Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

1 2

AIBU?

To want the copper coil out after less than 3 months?

39 replies

Needadviceandfast · 04/11/2013 16:15

I previously had the mirena (for years) with awful side effects so decided to change to the copper coil. Yes I knew my periods were likely to get heavier, longer and more painful, but I'm on the second day of period 3 now and feel utterly horrendous. The pain is indescribable, it's so heavy I feel like I'm literally bleeding to death and it's bound to last for at least another 8-9 days...

Is it likely to get better over time? I'd forgotten how debilitating heavy periods are and really don't know if I can carry on like this. I have 3 kids and work 32 hours a week - no chance of having time off from either. I've no idea what to do about contraception now though, seem to have exhausted every option

OP posts:

Report

BoysRule · 06/11/2013 20:16

I have had mine if for about a year now. I wanted it out after 3 months too. However, I am glad I didn't. My periods have got a lot better - it is really heavy for 2 days and then pretty much nothing. I have just learnt to be prepared and I know what to expect. It is worth it for not having to think about it.

SugarHut · 06/11/2013 20:13

Pa ha ha ha!

Just envisaging his friends, "lie down love, brace yourself"

I've just spoken to him about it again, and he's really not wanting me to get this done. Here we go on the pill again by the looks of it. Sigh....

MrsWedgeAntilles · 06/11/2013 19:58

Posted too soon.
All the risks and side effects of any contraception tend to be concentrated at the beginning of use so its likely that any one you see will try to save this method for you if they can. Please don't suffer like this though, go an see someone.

MrsWedgeAntilles · 06/11/2013 19:54

There is medication you can take to control the bleeding until it settles down by itself. If you can take the combined pill you could use this or there is medication specifically for heavy periods that you can use in this circumstance.

bigkidsdidit · 06/11/2013 18:51

I've had no problems with mine, for the people considering it. Day 1 of my period is certainly much heavier than before but still manageable and it lasts 5 days. I am really pleased I got mine, as all hormonal contraception makes me crazy.

gobbledegook1 · 06/11/2013 18:43

I ended up having mine out in A&E less than a week after having it put in, turns out I have a copper alergy!

HairyGrotter · 06/11/2013 17:32

I love my copper coil!!! Yes, the first 3-4 periods were a learning curve, but they soon settled down. I now have one heavy day during a 4-5 day period.

I can't recommend it enough!

FungusTheBogeyman · 06/11/2013 17:22

My GP said that it is more likely for your partner to be able to feel it if the strings are cut too short as they become spikey. She said if the strings are left a bit longer then they tend to curl back on themselves and are less obvious!

FungusTheBogeyman · 06/11/2013 17:18

I love the copper coil. I have a really heavy period for 2 days then don't even know it's there for the rest of the month.
My first couple of periods after having it fitted were heavy, long and uncomfortable but I am so glad that I gave it time to settle down.

tenementmonster · 06/11/2013 16:20

god i am so sorry...i compltely misread yr post, i thought you said they reckon they could fit it not feel it. god, it's been a long day.

ask GP to cut the strings shortish

Snowflakepie · 06/11/2013 16:17

Wanted to add, no issues with mine. Granted its only been a few months, but I had no issues having it fitted, no cramps at the time. Previously periods were light, now they are heavier but still no pain. I've had 2DC if that matters, makes it easier to fit I guess (DS was 10 weeks when done).

I did ask DH if he could feel anything, he said no. I think the threads are quite neat though, if left longer it could be an issue. Equally, he knows its the only way he's allowed near lol! If he complained he would have to step up, hormones a no go for me too.

If you don't have bad periods normally, you may well be fine. Don't be put off. If you have pain normally then it sounds like maybe it is worse. Good luck!

SugarHut · 06/11/2013 16:15

Eh?

tenementmonster · 06/11/2013 16:13

erm, i don't new chap's friends are trained in it, you risk perforation of womb etc

SugarHut · 06/11/2013 16:07

Hmmmm. Having picked up the thing from the pharmacy, the tube it's in is alarmingly large! Also, new chap has had a couple of friends tell him that they could feel it during sex with their wives. Is there any truth in this?

beingacow · 05/11/2013 10:49

Copper coil is one of the best things I've ever had done. Ok, I get very very light periods without the coil, and when I had it they got a bit worse (probably more like normal periods), but I have no pain, breasts are not sore, no hormones to mess with my skin/libido/weight gain/water retention etc etc etc. If your body can tolerate them, copper coils are amazing. The only down side was the rigamarole of getting it done, GP surgeries in this area don't do them, only the family planning clinic which is miles away from me in a hard to get to place. But never mind, it was well worth it. Love my coil.

