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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for your experiences of the coil?

40 replies

Riojaandchoc · 14/05/2019 20:58

I keep having the coil recommended as the best contraception option for me.
I've heard a few negative stories but I know you always hear more of the bad. For a more balanced view can anyone tell me their experiences good or bad please?

OP posts:

ifoundthebread · 14/05/2019 21:01

My experience of the coil is mixed. Getting it fitted was slightly uncomfortable for a minute or so but didn't get any cramping/bleeding etc after, I had mine in for about a year and started suffering from copper intoxication (quite rare) so had to get it removed. Removal was nearly pain free, no after effects. The main issue I had with the copper intoxication was the constant reoccurring thrush, the other effects I suffered were manageable. If it wasn't for the thrush I would of kept it in, so I would advise it to people as my case is rare

GertrudeCB · 14/05/2019 21:08

Very positive for me, on my 3rd now.
Completely stopped my horrendous pmt , very light periods.
Implantation isn't any worse than a smear followed by bad period type cramping IME.

KTD27 · 14/05/2019 21:09

I have nothing but positive things to say about it. Everybody warned me it would result in months of spotting that my periods would be horrid for months and I was likely to want it removed.
I haven’t had an issue at all! It was slightly uncomfortable on insertion but I only had one day of spotting and that was that. Periods have been at the same time and slightly less heavy with significantly less pain. We are three months in and so far, so impressed.

KTD27 · 14/05/2019 21:09

Oh and mine was mirena

superram · 14/05/2019 21:10

Fitting was fine but mirena made my hair fall out for about a year-I have lots so wasn’t too bad. Had it 5 years but after about 4 very light periods returned. Not on progesterone only pill as dh getting a vascetomy( so he says).

eltsihT · 14/05/2019 21:12

I have had a copper coil for 5 years (10 year coil) I already had heavy periods and they have continued to be heavy. Agree with it being uncomfortable to have it fitted but no other issues.

MilkItTilITurnItIntoCheese · 14/05/2019 21:12

I’ve had my copper coil for 8 1/2 years now. I’ve never had any problems. A bit of mild cramping the day it went in that’s all. No heavy periods. No problems at all. And it lasts 10 years. Doesn’t help with my pmt symptoms of course but I can’t tolerate hormones now so options are limited.

BlackHillsofDakota · 14/05/2019 21:13

Super positive from me, on my third one. No side effects and no periods.
Fitting and removal is sore but only for a minute. Worth it for five years of no worry.

Fourbes · 14/05/2019 21:19

I had mine put in a month ago. Slightly uncomfortable fitting (worst bit was how on display I felt with legs akimbo and massive spotlight pointing at my bits), cramping that day and the next day. Two days of spotting then nothing for five days but have been bleeding lightly ever since. She did warn me I might bleed more as I was only 12 weeks postpartum and my cervix was still ‘hormonal’ but I’m fed up now.
I bled for 6 months straight on the mini pill so really hoping this isn’t the same.

DramaAlpaca · 14/05/2019 21:23

I had the Mirena & it was life changing for me in a good way. I've just had it removed (painlessly) because I'm now through the menopause. At least I think I am, and blood tests would suggest so, but I haven't had a period since having the Mirena fitted.

Hadjab · 14/05/2019 21:25

I’m on my third Mirena, and absolutely love it. No periods, no worrying about remembering to take that pill. Only negative is that this time, it hurt like hell when it was being fitted, but it’s my last before the menopause hits, so won’t have have to experience that again.

YouFellAsleep · 14/05/2019 21:41

I had the copper coil fitted about 4 years ago, fitting wasn't pleasant and felt slightly icky for a few months. But 4 years later, it doesn't bother me in the slightest and would have it again

weegiemum · 14/05/2019 21:47

I loved my Mirena to start with, no problems fitting it, stopped my awful periods, no side effects - it was great.

Then, without me knowing it slipped into my cervix and wasn't working properly as not in the right place. Dd2 is 15 right now and say her French exam today! We wouldn't be without her for anything but it was a huge surprise!

