Page 2 | To be scared of coil insertion?

Loungingbutnotforlong · 2025-10-01T21:56:58+00:00

Triggered by the recent post on cervical smears, I’m asking for advice on coil insertion. I’ve had one before- put in under GA. I find smears painful- I need them to use the smallest speculum. does a coil insertion take much longer than a smear? beyond taking paracetamol, I assume there is nothing to be done. What sort of pain should I expect. How will I know if it’s ‘normal’ pain (I am being wimpy), or whether it’s not going to work for me? Yabu- woman up YANBU - it’s v painful

Delatron · 02/10/2025 15:16

I have a retroverted uterus- it hurt like hell on earth and took ages because apparently ‘my cervix was hiding). Never again. Loads of pain after too.

It’s not a quick procedure for many! I think my doctor had to call in back up help!

If you’ve had issues before then definitely flag that up and make sure they give you adequate pain relief.

refreshingseahorse · 02/10/2025 15:24

I love my mirena but find the insertion really unpleasant. The last couple of times Ive requested a one off valium prescription from my GP beforehand, and taken that plus painkillers. It still wasn't pleasant but it took the edge off a bit.

natscimum · 02/10/2025 15:35

DD had one fitted at 18 without ever having had a child. Anyway she had the copper one as she didn’t need her periods reduced and didn’t want to risk the hormones. You can apparently get them in different sizes so she got the smallest one (doesn’t last as many years.) They gave her all the pain relief and she still cried and it was awful- for about a minute. She’s 2 years later now and says it’s the best thing she could have done.

TheLivelyViper · 02/10/2025 23:01

CandleMug · 02/10/2025 14:55

Ask away for an iron transfusion but it’s unlikely she’ll be given one unfortunately, such is the state of the NHS. They’ll make her try iron tablets first no doubt unless she’s extremely lucky. Apparently anaemia is fine for women to endure even though the infusion would help instantly.

I say that as someone who has had severe anaemia and two emergency blood transfusions because I had no iron stores left and they still said I need to take the tablets first. That’s the easiest and cheapest option though of course 🙄

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Well areas differ as do GPs, many will have done it, and with her levels many would. Obviously I'm sorry they didn't for you, but many would immediately and yes some GPs aren't good enough, but many are great, obviously it doesn't negate your experience but it's still worth asking. Also things are getting much better in terms of education on that and accessibility foe an iron infusion which can be done in local smaller diagnostic clinics etc so more people get them now.

Isabelle70 · 02/10/2025 23:22

I had one inserted last week. I took paracetamol, ibuprofen and temazepam 30 minutes before the procedure with local anaesthetic. There was only 2 points where it very slightly uncomfortable for 15 seconds if that. I then went home and slept soundly for 4 hours!

Toastea · 02/10/2025 23:27

I had the mirena inserted with a local anaesthetic, which was an injection. I have a needle phobia and extremely low pain threshold (I can just about manage smear tests now, but always had valium for them until my 40s). I found the injection painful, but bearable and quick. The mirena insertion was, of course, not pleasant, but perfectly ok with the local anaesthetic.

JustAMiddleAgedDirtBagBaby · 02/10/2025 23:49

I didn't find the insertion painful at all but had to go back the next day to beg for prescription painkillers as the after-cramps were as painful as labour. I had no idea it could be that bad so I don't know what to do - so maybe ask at your appointment what you should do if you have particularly bad cramps afterwards.

Negroany · 02/10/2025 23:52

TheLivelyViper · 02/10/2025 14:33

Make sure to ask your GP for an iron infusion, as if your levels are as low as they sound you'll be eligible. It might be good to have one or two then use oral iron pills as well, whilist the mirena kicks into gear.

Also as the mirena settles, ask for tranexamic acid or northisteron from your GP - a smallish dose, to use occasionally when your bleeding is still heavy as the mirena settles.

