Having coil fitted

[wishes1111]

Hello

I didn't know where to post this.

I'm having the coil fitted in a couple of weeks, I have a history of recurrent miscarriages and endometriosis which is out off control at the moment (had surgery in July, still bleeding very heavy, 7-12 day periods, anaemia).

My consultant recommended the coil as I had a blood clot from the pill, the injection stopped my periods and took me 18 months to fall pregnant after stopping which isn't ideal and the the implant made me bleed constantly. The consultant was meant to book me in to do it at the hospital but then I chased them up after 3 months to hear I'd "accidentally" been discharged so I'm having it at my GP.

I've never had a vaginal birth or any birth for that matter, she warned me it's going to hurt and now I'm scared? I don't know why, I've had countless internals, surgeries, 3 tattoos, smear test and I'm also having a smear test at the same time as coil fitting as it's due but it's just the way she said it will "really hurt" and it's giving me anxiety leading up to it.

Can anyone advise here x

Take painkillers before you go. I've got the copper coil and it was the worst pain I've ever had and I've been through labour with a child. The cramps after are the worst, it's not the procedure of the coil going in.
I need mine taking out but I'm too terrified now.

What type of coil?

I have a Mirena. It is not pleasant having a new one put in but the whole procedure is over in about 15 minutes so it is worth it IMO for the 5 years of freedom it provides once its in. Take paracetamol before your appointment. Try to relax (easier said than done I know!)

Cocodomal helps me when I have coils fitted Or hysteroscopies. I’d pick some up. Then some concentration on breathing out slowly. I also once did a free hypnotherapy online session beforehand, which was really helpful.

💐

Hello

I had one fitted a few weeks back.
I can’t take the pill and also have endo and heavy periods.

The periods lasted 5 days and were horrible for 2.

Since the fitting I have bled for 3 weeks a month (light but still not great). Was told it only happens in 5% of cases but wanted to warn you that it can happen as it came as a shock to me. It is manageable though and I am hoping it will eventually trail off.

As for the pain. Mine was inserted at a private gynecologist’s office. They prescribed heavy pain meds to take 1 hour before. But it still hurt. But it took 3 attempts to get it in. He did say that if the last attempt did not work they could do it as a day patient in hospital with a spinal block. But I am aboard in a country with a very well funded healthcare so not sure if that happens in the NHS.

I have had two full labours (cervix opened) which ended in a c-sections. So nothing has been through there :)

He did say it is harder on women who have not had a vaginal birth.

I would suggest you look at getting a prescription for pain meds or read up on what you can take before hand. And then remind yourself and the doctor that if it is too hard you want to be able to ask them to stop and refer you back to the hospital to have it done. If they are struggling you are allowed to ask them to stop at anytime. I think having that knowledge is a good thing. Gives a sense of control.

As for the pain - it was not as bad as child birth. It did hurt but not to a point that I was screaming more a catch your breath kind of way. And the most painful part only lasted 15 seconds or so. As so it was over I felt fine.

I kept saying “better this than those crappy periods every month”. The mantra helped :)

Good luck.

Meant to add, I’m no hero with pain but what I suggested above helped me a lot.

Just dose up beforehand.

I don't think I have a high pain threshold but I don't think mine hurt at all - and I only had it replaced in November so I think I would remember.

I also don't find smears uncomfortable.

I wonder if the stress causes people to tense making it more painful.

Take a paracetamol 30 mins before and practice some relaxing breathing.

Take pain killers and some headphones. I can't bear it when they tell me what they are doing, I feel better if I blank it out

Erm yeah it was hideous

I had copper coil and it was worse than labour. So sudden and sharp, it felt exactly as you’d imagine someone poking something sharp into your uterus.

I had a period for a year after so had it out, awful thing, awful experience.

I need mine taking out but I'm too terrified now.

Having it out doesn't hurt at all honestly, it's like removing a tampon, just a slight tugging feeling, honestly don't be scared :)

OP I had my coil put in under general anesthetic whilst I was having another procedure done so can't comment on pain of insertion, but I have always suffered with very heavy bleeding with all different kinds of contraception. The coil didn't help a single bit, it actually made the bleeding far worse and much more painful. Not trying to put you off but just a heads up that it may not be the saving grace you are hoping for x

I've had 2 one before DC and one after. The one before hurt but it's was only uncomfortable for a couple of minutes. Then I had really bad period pain for a day. But it was amazing after that 1 day no pain no periods nothing. So for me 1 day of pain was offset by years of nothing. The coil after DC didn't hurt nearly as much but I'd also learnt from the first one so I took painkillers before and after (I can't remember if it was paracetamol or ibuprofen or both) I just kept my self dosed up for the first day and it was fine.

