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Original poster

mirena or implant? or copper coil?

33 replies

scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:15

I’ve been taking various versions of the combined pill since I was around 18. I’m now over 35 and GP not keen on me staying on combined pill (due to fam history of strokes plus a year of BP tablets for me when I was very overweight a few years ago).

Have been looking at options and can’t decide between the implant and mirena. I think in theory I’d probably prefer the hormone free copper coil but I’m not sure why - have obv been on hormones for years with the combined pill and have had no issues with this. The stories of excessive bleeding with the copper coil put me off a bit.

Is acne more likely with the mirena or the implant? I’ve been taking antibiotics for the last year due to my back (and less prominent, face) acne. My skin was perfect in my teens and 20s and when I hit 30 it erupted 🙄

I know the mini pill is an option but don’t like the idea of having to take it within a small window everyday. I’d rather just forget about my contraception if possible.

Thank you

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 13/09/2021 20:20

Hi OP. Ive have the mirena right now, bit had the copper coil pre DS.

Overall I much prefer the copper coil. Im bloated and my periods are erratic, which im confident is down to the hormones in the mirena. I didnt really notice spectacularly heavy bleeding with the copper coil, but then my periods were never heavy anyway. I think if you have heavy or painful periods you shouldnt get the copper coil. I want to have my mirena out and replaced with a copper coil, but I need to wait until the sexual health services 'normalise' in my area before I can do that.

emmathedilemma · 13/09/2021 20:26

I had cerazette mini pill and sure it had a fairly generous window in which you should take it. It made me bleed almost constantly but if you’ve been ok with the combined pill it might be work for you. I had a similar experience with the mirena (but heavier bleeding and bad cramps) and for that reason I won’t try the implant. Nothing with hormones in seems to suit me!

Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:27

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Hi OP. Ive have the mirena right now, bit had the copper coil pre DS.

Overall I much prefer the copper coil. Im bloated and my periods are erratic, which im confident is down to the hormones in the mirena. I didnt really notice spectacularly heavy bleeding with the copper coil, but then my periods were never heavy anyway. I think if you have heavy or painful periods you shouldnt get the copper coil. I want to have my mirena out and replaced with a copper coil, but I need to wait until the sexual health services 'normalise' in my area before I can do that.

Thank you for sharing! Why did you switch from copper to mirena, out of interest? My periods aren’t overly heavy, just the odd day or 2 where they seem heavy to me but compared to other women they’re really manageable.
OP posts:

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Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:29

@emmathedilemma

I had cerazette mini pill and sure it had a fairly generous window in which you should take it. It made me bleed almost constantly but if you’ve been ok with the combined pill it might be work for you. I had a similar experience with the mirena (but heavier bleeding and bad cramps) and for that reason I won’t try the implant. Nothing with hormones in seems to suit me!
Ah is that the one with the 12 hr window? Most mini pills seem to be 3hrs. Yes I’d ideally avoid hormones altogether (although I’ve never had terrible side effects with hormones, I’d just prefer to not have them for some reason). How long did the heavy bleeding and cramps last with the mirena? Thanks
OP posts:
hufffflufff · 13/09/2021 20:30

I've had both mirena and copper coil. Much prefer the mirena. On the copper coil my periods became a lot worse and more painful! I don't get periods with the mirena, it's like a miracle!

Skyeheather · 13/09/2021 20:31

I'm on the mini pill and there's a 12 hour window in which to take it. I think it was years ago that you had to take it bang on time every day or it wouldn't work.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 13/09/2021 20:33

I got the mirena over the copper because id just had my DS, it was very traumatic and the new born period for me was just awful (thanks lockdown!), so I wanted to be doubley sure I wouldnt get pregnant again. I reasoned that hormones AND a coil would do the trick. Overall I regret the choice. A copper coil worked perfectly well for 4 years prior to DS!

CheekyChewinski · 13/09/2021 20:35

I've had the marina and recently had it out (had it 6 years whoops) and honestly feel like a weights been lifted. I was always hormonal around the time of the month but now I've had it removed I feel actually really normal. I'm going to consider having the copper next.

torquewench · 13/09/2021 20:37

I've had a mirena 6 years. No periods, no bloating and no acne.

InnPain · 13/09/2021 20:41

Different things will work for different ladies, what causes issues for one won’t necessarily cause the same issues for another. Do your research and go with that in my opinion x

flashpaper · 13/09/2021 20:41

I have the copper coil. Never noticed any excessive bleeding. I find hormonal contraception (I've used the pill and the implant) lowers my sex drive which kind of defeats the purpose of being on it. And the copper lasts 10 years which is a definite plus.

kalidasa · 13/09/2021 20:42

I have had two copper coils and really liked them. (I can't have hormonal contraception.) I have always had painful periods but they weren't more painful with the coil in, if anything they've been less painful during the "coil years". This might also be because I had the first coil put in after my first baby, and some women have less painful periods after giving birth anyway. But in any case, it definitely didn't make my periods more painful. It did make my periods longer, and this effect lasted as long as I had it in; I mean it didn't fade after a while. That was mildly annoying but not really a big deal. If I were in your situation with the acne issue I think I would want to try a non-hormonal contraception for a bit in case it makes a difference to your skin.

Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:42

Thanks everyone for responses. It seems it’s just luck whether one or the other is ideal for each woman! Still unsure although leaning towards mirena or copper for some reason

OP posts:
seb342 · 13/09/2021 20:43

I was on the combined pill for years with no problems. Fast forward to my 30s and my doctor changed me to the mini pill (cerazette) and that's when the problems started. Weight gain, cystic acne, mood swings, hair loss to name a few. It crept up gradually and at the start I was so happy to have no periods I didn't notice. I came across a thread on here about cerazette and everything clicked into place. It took 4 different doctors until one took me seriously and said the mini pill wasn't for everyone and my side effects were common then we talked about other options. I ruled out the mirena pretty quickly because my doctor advised it contained similar hormones so I probably wouldn't get on with it. This left the copper coil or sterilisation, the waiting list was long so I decided to give the copper coil a try and it's honestly given me my life back. Friends and family have noticed I'm happier, I've lost over 3 stone with no effort and my skin is finally back in good condition with no acne. I don't think there's a one size fits all regarding contraception and different things work for different people.

YourBonesAreWet · 13/09/2021 20:43

The mirena was horrible for me. Zero sex drive, horrible cramps, put weight on (though that could have just been me overeating), moody. I put up with it for a year or two then had it removed and I felt so much better.

I’ve had the copper coils for a few years now and love it.

Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:45

I haven’t had any children if that makes a difference, and am not planning to have any ever. Therefore the internet tells me to go with copper as it lasts longer but I would be happy to have the mirena replaced in 5/6 years if it’s the better option

OP posts:
dangermouseisace · 13/09/2021 20:46

Has your GP discussed your general period issues (if you have any) or what your want from contraception? I'd thought implant but my GP suggested Minera would be better because I had horrendous periods. Best decision ever! But things are different for every woman.

snowone · 13/09/2021 20:46

I have the Kyleena coil - it's the Mirenas little sister. In between copper and Mirena. Lower levels of hormone. I love it. I only had light periods pre coil and now they have completely stopped.

Pinkstars2501 · 13/09/2021 20:49

I was on the implant for years. For me it was fantastic, it stopped my periods and all the symptoms that come with it. I have endometriosis and it was brilliant.

But other ladies have had constant bleeding with it, so obviously doesn't work for everyone.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 13/09/2021 20:51

@scoopgalore

I haven’t had any children if that makes a difference, and am not planning to have any ever. Therefore the internet tells me to go with copper as it lasts longer but I would be happy to have the mirena replaced in 5/6 years if it’s the better option
Just depends how you get along with hormonal contraceptives. It wont be the same for everyone.
Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:51

@dangermouseisace

Has your GP discussed your general period issues (if you have any) or what your want from contraception? I'd thought implant but my GP suggested Minera would be better because I had horrendous periods. Best decision ever! But things are different for every woman.
My periods are unremarkable. Not so light that I wouldn’t notice them becoming much heavier, but not heavy enough for me to curse them. I worry that copper coil would make them terrible but I suppose I wouldn’t know until I tried
OP posts:
Ellarain · 13/09/2021 20:52

I have the mirena in now and hate it. I got it for heavy periods in April. My boobs are always sore, mood swings, horrible stomach bloating. I feel sluggish both mentally and physically. The only positive is my period stopped but I constantly feel pre menstrual. I want it out but that means I go back to having periods that kept me housebound for 4 days every month.

Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:53

@seb342

I was on the combined pill for years with no problems. Fast forward to my 30s and my doctor changed me to the mini pill (cerazette) and that's when the problems started. Weight gain, cystic acne, mood swings, hair loss to name a few. It crept up gradually and at the start I was so happy to have no periods I didn't notice. I came across a thread on here about cerazette and everything clicked into place. It took 4 different doctors until one took me seriously and said the mini pill wasn't for everyone and my side effects were common then we talked about other options. I ruled out the mirena pretty quickly because my doctor advised it contained similar hormones so I probably wouldn't get on with it. This left the copper coil or sterilisation, the waiting list was long so I decided to give the copper coil a try and it's honestly given me my life back. Friends and family have noticed I'm happier, I've lost over 3 stone with no effort and my skin is finally back in good condition with no acne. I don't think there's a one size fits all regarding contraception and different things work for different people.
That’s very interesting, thank you. I assumed the mini pill would have less side effects than the combined but clearly not in your case!
OP posts:
Original poster
scoopgalore · 13/09/2021 20:59

I think the thing making me worried about getting a copper coil is a friend who got one and was in agony for months and only had it removed and switched to mirena because she threatened to remove it herself because she was in so much pain. The Mirena worked much better for her apart from giving her back acne which was quickly treated with an antibiotic lotion. So I guess I’ve been influenced by that. Aprart from that, I love the idea of hormone free birth control.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 14/09/2021 10:56

The heavy bleeding and cramps lasted with the mirena until it bled itself out about a year after it was fitted! I do have fibroids which were believed to be causing heavy bleeding and the mirena was meant to help. It didn’t and had the opposite effect! But if you have no underlying issues it might be ok.