Fed up of Copper coil and prolonged “periods”

[CrispyAubergine]

Does anyone else have the copper coil? If so I would like to hear others experiences if possible. I’ve had mine 3 years and I’m sick of it. Since having it in I’ve had a “period” for 10-14 days each month. It starts with v light brown spotting literally only when I wipe (sorry 😳) for about 4 days. Then comes the real period accompanied by severe cramps and clots (again sorry 😳) that probably lasts another 3-4 days. That tails off into brown spotting (again just when I wipe) that goes paler and paler then eventually disappears.

I have bad health anxiety so every month I worry 😔 . About a year after I had it put in I had a scan and swabs to make sure all was ok and they were clear. But I thought it would have settled by now as I’m sure the longer periods are meant to improve after the first 6 months to a year you have it

Has anyone else had this? I feel like just having it removed and trying the pill but then I don’t want to put unnecessary hormones in my body.... any advice / reassurance appreciated 😔😔

Oh I’ve just realised I’ve posted this in Aibu!! Thought it was in chat 😳😳

No real advice, but I'm sick of mine too! Periods used to be 4-5 days with 1 heavy day in the middle. Now last about 10 days, with 3 or 4 heavy days in the middle. Not sure if I can blame it all on the copper coil, it might be my age (41)!! Had mine for 8 years; it definitely settled down slightly after the first few months, but periods are a nuisance again now. Probably going to get it taken out soon - split with DH 2 years ago, and newish DP had a vasectomy many years ago, so there doesn't seem much point keeping it. I can't tolerate hormonal contraception, so I feel your pain. Would DP consider a vasectomy, or might you want (more?) DC in the future?

I hate mine I've had it in since March.. mine are exactly the same and very painful what I can only describe as contraction pain .. it literally feels like contractions
I'm actually considering getting it removed

copper coil makes periods heavier and longer, it's a well known side-effect.

as I’m sure the longer periods are meant to improve after the first 6 months to a year you have it

no this isn't the case @CrispyAubergine, you may be thinking about the mirena where you can have irreg bleeding for 6m then periods stop.

I don't understand why anyone ever has one now the mirena is available. talk to your gp about changing for a mirena or jaydess.

I had mine for 3 years. Similar experience to yours although I had none of the horrible hormonal side effects I got with the pill so I quite liked it from that perspective. Took it out to ttc and fell pregnant v quickly so that was also a plus.
Tried mirena after DC1 and had similar side effects to pill for a year then had it removed. Bled less but Hormonal contraceptive just doesnt agree with me.
Oh and also ended up anemic on the copper coil...I suspect that it was connected to long heavy periods so watch out for that.

Thanks for the replies x

Red that’s how mine are!!! Agonising they actually take my breath away and when I pass the clots it hurts

Tbh i am considering having it out and getting sterilised, I’m 38 and got 3 dc I don’t want any more.

Ideally I’d like H to get the snip but he’s full of excuses 😓

I don't understand why anyone ever has one now the mirena is available. talk to your gp about changing for a mirena or jaydess.

Because about 15% of Mirena users experience very adverse side effects. Some people cannot use hormonal contraception of any sort due to adverse side effects.

Tbh i am considering having it out and getting sterilised, I’m 38 and got 3 dc I don’t want any more.

A lot of trusts no longer fund female sterilisation.

I’m with you OP. Wanted non hormonal, really tempted to go back on the pill. I might go for a mirena but would rather have predictable (albeit heavy) bleeding than irregular bleeding.

or I’ll get pregnant and bf for as long as possible again and not have periods for a couple of years

Have you had the long period thing too then ghosting ?

And werksupp i think mine still allow sterilisation but tbh I’d be happy to pay if I had to anyway

Copper coils don't always make periods heavier/longer.

Before I began the perimenopause, I had regular heavy periods, exactly the same as normal, lasting 8 days, again normal for me. The only change was that the first day or two was super-heavy, but very quickly tailing off into lighter than previously, but I'd guess no more or less total blood loss than before.

I'm now well into the menopause process, and yes, getting weird and heavy periods, like two weeks of brown spotting and now several very heavy days, but I don't think it's the coil causing that.

It's going to be different for each person.

A lot of trusts no longer fund female sterilisation.

Wow, why the hell not?

OP, I had the copper coil fitted 3 weeks ago. Now I'm shitting myself after reading these replies.

Ive has one four years. It's a ten year coil and it's brilliant. Lighter less painful periods. So it's not everyone.

Because they say it's too expensive compared to its efficacy, Really, or that women will change their minds or that LARC can work for every single person (which obviously, it can't). Pretty stupid when you consider the cost of a pregnancy/childbirth/children to the NHS or the cost of terminations.

If your trust funds it, I'd get an appointment now, Crispy.

I'm not sure if it's helpful as my feelings are very different. I do have the same bleeding pattern that you describe and somewhat more painful periods but it's still my preferred means of contraception, so I'm happy to live with it.

I have found those things less troublesome since I started using a Mooncup rather than tampons and panty liners. I think some of my discomfort was from using tampons when there wasn't really enough blood, so they stayed dry and hard, and I seem to react to the stuff pads are made of. Now that it's not uncomfortable, the longer period doesn't annoy me either.

Oooh I’ve been considering a moon cup cinerina a couple of friends rave about them

I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this on the copper coil! Makes me worry less.

I used to have a five day period. Now it’s eight days with the same pattern as you. A normal period bookended by a couple of very light days at either end.
It’s ok. I wouldn’t take hormonal contraception as I never have.
Really I wish DH had offered to have the snip. But he won’t.

Mine is fantastic. Very heavy periods for the first 6 months...now pain free and light.no worrying about pregnancy, missing pills or hormones.
I'm not smug though...I was an emotional wreck on the pill...everyone is different.

I chose copper rather than Morena as I can't cope with hormones. The Morena makes some women psychotic.

Mirena

Awww you’re lucky malificent, it would be the perfect contraceptive for me if it wasn’t for this issue.

I chose the copper over the Mirena for the same reason.

I had one for 8 years. It had a lot of advantages- mainly lack of hormones, not having to think about contraception, and efficacy.

But the 10 day periods were not fun. Mine weren’t too heavy, but I had a lot of cramps. Also would get cramping for a couple of days around ovulation. The cramps got gradually worse rather than better until eventually I decided enough was enough, and I had it removed.

I had a really noticeable ‘ahhhhhh’ sensation when it was taken out - like my whole abdomen relaxed. I haven’t had a single cramp since. I’m barely aware I’m on my period and it only lasts 3 days.

Oh god yes to the ovulation pain !!

I get a severe sharp pain which lasts a few hours then a bruised sensation which lasts for about 2 days! Not fun.

Ive had the copper coil in for 18 months, and every few months think of having it removed. I seem to have very severe pains and a very heavy, long period every 3-4 months (once the pain was so terrible I tried to remove it myself). But none of the alternatives suit me, tried Mirena for 15 months and was an emotional wreck, the pill made have severe mood swings and generally feel shit, depo I bled every day for 4 months..... but I haven't decided if I dont want any more children. So this is the best out of a bad bunch I suppose

The Morena makes some women psychotic.

Some also experience severe PMT, breast pain, acne, loss of libido and/or constant bleeding. It's about 15% of users so definitely not the magic bullet it's sold as for all women.

Some women simply cannot use any hormonal contraception without very adverse side effects.