Shootingstar1115 · 14/05/2019 21:51

Are you having the Copper coil or the Mirena coil? Both vary in effectiveness and side effects etc.

I have had two Mirenas. Insertion was straight forward and not painful which was good considering I’ve never given birth naturally and I didn’t bleed after having it in.

It stopped my bleeding completely so you could say I don’t get periods BUT bizarrely I still get pms every month. It did make me hugely spotty for the first six months with the second. But it has calmed down.

You are meant to check the strings every so often but I cannot feel mine. The nurse said the strings are pretty short and tucked away and told me to come back if I noticed any changes that could indicate it falling out (like my periods coming back) but so far so good.

The pill gave my headaches and caused mood swings. The implant made me bleed constantly, the mini pill also made me bleed for weeks but the coil has been the best so far!

Soulsista14 · 14/05/2019 21:53

I love my mirena as it’s completely stopped my periods which were heavy and painful before. So it’s been life changing in that sense. The only issues I’m having is reoccurring thrush (which my GP insists is nothing to do with the coil) and a complete lack of sex drive (but I’m working on that!). I will definitely be getting another one when this one is due to be replaced.

sammylady37 · 14/05/2019 21:56

I had the mirena. I had daily bleeding for almost 3 months on it. Over 18 months I put on a huge amount of weight- now, I was always overweight bordering on obese, but prior to the mirena I had lost more than 5 stone. Ironically, after losing the weight I met a guy and ended up needing contraception so I got the mirena. Over the next 18 months I gained more than 6 stone. It was awful. I got it out and in the 8 months after that I lost 4 stone quite easily.

Oh, and having it removed was a breeze but I then had horrendous bleeding and clotting got five days- I’m talking having to come home from work because I had bled through a tampon, pad, knickers and trousers.

Can’t say it was a good experience at all.

And the guy dumped me - though I’m sure that wasn’t related to the mirena

Milly345 · 14/05/2019 21:58

No period since had it but a few cases of vaginosis and thrush... but positive really. Mirena coil too.

Digestive28 · 14/05/2019 22:02

Minera. It was fine, no problems....but I did get pregnant on it and miscarried. So never again for me.

CodenameVillanelle · 14/05/2019 22:05

Mirena here - somewhat painful being inserted but nothing too bad. Two light periods since it was put in, followed by light spotting when I would have been having a period. Only had it 6 months so time will tell if the spotting continues but I'm very happy with that.

CodenameVillanelle · 14/05/2019 22:06

I have had thrush once since getting it though which was odd as I haven't had it for ages. I hope that's not the start of something annoying

Ilikeviognier · 14/05/2019 22:08

Mine perforated my uterus immediately and I needed keyhole surgery to have it removed. . never again for me...that’s supposed to be rare though...

Rainbowknickers · 14/05/2019 22:12

Love mine I’m on my second one I have 10 minute periods every few months it hurt like hell having the first one taken out and sore having the second one in but it’s worth it

spellingtest · 14/05/2019 22:18

I'm on my 4th mirena now. (Using it as part of HRT now, contraception prior to this) Never had a period whilst having it which is great.
The fitting this time was horrendous though - I have a tilted cervix and had it done privately and it was still terrible. However after a couple of days of feeling like I'd been kicked by a kangaroo I was fine. Next time I have it done my gynaecologist says she will fit it under sedation.
Highly recommended for me

megss910 · 14/05/2019 22:20

I've had the copper coil in for a month now as all other contraception methods that involved hormones made me gain weight, lost my libido (the worst) and caused me to have spotting/periods right from November. Insertion was quite painful for me, and had spotting for about a week or two on and off however I couldn't recommend it more now! Got a check tomorrow to make sure it's all good

Original poster

Riojaandchoc · 14/05/2019 22:36

Thanks everyone for sharing. Definitely seems like it's good for the majority.
I'm most scared of the insertion and then side effects like weight gain and loss of libido. Also worried I'll just have no control over periods. The HRT thing is a definite benefit though as I'm nearly 40

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