Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does coil insertion hurt?

80 replies

Supersimkin2 · 03/09/2020 10:57

Sitting with petrified friend - having Mirena put in at 3. Does it hurt that much?

YABU = no, it's fine and not painful really
YANBU = brace yourself for pain

OP posts:
amusedbush · 03/09/2020 13:37

I had a copper coil inserted and I wasn't expecting it to be painful as I find smear tests a doddle - not uncomfortable in the slightest.

However, it was agony. When the doctor inserted it I actually passed out, then they had to leave me in the room with a cardboard bowl as I was vomiting.

After an hour I was still in so much pain the doctor was concerned the coil had perforated something and he removed it again.

Probably not the typical experience but not one I've been keen to repeat!

Emmelina · 03/09/2020 13:45

Slightly uncomfortable and had some spotting afterwards. No worse than a smear. I don’t know if having been through childbirth makes it more tolerable as have only had coils since and not before.

OwlBeThere · 03/09/2020 13:47

Mine was very painful and I wasn’t prepared for the early labour level cramps I had afterwards either. But most people don’t seem to have the same experience I did.

Ilikeviognier · 03/09/2020 13:48

It’s a never again for me. It was painful, but what was worse were the contractions afterwards. I knew something wasn’t right. And I was right. It Had perforated My uterus and I had to have it removed via keyhole surgery.

MulticolourMophead · 03/09/2020 13:50

It does hurt.

For me, it wasn't too bad, although it hurt more pre-DC. I have a very high pain threshold.

DD has a low pain threshold, has not had DC, and she wanted me there to hold her hand and stand by her head. For her, it hurt much more (it hurt me too, should have seen my hand afterwards).

But we are us, it's going to be different for everyone.

doodledo92 · 03/09/2020 13:53

I had mine put in for the first time 2 weeks ago. It was a little painful when put in but literally last 10 seconds of that. Had a few cramps afterwards but nothing painful

MulticolourMophead · 03/09/2020 13:53

I've just remembered a piece of advice given to me by a friend who is a nurse. She reckoned that making an appointment at the family planning clinic rather than your local GP is better, because they generally have much more practice at inserting them.

For me, I've reached the menopause and want mine out.

xtinak · 03/09/2020 14:01

Mine hurt an awful lot but maybe because I had my period. No kids at that point. Pain continued for a few days and had to get it checked but all looked fine. Then fine for a while, except more painful and heavier periods. Ultimately it led to long term continuous bleeding and I had to get it out. I wish it had worked as if you don't have the pain and bleeding it has such a lot of advantages. On the other hand I don't think it was all handled that well. I went through tests for other illnesses etc. but in the end it turned out all my symptoms were caused by that coil - this should have been more immediately obvious to the doctors!

RiverCrossing · 03/09/2020 14:04

I had mine put in at the local sexual health clinic as the advice from the GP was that they do it all the time and it’s much more of a routine thing for them. That is the case and the staff were fab but it still hurt like hell going in - it was quick and I had local anaesthetic but my cervix was not pleased. I thought I was going to pass out when they used the clamps. I had it in for 2 years before it moved and I had to have it out, that was painless but nothing on earth will make me have another one put in.

HashtagSoup · 03/09/2020 14:04

I had one fitted a month ago (heavy periods), it did hurt and was quite uncomfortable - but I had a lovely nurse chatting to me to try take my mind off it. It’s been in 6 weeks now, I had the check the other day to see if it was in position - it was, that was quick and easy.

peachgreen · 03/09/2020 14:05

I had the copper coil before having children and it was agonising. First insertion at the GPS failed and I had to go to the SHC. They gave me a local which helped but it was still very painful. The cramping afterwards was absolute agony, I was rolling on the floor sweating and vomiting with the pain. Had it in for 10 horrible months which saw every period giving me at least 1 day of pain so bad I would cry out and had to be off work and bleeding so heavy I ended up anaemic. Removal was completely pain free though! I'm sure it's not that bad for everyone but for context, I've recovered from major surgery with no need for pain management beyond paracetamol and ibuprofen so I'm not a total wuss!

