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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be terrified of getting the coil fitted?

83 replies

rhaenyra01 · 11/04/2023 09:52

I have just had my first DD and have started taking the pill again, but have been thinking about changing my contraception. I have always had really heavy periods, even when on the pill, and had lots of unpleasant side effects including hormonal acne, and bad mood swings, as well as heavy breakthrough bleeding when taking my active pill. I spoke to my GP about it at my six week check up post-baby, and she suggested that non-hormonal contraception would be best for me, i.e the coil.

My issue is that i'm terrified of getting the coil fitted. My first ever smear test was extremely painful and quite traumatic and I feel like it's left me with a phobia of being touched down there (by anyone apart from DP of course, hence the baby!). The nurse couldn't reach my cervix despite trying two different speculums, she was quite rough, I was in a lot of pain, crying and being held down by the other nurse, when I finally stood up after it I passed out and threw up. I remember crying for hours when I got home after it and feeling really violated. I haven't been able to use tampons since. When I was pregnant the thought of having a vaginal birth or vaginal examinations made me sick and panicky at the thought so I ended up having an elective C-section.

I feel like the coil is the best contraceptive option for me in terms of being non-hormonal and long lasting, but I am just so terrified of having it fitted. This might sound stupid but I feel like I would have to be knocked out to have it fitted. Even when I had my C-section and they had to fit the catheter I was crying, shaking and hyperventilating. I don't want to stay on the pill and my GP said that the coil would be best for stopping my heavy periods.

Does anyone have any advice? I know it seems extreme but could I have the coil fitted under a general anaesthetic?

OP posts:
SNWannabe · 11/04/2023 09:55

It sounds like it would be a bad idea. Even if it was fitted under GA (which I’m not sure it could be) you still
need to have the strings checked and I don’t think it sound like it would be a good idea. Sorry.

tescocreditcard · 11/04/2023 09:56

I feel like the coil is the best contraceptive option for me

It's the worst contraceptive option if you had that reaction to a smear test!!!!!

I doubt very much whether they will give you a general anesthetic for a coil insertion - you'd need one again when it needed to be changed remember. But there's no harm in asking.

Otherwise, it's looking at a different contraceptive.

Singularity82 · 11/04/2023 09:56

No way would they carry out a risky GA for a coil fitting.
Could you ask your GP for a diazepam to take beforehand? This may help. Although to be honest, given your history, I think perhaps the coil isn’t the right choice for you.
As a side note, have you ever accessed counselling to help process your previous experience? 💐

Fidgety31 · 11/04/2023 09:59

You sound very dramatic . I think you need to deal with this before having a coil fitted . It’s really not a big deal to have one put in .

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2023 10:00

GPs love telling women to get the coil. Mine banged on about it incessantly after I had DD.

I've never had issues with smear tests and I’m so sorry you have but you couldn’t pay me to get a coil, not a fucking chance. We use condoms and DH is going to get a vasectomy - his choice entirely and I’d be happy with condoms.

Is that not an option?

applecharlotte12 · 11/04/2023 10:03

I had the copper IUD fitted a couple of weeks ago, the insertion wasn't great and more painful than I thought it would be. However, it is very quick and over in a couple of minutes. It's two strong contraction like waves of pain then over.

They put some local anaesthetic on your cervix as they do need to clamp it open.

I had cramping that evening only but since then felt uncomfortable and twinge like pains. But apparently it's normal for a few weeks until you body adjusts.

If you found a smear test hard I wouldn't recommend. But, I framed it as short term pain, long term gain - delighted not to have hormones in my body for the first time in 12 years.

Bintymcbintface · 11/04/2023 10:06

I dislike smear tests but found coil OK, it'll be easier for you shortly after birth as you're more "opened up", ask gp for ponstan (I think that's what it's called) to take an hour beforehand and that'll help with cramping a lot, it's uncomfortable but bearable and the checks aren't as intense as a smear either.

nakeklak · 11/04/2023 10:09

Fidgety31 · 11/04/2023 09:59

You sound very dramatic . I think you need to deal with this before having a coil fitted . It’s really not a big deal to have one put in .

Go away you absolute arse

Abra1t · 11/04/2023 10:11

Condoms sounds like the answer.

Trollsinmyeggbox · 11/04/2023 10:14

Contrary to what people are saying I was offered a GA for a coil (I didn't have either in the end), so that option exists, including for removal, plus sedation for any interim checks.

Personally I didn't think the risk outweighed the potential continuation/worsening of trauma.

Have you thought about EMDR to help with the trauma?

FatGirlSwim · 11/04/2023 10:14

I do know someone who had a coil fitted under GA, contrary to what others have said here. It can be an option.

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2023 10:15

Worth saying that a local anaesthetic in your cervix isn’t a load of fun either.