They may not have your previous failed attempt on record. Obviously they won't do general just for a coil, they'll be doing another op and then might as well do it at the same time sort of thing. However if you do want the complex coil clinic you would be waiting longer as it is the gynaecology ward, and so a F1/F2, some more trained nurses are needed, and they'll be using them for ultrasounds, and other things, so they often don't do many clinics across the month, so it can be a few months wait often. I'd still go on Tuesday, make sure they have everything and then hopefully it all goes fine.

Have you called them yet?

I hope it goes well for you, the pain relief should definitely help. If you have Co-codamol take 1 or maybe half of 1 (if it is the over the counter dose, maybe 1 as it is a lower dose). It is capped at 8/50mg, whereas prescription ones can be higher. Obviously don't use it regularly nit good if something worse happens and addiction risk etc. You could also use the paracetamol and ibuprofen definitely 1h before, and after if it very painful use 1 Co-codamol, but get the hand warmers I also mentioned ready, as they help.

Do you have pain with your bleeding? Of so ask your GP to prescribe you an NSAID so naproxen, or mefenamic acid or other ones. They help with pain, but crucially always take it with food and omeprazole, and also start taking it before the pain starts, so a few days before your period should start. For tranexamic acid or northisterone, initially for your next period and maybe the 2nd one as well, use it before your period should start as well, but then as the mirena settles, only use it occasionally in a day where bleeding is getting heavy.

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Obviously they won't do general just for a coil, they'll be doing another op and then might as well do it at the same time sort of thing

Not true. I had my third under GA and no other procedure at the same time.

WearyAuldWumman · 02/10/2025 23:55

I had a hysteroscopy, biopsy and Mirena coil insertion all done at the same time.

The consultant gave me a local into the cervix.

I felt the speculum going in - I usually do - but I didn't feel anything else. It was remarkably quick.

As instructed by the hospital, I took paracetamol and ibuprofen half an hour before my appointment but I also took 2mg of diazepam (after checking with the gynae dept first).

FWIW, I was 64 at the time, have never given birth and suffer from vaginismus.

doorbellringer2 · 03/10/2025 00:09

Yet again another example of where woman are expected to put up with the pain and are ridiculed for saying it hurts.
Yet, men are given lots of painkillers and aftercare when they go for a vasectomy. Boils my piss!
I’ve had two c-sections, one because my cervix couldn’t open past 2cm. The other was elective.
I got my first coil fitted 10 weeks after my second child in 2016. Doctor couldn’t find and cervix and open my cervix with a map and a golden key. Finally did, then cut the strings too short. No one at any follow ups could find them - had an ultrasound to confirm it was in place.
Was meant to come out in 2021. A nurse told me it would last for another year. Cackled down the phone she would babysit if I fell pregnant.
4 different scans confirmed it was imbedded in my womb wall.
Finally got it removed and replaced last year, under general anaesthetic.
Got it replaced to fend off early menopause, which is common in the women in my family. I’ll worry about removal in 5 years.
Happy to go through all that, to not have had periods since 2016, and hope not to have any until it’s removed circa 2029.
N.B. One thing someone told me, is that the Mirena is pregosterone only. I was told that too much progesterone can turn to testosterone, and make you spotty/acne prone and angry. So, that can still need oestrogen to be checked/prescribed to keep everything in check. I’m not a doctor, so cannot offer medical advice!

user1493379562 · 04/10/2025 23:33

Loungingbutnotforlong · 01/10/2025 23:05

Thank you- I didn’t know about the local pain relief, so I’ll definitely ask for that.
I’m hoping it goes well as my perimenopause periods are horrendous- really impinging on life and keeping me trapped in the house for fear of leaks every few weeks.

Yes it is called Instillagel. https://www.christie.nhs.uk/media/rstbqu2l/1455-instillagel-phar-may-2021.pdf

https://www.christie.nhs.uk/media/rstbqu2l/1455-instillagel-phar-may-2021.pdf

Original poster

Loungingbutnotforlong · 05/10/2025 11:43

Thanks all, will let you know how I get on.
to answer some questions- previous coil under GA- I went private (luckily), so no other procedure at the same time.

