awarded tampax customer of the year!!

I'm on my 2 ND copper coil can't have anything hormone related and it's great slightly heavier periods and it's uncomfortable having it fitted but once it's done and settles down it's great

My period on the copper coil were horrific. Extremely heavy, gushing, bleeding through, needing to wear the heaviest tampon and a pad too. I'd always had light periods before, but it was just awful. I'd been very happy on the combined pill for 20 years, but was recommended not to be on it due to age (I'm also 40). I had the coil removed after 2 years and went on the progesterone only pill. It's been great. Periods light now, no weight gain and no affect on sex drive (though honestly, it's not great because I'm exhausted, but there's been no change from the coil). I'm very happy with it.

I've had four copper coils. I only stopped using them because DH is now snipped.

I found insertion very manageable, no sensation whatsoever from having them, no effect on sex drive (which was squashed by the pill) or on weight. My periods were the same.

You can but try really. The Mirena would likely reduce your periods but you can't reduce periods without risking other hormonal side effects. The copper coil won't reduce your periods but also won't affect your "natural" weight or level of libido. You might get on brilliantly with one, both, or neither. Either one can be easily and quickly removed, if required.

Thanks everyone! Lots to think about. As you say, I can but try. Other option is progesterone only pill so good to see feedback on that too.

Or third option: DH gets snipped!

I have had a couple of copper coils. They were fine, fitting not brilliant, but manageable. Nice not to have to think about.

I did a year on a progesterone only pill during lockdown as couldn't have my coil replaced. Loved the no periods, but was not brilliant at remembering to take the pill so had a pregnancy scare, so thought I'd try the Mirena coil.

I'm now kicking myself i didn't get one decades earlier!

I just managed to get mine removed having been waiting since pre pandemic. It was lost and the normal clinic couldn't reach or see it. Had to go private to get a scan, as the wait was so long (this was pre pandemic!). The scan located it and the consultant said I would need surgery to get it out. Then covid hit and everything was just postponed. Went to GP earlier in the year and begged if there was another option. She sent me to a different clinic who specialises in locating and getting hard to reach coils. And after the worst 40 mins of my life she did indeed get it. I was over the freaking moon, I can't begin to tell you.
I will NEVER get anything inserted into my body that I can't get out myself now. We are using condoms (plan to get pregnant soon). After that though DP will be getting the snip. My body has been through enough!

This was my second coil. Had no issues with the first. The reason I wanted this one out was because my periods were pretty much constant, I had pain and it was just not working for me.
Since its been out my periods have settled and my body feels better for not being messed with.

I'm on my third mirena. Went from heavy periods and needing to back-to-back paracetamol and ibuprofen several days every month to basically no periods at all, except a tiny bit of discharge, up until they start to run out and need replacing. Fitting isn't fun but for me not hugely worse than a smear test, just a minute or two of uncomfortable cramp feeling/pinching, and then some cramps for a couple of days afterwards. Totally changed my life from periods being a messy, painful and depressing experience to basically not being a thing.

The doctor who fitted my latest said they're like marmite, you either love or hate them!

I’m on my 2nd Minerva. I think it’s fabulous and never want to have a proper period again. I had horrendously heavy ones before, basically nothing now. Strings got lost on the 1st one which was a bit of a faff but it got sorted at the GP. It was a little bit uncomfortable on insertion but I didn’t find it that bad. I had 3 vaginal births though so my cervix is probably like the Clyde tunnel.

I had a similar choice recently and chose the minipill because I was scared of the coil insertion process. (No kids) Although the doctor was really pushing the mirena, so good to read others experiences.

I'm on a desogestrel pill (a generic brand of cerezette) and it's good so far. First month was spotting all over the place, but I started from using no hormonal contraception and had frequent spotting anyway. The pill made it worse for the first month. The second and third I had a very light 4/5 day period but nothing else. I haven't taken it long enough to know anything else, but i like it so far. And, my libido is through the roof! So might be one for you to consider? Just be careful of taking it at the same time, it's more important for minipills than for combined.

Oh and I can really recommend Dr Sarah Hill's book "How the pill changes everything". It's written in (a sometimes slightly annoying) magazine article style so is very easy to read and basically explains your body's response to hormonal birth control (not just the pill). It's super interesting has made me feel much more comfortable about the choice I made.

