Coil or implant?

[vinolover8]

I am in my early 30s, single, but am dating and I want to ensure that I protect myself (will still use condoms but I am hoping I might find a partner soon).

I am considering getting either the coil or implant because it is long term protection and I don’t want to take the pill. I’ve never had either and only taken the pill for a brief period many years ago.

If I am honest I don’t know much about either except that some of my friends have one or the other, they can stop your periods and the coil is apparently very painful to insert?

My periods are regular and fairly short (3-4 days) but can get very heavy for a day or so. Ideally I don’t want to mess with my hormones (I take sertraline daily), so that leaves me with the copper coil.

But am interested to hear your thoughts / experiences etc!

I know I probably need to discuss this with my GP but I am afraid they wouldn’t be interested and see it as something that I shouldn’t be discussing with them…

Bump

If you’ve not had a vaginal birth, I’d not have a coil.

I’m in the same boat as you and also conscious or hormones.

I tried the implant and my hormones did go haywire and I kept bleeding all the time. I know most people get on well with it though and often have very light/no periods. You can always have it taken out if you don’t get on with it (same for the coil but that’s obviously a bit more of an experience getting it in).

I know girls that have had the coil (without having ever given birth) and have all said it’s not great going in but once it’s there it’s all done and fine.

Apparently copper coil can make your periods heavier but as you have light ones sounds like it could be a good option for you as not too much risk. The Minerva coil (hormonal one) should make periods lighter or even stop. However, it is hormonal but a much smaller dose than the implant (which in turn is a much smaller dose than the same stuff in pill form).

I just had my implant taken out and the doctor said she thinks Minerva coil will be best for me because the hormone dose is so low and best chance of not making periods worse. Unfortunately can’t seem to actually get an appointment to have one fitted (classic NHS)!

Hope that helps!

It can vary person by person.

Look into the jaydess coil- it's smaller so should be easier to insert

Copper coil if you don't want any hormones. It's absolutely fine to get fitted if you've never had children, getting it fitted during a period will be slightly easier. They can and will give local anaesthetic if you want/need.

Copper coil does make your periods slightly heavier though.

Hormonal coil (IUS) can stop your periods (I've not had a period since 2008 with mine), but not in everyone and you can get irregular bleeding especially within the first 7-8

Edit: there are different sizes of both type of coils, the smaller sizes usually last 3-5yrs and are easier to tolerate getting fitted.

The Implant absolutely will not stop your periods, in fact there's a 50+% chance of it causing irregular bleeding. Annoying irregular bleeding with the Implant is the main reason for people to have it removed early.

Another option could be the contraceptive injection? Most women who use it stop having periods. Given every 3 months, and there is a version that you can self administer. There's also a clinical trial currently running on a 6month version.

Also contraceptive patch which is changed weekly.

All methods have side effects so its deciding which side effects are more tolerable for you.

I had the implant and got on very well with it. I had a new one put in 3 times so had it for 9 years. I was lucky and had no periods or had one once a year. Every time I came on I was like Jesus how do people go through this monthly.

I’ve just gone on the mini-pill as my implant had expired and I didn’t want one on again as we are considering TTC in the next year or so. I hate being on the pill so much and miss my implant 😅

Thank you all - this is helpful!

@DustyLee123 just out of interest, why do you say that? Because of the pain? I’ve never given birth.

I’m currently breastfeeding so can’t take the pill. Waiting for an appointment to get the coil.
I had a coil before I got pregnant and can honestly say it's the best form of contraception I've ever had! My periods were super heavy at first but they're all good now.
Getting it fitted was a bit uncomfortable and kinda embarrassing, not gonna lie, but that’s it. I embarrass myself more than that on the daily!! Love that there are no hormones messing with my body. Heard some not-so-great things about weight gain and mood swings with implants. Good luck with whichever method you choose! x