I don’t really get pain with the very heavy periods- but it’s so limiting to change a pad every hour for three days. I’m trapped in the house or jumping from public loo to loo.

I am on hRT so I’ll be able to keep going with the oestrogen gel and just stop the progesterone tablets, as I’ll get the progesterone through the coil

OP posts:

Original poster

Loungingbutnotforlong · 05/10/2025 11:44

Oh and to the lovely viper- yes- on iron tablets for last year or so.
urgh- menopause is rubbish!!

OP posts:

Chazbots · 05/10/2025 11:49

Had mine redone last week. Was ok, not amazingly comfortable and the GP was training someone so it took a fraction longer but fine. The speculum was uncomfortable as not been having regular sex and I've not had DC, but the insertion seemed fine.

Best thing ever for me. Everyone is different. Wish I'd had one far, far sooner but when it was first mentioned the doctor wasn't keen as I'd not had kids.

Kindlealltheway · 05/10/2025 11:54

I had one put in last week. I took paracetamol beforehand. I was nervous about the pain but figured I would cope since I gave birth with no pain relief at all 3 months ago (I’d rate that 10/10 on the pain scale. Lucky it was pretty quick and straightforward). Having the coil put in wouldn’t even make it 1/10 on my personal pain scale. I find having a speculum put in unpleasant but not painful. I felt the tube go into the cervix but it hurt like a period cramp does, no more. I did have crampy feelings for the rest of the day. As past posters confirm, some women have much more pain but I wanted to add a positive story!

BlueWorkDay · 05/10/2025 11:57

Loungingbutnotforlong · 01/10/2025 23:05

Thank you- I didn’t know about the local pain relief, so I’ll definitely ask for that.
I’m hoping it goes well as my perimenopause periods are horrendous- really impinging on life and keeping me trapped in the house for fear of leaks every few weeks.

I also have horrendous perimenopause periods and the coil isn't suitable for me (slight uteral prolapse) and the doctor prescribed me the progesterone only pill.

I know this isnt news to you, but for others who may be coil averse...

That has worked very well. Maybe it as well as a coil, but my periods are manageable the first time in 5 years.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/10/2025 13:00

doorbellringer2 · 03/10/2025 00:09

Yet again another example of where woman are expected to put up with the pain and are ridiculed for saying it hurts.
Yet, men are given lots of painkillers and aftercare when they go for a vasectomy. Boils my piss!
I’ve had two c-sections, one because my cervix couldn’t open past 2cm. The other was elective.
I got my first coil fitted 10 weeks after my second child in 2016. Doctor couldn’t find and cervix and open my cervix with a map and a golden key. Finally did, then cut the strings too short. No one at any follow ups could find them - had an ultrasound to confirm it was in place.
Was meant to come out in 2021. A nurse told me it would last for another year. Cackled down the phone she would babysit if I fell pregnant.
4 different scans confirmed it was imbedded in my womb wall.
Finally got it removed and replaced last year, under general anaesthetic.
Got it replaced to fend off early menopause, which is common in the women in my family. I’ll worry about removal in 5 years.
Happy to go through all that, to not have had periods since 2016, and hope not to have any until it’s removed circa 2029.
N.B. One thing someone told me, is that the Mirena is pregosterone only. I was told that too much progesterone can turn to testosterone, and make you spotty/acne prone and angry. So, that can still need oestrogen to be checked/prescribed to keep everything in check. I’m not a doctor, so cannot offer medical advice!

Yes, I developed a tiny number of spots after getting the Mirena (to prevent uterine cancer) because I was still on a combination oestrogen/progestogen tablet. (The name escapes me.)

The consultant said not to change the tablet until they knew that I was tolerating the coil. 3 months later, had another biopsy and I'm now on Elleste Solo, lowest dose. The acne has gone.