Houseplantjungle · 11/04/2023 10:38

I had a coil fitted a few weeks after giving birth. I was also terrified. Definitely didn’t have my cervix clamped open, just the vaginal clamp. Honestly, I didn’t feel the coil going in at all. I think this was because I’d recently given birth.
Terrified about having it taken out too, but that was just as painless.
Maybe have a couple of paracetamol beforehand if you decide to go ahead.

Gwenhwyfar · 11/04/2023 10:45

I wouldn't want anything in my body that I couldn't take out myself unless it was a medical necessity.
As for being 'dramatic' I've read enough stories from women on Twitter about coil insertion being painful and doctors refusing to take them out when women ask for that.

Original poster
rhaenyra01 · 11/04/2023 10:47

Fidgety31 · 11/04/2023 09:59

You sound very dramatic . I think you need to deal with this before having a coil fitted . It’s really not a big deal to have one put in .

Thank you! You sound very empathetic!

OP posts:
Ostryga · 11/04/2023 10:48

You absolutely can have the coil fitted under GA. It’s just the wait time will be astronomical.

I faint when I have my smear tests and I was absolutely dreading having my coil fitting. I went to the dr and they gave me some diazepam to take just before the appointment and I was rather chilled! It did hurt like fuck, but for less than 3 minutes and then it was just bad period pains for a few hours after that ibuprofen helped with. I’ve had mine for 2.5 years and the best thing ever. I’ll have another one when this one needs replacing.

givemushypeasachance · 11/04/2023 10:50

Trying to be sensitive here - but this isn't just about potentially getting a coil fitted, and what you can do for that one-off event. You will also need quite a few more smear tests, and potentially other internal examinations should you decide to have more children, or just if you need other tests or issues sorting out. And you can't resort to trying to have a general anaesthetic for all of those, so it would be better to try to address the underlying distress. CBT, counselling, hypnotherapy - there are all sorts of things people try for phobias or distress from everything from a fear of needles to heights or flying. If you can overcome that, in partnership with finding a sympathetic medical professional who can explore your fears and work with you to be able to complete an examination, then you won't have your medical needs hijacked by one bad experience.

elm26 · 11/04/2023 10:53

Fidgety31 · 11/04/2023 09:59

You sound very dramatic . I think you need to deal with this before having a coil fitted . It’s really not a big deal to have one put in .

I think this is really unfair.

Having the coil fitted absolutely killed me! I was sweating and shaking and they gave me a glucose drink after as I felt like I was going to pass out.

This is coming from somebody who's had countless procedures and internals because I have endometriosis.

It was really painful for me and I'd never do it again.

LittleDonkeyKong · 11/04/2023 10:54

I had a mirena coil fitted 10 days ago. I only experienced 2 period like cramps. One when he was measuring my uterus and another when the coil was put in. Wasn't half as bad as I expected. I'm fine when having a smear though. I have been having lower stomach pain since though which I believe is the coil settling as the uterus cramps until its used to it.

IamKlaus · 11/04/2023 10:54

AnneLovesGilbert · 11/04/2023 10:00

GPs love telling women to get the coil. Mine banged on about it incessantly after I had DD.

I've never had issues with smear tests and I’m so sorry you have but you couldn’t pay me to get a coil, not a fucking chance. We use condoms and DH is going to get a vasectomy - his choice entirely and I’d be happy with condoms.

Is that not an option?

GP's recommend it because its objectively the best choice for a lot of women. It's the choice of most GP's for themselves. They don't give them out for shits and giggles.

BarryK3nt · 11/04/2023 10:56

No, just try a different type of pill, there’s loads.

Ilovechinese · 11/04/2023 11:03

I would never have a coil again, I've heard of people including a friend of a friend having then get stuck inside them and needing surgery to remove them also people still getting pregnant on it and like someone else said I hate the idea of a foreign object in my body I can't take out myself.

Sundaefraise · 11/04/2023 11:07

Fidgety31 · 11/04/2023 09:59

You sound very dramatic . I think you need to deal with this before having a coil fitted . It’s really not a big deal to have one put in .

You’ve been lucky then. I found it horrific, I was shaking for hours afterwards. It’s something I don’t think men would be expected to put up with without some form of pain relief or sedation.

SterilisationQ · 11/04/2023 11:11

I was offered general anaesthetic for a coil fitting as an alternative to sterilisation because the first time I had a coil put in it was so painful I wouldn't even contemplate trying it again. I declined and was accepted for sterilisation. But there is definitely scope for general anaesthetic.

SterilisationQ · 11/04/2023 11:12

(Also, the string checking and eventual removal were nowhere near as bad as having it put in - they didn't even hurt, unlike the insertion.)

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