Also re your tattoos: I have a leg full from groin to foot and they were easy in comparison. Some sessions would last 6/7 hour but I’d still rather that than have a cool fitted.

I'm with you @Nowthereistwo it was mildly uncomfortable to have it inserted but I'd say a smear is worse and having it removed is like pulling out a tampon. Afterwards there's some cramping but I just went back to work. Best thing I've ever done! Everyone's experiences are very different & im sure yours will be too OP!

Everyone is different but I couldn’t physically take the pain after trying twice. Apparently I have a particularly small urethra thought?! The third time I got it done under general anaesthetic though and have had no problems since. I wouldn’t know it is there. Had it for 7 years. Good luck.

I just had it done in Dec, a bit uncomfortable and about 15 seconds of pain so not bad. I did have bad cramps for about 24hrs after but painkillers helped.

I have a copper coil, I do have had children so that might make a difference, but for me it really was not that painful fitting in, a little uncomfortable for a few minutes or less, I didn't have cramps or anything after,I did around my first period. I have had a miscarriage and three babies, all on a different level of pain / discomfort to the coil fitting.

@FTEngineerM

Also re your tattoos: I have a leg full from groin to foot and they were easy in comparison. Some sessions would last 6/7 hour but I’d still rather that than have a cool fitted.

This ^ I have full body coverage and I'd rather tattoo my palms and nail beds than ever get a coil fitted again. You couldn't pay me any amount of money to have one. But I've been told painkillers can help. Good luck.

I loved the mirena! Best contraceptive I’ve ever had. I also had one before having DD, I actually found that fitting a lot easier than after I’d had her. I take some paracetamol just before I go in.

It is quite uncomfortable, but it is over quickly and then you don’t have to worry about it for a long time. The nurses are well trained in this and will do their best to make you feel at ease. It’s not unlike a smear test, it just lasts a bit longer.

The best thing about the mirena is after a while you don’t get periods. DD is getting the snip but I will probably still get one for that reason. Barely any hormones too. I regret wasting my best years being depressed on the pill.

I found labour dreadful and smears very uncomfortable but a coil fitting not that bad. An ache and period pains afterwards but that was it. Honestly I think you will be fine and it doesn't last long.

To the pp who is scared of removal--removal is not a bit like insertion. You cough and they pull it out, I didn't even feel it.

As for removal.. I had one great removal and one not so good one. Just make sure they don’t cut the string too short!

I had the mirena fitted in september. It hurt for a few seconds but nothing like childbirth (but my memory of that is jaded by the fact it went on so long).
I also had a hysteroscopy and smear done at the same time.
I had cramps for a few hours but managed to get my train and walk home. Just take the usual painkillers.
Since then periods already lighter and tailing off which is a win for me. Good luck.

I had to have mine inserted under GA, they did a hysterescopy at the same time. I’m generally good with pain, but that’s one I really can’t cope with. It’s possibly worse because when I had a cone biopsy they removed a lot of my cervix which resulted in painful scarring.

No DC and I am on my third copper coil
Sore but it's brief, I went a bit faint after the last one which was weirdly the least painful!
Do it so you can rest after, take some painkillers

Hello, I had one fitted last week. I also had a c- section and was told that I had a tight cervix. The part where they had to stretch the cervix prior to inserting the IUD was uncomfortable, like labour pains but not a sharp stabbing feeling but the other parts were minimally uncomfortable. The actual procedure took about five minutes. I had period pains for about two hours afterwards (and felt exceptionally sorry for myself) but that was it. Very small amount of bleeding on the day/ day afterwards then back to normal.
I would have another one in 5 years when this runs out so I haven't been too scarred by the experience!

I can't remember having it fitted although I won't have another as I pulled my own out. Very hard to do and extremely rare but I'm an idiot lol x

It is unpleasant but not unbearable and it's over in a short time.