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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Coil vs cap or pill

14 replies

chocolattegirl · 22/04/2007 11:11

This may be the wrong topic as it's probably the opposite of what most topics here are on... apologies if so.....

I'm thinking of having a coil fitted as I don't get along with the pill (makes me more ratty than I need be even with taking vitamin B6 to mitigate it) but my DP isn't too keen on me having it fitted. He's scared it's going to leach something dangerous into my body (bless) but condoms aren't that great either. The only other alternative I can think of is the cap but if that's fiddly to do or i've got to do something before I go to bed everynight then that's really a non-starter for me as well. Abstenience aside as another method , has anyone got any suggestions or points I need to consider if I were to opt for a coil? My periods have never been regular so that could be another consideration.

OP posts:

DimpledThighs · 22/04/2007 11:13

I have a coil and have had no trouble from it. Do a search as there have been loads of threads on loads of methods.

The bottom line seems to be that different things suit different people and you have to try it and see and also work out what you are comfortable with.

essanel · 22/04/2007 11:21

Hi I am on my 2nd coil and I have found them fab - like you the pill didn't agree with me and a couple of scares from condoms meant we needed to try something different! Once it is in you don't have to remember anything - it is easy to remove and no lasting side effects if you want it removed for more kids. It is a bit painful being inserted (uncomfortable to be inserted/removed and cramps for the day of insertion/removal). I thought my periods were slightly heavier than normal but unsure if that is due to the coil or my memory of having no periods for over a year!

Dimpled · 22/04/2007 14:21

here is a thread on contraception - try doing a search if you want more info.

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 14:33

I have used a cap, with great success. You do need to use spemicide with it, but the advantage over the condom is that you can put it into place a long time before you start to have fun, and you don't need to stop part way!

It isn't quite as reliable as a condom, but it is a lot more reliable than a condom that you cant be bothered to use

Caps are good if you are spacing your family.

Coils can also be excellent. In some people they can cause heavy periods but the new hormonal one stops your periods totaly or almost totaly. For most people the hormone they don't get on with in the combined pill is the oestrogen, and the hormonal coil only had progesterone in it. It is very, very effective, second only to female sterilisation in terns of efficacy.

But putting t in and taking it out is quite invasive.

For many women who have completed their family , but don't want the finality of sterilisation, the coil can be an excellent choice.

MamaG · 22/04/2007 14:36

I've pondered about a coil recently, thanks for that excellent post MB

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 14:38

Gosh, thanks

[simpers]

I used to work in Medical Information for a company that made all the different types of contraception. I can bore for britain on the subject

MamaG · 22/04/2007 14:42

grouchyoscar · 22/04/2007 14:49

I had a coil fitted 3 months after I had my DS. It's fine.

I had a delayed period this month that was really heavy (delayed due to stress and new meds) but that's the only 'unplesant' thing in 3.5 years.

I like it tbh

Blandmum · 22/04/2007 14:54

for those that it suits, GO, the coil is excellent.

Isn't good for people who have lots of different partners (due to increased risk of pelvic infections).

And it isn't suitable for people who have moral objections to the prevention of inplantation (which is how the non hormonal one works).

But can be an excellent choice.

One of my Bugbears is that society tends to think of contracption as being the Pill or the Condom. They forget how good the coil and be, and the real 'orphan' is the diagphragm which can be an excellent way of spacing your family if used correctly. A woman can use a range of methods that can all be optimal for that point in her reproductive life.

MamaG · 22/04/2007 14:55

grouchyoscar · 22/04/2007 15:12

I new it was the thing for me. I put on loads of weight when I was on the pill and I have to take loads of meds so I needed a barrier method rather than a hormonal solution.

I never looked at it or the implements the GP used to fit it. I was just 'lets get it done' I was fine straight after.

I've had it checked twice. Once when I couldn'tg feel the strings and last week following the delayed period. All was well on both occasions.

MB sound like the expert on suitable contraception. I just want to pass on my experience of having a coil.

2gorgeousboys · 22/04/2007 15:19

I would just like to add please, please check you can feel the strings regularly. I conceived my DS2 with the coil fitted and it tuned out it had moved and I did not know as I had not been told to keep checking for the strings .That said though I would use it again.

Bootoo · 23/04/2007 21:39

Interesting reading, I too am trying to choose a method of contraception. I was asking last week if anyone has had the hormonal coil and noticed it affecting their sex drive - anyone on this thread had that problem?? Maybe a funny question but when I am not fertile (pregnant or breastfeeding) I seem to lose it a bit. That said, could be good for pmt???

3catstoo · 25/04/2007 21:35

I have no knowledge of any of them from a personal perspective BUT I do have a friend that is now pg and the coil is still in! She thought her family was complete and trusted the coil.
That would be enough to make me not use it (if I were trying not to conceive - which I'm not).

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