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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your experience with the coil?

38 replies

Amyrosa · 20/06/2022 08:51

hello,

I have an appointment this afternoon to have an IUD (coil) fitted and am still undecided on whether to have the copper or the mirena.

Copper I am worried about the heavy/constant bleeding stories I've heard, although my periods have always been normal - not sure if you're more likely to have those problems if you already have heavy periods.

mirena I am worried because I suffered with adult acne in the past and it made me feel very low so am scared it will come back with a vengeance. Also heard tales of struggling to loose weight.

for background I have 2 children under the age of 3 and definitley do not want any more, I'm 27 and have been on the implant, the combined pill and the mini pill. implant was awful as I bled pretty much constantly and the combined pill gave me headaches.

which did you go for and was it a good experience?

thanks!

OP posts:
MinnieMountain · 20/06/2022 08:54

I had heavy bleeding with the copper coil which was horrible. Otherwise ok.

WhatsInAMolatovMocktail · 20/06/2022 08:58

Mirena. It has been great. Took a while to settle down (about 4 months of breakthrough bleeding) but no side effects for me, not that I’ve noticed anyway.

OompaLoompaa · 20/06/2022 09:01

I had Mirena, I still had light periods but they were really heavy before.

Original poster
Amyrosa · 20/06/2022 09:01

I have some nurofen to take - was it very painful?

OP posts:
Original poster
Amyrosa · 20/06/2022 09:02

I'm a bit nervous about insertion, I've had 2 c sections if that makes a difference

OP posts:
Workawayxx · 20/06/2022 09:06

I have had both. Currently have my second copper coil and really like it. Periods are no heavier, maybe a day longer / tiny bit more spotting but that could be age related! When I had the mirena I had spotting for a the best part of a year. It was great having no periods when the spotting finally went though! I think it partly depends whether you get on ok with the mini pill as it’s the same hormone (I had a lot of spotting with the mini pill too). I didn’t find the insertion too bad, I’d take ibuprofen and paracetamol half an hour before (you can take them together).

Coldilox · 20/06/2022 09:06

Mirena, to manage periods. Best thing I ever did.

erinaceus · 20/06/2022 09:06

I had the copper coil. I had two of them over ten years. It made my periods, which were already quite long and heavy, one day longer and heavier on the first day, and more painful. I managed the pain with ibuprofen. The insertion is uncomfortable, not dissimilar to a smear, but more painful, but it is over quickly.

I am paranoid about taking hormonal contraception so the copper coil was the least worst option for me. I didn't mind the side effects too much but they definitely were there.

plinkplinkfizzer · 20/06/2022 09:06

I 've had two copper coils ( passed it now ) . My periods weren't heavy or troublesome to begin with so that never changed . I never got pregnant with them or lost one . It suited me fine . I think it would suit you as you've had children .

LookdeepintotheParka · 20/06/2022 09:08

I'm on my 4th mirena - had first one fitted after my last child was born and on balance it's been good. They have taken a good year to settle down - the constant spotting was a pain. Periods much lighter afterwards which was a major plus for me I didn't have any issues with weight gain or low mood. One thing I did find was cramping after doing strenuous exercise (long runs etc)

I'm in early menopause now so things are different but I'm hoping to have my current one until I no longer need it!

JamesBlond · 20/06/2022 09:10

Mirena has been, overall, fantastic. Just have very, very light periods. On the downside, I’ve got a few coarse, dark chin hairs.

hellcatspangle · 20/06/2022 09:11

I have mirena, it's been a godsend to me (was having horrific heavy periods that have now stopped). The insertion literally took a couple of seconds, so it was like a very brief sharp period pain. I had a few mild cramps throughout that day but didn't need pain relief.

FishcakesWithTooMuchCoriander · 20/06/2022 09:12

I’m on my 3rd mirena and I really like it. No problems. No periods.

The insertion is not a lovely experience but it’s quick. Taking some painkillers beforehand is a good idea.

Bichette · 20/06/2022 09:14

I had 2 Mirenas and would recommend. No periods/spotting, no side effects at all.

hamdden12 · 20/06/2022 09:28

I've got a copper coil and for me being hormone free is the best option. My GP advised me not to have the mirena due to bad side effects from the mini pill.

Zaccat1 · 20/06/2022 09:29

Mirena - changed my life.

emmathedilemma · 20/06/2022 09:32

Mirena also changed my life......for the worst!! It was sold to me that it would help to reduce heavy bleeding (caused by fibroids).
It didn't.
It made it worse. Bled more days than I didn't. Had worst cramps than I've had in my life. Had to wear 2 forms of sanitary protection and take Tranexamic acid on the worst days. Gained a load of weight and lost a lot of fitness as a result of feeling so rubbish / bleeding so heavily.
Best thing it ever did was bleed itself out after a year of hell (along with what felt like half my womb!)

monsterastuckiosa · 20/06/2022 09:34

I had the hormonal coil for years – no periods at all, zero side effects. I had terrible mood swings on the mini-pill which is essentially the same hormone, but they disappeared with the coil.

I was told that was because the hormone release is localised, so it doesn't go through your whole system in the way that the pill does. Not sure if that's true, but it certainly felt true to me!

My issue was the insertion – the first time they tried I passed out from the pain, so they had to use a smaller one (Kyleena) and even that insertion was horrendous.

It scared me so much that I avoided getting a new one when the old one ran out, until recently I found a doctor that immediately said she'd put me under sedation for the insertion given my traumatic history with it.

They put me under, popped it in, and I couldn't be happier.

Original poster
Amyrosa · 20/06/2022 09:37

I think I'm leaving more towards mirena on balance, thank you for responses.

OP posts:
Pollymollydolly · 20/06/2022 09:39

I had to stop taking the pill due to hemiplegic migraine. Tried depo provera which gave me horrendous acne. Had a copper coil for years and had no issues at all, periods unaffected although they had always been very light.

Now menopausal and use mirena as part of HRT - I was worried about acne due to my experience with depo provera but no problems. I had absolutely no side effects with either the copper coil or the mirena once they were fitted, a bit of discomfort during the fitting then absolutely no issues.

Pennyhill22 · 20/06/2022 09:39

I had mirena for heavy periods. I lasted 6 months before I got it removed. Horrible experience,put on 2 stone, stomach looked like I was 6 months pregnant because of the bloating,depression,mood swings, any side effect I got.

Rewis · 20/06/2022 09:40

I've had 2 mirenas. First one had light periods always on time and no nother symptoms. Second one was good for the first 6 months, no periods (score) then suddenly started spotting and had a positive pregnancy test (it was inserted correctly...one of those things apparently). So I'd say I've had good and bad experiences.

The insertion hurt and I bled a few days but nothing that I wasn't able to handle.

hangrylady · 20/06/2022 09:42

I have the copper coil and no issues. My periods are slightly heavier than before but they were always pretty light so nothing I can't cope with. I think if you have heavy periods to begin with it's probably not the right option.

Pollymollydolly · 20/06/2022 09:43

Forgot to say - yes to nurofen before the fitting! Also you can ask for medication to soften the cervix (Cytotec) which can make insertion easier if you haven’t had a vaginal birth previously.

JoandLily · 20/06/2022 09:44

I've had both and would recommend the mirena 100% my only regret is not getting it sooner

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