BlackCatsRule88 · 03/09/2020 14:07

I’ve had two and about to get current one replaced as it’s reached the five year mark. Obviously there are some women that have difficulties (as there are with anything) but hopefully this thread will reassure her that for most of us it’s a small amount of uncomfortableness for five years of no periods and hassle free contraception. If she hasn’t had problems with smears then she should be ok!

VickyEadieofThigh · 03/09/2020 14:08

I don't know, because I told them how distressing and painful I found smear tests and they gave me a general anaesthetic when I got my Mirena.

VickyEadieofThigh · 03/09/2020 14:10

Just read post above mine and need to mention that not all women enjoy no periods when they get a Mirena - mine massively reduced the length and painfulness of my periods, but I still got one every month.

Graffitiqueen · 03/09/2020 14:40

It was awful for me. Painful isn't quite the right word, but I nearly fainted and felt very nauseous. I had terrible cramping all day after it.

I hadn;t looked up beforehand what ti would be like so was a bit shocked. i thought it would just be like a smear.

Original poster
Supersimkin2 · 03/09/2020 16:23

Newsflash: It is done.

The speculum flew out.

It smacked the wall.

The doctor screamed.

We all had another go. I and the nurse had to hold it in manually.

Success.

OP posts:
Dugsbollox · 03/09/2020 18:48

Hopefully your coil stays put now! I had to have two attempts at putting one in, then it fell out after a few days. Fun times!

TeaOneSugar · 03/09/2020 20:17

I should also add that it was 100% worth the pain and the cramping and bleeding afterwards, thankfully I'm old enough to not need to have mine replaced.

Serin · 03/09/2020 20:22

Awful experience. BUT it does what it was intended to do and my ridiculously heavy periods have stopped entirely.
I am not soft and gave birth 3 times with no pain relief at all, but if I ever had to have another coil fitted I would ask for gas and air!

HashtagSoup · 03/09/2020 20:30

There’s something strange and indescribable about the pain associated with the cervix - it makes you feel sick and sweaty.

Newkitchen123 · 03/09/2020 22:39

My first was done under GA while having other stuff done.
Second I can only describe as a shock to my body! Someone up thread mentioned a spasm. I'd say this is what happened to me. I could barely walk and almost vomited!
An hour or two later I was perfectly fine but bloody hell at the time it was awful

Frymetothemoon · 04/05/2021 13:44

I almost shot off the top of the table (no kids here). Surprised my gynae a bit, I think. He had to check with an ultrasound that it had gone to the right place as a result. It had, thankfully.

I'm hoping to hit menopause before needing a new one (I've got 3 years left with this copper coil), but I'm not that hopeful.

If not, next time I'll insist DH drives me. I will also take an antispasmodic (Buscopan was a godsend) and maybe some Valium. I'm really not sure I was safe to drive home last time.

Still think it's worth it though, for not having to take the pill

Smorgasbored0000 · 04/05/2021 14:18

Didn’t really hurt, but had paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand. I told experienced GP that I was super anxious, and she even put some numbing cream on me first to help with the discomfort. I felt one sharp period like pain and that was it. I’m a bit of a wimp with pain, but I’m 3 years in now and will definitely get another one.

Smorgasbored0000 · 04/05/2021 14:19

And to echo others, it’s 100% worth it if you have bad periods. Mine have gone from 7 days of heavy bleeding and cramps to just one day of spotting per month, which I barely notice.

MrsMariaReynolds · 04/05/2021 14:58

Mine definitely hurt. It was 13 years ago, and I still remember the pain of getting my Mirena "installed."

And mine didn't even come with any of the usual benefits like lighter or non-existent periods. Not sure what it helped with actually. Turns out, after getting it removed and trying for a baby for 8 years with no luck, I didn't even need contraceptive for my infertile arse 😁