To ask if you have ever had a coil fitted, and what your experiences were?

[OhKit]

I have done some research already, would really appreciate your views as well. Thank you in advance

[Newgolddream]

Oh and Ive fell pregnant twice after each mirena renmoval so it didnt interfere with my fertility either.

[pinksancerre]

First one by gp, a little uncomfortable, not unbearable about 15 mins

Second one by consultant gynae, very very quick. My old mirena threads had disappeared, so at the appointment, quick 5 minute chat and 5 minutes to get old one out and new one in! I was

[DivineInspiration]

I had my copper coil fitted just over a year ago. Having it put in was more uncomfortable than painful, (I can only describe it as feeling like my fanjo was being rummaged) with a couple of painful twinges when the sound was being manipulated. I've never given birth and was commended on my very competent cervix by the doctor doing the fitting (!) so suspect it may be even less painful after a birth.

The hour after the fitting was a bit grim - really strong period pain-like cramps which gave me waves of hot flushing and sweating and nausea. I'd planned to saunter off to Oxford Street on the bus to do my Christmas shopping, and felt pretty unwell all the way. I'd definitely recommend anybody take the advice about being driven home after. Then for a couple of days after just light cramping and a bit of blood spotting.

Since then, it's all been great. My periods have never been noticeably heavier, and I do get a bit more period pain before I come on, but completely manageable with ibuprofen.

[PavlovtheCat]

Mirena coil. fucking horrendous.

It migrated out, got stuck on the way and imbedded itself into the womb on its journey out. Never. Again.

[stealthcat]

I thought it was pretty sore - they used local anaesthetic gel, which was crampy, and the measuring-the-uterus bit was horrible. The actual coil going in wasnt too bad after all that!
Afterwards I felt pretty ill - it wasnt too bad to start with, but after about 30 minutes I was feeling really ill, and had to spend the next few hours lying down. After that it got steadily better, with the cramping going over the next couple of days.

[daimbardiva]

Fitting no problem, removal no problem. My first period after fitting was VERY heavy, but they settled down after that.

Also managed to get pregnant a couple of weeks after removal so no effect on fertility!

[emmy12]

Mirena - fitting no problem. Side effects dreadful. Removal a nightmare - 8 medical appointments and a general anaesthetic later - it's finally out.

[kazzamacd]

I think its brilliant! I had it fitted under a general anasthetic as I needed some repairs after birth so I asked to put it in while they were down there. Had really light periods and painless when removed. I got pregnant again immidiately (planned, due in 3 days) and Im getting one back in for good straight aftre. Best contraception Ive ever used.

[kazzamacd]

Just read the post above, wo, nothin like my experience. My doc even joked if I wanted to take it home and put it under my pillow!

[IlsaLund]

Mirena - fitted during an op.
Periods were lighter, but incredibly long (33 days on one occasion). My cycle was very erratic. I also ended up having heavy discharge all the time. I also put on a stone in weight.

I had it removed after 14 months - the gynae couldn't find it first (kept insisting that I had expelled it and not noticed) so removal was painful and prolonged - but not as painful as the pelvic infection that kicked in 48 hours later.
Never again.

[OhKit]

Thank you for all the replies!! Bit of a mixed bag...

[sansucre]

I've had two copper coils, both inserted at Margaret Pike centre as I strongly believe that something like this needs to be done by someone who does it all the time.
First one went in a dream, no soreness and very light periods, 5 days in length but only two days with proper bleeding, slightly painful/uncomfortable when it was removed. Second one (higher copper content) went in fine but I felt ghastly and weak afterwards and bled heavily for 2 days. First couple of periods were heavier but settled back to how they were with 1st coil, heavy day can be very very heavy tho. Have never experienced any cramping either, so I know I've been very very lucky.
(I remember when they removed my coil, I was amazed how clean it was, I was expecting it to be all bloody and dirty!)

The Mirena scares me somewhat but that's mostly because I'm highly suspicious of anything with hormones.. I've never even taken the Pill. I honestly think anything with added hormones is asking for trouble and it seems that any benefits are always outweighed by negatives.

