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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

tabulahrasa · 24/06/2013 22:06

I'm on my third mirena...except for having it out to concieve and have DD I've had one for 16 years...

Having them fitted or removed is no worse than a smear, having it swapped for a new one is a bit worse because it takes longer, I get cramps that day, bad enough that I pretty much go to bed with painkillers and a hot water bottle.

I spot for a few months afterwards, for about a day a month and then no periods at all once it settles down...and no PMT, I didn't realise how badly I had PMT until it was gone.

Sex drive - um, well I don't know what my sex drive would be like now without it, obviously, lol. It seems ok to me, a hell of a lot better than when my children were small - that killed it, lol.

Weight, I've put on weight, lost weight, put some back on again...I'm pretty sure it's got nothing to do with the mirena and very much to do with the fact that I hate exercise and eat rubbish if left to my own devices - I definitely didn't immediately put on weight and it's easy enough to lose weight as soon as I summon willpower.

TwinkleSparkleBling · 24/06/2013 22:06

I had a copper coil fitted. It was vv painful but I have had 2 cs and gp said everything was "tiny and clamped shut"

Now it's fab and I don't give it a second thought.

Can I just ask a question? Can you use tampons with it? Or a mooncup?

Original poster

Afritutu · 25/06/2013 20:58

Very very good feedback: thanks ladies!!!! I was hoping to avoid the hormones, but I literally get pregnant at the drop of a hat (3 times with no trying) so perhaps mirena is safer for me. Have had 2 v-births, so am hoping it won't be too awful to insert. Periods are and have always been very very light (and no existent when on mini pill when breastfeeding) so am guessing they might disappear with coil. Most worried about weight gain (hate dieting, love food, no time to exercise) and also sex drive which is already at a real low - please tell me this is normal when you have a 3.5 year old who winds up in your bed every night, and a 1 year old to boot. Will I ever get fruity again? Will I ever have the energy????

OP posts:

imustbepatient · 25/06/2013 21:03

I love my copper coil, didn't get on with the last pill I was on but the copper coil is great. First few periods are long and very heavy but after a few months it all settled down and it is now just invisible, hassle free contraception.

I chose the copper over the Mirena because I didn't like the hormones in my system from the pill hence didn't want to risk anything hormonally based.

Reastie · 25/06/2013 21:10

I have the copper coil and have had it for a couple of years now. Maybe not the best candidate to sing it's praises as I have problems with it (I get very heavy periods now to the point of making me anaemic) but for me it's the best birth control out there even though I have problems with it (nothings perfect and this is the best of the bunch). I'm never going on hormones again that's for sure!

It's fab to know it's in there and I don't need to worry about taking or doing anything for 10 years. FWIW mine took a while to settle down, so if you do have it done try to bear with it for a few months.

I've also had no weight gain, infact, since having the coil inserted I've lost over 5 1/2 stone (although not due to the coil in any way!).

smokinaces · 25/06/2013 21:35

Twinkle I've used tampons and a mooncup with my coil with no issues.

NewYorkDeli · 25/06/2013 22:11

Great thread. I'm trying to decide between mirena & copper?

Had copper before I had a child, it hurt like hell, it was excruciating. Had it removed after 5 years, was giving myself a break then having another one fitted. I fell pregnant that week

At the moment I rely on condoms & withdrawal, naughty I know, so really need to get one of said coils, as I don't like the thought of hormonal birth control. Just can't devide which to go for? Worried mirena will make me gain weight etc...

Been to see the gynaecologist at my Dr's, he's one of the countries leading coil fitters apparently and is also the Dr off Jeremy Kyle, haha! He assures me it won't hurt anywhere near as much as last time, prides himself on his efficiency etc... But I had a crash section after I pushed for an hour and couldn't get my child out! So maybe it's like i'm childless as far as the coil is concerned?

foreverondiet · 25/06/2013 22:51

I love my mirena - only side effect is no periods at all. Think everyone should get one.... Try it and see - got horrible ibs and headaches on normal pill....

tabulahrasa · 25/06/2013 22:56

'sex drive which is already at a real low - please tell me this is normal when you have a 3.5 year old who winds up in your bed every night, and a 1 year old to boot.'

I found that when my youngest child got to 5 my sex drive suddenly went...hellllooo, lol

PicturesofParadise · 25/06/2013 22:59

I'm on my second Mirena coil.
It is fantastic, no periods, no worry about contraception, only needs changing every 5 yrs.
You can always get it taken out if it doesn't agree with you..

quesadilla · 25/06/2013 23:02

I really like my Mirena, mainly because my periods have disappeared completely (to the point where I no longer have the faintest idea where I am in my cycle.) No weight gain, no PMS which I used to suffer from debilitatingly. Sex drive isn't what it was but I think a lot of that is down to having a 2 year old and a full time job. The hormonal side effects - if you notice them at all - will be a fraction of what you would have with the pill.