After my 3rd child I was on the pill and my libido was horrible..... it was a massive contrast to after baby 1 and 2 with no pill

I have since put on the Mirena coil and it's back to normal levels you don't feel it at all!! The thing is tiny! But it does hurt quite a bit to put it on. But it lasts for like 5 years. Have had no periods since. Also I was forgetting to take the pill occasionally and I think I'm good at 3 kids....

I had one for heavy periods, I stopped having heavy periods but I had a permanent light period. I also started getting repeat BV infections which I have never had before or after it's removal. I lasted about 8 months with it which I'm my opinion was 8 months too long.
Once it's in the GP likes to keep them in, I'm sure they are on some sort of commission with the bloody things!
Personally I would never ever have another.

Turned me into a chubby, angry woman who was more likely to kill DH than shag him.

@Twinkie01

Turned me into a chubby, angry woman who was more likely to kill DH than shag him.

This is what I'd like to avoid

@Twinkie01 oh god I forgot about that! The hormonal rages where epic
I would honestly advise any woman who is thinking about the coil to do as much research as possible on its suitability for them
I think I would rather risk the pill long term than have the coil again, it genuinely made me miserable and its something you have inside you that you have to ask another person to remove (again I can't stress enough how much my GP pushed me to keep mine, luckily I have enough confidence to tell them to piss off and take it out, I imagine a lot would keep it in to keep the peace )
Please be 100% sure YOU want it, not just because a GP has said you should have it .

I had my Mirena coil removed last week. Had it 6 weeks and was constantly bleeding. My mental health took a nose dive, I honestly think it was due to the coil and hormones.

I had a similarly bad experience with the copper coil before then. Stuck it out for 6 months of near constant bleeding with period pains that felt like labour contractions. When I developed vertigo I had a blood test which revealed I was anaemic. That was almost certainly caused by the coil as I don’t need the iron tablets any longer.

I had mirenafor contraceptive purposes after the birth of DC#2 as I wasn't keen to go back on the . Insertion was uncomfortable but tolerable. I bled fairly heavily and erratically for a few months but it soon settled down.
It was amazing for 3 years! No weight gain caused by appetite surges, no mood swings, no migraines. Little bit of spotting every now and then.
Week before lockdown last March I had my smear and the nurse checked my coil at the same time. All good. 2 months later quite random heavy bleeds, no doctors appointments obviously as peak lockdown, phone consultation told possibly just stress playing havok with my hormones. Settled down as quick as it happened.
Early September, horrific stomach bug. Sick as a dog and exhausted. "if I didn't know any better I'd swear I was pregnant"
I was 16 weeks pregnant.

So, DC#3 is doing smashing

It's extremely rare, 0.02% I was told. All the midwives at hospital had heard about me whenever I had an appointment.

Nothing is 100%. It did put me off, but law of averages says my experience is incredibly rare.

DH and his super sperm are booked in for the snip. I've done my bit pumping my body with hormones, 3 pregnancies and labours. It's the least he can do and it was his suggestion.

@ohidoliketobe

I had mirenafor contraceptive purposes after the birth of DC#2 as I wasn't keen to go back on the . Insertion was uncomfortable but tolerable. I bled fairly heavily and erratically for a few months but it soon settled down. It was amazing for 3 years! No weight gain caused by appetite surges, no mood swings, no migraines. Little bit of spotting every now and then. Week before lockdown last March I had my smear and the nurse checked my coil at the same time. All good. 2 months later quite random heavy bleeds, no doctors appointments obviously as peak lockdown, phone consultation told possibly just stress playing havok with my hormones. Settled down as quick as it happened. Early September, horrific stomach bug. Sick as a dog and exhausted. "if I didn't know any better I'd swear I was pregnant" I was 16 weeks pregnant.

So, DC#3 is doing smashing

It's extremely rare, 0.02% I was told. All the midwives at hospital had heard about me whenever I had an appointment.

Nothing is 100%. It did put me off, but law of averages says my experience is incredibly rare.

DH and his super sperm are booked in for the snip. I've done my bit pumping my body with hormones, 3 pregnancies and labours. It's the least he can do and it was his suggestion.