I'd recommend the copper coil in a heartbeat, have never had one single scare with it either.

[MsScarlett]

Sorry to hijack thread, but thanks Tatty, i was wondering whether or not getting it fitted worse if you haven't had a VB. I had a CS, my midwife said that your cervix is a bit softer after pg even if you had a CS...

Really I think the mirena coil is the best option for me as I can't take the combined pill and didn't get on with mini-pill side effects (which is same hormone as implant/injection etc so they are out of the window) so I hope I might get less side effects with mirena, also get painful periods so copper coil probably not a good idea either...

However I am worried about fitting as I hate having my cervix fiddled with - smears make me feel faint...

I found one of the worst side effects of progesterone only pill was total lack of libido, and mine is suffering enough now anyway with small dd! Did anyone find that the progesterone in the mirena causes similar?

[worraliberty]

I'm on my second copper coil and no problems at all.

Well except for yanking it out when it accidentally got caught round my tampon

Oddly enough, it happened 3 days before it was due to be changed...so I turned up at the Docs with it wrapped in a bit of tissue, so she could check it was definitely all there!

[lookingfoxy]

Had the mirena for 5 years, due for replacement, absolutely love it, no periods and no side effects !

[woahthere]

I developed terrible pain after having mine put in, had to go back several times to have the wires trimmed as they jabbed my boyfriend when were were having sex, the pain never stopped, had it removed, developed endometriosis after this, don't know if related but sure seemed related to me.

[Tomatefarcie]

I had a Mirena coil put in last November.

The nurse told me to take some Nurofen 1 hour before going to get it it fitted, as it softens the cervix (apparently).

Hardly felt it going in, bit of light pressure maybe

I thought I was starting to react to it (like I did on the mini-pill, drove me hormental!), but I realised the bad influence on my moods was my mother an external factor.

So 6 months in, all seems well.

[easterbunnyhopsback]

Had several over 30 years. Excellent. (Had first at 19.)
Hurt on insertion before I'd had a baby, but less twingey than a smear test afterwards. Generally doubled up coil change with smear - then didn't have to think about contraception for next 3-4 years.
FPC are always better at doing things like this. Had a experience with a practice nurse, who didn't quite have the knack.

[IWillCountToThree]

I'm on my second copper coil. My Dr told me to take nurofen before insertion and to bring a pad, but it was just like a smear.

I fell pg with ds 3 days after having it removed (planned)

Second was done with a smear when ds was 12w. Took a while to locate my cervix but was otherwise fine.

No scares, periods aren't awfully heavy, and no pain. I have PCOS and it's the best contraception i've found!

[chickchickchicken]

i had mine done when i was under GA having a laparoscopy. i was in a lot of pain afterwards. after nearly a week of pain i was admitted as an emergency. i had an infection there and coil was removed. i was better within a few days. would never have one again

[follyfoot]

Had a couple of failed attempts at Mirena insertion, but worked the third visit. I too was told to take painkillers before going, and it did help.

Uncomfortable going in, not going to fib, but over and done with quickly and thats it then for 5 years so a small price to pay. Bleeding is often very erratic for first 6 months, but if you just hang on in there, it settles to virtually nothing which is BLISS. Wish I'd had one years ago.

[kate158]

I had coil fitted nearly 5 years ago, it was a bit more uncomfotable that having a smear but nothing major. Id been on depo before so wasnt having periods any way. In the past year or so Ive had a bit of spotting but apart from that no periods. Had it removed 4 weeks ago as ttc which was over before i knew it, would highly recommend

[Proudnscary]

I'm sorry to add a doom-laden post into the mix but I have to tell you my sister in law had her coil taken out last month and the surgeon perforated her uterus and her bowel. She now has a catheter. She was told before the operation that there was a negligable chance of anything like this happening and after the op the very experienced consultant who carried out the procedure blamed c section scarring.
It's not without risks.
We use condoms!!!