Coil fitting- pain?

[Coilt]

I’m getting the coil fitted on Friday and I’m so nervous. I need to have it done because I have a genetic condition that is dominant and has a 50% chance of being passed down but a 100% chance of causing the issue if passed down. Think Huntingtons kind of thing.

Im so scared but I also fully anticipate it being painful and DH is driving me home as I intend on taking full whack pain killers (been prescribed tramadol)

can anyone tell me about your experience so I’m prepared?

I used to find the fitting painful, but I think the equipment, training etc has got more female friendly. Take pain killers about 20 minutes before. Have a look at breathing exercises and it often just feels a bit strange. It isn't completely painless, but it isn't something worry about.

I’ve had four fitted and look, it’s not the best day of your life but it’s not TERRIBLE. It’s a little bit painful but it’s very quick and once it’s in it’s done for years and you don’t have to think about it. You might have some period cramps afterwards and definitely take it easy and milk it because we don’t get enough chances to do that.

I find doing some deep breathing does really help, as annoying as it sounds. Try to do a nice, steady breath out while anything happens as it relaxes you.

Best of luck @Coilt, you’ll be fine xx

I took some prescription strength codeine before I had mine fitted and didn’t feel a thing! With tramadol you’ll be fine.

Thank you! It’s actually nice to know what to expect as opposed to ‘you might feel a bit of cramping’ what does that mean?? Some cramps are awful and require being in bed all afternoon rolling around trying to find a comfy position 🤦‍♀️

Is this the Mirena? It's painful, very painful, but it lasts a minute. And then for the afternoon, I basically felt like I was having a bad period.

If you have tramadol, you'll be flying, I only took a paracetamol....

After that, I was all good. And it was the best decision I ever made. Took about 9 months for things to really settle (I was spotting randomly). Better than any contraceptive pill I was ever on.

Got pregnant the month I took it out BTW, so it didn't affect fertility either.

That’s so helpful thank you! It’s not the mirena it’s the copper one, but at some point in the next 4 years we will be accepted by the nhs to start ivf to screen out my bat shit genes and hopefully have a baby not destined for cancer so it’s nice to know that it didn’t impact your fertility.

Ah I had the Mirena fitted earlier this year.

Fitting was mainly uncomfortable, but did get painful for a few seconds. Found it worse than a smear test but not awful.

I felt absolutely fine afterwards for an hour or two. Got quite sudden strong cramping then, was on the floor in foetal position and also felt quite sick, and threw up. Felt better soon after, probably lasted maybe half an hour but then no cramping or anything after that.

Just had paracetamol, and after effects may have been more related to it being a Mirena one.

Could what you’ve described not be prevented by another form of contraception like the implant for example? It sounds like you wouldn’t be able to ever have a baby without worry. If you haven’t previously had a baby, coils aren’t recommended where I live. Unsure if you’re going for this because you’re not ready to conceive or don’t ever want to given the example you’ve stated. Regardless, having the coil not previously having had a pregnancy might make it more painful for you. There are other options you can consider. If you don’t ever want to have a child knowing the background to this you could opt for sterilisation. It depends what you’re wanting to get out of this.

I’ve had the mirena fitted twice and it was no more uncomfortable than a smear test. I had very mild cramping for a few hours after but that was it. Not painful at all…but I realise I’m probably in the minority.

Unfortunately for me the hormones in the implant and the injection could cause breast cancer. It very likely would. I’d be ‘allowed’ to go for one pregnancy / round of ivf with the risk that brings as they would not be able to stop me getting pregnant naturally it’s just not something I want to risk (baby having my gene). I wish I could though I have asked.

I find it pretty much like a smear tbh, so like, not the most fun thing, but not exactly painful either.

But then real bad period type cramps the rest of the day

I had the copper coil fitted. It was VERY painful.

The booking was done over the phone and I wasn’t given any information beforehand. I only found out I should have taken painkillers about ten seconds before the insertion. The healthcare professional didn’t care at all! 😨

It's painful when they measure the length of the uterus and then again when the coil is actually inserted.

