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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for some positive feedback experiences for mirena/copper coil?

88 replies

Afritutu · 24/06/2013 12:53

I am sick of taking the pill, been on it for decades and seriously panic about missing one and then accidentally falling pregnant (got 2 DCs, don't want any more). Hate condoms, and would feel edgy about using them as birth control. GPs are pushing mirena but I have heard so many scare stories about weight gain, pain, lack of sex drive. I have always had very light flow, so am not a candidate based on the argument that it will reduce flow dramatically. Surely there must be loads of people who haven't gained weight or had problems!!?? Please reveal yourselves to give me some reassurance.

OP posts:
farewellfigure · 24/06/2013 12:57

No problem with mine whatsoever. No weight gain. No pain and normal sex drive. I don't even know it's there and don't have to worry about birth control. It's turned my life around as I had really problem periods before.

My niece recently had one fitted and she suffered with some pain for a few days (she hasn't had any children though and I think it's more painful if you haven't), and then recently had an infection. Apparently that is very rare.

Hopefully you'll be absolutely fine.

FryOneFatManic · 24/06/2013 12:57

I changed from a Mirena coil to a copper coil because of the side effects (which I hadn't really known about beforehand).

Best decision I made. Libido is better, hair is better, skin is better, etc, etc.

First couple of periods were heavy, but they are now getting lighter, I get no PMT and hardly any cramps. No problem, for me that is. Smile

sarahlundssweater · 24/06/2013 13:00

I had one for two and a bit years, between babies. It was great. No periods whatsoever. No weight gain, no mood swings. It was in there, then I just forgot about it till I wanted to get pregnant.

I've just had one fitted again, last month. I have 3 DC's, no plans for anymore. At the moment I'm on my period (v.v. light) I expect it'll be the last one, if last time is anything to go by.

It hurt for about one second when I had it fitted and removed. A bit crampy in the hours following, that's all.

I recomend.

smokinaces · 24/06/2013 13:04

Love mine. Had it since 2011 I think? No weight issues, no period problems (I have a light five to six day bleed once every five weeks or so) get a few spots but tbh think they are linked more to carbs bingeing than hormones. My boobs hurt more hormonally but no loss of sex drive or anything. Love mine, wouldn't be without it now. Just wish I'd had it sooner than I did!

bringonyourwreckingball · 24/06/2013 13:06

I have a copper coil. I did have very heavy periods for the first year, but they have now settled down and it's the best form of contraception I've ever tried. The pill made me slightly psychotic and the implant wrecked my libido, the coil doesn't seem to have any side effects.

daimbardiva · 24/06/2013 13:07

I had a copper coil and my petiods were unmanagably heavy. I changed to a mirena earlier this year and my first period was heavy and lasted 3 weeks (!), but I'm now down to mild spotting every 6 weeks or so and no other side effects. Hurrah :-)

Fitting was not at all painful either time.

LadyCelia · 24/06/2013 13:09

I loved my Mirena, I had no problems at all with it. It was a bit painful to insert, and I was dreading it coming out but that was easy. No weight gain (well, not due to that anyway, I think!) and no periods at all. I'd have another one tomorrow if only we could decide whether to go for another baby or not first!

SarahBumBarer · 24/06/2013 13:12

Hmmm - I do have some problems with the coil (had it for around 8 months now) but no weight gain, no skin problems. I won't dwell on the problems because that is not what you are looking for here and the problems are not that bad and the usual stuff. Key is it was actually pretty easy to insert, I understand it is pretty easy to get out and I have not thought of doing so yet because it has a lot of positives too.

But why not try it - as I say it is easy and if you do decide that it is not for you it is a pretty easy decision to reverse.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 24/06/2013 13:14

No probs with mine either. Bit uncomfortable to fit and crampy for a day or so. One period and nothing since. No changes anywhere else.Smile

onetiredmummy · 24/06/2013 13:14

Not once regretted my mirena. I can't remember the last time I had a period & everything else, skin, hair, sex etc is all fine.

Plus if something does go wrong for you, then just get it taken out :)

loubielou31 · 24/06/2013 13:15

I've had a mirena coil for 18 months, I have put weight on but I think more due to the amount of cake I eat and not the coil. My skin isn't great (but then never was although it did improve whilst on the pill). Periods are quite erratic but are short and light when I have one. Sex drive is pretty much gone but again think this is more due to extreme tiredness just from having small children and interrupted sleep, (it isn't lower than DHs so not a problem Grin we're just too knackered and both asleep by 10 pm every night.)
I was rubbish at remembering to take the pill every day and so the coil is much better than an unplanned pg. I expect that when this one needs replacing I'll send DH off for the snip. (He'd go now but I like that this contraception is reversible in case I change my mind and want another baby, unlikely but you never know.)
Not perfect but not a horror story. Real life friends are 50, 50 love it/ hate it.

