Copper coil, terrified

[ajja2021]

Hi,

I'm looking into contraception. Long story short - never had any contraception with DH (other than condoms) he told me he couldn't have children naturally and we had tests which confirmed that we would need ivf to conceive.

We had a lot of fertility treatment to have our DS and to our surprise we conceived naturally twice in under 12 months of him being born (only one pregnancy was successful)

So here I am with 2 under 2 (and definetly done) I've spent the last 4 years having fertility treatments, investigations, pregnancies and a very traumatic miscarriage and two csections.

I'm just done at this point, I'm so lucky to have what I have. However, DH always said he would get a vasectomy but is quite anxious and has asked how I'd feel about contraception.

I didn't want anything hormone based as my body has been up and down for years. I was pointed in the direction of a copper coil by my midwife.

Is it really awful? I've read horror stories online, my friends have said it's really painful when it's being fitted too. I've never given birth naturally, I have had plenty of "internals" my mum had one fitted and said it was incredibly painful and gave her horrific periods.

Any advice on what to expect?

I have one and honestly best decision I ever made..hormones drove me nuts and I was always so emotional. The insertion did hurt, liek a bad period cramp and it was sore for a couple of hours after it. I'm on my second one now and no babies so it works well! Would definitely recommend it.

I had the copper coil for a year or 2. I wouldn't repeat it. I had an attempt by GP to put it in, but I have a kinked cervix so it was put in using ultra sound at the local family planning clinic. It wasn't pleasant.
I then had low level period type pains for 8 weeks before it settled down & my periods got longer & heavier.

I do know people who had a better experience though.

I had a copper coil for years, found insertion was fine, a bit uncomfortable but not really much worse than a smear test and didn't take very long. Would recommend having it inserted at GUM clinic rather than GP, they do it all day long so know what they're about!

Mine worked well for years but gradually my periods got heavier and more frequent so I had it taken out. I have fibroids though so that was another factor. I would say in your situation it's worth trying.

I have one which is my second over maybe 10 years. No more painful then a smear test for fitting and I like the fact there aren't any hormones at all. I do have heavier and more painful periods since though but for me it's worth it. I take tranexamic acid for 2 days of my period which has helped a lot.

I've had a copper coil for 20 years. Obviously it's been changed in that time! I had it out to conceive my youngest daughter and then back in again and I've had no problems at all. It's the ideal contraception for me.

It can be a bit crampy when you first have it, but that all settled down for me. It's made my periods heavier, but shorter.

Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate.

I had one for 8 years which I took out to TTC. This baby is my first so my cervix has never opened. The insertion was sore but over quickly. My periods were heavier but not a problem for me. I liked not having to remember anything, not having to worry if I was sick that it wouldn’t work and not having hormones making me crazy.

I’m planning to get another put in after my baby is born.

I had one. It was ok, and I liked the ‘no hormones’ aspect, but it gave me very heavy periods, so I had it removed after about 3 years.

I've had two and also 2 c sections - I think you are getting overly worried and I've found it a great solution.

It isn't something I would contemplate though at a GP - go to your sexual health clinic get a professional and it will be totally fine. Mine was "lost" completely but a few injections and a skilled clinic dr found it quickly and pain free.

I recently took DD to a Private Gynae consultant for period related issues. She said that most female Gynaes and Gynae nurses have a Mirena, which must say something I suppose.
She also said that she didn’t like fitting one without a general despite our GP saying DD “might be able to have a bit of local” if she had one.
I don’t have one and don’t need one but they dint sound as awful as I thought if done right

Had one put in beg of last month. GP asked me to trial a local anaesthetic gel - worked really well, hardly any pain just a bit uncomfortable- not as painful as a smear in my opinion. So ask for that and that will help.
Am really glad I had it done, despite bit of pain and a heavy period it’s been good so far!

Thanks so much for the replies, I'm really hoping to avoid hormones but the part that worried me the most is the insertion

I remember a bit of first hand life experience press recently about iuds causing pain, but I couldnt relate to these stories at all - nothing like the 2 experiences I've had. Yes a bit uncomfortable but over with very very quickly. Don't fret.