CinammonGirl · 05/11/2013 09:30

I had severe pain after having mine fitted, so bad I could hardly sit up and was off work for a week. It did settle down and I didn't have any more problems for about 6 months when I began to feel unwell - and discovered I was pregnant!

Needadviceandfast · 05/11/2013 08:48

Thanks so much for all the varied replies. Had a rough night - constant pain, felt faint and sick whenever I got up and was actually sick at one point (probably due to co-codamol....). I've had to take the day off today and am waiting to get an emergency doctor's appointment. Not sure where to go from here - it may well settle down in time but not sure I can cope with it like this until it does. DP doesn't like the idea of the snip.... and because my periods are naturally on the heavy and painful side thinks it won't solve the problem anyway.

OP posts:

FryOneFatManic · 04/11/2013 21:55

I have a copper coil. My periods are no heavier than they were before I began using hormone contraceptives. 7 days in total, but only the first 2-3 anything like heavy, and certainly the last 3-4 being v.v.light "sludge" (for want of a better word).

No stomach cramps on periods, in fact no real problems at all, and certainly none of the moods swings I have had with hormonal contraceptives.

I chose this as I wanted to quit using hormonal contraceptives (including Mirena, injection, pill, all things I've tried) as I had a number of side effects from them.

But certainly, a copper coil won't suit everyone.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 04/11/2013 21:52

If you already have 3 kids why not let your OH get the snip? Worked wonders for me!

RaRa1988 · 04/11/2013 21:30

YANBU. I had one a few years ago, with all the problems you describe. Started badly: the 'hour or two' of cramping I'd been told to expect after it was put in turned into 31 hours of agony where I couldn't even sit up right - and they didn't even get it in; I had to go to hospital and have it done under GA. Should've known at that point! My GP refused to take it out until I'd tried it for 6-9 months. It never got better. I had it removed as soon as I could and would never go near it again.

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/11/2013 21:06

I would have it done sugar. I was 20 and single when I got mine.

My periods were a bit for painful for a short time but not agonising.

thecakeisalie · 04/11/2013 20:38

YANBU it doesn't suit everyone. I'm the same in that I can't have hormonal contraception. The copper coil increased my light 4 day period to a heavy painful 7 day period. Not completely unbearable and others have said it does settle down. I had mine for 2 years and only had it removed so we could ttc.

I felt a sense of relief when it was gone I hadn't realised how odd it had made me feel, I felt like a tense feeling in my abdomen had lifted.

I don't know what to suggest in its place I'm at my wits end with contraception too, were now considering dh having a vasectomy after dc3 is born as were done gaving babies and no options left!

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

SugarHut · 04/11/2013 19:49

Apologies now for utterly derailing....

I'm about to have it put in on the basis that after a final split from on/off/on/off DP of 4 yrs, I have started seeing another chap. Now...we've already had a bit of a wobble, and while we have a great time together, I am very cautious that he may get another "cold feet" moment and bolt. With this in mind...do I want a contraceptive that will potentially play me up for the first 5 months of this relationship....or...if I'm not even sure he'll be on the cards in 3 months, is it worth the aggro?

Shall I endure bastard condoms for another 6mths, given that nearly all the bigger problems with the coil occur in the first few months and that's only how old this relationship is, so not exactly helping matters on the fun, spontaneous sex side. What would you do?

Alisvolatpropiis · 04/11/2013 19:38

It does get much better op

Mine settled after 4/5 months and has been gloriously problem free for nearly 5 years now.

WhoNickedMyName · 04/11/2013 19:38

Sugar don't let this thread put you off. Give it a try.

The copper coil has been my best contraception ever.

I can happily live with the heavier periods in exchange for being hormone free (and therefore not the psychotic/fat/spotty mess I was when on hormonal contraception). I have absolutely no other side effects.

I had the 10 year coil fitted and fully intend leaving it in for the 8 years it's got left.

Unflip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.