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Family planning

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Original poster

Copper Coil - Positive Stories?

28 replies

neverright · 10/03/2011 20:17

Hi,

I've been to the GP today to discuss contraception due to my age she has suggested I choose either coils or the implant. After much reading I'm wavering towards the Copper coil do to the fact it is non hormone based. I am concerned about the possibilities of infection plus stories of people being able to feel it!!!!

Can you please help me make a decision.

Thanks

OP posts:

Brahbrah · 10/03/2011 20:24

I've used a copper coil between dc and now that I'm not planning any more. Same as you I wanted to avoid hormone based contraception. It's been fine so far. I was warned that my periods might be heavy, but I haven't had a problem with that. I certainly can't feel it. I did have a problem with the first one that when I checked the strings I could feel the tip of the coil poking out of my cervix (!). I don't know whether it was badly fitted or whether I had dislodged it with my first attempt at using a mooncup, but I had another fitted and didn't have any more problems.

I would definitely recommend over the implant, which sent me loopy.

Original poster

neverright · 16/03/2011 18:58

Thanks Brahbrah thats help me make my decision. I'm going in tomorrow to have it fitted. They said they would only fit it during my period and typically I've finished today so it may be out off for another month. Thanks very much for your advice.

OP posts:

mizu · 05/04/2011 14:47

Had the copper coil in for a few years and loved it. Never knew it was there. Would recommend it over any hormonal contraception.

Honeydragon · 05/04/2011 14:51

neverright

They did mine without having my period as they hadn't returned properly as bf. I promised faithfully to avoid sperm at all costs abstain from intercourse till my next period/four weeks and they were fine.

In your case I assume it would be till your next period.

llandb · 06/04/2011 18:35

Oh, that's interesting. I've just had one put in (two days ago) and it feels a bit ... odd (sorry to hijack - have just posted about odd symptoms including this).

Still better than being pregnant or on the pill / implant that makes me fat and loopy :)

Good luck with good luck stories!

llandb · 06/04/2011 18:37

Should add that periods haven't returned 4 months after a baby, but as it's not unusual for them to deal with this scenario, they just had to quiz me on my contraception (too tired to need any, ha ha, so no chance of being pregnant). Yes, they took my word for it that I'd abstained :)

Insomnia11 · 11/04/2011 16:06

I'm having one fitted on Friday. After 18 years on the Pill I've probably had enough of hormones. I was scared of Mirena after hearing similar reactions to it as I had with Microgynon years ago, and decided to try no hormones v 'low' hormone dose.

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 27/07/2011 20:16

After having a copper coil fitted today (I am sure I can feel it??) just wondered how you were all getting on with them?

Cazwa · 27/07/2011 20:22

First one was fine, a bit sore and weird at first with particularly heavy periods and then fell out after a year. 2nd one has been absolutely fine, cant feel it, light periods, brilliant. Both copper, would recommend to anyone.

DandyGilver · 27/07/2011 20:26

mine is fine. Periods longer but not any more "crampy" and only a little heavier.

Painful when being inserted, though. But now it has settled down and I don't know it is there.

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 27/07/2011 20:43

Thanks ladies. I think the discomfort is more from the tool to open the cervix - I hate the feeling!

DontWorryBaby · 28/07/2011 20:52

Sorry to hijack the thread but I have a copper coil question!

I had mine fitted about a fortnight ago, still breastfeeding so no periods. I'm sure the threads have moved lower since it was fitted. It took me a week to pluck up the courage to check them and they were maybe halfway up (can't think of a nicer way of wording that - sorry!) and now they are right at the entrance. I also feel the threads jagging into me at times. Do you think it has moved? I don't want to make another trip to the doctor if this is normal.

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 28/07/2011 21:00

I was told they cut them short so most men don't feel them during sex.......yours do sound low. I think the most likely time, if any, for the coil to come away is in the first month, hence the 6 week check up.
I think you will need to go back. I haven't had the guts to feel yet, still getting over the fitting! :0

DontWorryBaby · 28/07/2011 21:05

I wasn't actually given an appointment to have it checked, doesn't seem to be the norm here. Will have to phone and make an appointment with a specific doctor. I'd have thought if it was going to come out, it would come right out. Surely if my threads are sitting very low then it must be kind of stuck halfway?!

