To ask your experiences with the copper coil?

[Falafellygood]

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I have two young kids and we are definitely not having any more. DP has a genuine phobia of anything medical so won't have a vasectomy. He is happy to continue using condoms, but I'm considering the copper coil. My two friends rave about them. My main concern though is that I've heard it can make periods worse (heavier and more painful). Has this happened to anyone?

What is your experience on the copper coil and would you recommend having it?

Mines worked out great. Think I'm on year 2 with a 10 year one. My periods were light before and I never had cramping. Afterwards I did have some premenstrual cramping but that's gone now, probably lasted about 3 periods. My periods now last about 7-8 days rather than 5 and it's only heavy for 2 of those days. They're also regular now whereas they never used to be, not sure if things reset after dc and breastfeeding or if it's the coil.

I didn't want to get any long term contraception that was hormonal as I didn't like the implant I had previously. If this hadn't worked out I would have continued trying different pills which is a ball ache.

I have had them for about 15 years. My periods have remained light and no cramps. I also like that it's non-hormonal.

However I can feel it sometimes which I don't really like and I'm aware of the strings a lot of the time.

I did end up in hospital for 8 days on IV antibiotics a few years ago after contracting an infection in my pelvis and it was suggested could have been due to the recent insertion of that coil. The infection led to me losing a fallopian tube.

oh and the insertion/removal has been awful for me each time!

Mine has been fine so far

I had mine taken out after about 7 months. I was in excruciating pain after it was inserted and had to have time off work. I would cramp for about a week before my period was due and they were so heavy, long and painful and it felt like my insides were going to fall out. I was so drained and miserable. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders when it was removed.

Love, love, love my copper coil. Had one for 10 years after DTs and then had a replacement last year. Slightly heavier flow but such a small price to pay for stress free, hormone free contraception 🙂

Love mine. I'm on my 3rd, 1st was removed after 3 years so I could have DS. The one I had after him was replaced a couple of months ago.

I had to go non-hormonal after a very nasty reaction to period delaying tablets, and I haven't looked back since. Periods are like clockwork, very little pain, and no heavier than usual. Fitting didn't hurt any more than a smear does either.

My mum and a few of my friends have it and say its brilliant which is why I had mine fitted in December.
I'm having it removed on Friday.

My cycles are weird. 3 weeks bleeding (2 weeks spotting/bloody mucusy discharge 1 week heavy flow) followed by a week of nothing and then back to spotting/mucus again.

I saw the practice nurse in February and told her, she wasn't concerned said it takes 3 to 6 months for it to settle down, especially as I was 5 months post partum when it was fitted and December was my first bleed. She said if my March and April cycles are the same to go back, which I am doing.

Hormonal contraception doesn't usually agree with me which is why I went for the copper coil. DH and I have relied on condoms pretty much our entire relationship, so will be going back to those.

I’ve name changed for this. I had one for year without issue then all of a sudden I got an infection (which was 100% caused by the copper coil) which led to me having a hysterectomy.

*had one for years

I had one for about 6 months. It made what were already quite heavy and painful periods more so and then randomly fell out one day. I wouldn’t rush to have another but then again I don’t like taking hormonal contraceptives. What other methods have you considered?

Very happy with it. It did make my periods slightly heavier but they were always very light before. Therefore if you already have heavy periods it may be an issue. I would liken the fitting to a smear test.

Had mine about 3 years now. Heavier periods yes, but not longer or more painful. I am now anaemic - discovered when I got a giving blood ban and then again when I went back to try the next time. So now I take spatone every day and a multi vit with iron. I’m hoping that will have fixed me.

I like that it’s non hormonal, long term and I can just ignore it.

I had one, turns out I have a copper allergy, had to have it removed in A&E.