Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To be worried about coil insertion?

39 replies

EtonM3ss · 29/06/2019 21:16

Due to get a coil fitted next week. Fed up of the pill and hate hormones so opted for the copper coil. Ive heard horror stories and considering cancelling

OP posts:

EstoLargo · 29/06/2019 22:25

I nearly passed out after I had a Mirena fitted - unfortunately I was driving at the time so that was a bit scary. I had it taken out a year later as I was SO ANGRY ALL THE TIME. DH and I went to Relate it was that bad, and one of the first things the counsellor asked was if I’d changed contraception recently. It was a lightbulb moment.

Nautiloid · 29/06/2019 22:34

I had a copper coil at 23 because due to my medical history I can't use hormonal contraception. I will be honest it hurt a lot, but only for a second. I passed out in a shop afterwards.

Three kids later and I bet it would be much easier, both because my ability to tolerate pain has gone up, and because it's apparently much easier to insert.

Threeisme · 29/06/2019 22:43

I had a Mirena fitted last week. It was definitely bearable and over very quickly. I hadn't taken any painkillers prior and didn't afterwards. My GP used an anaesthetic spray before clamping/insertion so maybe that made a difference. It was done on the NHS - maybe I am just lucky and have a nice GP!

PouncerDarling · 29/06/2019 22:51

It's cervical shock that makes you feel wobbly afterwards. I've had it once, out of a few fittings.

It's not a very nice experience, but well worth it for the payoff. Ten years without worrying about contraception, plus no hormones? No question.

It can make your periods a bit heavier the first year, but were normal thereafter, for me.

OldUnit · 29/06/2019 22:58

I've had two attempted insertions, both times the DR gave up and it hurt like a stab to the stomach. I ended up crying in pain and frustration both times and I'm not soft.

They wanted me to go back for a third attempt. Forget it, I'd rather give up sex. Genuinely.

ceebeejeebies · 29/06/2019 23:20

I love my copper coil. The insertion was slightly uncomfortable, and I felt slightly crampy for some weeks after. Nothing too bad though. I was terrified of having a period after having it, but I was so sick of the pill and all it's side effects that I just went for it. But so far it hasn't made things worse. I've had it for around 8 months and I'm happy with it.

SemperIdem · 29/06/2019 23:30

I’ve had 2 coils. One when I was 20 (which is very unusual) which was in place until it was removed so I could ttc. Second went in about 3 months after my daughter was born, so it’s been in place for nearly 4 years now.

It isn’t pleasant but it’s not a horror story either. I was quite crampy for a day or so afterwards both times.

I wouldn’t use another type of contraception long term. Hated the pill.

BigRedLondonBus · 29/06/2019 23:32

I really would like one but I honestly can’t bring myself to get one. I actually think I would faint, and no way would I check for the strings either. Shame really as coil seems like the best contraceptive other than that

carla1983 · 30/06/2019 00:04

A friend of a friend had her coil 'go missing'. Soon after, she had terrible pain and had to be admitted to hospital, she had internal bleeding... the two were obviously connected.

However I think it's quite rare for something like that to go wrong. Still the possibility is enough for me to rule it out for me as a method of contraception.

Original poster

EtonM3ss · 30/06/2019 07:50

im thinking about cancelling lol

OP posts:

MotherOfDragonite · 30/06/2019 09:33

Honestly, it's really not that bad and the load of scare stories you've had on here are completely unhelpful. I honestly didn't find it bad and it's been a very successful and low-maintenance form of contraception for me for 5 years.

Juke1 · 30/06/2019 09:40

I’ve had a Mirena inserted. I’ll admit it was quite painful while it was going in. But the trade off was that it was really quick - it was over and done with before I knew it! Bad period pains the following day or so. Definitely pleased I had it done.

ToPlanZ · 01/07/2019 12:24

I don't think I would refer to mine as a scare story, just a valid personal experience. Others may have found theirs painless or quick. I didn't. I've found them all very very painful and I'm dreading my insertion tomorrow. In fact it is a year overdue to be replaced because I've been so reluctant to go through the pain again.

That said, if you are only 18 months post baby OP then I don't think you'll find it anywhere near as bad. Plus there's only one way to find out if it works for you and that's to try and have one, and if it doesn't go well on the day you can always just ask them to stop.

mindutopia · 01/07/2019 12:40

The actual insertion is really no big deal at all. It's about 2 seconds of 'ooh, that's a bit unpleasant' and then it's over. I wouldn't consider it painful. Just a weird uncomfortable feeling, no worse than getting a jab, but probably quicker.

I found that the effect of the copper coil on my periods was pretty horrific. They were incredibly heavy for about a year, like 'flooding out when I rolled over and bleeding all over the bed, blood trailing behind me down the hall as I tried to get to the toilet' heavy. I would say it was comparable to the heaviest lochia days just after birth and I would have to wear a pad and a tampon together to prevent leaks.

It did settle down after the first year and they aren't as bad now - still heavy, but less heavy and only about 5 days now instead of 7-8 days. I've stuck with it, but knowing now how it was, I might have opted for Mirena instead. I just too lazy to get it changed now.

Flip

1 2