DontWorryBaby · 28/07/2011 21:13

Now that you mention it, I'm sure my doctor told me that if DH felt the threads during sex I could go back and have them trimmed. Obviously where they are sitting now isnt right! Back to the doctor's, stripped from the waist down I go...

tryingtobemarypoppins2 · 28/07/2011 21:41

Bless you, us women do suffer!! Let me know the outcome!!

reastie · 30/07/2011 19:04

dontworry I had a copper coil fitted maybe 3 weeks ago - for the first week or so I could feel the threads jagging in me too. It's not so bad now but every now and again I can feel them. i'm hoping it's normal. Got my check in 2 weeks and have already got GP to check it as worried this wasn't normal. I'm having issues with mine and IBS though so may have to have it removed :(

DontWorryBaby · 30/07/2011 21:44

If someone could tell us how long the threads should be it would put our minds at rest, wouldn't it?! I didn't phone docs on Friday, was hoping if it was coming out that it would just painlessly appear, I'm really worried it will hurt if it's not in the right place. Best just get it over & done with. I'll phone on Monday.

QueenStromba · 31/07/2011 18:21

I also have a question. What are the threads made of? People talk about their partner being able to feel them so I guess they're not like sewing thread. I've reached the point where I'd be willing to give the copper coil a chance since I'm fed up with hormonal contraception but my DP is a bit on the large side so I don't want to get the coil if it's just going to hurt him.

reastie · 01/08/2011 10:01

queen i dont know what they are made of but it feels like very fine wire. it couldnt do ant damage at all i dont think. my dh says he cant feel them and only ocassionally can i feel an odd sort of tickly type feeling. initially it was alot more jaggedy but i read it can take a week or so for them to 'curl up'

nik75 · 02/08/2011 14:52

I'm glad I'm not the only one worried! I had the copper coil in for 4 years after my DD was born, I could hardly feel the threads when I checked and the only side effect was heavy & longer periods. I got it out last year to TTC and I got pg straight away and had my DS 3 months ago. I got my coil put back in June and I'm due for a check up in 2 weeks, I had to cancel my original appt. I have noticed this time the threads seem very low, I only need to put my finger (sorry tmi) up a bit to feel it. I am now worried sick that it has moved & I'm pregnant. I'm feel like I've had pregnancy symptoms since Saturday when I first thought I might be pregnant although could all be in my head (I hope!).
I called the family planning clinic yesterday and the lady did say it was very unlikely that I would be pregnant and to ring my own clinic to see if I can get it checked earlier.
Anyone else had anything similar?

ShowOfHands · 02/08/2011 14:58

They will feel like they're in a different place at different times of the month because your cervix moves up and down. It dips down when you ovulate for example, to pick up waiting sperm. Clever thing the cervix. So it's utterly normal for them to go from high up to low down.

When I had a coil fitted I could feel the threads poking out and the doc reassured me they would, er, coil up and around the cervix out the way. Which they did. I could feel them, as could dh but not in a problematic way.

I could always feel my coil though, sort of a weird, heavy, jabbing sensation at certain times. But not painful as such.

ShowOfHands · 02/08/2011 14:59

They're not sharp is what I mean. So DH could always feel them, as could I with my fingers, but they're not about to stab/scrape either of you. They're very soft. Like boiled fishing line...

nik75 · 02/08/2011 15:29

DH said he has never felt them and I've never felt the actual coil. I was just concerned as I never felt my other coil threads so low down ifykwim! Roll on the weekend when I hope AF comes

nik75 · 02/08/2011 23:04

Dontworrybaby....did you phone your Dr? Just wondering what they said? These pregnancy symptoms i'm having seem to be getting worse, I feel like my sense of smell is heightened and I've felt a bit queasy earlier.

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