To want a copper coil rather than a mirena?

[coffeeforone]

I have an appointment next week to get a coil fitted, my first ever form of contraception (aside from condoms/withdrawal), at the age of 33.

I spoke to GP about wanting the copper coil at my 6 week postnatal check and she convinced me that the mirena was much better, no side effects as only local hormone release and no periods. Sent me away to think about it.

Now I'm not saying she was lying, but reading online, the mirena apparently can come with side effects because of the hormones. The copper one will probably make periods heavier but other than that I can't see any downsides.

I'm in 2 minds to try the mirena, albeit with the risk of side effects, but the one thing that puts me off is the possibility of increased appetite and weight gain. I'm currently working hard to shed the 3 stone I have gained over my past 2 pregnancies and am very motivated at the moment. I don't want this to derail me or reduce my limited willpower. Am I overthinking this and are the chances of side effects very low, or should I stick to my original choice of the copper?

My gp tried me on a pill with similar hormones to mirena before I had it. This was to see how I may react. It wasn't good. I bled constantly.

That was a bad call by the GP - the hormone in the coil is a totally different family to the pill, so you wouldn't react the same to them. Plus ingesting something has a different effect than having it enter the blood stream directly.

I had copper coil for ages was bloody awful and painful long periods merina was great after that

I went for copper as every hormonal contraceptive has killed my sex drive. I thought it was the effect of a serious relationship until oddly, after being fine for about a year on my implant I bled constantly so after a few months I got it removed and voila, I actually do like sex. I have the copper coil now and I'm ok. If I were you OP I'd try the pill first just because there are so many different types and you can switch between them without the ball ache of persuading a gp and making an appointment. I was too forgetful for the pill.

I've only ever had copper coils. No issues over the years and fertility back to normal as soon as it comes out.

I've tried all other hormone contraception apart from the merina and all messed me up.

No way will I touch anything with hormones ever again. And my coil will last till I'm 44. Finished with children.

I’ve had both. The copper coil first because I was wary about the hormone in the Mirena. I was in agony with period pain and bled so heavily with the copper coil. The Mirena has been amazing for me. I honestly think it’s trial and error.

Copper here. No problems apart from slightly heavier periods. Happy enough and fertility returned immediately and I fell pregnant within two months of removal. Now back on copper as finished having babies!

I've got the copper coil. I can't have any forms of hormonal contraception any more, so the mirena is out! I had heavy periods before I went on the pill (ages 15 - 28) so I suspect I just went back to my usual periods rather than them being heavier due to the coil. I also like the fact that I'm sorted for 10 years - think it's 5 for the mirena.

A Mirena coil drove me almost to suicide, it excabated my MH problems to the nth degree.

Had it removed and have a copper one now and all is well.

I wouldn't touch it with a bloody barge pole!

I had the mirena , it was awful and I had it taken out after a few months . I've had the copper coil for years . I had a baby in between , took it out one day and pretty much got pregnant the next week . Went back in afterwards . The mirena made me feel weird like the pill .