For pain comparison: coil insertion > surgical management after miscarriage >>> smear tests (I don’t feel those at all).

On the plus side, I was sorted for years. I had no side effects, apart from slightly heavier periods, and the removal was completely painless.

So, yes, do take some painkillers! 😊

I had the copper coil fitted and didn’t find it much different to a smear test. There was a sharp pain for a second then that was it, I think it depends on the experience of the doctor fitting it. Removal was painless, I didn’t even realise she had done it until she showed me the coil, I had asked to see it out of curiosity.

I've never had a coil but just here to say don't rely on tramadol. It's about as helpful as a chocolate teapot!

Just had a Mirena fitted about 15 days ago. Definitely take some form of painkiller before you go.

Mine was all going well (smear tests are nothing to me) but there was a really sharp pain. She later said she thought the coil caught on my fibroid. It was really painful.

I have had random bleeding and random cramps since. I am not a fan. To be fair i wanted the copper one as I have never got on with synthetic hormones. I am annoyed at myself for letting them talk me into the Mirena.

Take painkillers before you go.

Good luck with your TTC journey in future.

Mirena fitting was ok but for me the cramps worsened to a very sharp pain and ultimately after five months I had it removed. Apparently it was in place and intact, so the pain was downplayed/ignored.

I hope your experience was better than mine!

I have a coil, honestly its not that bad, as others have said, some experience cramps like if you are having a heavy period. I also have a genetic condition, sounds similar to yours, I didnt find out until after dd1, and took 3 years for her to be diagnosed and subsequently me. If its the condition we have I completely understand you not wanting to pass it down! Its the unknown complications it causes that worry me the most

It’s really not that bad. I just took some paracetamol beforehand. It’s uncomfortable, and as pp said, not exactly the most fun day, but it’s fine and totally manageable. Plus the uncomfy bit is over and done with very quickly. I had a bit of period type cramping the first evening then fine after that. I love my coil - so great that once it’s in you can just forget about it! I’ve had another fitted now we’ve finished having children. Good luck.

I found it very painful, it made me feel dizzy and sick. The second time was better as I think the doctor was more skilled. I was still shaking for ages afterwards but felt better prepared as I knew what was going to happen. For me it was way worse than a smear and id also had a hysteroscopy previously and it was worse than that too. Reading the thread it obviously affects some people differently. Fingers crossed for you it’s not too bad.

Im sorry to say but I had the copper coil and oh my i found it very painful. The fitting and cramps afterwards. I would recommend taking some pain killers beforehand. Even though I found it painful, the whole process didn't take very long. Although id be anxious to do it over again, I would.

Re tramadol btw, I don’t know if it’s just me because I’ve never actually compared notes, but I find it takes about two hours to kick in fully.

I had one fitted 25 years ago and nearly passed out from the pain. It then expelled itself after 2 weeks. This put me off ever having one again….however 2 years ago I had one fitted again and I was expecting the worst but I actually asked the Dr have you done it as it was just 2 seconds of a sharp pain and then done. The next couple of weeks I had really painful period like pains but then it’s absolutely fine for 2 years and I’m really glad I had one.
so I think it depends on who is fitting it and hopefully it’s a lot better now than it was 25 years ago!!

Over the years I had 3 coils fitted, each one there was a slight tweaking/stinging sensation inside, slightly painful, but literally only for a couple of seconds. After the first one I got period-like cramps for a day or two. As others have said, as a precaution, I would take whatever painkiller you find most effective about an hour before the appointment, but if you are very worried you can ask for numbing/painkilling gel on the cervix before they start, or stop them and ask for it if it becomes painful. Everyone is different, and like me, you may have no problem.

i had a Mirena fitted after dc2. It was painful for a long moment but otherwise just felt uncomfortable. I felt fine afterwards.

It did take a few months to settle but then it was perfect and I’ve been period-free and happy with it.

Apparently me get anaesthesia for vasectomies but none is offered for IUD’s. I get that it’s a different procedure but they should offer something