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

I had a Mirena fitted by the GP a year ago. Like you OP I haven't had a vaginal birth. For me it was equivalent to a smear test levels of discomfort/very short sharp pain, over very quickly, I couldn't believe it when GP said she was done. And it's made a huge difference to my heavy periods. I had spent years putting it off because I didn't like the idea, but finally my constant heavy bleeding was so bad I would have done anything to stop it and Mirena had to be worth a go. I wish I had had one fitted years ago.

Thank you everyone.

I have some prescription strength co-codamol at home that I take for extreme period paid so will take a couple before I go and hope for the best.

Why do us women have to suffer like this lol xx

My DD has recently had the mirena fitted. She was in agony with cramps for a good few hours afterwards. She had taken paracetamol and ibuprofen before she went in. I drove her and she was writhing in agony in the car. Definitely get someone to take you if possible.

Another who had an anaesthetic; much easier . Still came round very sore however and ended up being in hospital for a good 36 hours . Probably at that point we should have taken it out - three years later they finally agreed to remove the bastard thing and realised it was far too big for me, and was half out, and twisted on an angle . Apparently that’s all very unfortunate and very unusual though .

My GP had one fitted two weeks after me and had no problems at all (only other person I know who’s had one!) - said the point of insertion smarted a bit - the thing they use to stabilise your cervix nips - but once in she was fine, drove herself home etc, barely even needed a paracetomal . Helped her a lot .

Seemingly they no longer allow anaesthetics though, gynae told me you’re expected to grit your teeth and get on with it now - so I’m never trying again !!

They did say to me you can get a local anaesthetic, and you can take painkillers first eg ibuprofen or cocodamol . Apparently that helps a bit. .

I had a mirena fitted 7 years ago, I had it under local anesthesia as it was done following colposcopy. So I can't comment on the discomfort of insertion.
I will say - the first few months after having it, my horrendous periods didn't get any better, and may even have been worse. After a while, though, they got lighter and eventually disappeared altogether.
Totally TMI - I found that I had (and still have, tbh) a lot more discharge. But that's nothing compared to the pain and flooding I used to experience and is a small price to pay.

Mine was just like a smear, but I did have bad period cramps afterwards. Take some cocodamol beforehand you'll be fine

Mine was very painful and we had to give up but afterwards the doctor mentioned she could have used anaesthetic gel which might have helped. Maybe ask about that. Not sure why she didn’t suggest it, I think it makes the process a bit longer.

I had one fitted (Mirena) in the autumn. It was a bit painful but largely okay. First there was some mild discomfort, similar to getting a smear test, and then a sharper pain, but that didn't last long at all (seconds rather than minutes). I felt a little bit lightheaded and squeezy, but nothing too bad. I even cycled home after the appointment.

Clearly some women do find it extremely painful, and I don't want to minimise their experience. However, for those of us who fall in the 'mild discomfort' camp, I'd say take some pain killers before, and focus on your breathing to help you relax - for me those things helped to take the edge off it.

It does really hurt. I had a mirena put in before I had a baby and, I later discovered, the pain was as bad as early labour. As PP said, take painkillers before you go, have some string painkillers at home for later and don’t drive yourself. Once you get home have a nude hot bath.

My experience was that whilst the pain was shocking, it was gone within 12hrs.

Good luck!

I had a coil fitted 5 weeks ago and was very anxious but it didn’t hurt one bit, I was very surprised! I did take pain killers before just in cases

I’ve had a fitted before which was quite painful but still not bad. It wasn’t enough to put me off having another one fitted.

You’ll be absolutely fine, it’s more the thought of it which scares I think.

@Mummadeze no wonder it hurt if they were putting it up your urethra
It was sore but not unbearable. I think mine was worse because the speculum wouldn't open properly, or stay open (good to know the pelvic floor exercises work!!), so that took a couple of attempts and then she couldn't get to my cervix. It was a nippy sort of pain and then crampy afterwards but nothing worse than bad period pains.

God, sorry, I meant cervix!!!!! Glad you were okay though!

that gave me a much needed laugh this morning @Mummadeze

You sound almost identical to me OP. Only I haven't had any children. I won't lie to you, it does really hurt. But it is the best contraception I've ever had. I also found the injection a nightmare and the implant made me bleed. And I have endo. I'll tell you my experience, maybe it will help.

