mirena or implant? or copper coil?

[scoopgalore]

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

I think the mirena has a tiny amount of hormones in it. As I have a very sensitive body I went for the copper instead which didn't work for me well. When I switched to mirena I was pleasantly surprised that the hormones didn't seem to affect me as I was expecting. I don't notice it.

@hufffflufff

I think the mirena has a tiny amount of hormones in it. As I have a very sensitive body I went for the copper instead which didn't work for me well. When I switched to mirena I was pleasantly surprised that the hormones didn't seem to affect me as I was expecting. I don't notice it.

Why didn’t you get on with the copper?

as I said earlier upthread it made my periods longer and more painful unfortunately.

@scoopgalore my doctor explained that because you have the two types of hormones in the combined pill it's more balanced out. The mini pill is progesterone only and some people can't tolerate it alone.

I forgot to say in my original post that it totally killed my sex drive as well. And when I say killed I mean to the point of recoiling if my partner even touched my arm! I honestly believe it would have split us up if I hadn't switched to something else, it sounds dramatic and I've read other people saying similar things and thinking how ridiculous it sounds but for me personally it happened but everyone reacts differently.

I have the copper coil, love that it doesn't contain hormones and I don't feel my periods are any more heavy/painful than before.
Inserting/removing it is another thing altogether tho! But I guess that's the same whether it's the copper or mirena.

I’m pretty sure I’ll go for either mirena or copper coil, over the implant. Thanks everyone for advice

Is it correct that you require 2 appts? Someone told me there’s 1 appt to insert it and they leave the strings long and then 2nd appt weeks later to trim the strings? Is this true and if so, why?

Yes it's two appointments but it's just to check everything is okay and if the strings are too long they'll trim them. There's a tiny chance your body will expel the coil (either one, copper or mirena) so they just check it's sitting in place correctly. It's not painful having the second check but if I'm honest I didn't find insertion as bad as I expected.

I had the implant when I was about 22. I hated it, really affected my mood and I put on a stone... promptly after removal I lost all that weight. It made me argue with my partner at the time and I was constantly crying. I didn’t have periods and was constantly bloated. My boobs went big as well.

Just had the copper coil fitted. Didn’t hurt going in, and have had light spotting and a normal period since. I have heavy periods anyway but I haven’t noticed them being heavier with the coil in.