BoysRule · 24/06/2013 13:15

I have a copper coil. I do have very heavy periods for a few days but I have noticed they are starting to get lighter. I think it is worth it though as I don't have to remember anything or do anything and I didn't want hormones due to fertility issues with the pill (not that we are planning on having any more children).

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 24/06/2013 13:15

In my experience ( limited) people who seem to have no issues with the pill get on better with it, same hormones perhaps?

smokinaces · 24/06/2013 13:28

Natural, I am categorically banned from ever taking the pill by my gynea,because of the side effects, but am ok with the mirena

MummytoMog · 24/06/2013 13:32

I have a copper coil because hormonal contraception just doesn't work for me - I get high blood pressure on the combined pill, no libido and spotting on the progesterone only and no way was I having a mirena coil releasing hormones directly into my uterus of DOOM.

It hurt to have put it, like a clumsy smear test, my first three periods were VERY heavy, but I've always bled like a stuck pig and had cramps anyway thanks to my retroverted uterus so it wasn't unmanageable with and now it's amazing. I love it. I don't worry about getting pregnant, I don't have stupid hormone swings, my periods are even a bit shorter (if sharper), my libido is back to pre-baby best and it lasts for ten years. Never looking back. DH is very happy too. And I managed to donate eggs without having it removed, which was very handy.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 24/06/2013 13:36

Smokinaces ah, well thought it might be connected but now I know. Smile

4leafclover · 24/06/2013 13:39

I had it fitted whilst I was on my period, a hour later my period had finished until I had it removed. Grin

No horrible side affects Grin

I will be having it fitted again after I have had dc3 it was the best contraception IMO. Grin

FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 24/06/2013 13:41

I have a copper coil and it's great. Don't have any side effects, periods are fine. It wasn't even that bad having it fitted - just like a smear for me. I had mine fitted while I was breastfeeding which possibly made things easier because it had all settled down before my periods came back.

smokinaces · 24/06/2013 13:45

Natural it could just be me of course. I am rather odd. React to ibruprofen but not aspirin which according to many gps is just plain weird!

SsimTee · 24/06/2013 13:46

I'm on my second Mirena now and I love it. Had the first one taken out before the 5 years was up to get pregnant with my first baby and then had it straight put back after my second daughter was born. It was very painful when they inserted the first one, because that was before I've had any children, but I didn't even notice when they put the second one in. That's been in 4 years now and I've never had any complaints with it. I've always had a light flow, so my periods just stopped after the coil went in.

samesizetoes · 24/06/2013 13:46

I had the copper coil fitted just over 3 months ago. Fitting was fine but had cramping and spotting almost everyday for the first 2 months but it seems to have eased off now. I haven't had children and I was previously on the depo right up until I had the coil fitted so the setting down time has taken a little longer than it would do normally. I've already lost a stone without even trying, my hair is better than it has been in years and I feel so much happier without the hormones from the depo.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 24/06/2013 13:54

No weight gain and I'm on my second mirena now. In fact I'm slimmer now than before.

Had first one fitted when I was 36 and I'm 43 now. I also heard the horror stories but I can honestly say that it's been brilliant and life changing for me.

I had it fitted as a way of controlling my severe endometriosis.I suffered for years with pain and flooding. My periods stopped immediately after it was fitted.

I have had no problems with it whatsoever.

WhoNickedMyName · 24/06/2013 13:58

Copper coil - best contraception ever for me.

It didn't hurt to have it inserted. Periods are a little bit heavier and last maybe a day longer than before. I love being hormone free. I've had it for 2 years now and it's good for another 8 before it will need to be replaced.

mrsnoodle55 · 24/06/2013 13:59

I've had the bog standard copper one for about 8 years now. I wanted to know what I was really like with just my own hormones. It was a revelation. It works fine, no issues (touching wood..)

AngelsWithSilverWings · 24/06/2013 14:00

SsimTee - do you mind helping me with this question?

I've had to have both mine fitted under general anaesthetic as I've never given birth. I'm due to be fitted again in 3 years and I was wondering about asking to have it done without the GA.

I've often wondered if the consultant insisted on the GA because I had gone private.

How bad is it having one fitted if you have never given birth?

Sorry for hijacking.

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