I had the implant removed as I was bleeding for weeks. Went to the insertion of the coil. It really, really hurt going in. A few days after it was uncomfortable and I experienced cramping. My periods have been gone since! No more pain after a week. This was about two years ago. It's hands down the best contraception choice I've ever made. It was worth the insertion pain. Have someone there to drive you home and support you as it can make you dizzy after.

I was not warned it might hurt and took no precautions. So pain was unexpected but brief and once it was over I didn't feel a thing. And well worth it!

Thank you everyone for your advice and experiences.

@IAmMeThisIsI I haven't had any children either, I feel for you suffering like I do with these horrendous periods, feel for anyone that goes through this each month.

Just going to put my big girl pants on and get it over with and pray it takes some pain/heavy. bleeding away.

Oh my gosh.
I was going to book in for a coil too!

After reading all of this, I think I'm just going to get pregnant again instead 😩.

@Swingometer

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!)

I had a Mirena inserted in 2004. I told the doctor I had awful trouble just having a smear test and they said I could have an anaesthetic - which I did.

If that would suit you, say that you want it.

I have had three mirena coils fitted all under general anaesthetic. I've been treated under three different NHS consultants and all three said they wouldn't fit one in a women who hadn't given birth without a GA.

I had one fitted. Completely forgot the advice to take painkillers before the appointment but thankfully insertion was okay and I didn’t get any other pain then or after.

Periods were heavier and longer than before but settled quickly

Worst thing for me was the feeling of the strings in situ

I accidentally pulled mine out with a tampon after a year though. No pain or discomfort, just a ‘oh ’ feeling at seeing it again!

So you could have a good experience

Good luck OP. I had mine fitted about 3 years ago. 2 c section births so cervix had never been opened. It was a bit like a smear test with a bit more rummaging and slightly more pain but honestly I was fine, got the bus home afterwards with DC in the buggy!
It has been the best ever contraception for me, I have no periods and no side effects. I was very very reluctant to get it (Mirena btw) as I'd heard horror stories but it was absolutely the best decision. I will definitely get it replaced when it runs out, I'm hoping it sees me through the menopause (I'm 46).
Let us know how it goes

I have the copper coil. It wasn't exactly comfortable having it fitted, but pre-dosing with paracetamol and breathing like I was having a contraction worked really well. There was definitely pain, more than a tattoo, less than some piercings, less than broken bones. Not having awful bloody periods, with soul draining cramps every month, definitely made it worth it. I still have really heavy periods, and they're still less than 4 weeks apart, but far, far more manageable.

If you can OP, practice breathing through before you go. Hypno birthing guides should help. I asked my GP to give me time to settle my breathing before she started, so I was relaxed. After about 4 good breaths, I can feel all the tension drop away, so practice helps.

@hulloall

Oh my gosh. I was going to book in for a coil too!

After reading all of this, I think I'm just going to get pregnant again instead 😩.

Honestly, I can only speak from personal experience but it really was fine.

I do think the PP who mentioned general anaesthetic has the right idea though, I almost feel like this should be offered as it is unpleasant to go through. Can you imagine if a man had to have something similar done? There’s no way he wouldn’t have the choice!

@starbrightstarlight8888 the removal is honestly fine, not painful at all. Like others have said it’s similar to pulling a tampon out, you hardly feel it.

OP I’ve had 2 coils fitted and I’m afraid I did find it pretty bad. More so the one I had before giving birth. But people have different experiences. Definitely take pain killers beforehand and just be prepared to have quite bad cramps for a day or two, so try not to have anything planned (not hard at the moment). I just had to lie in bed with a hot water bottle. Good luck, I’m sure it’ll be worth it for you long term to help your periods!

I had the copper coil fitted a year ago and after reading people's experiences I was dreading it. It wasn't half as bad as I thought, slightly worse than a smear test but not unbearable. I booked the day off work but if I'm honest I could have gone straight back because I didn't have hardly any cramps afterwards. Everyone has different experiences and different pain thresholds so it's hard to know what to expect.