60sname · 25/06/2013 23:15

GP said there was no way a coil was getting past my (child free) cervix. Family planning clinic popped it in no bother except for some cramping, during my period (the cervix is more open then).

apostropheuse · 25/06/2013 23:19

My copper coil came out on its own. Strangely enough the same thing happened when my daughter had one inserted.

cosmickitten · 25/06/2013 23:29

I had a minera for a long time (from 19 to 31) due to mega heavy periods and a very bad reaction to taking a wide range of pills.

I did gain a little weight (went from large size 12 to small 14), no effect on sex drive at all and rarely had bleed while using. All in all it was a god send.

My only warning is for me it really messed up my fertility. It took over a year for my progesterone levels to sort out after removal. However this problem seems to be more common for long term users so may not be an issue for you.

If I knew about fertility side I would have stopped using it earlier. However it really was the best option for me at the start.

WhereYouLeftIt · 25/06/2013 23:46

I've been really happy with my Mirena. Hardly any flow so don't really notice my periods, no weight gain, no change to skin, hair, etc.

Reastie · 26/06/2013 06:15

newyork I had a failed coil insertion pre dd - they couldn't get it in . I had a csection after a failed induction (didn't dilate enough for them even to attempt to break waters) but they fitted my coil fine post dd. apparently even though I didn't go into labour, pg still stretched the area sufficiently to manage (although it was quite painful). FWIW I think who inserts it is a big thing too. My failed insertion was my gp, who liked to think she was the best but in reality I can't see she did that many. I went to a family planning clinic at the hospital to get it done postDD and the doctor was fab and seemed to do them all the time.

EMUZ · 26/06/2013 06:17

I have a coil fitting today my first one, no DC
The woman who is doing it used to be a midwife but now works for family planning clinic and uses anaesthetic gel so I'm a little less anxious
Have gone for copper one

Justforlaughs · 26/06/2013 08:43

I had heard lots of horror stories about copper coils, but good things about the mirena. I had a mirena fitted and then the problems started. I had an infection on my ovary and had to have it (the ovary) removed. I thought they would have removed the coil but that was obviously too simple. I then ended up pregnant! Couldn't get the coil out. Had my DD2, still couldn't get teh coil out. More surgery to remove it, and guess what - they had never fitted a mirena, despite what I was told and i had had a bog standard copper coil all the time! Not sure that was really a positive story though

Nevercan · 26/06/2013 19:28

I have had a Mirena coil for the last two years and no issues and no periods

milktraylady · 26/06/2013 19:37

Hi I had a copper coil for a few years. I chose it over Mirena because I didn't want the extra synthetic hormones. Plus I get bad pms & didn't want to make it worse.

I didn't get heavy periods & no problems at all.

I ended up getting a herbalist to treat the pms- regulating my hormones- and he said not taking the synthetic hormones was the best thing ever so we could treat my real imbalance.

Excellent result- much less pms & conceived in 3 months of treatment. (Doc had declared me as unexplained infertility) not sure if that's relevant to you OP. but it shows me how much of an impact the pill type stuff can have.

milktraylady · 26/06/2013 19:37

Obviously I had the coil out THEN trx.

Beatrixpotty · 26/06/2013 19:42

I had a Mirena fitted 8 weeks ago.I'm bf my 3rd DC.I've had constant light spotting but that's all.I'm still slowly losing the post-baby weight & recently libido has returned.No depression or skin changes.Once the bleeding stops I'll be very happy with it.I'm 40,too old for the pill even if I did want it(I don't) and tubal tie/vasectomy are too final.
I'm optimistic bleeding will settle as I had a Mirena 10 years ago and again,it was pretty side-effect free.

1stMrsFrugal · 26/06/2013 19:55

I had implant for 3 years after DTs born. Hated it, terrible PMS, breakthrough bleeding' no sex drive. Now got Mirena. REALLY painful to put in (only c-section delivery, common issue apparently) but after a few months no bleeding, PMS under control and sex drive returned :) Love it.

Beatrixpotty · 26/06/2013 20:12

Just wanted to say,had 3 c-sections and never went into any kind of labour so took diclofenac before Mirena inserted expecting the worst..and honestly could not feel it.It really made the difference and also had v experienced GP(who was quite surprised herself).

Kernowgal · 26/06/2013 20:12

My doc is trying to get me to consider Mirena because I'm approaching the big 4-0 (well, in about four years, anyway ). Currently on Microgynon and have had no issues with it. Initially went on pill not for birth control but to deal with heavy periods and it has made a huge difference to my life - no longer anaemic and periods are still heavy but manageable.

I've not had kids so am a bit worried about the fitting. Recent smears have been fine, not that painful or anything, but friends who've had coils fitted have described it as ranging from uncomfortable to complete agony .

I don't have to make any decision until my current prescription has finished but I suppose I should at least try the Mirena. I just hate the thought of going back to horrible heavy periods (something the doc said was a possibility with the Mirena); I might as well just go back to nothing at all as am not currently in a relationship.

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