IUD - copper coil side effects

[ELH1]

Hi,

I had my second baby 6 weeks ago and am looking at contraception. We want to stop at 2 children so are looking at the coil (so not permanent incase we change our minds).

I like the idea of the non hormonal copper coil as I am worried about the side effects of the hormonal mirena coil.

I know the main side effect of the copper coil is heavier periods. Has anyone had any others? I've done a few searches on google and found people have said they have had weight gain, acne and mood swings ........ But as it doesn't contain hormones I don't understand how this is possible.

I'm now really confused and am thinking if there is possibility of same side effects I may as well go for the mirena and have lighter periods.

I know everyones body is different, but any help / your experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

I had the copper coil fitted after DC3 (like you I was worried about the mirena given my experience with five or six different pills - all left me very sick), and gave it a year to settle down. At this point I was still having massively heavy periods that lasted for three weeks. I gave up and had it removed.

After it was removed (and DC4 had come along) I decided to try the mirena (we'd tried most of the non-permanent forms of contraception), and I've got on tolerably well with it. I don't really have periods, I occasionally feel a bit queasy (think very mild morning sickness), and I've had some limited weight gain - which may or may not have something to do with the mirena. I've now been using the mirena for over five years (I'm on mirena no.2 now).

So, in short, I couldn't get on with the copper coil, and have been okay with the mirena.

Have you tried the cap? I used it for a while, and didn't mind it, but wanted something that felt a bit safer IYSWIM.

I've had the copper coil for just over 2 years. Heavier periods for around the first year (2/3 days of very heavy flow, then a slightly longer tail-off, about 6 days bleeding in total, but no flooding or anything like that), along with some more period pain as well. But nothing unmanageable. I have found it great - no mood swings, no acne, no migraines like I had before with a variety of hormonal contraception. I recommend it, based on my experience.

Many thanks for your replies.

Jeee, I've not thought too much about the cap, but I like the idea of the coil and not having to think about it.

Thanks again