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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Mirena removal and copper Replacement

24 replies

Cubmamma · 27/05/2020 15:57

Hi guys, very new and not sure if I have even started a proper thread that people will see...time will tell lol.
I have an appointment on Tuesday to have my mirena removed as it’s last it’s 5year expiry date.
My GP told me she will insert a copper coil in the same procedure.
I have chosen copper as apart from having my daughter 8 years ago I haven’t given my body a break from hormones since I was 16, I’m 32 in about a weeks time.

Can anyone tell me what I can expect with the change? What your experiences have been?

OP posts:

BigMamaFratelli · 27/05/2020 16:00

No advice but I'm following as this is what I'm planning to do

OwlinaTree · 27/05/2020 16:02

Do you have periods with the mirena? Copper coil can make periods heavier.

BrieAndChilli · 27/05/2020 16:03

This is my plan also but waiting for a scan as when I had my smear the nurse couldn’t see my coil strings. I’m thinking copper so not to have more hormones.

MynephewR · 27/05/2020 16:06

I've not had the mirena but I've had a copper coil for a couple of years now. Tbh I wouldn't recommend them. I used to have light periods that lasted 5 days and no period pains (no hormonal contraception, used condoms) so I thought the copper coil would be perfect for me. Now I get pains, awful PMT for about a week, spotting for a week then a 7 day heavy period. I want to get it taken out and try a mirena

Sparticle · 27/05/2020 16:08

I had the copper coil after my first DC (always been on the pill otherwise) as I knew that DH and I wanted to try again for another children at some point in the year afterwards so I didn't want to be thinking about hormones still flowing around etc.

My periods were SO heavy afterwards. Hopefully this isn't TMI but my normal periods involve me using regular/super tampons with super plus overnight. With the copper coil I had to use the biggest size HUGE lil-lets overnight and I remember having to use more than one at a time for the heaviest nights. Really unbelievable!

So I had it removed after 6-7 months. Obviously everyone is different but I'm just sharing my experience :) I did think that the mirena only has a tiny amount of hormones in it (compared to the pill for example) so has your GP said you need to give your body a break? I totally understand if it's just your decision though.

Roselilly36 · 27/05/2020 16:09

I had a copper coil, very heavy periods switched to a Mirena now I don’t have periods at all now.

MrMeeseekscando · 27/05/2020 16:12

My periods are much heavier, but I love the feeling of no hormones.
I got my libido back
They will try and force the mirena on you.
I literally had a speculum hanging out of me and they were still pushing the bloody mirena

BlancheDuBlah · 27/05/2020 16:15

I've had them try and force the Mirena on me too, why is that?

misskick · 27/05/2020 16:19

Very heavy periods and cramping, never suffered with bad periods before the copper coil and had to have mine removed as it was horrendous.

schnubbins · 27/05/2020 16:21

I would not recommend a copper coil at all.I didn't even think that they were used anymore..I had one inserted after the birth my two children.Previous to this I had a regular cycle, normal periods with very little discomfort.In fact no gynaecolological problems at all.After the insertion of the copper coil my periods went from five days to ten days and as@Sparticle already said unbelievably heavy periods with clotting lasting 10 days or longer.It was awful.Changed to Mirena and all was well.

positivity123 · 27/05/2020 16:54

I've had two copper coils. One before DD and one after.
First one hurt as it was being inserted but took some painkillers and was fine the next day. Second one I barely felt going in.

Never had an issue with heavy periods. I have a 5 day period and use a super tampon with no issues.

Can make deep penetrating sex a bit uncomfortable.
Feels good to know there's no hormones in my body that aren't mine and that it's such a reliable form of contraception.

Original poster

Cubmamma · 27/05/2020 17:59

Thank you for all your comments. For the last year or so Iv been having pain during sex, boil like spots on my chin, depressive moods, and I cannot
For the life of me lose weight. My fiancé was a fitness instructor so Iv had serious workouts and help with diet but it’s impossible. So I feel I’m at a point where I could hit reset on the hormones. From what I have seen these symptoms seem very consistent with the mirena and it’s end of life shall I call it lol. I don’t have periods on the mirena at all so it is going to be interesting on that front.

Have you all suffered with just your periods being heavy? Has anyone had any other symptoms I need to prepare for?

OP posts:

EbbandTheWanderingHearts · 27/05/2020 18:20

I was railroaded into having a mirena. I either had periods every two weeks or periods lasting 10-14 days combined with low libido and mood swings. After 3 years, I swapped to the copper coil as hormonal contraceptives really don't agree with me. I love the copper coil. My periods are no more heavy than when I'm not using contraceptives and no side effects.

peperethecat · 27/05/2020 18:24

I had the copper coil and it was fine, although my periods are naturally quite light. They were heavier for the first year or so (but still perfectly manageable) and then settled down. I had it in for two and a half years and then took it out to TTC.

Original poster

Cubmamma · 27/05/2020 19:14

I really appreciate all the comments and experiences you have shared. Fingers crossed the transition will be smooth and I don’t get seriously heavy periods. Time will tell, thank you all

OP posts:

Dollygirl2008 · 27/05/2020 19:18

I went for the copper coil after having my daughter for the same reasons - id been on the pill for 20 years and wanted to give my body a break from hormones.

I lasted three months - my periods were SO heavy - I bled through clothes, onto a car seat, my work chair and the bed countless times. The last straw was when I leaked onto a skirt in front of everyone at a BBQ......

Whipped it out - has the mirena and all was good...

AKissAndASmile · 27/05/2020 19:18

I had periods so heavy that the coil actually got expelled.

Pinkandpurplehairedlady · 27/05/2020 19:19

I had a copper coil inserted earlier this year and so far haven’t had any side effects and my periods haven’t gotten any heavier.

Nottherealslimshady · 27/05/2020 19:20

In my experience you wont really feel like you're taking a break from hormones. The periods suck!

cannaethink · 27/05/2020 19:28

I’ve got the copper coil. My periods aren’t any heavier, they were heavy anyway. I don’t get pain much either. They sometimes last a bit longer but not every period. I think it’s worth it to not have the issues with hormones.

Lovestonap · 27/05/2020 19:28

I've had the copper coil for several years. The first few periods were quite heavy but its totally settled down. Absolutely no problems with it.

I struggle with depression occasionally and I wanted to have a hormone free contraception.

If they offer you the anaesthetic injection before inserting, accept. I did and it wasn't too bad at all.

Teenytinyvoice · 27/05/2020 19:49

I did exactly this, the mirena coil gave me no periods, but the hormonal moods swings were awful! The copper coil does give me heavy flow, but manageable. I still get mood swings (which I sometimes treat with a low dose of sertaline), but it is much more bearable than the mirena.

Merlotmum85 · 27/05/2020 19:54

I'm happy with the copper coil. Periods a bit heavier and longer than usual but worth it to be hormone free

TheFormidableMrsC · 27/05/2020 19:56

I had the copper coil for years with no problems, slightly longer and heavier periods but worth it for not having the hormones. I'd recommend.

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