Copper coil or Mirena?

[beargryllshasabigrope]

I'm booked in for a coil fitting this week. I was going to go with the copper coil as I'm not a huge fan of artificial hormones (or hormones in general tbh) but I'm wobbling about the heavier periods and general horror stories.

I've had the mirena before but only for a few months, and iirc I liked it, but got awful back pain. This could have been a placement issue though so I'm willing to try again I suppose.

So anyone, anywhere, which one would you recommend I go for?

I have the Modena and am contemplating having it taken out. My stomach is so bloated that I look pregnant!! I have also put in a lot of weight with it and have mood swings. From what I gather, the copper coil is much better as it doesn't have the hormones. Good luck xx

Does the copper coil cause any weight gain (question to any coil wearers that might join this thread)? Sorry if this is a stupid question

And thanks for starting this thread OP, was thinking about doing the same thing the other day and forgot.

I had a copper coil for nearly 12 years with no issues. Very happy with it and if I need long-term contraception again I'd have another one put in. (Had it removed to ttc, and did very soon afterwards)

No, the copper IUD doesn't cause weight gain. It doesn't affect hormones at all - just stops sperm getting to the egg or an embryo implanting.

I've always loved my IUD. Artificial hormones suppress my drive and I like it being robust. It makes my periods a bit more crampy for a while but that's no big deal to me. I probably wouldn't try Mirena because I much prefer not messing with my hormonal balance, but it depends on your priorities and how crampy and heavy your periods already are IMO. And for what it's worth insertion has always been fine for me even pre kids.

No weight gain with copper. It's non hormonal. Typical side effects are heavier longer and sometimes more painful periods

I had the copper coil a while ago and it couldn't cause weight gain etc as it's literally a piece of copper wire placed inside your uterus. I did have awful periods and cramping with it tho. J kept it in for 5 years as the periods were an ok trade off I felt. Am going to get a mirena fitted soon as post children my periods are already horrific and I darent make them worse. From what I've read, the mirena won't make you gain weight per se, it's more the effect of the hormones on you and your appetite I guess. Much like your appetite increases pre period for example. Doctor has said that it's equivalent to taking two of the old style progesterone only pills a week f that helps

I used to have a Mirena coil but now have a copper coil. I was one of the ⅓ of folks who didn't get blessed with an absence of periods or even lighter ones with Mirena - to begin with it was ok, but the longer I had it the more it wasn't working for me. PMS became worse than I'd ever had, I was bloated and ultimately bleeding more than not. However it seems that I don't get on well with any kind of hormonal contraception.

I've had the copper coil in for 5 years, yes I get longer periods and they can be quite heavy, but I don't get the horrendous mood swings or bloating and have had no issues with weight gain. Happier with it compared to Mirena.

Had the mirena, hated it. Dizzy spells, heavy bleeding sickness, got it taken out within a few months. Now have implanon (arm implant) all that's gone. Research your options before going for one or the other, insertion and removal was VERY sore.

I've had both and much preferred the copper coil. Slightly heavier, crampy periods, but no other issues at all. Was talked into mirena after DC2 and it didn't agree with me at all. Lovely having no periods but held onto the baby fat round my waist and felt miserable most of the time. Both of which righted themselves quickly after removal.

I have a copper coil and it's great. I've had it for 5 years now and I just forget it's there. My periods are pretty much the same as they were before.

Love my copper coil. Only had it three months and my periods are only one day longer (used to be five days, now six). not heavier for me , same pain level. I love that there's no hormones - it hasn't affected my libido at all.
The thing is it's different for everyone isn't it?

And I barely felt the insertion, but then smears don't really bother me either. Was like a slightly more intense smear.

i didnt like the mirena. I gained loads of weight on it, which fell off when i had it removed.
I got on much better with the copper coil. It didnt give me any problems with my periods particularly. I think they averaged about a day longer than without the coil but werent bad or anything. Was definitely worth it to not have the hormones

On my second copper coil. Periods last a day or so longer

So far it seems like way more recommendations for the copper then. It's what I initially wanted to go for but then read horror stories of clots the size of avocados and people nearly fainting and the idea of lighter periods on the mirena coil seemed way more appealing. But that's not what the consensus is here - and I trust this place way more than the rest of the internet.

Nah, and I've had experience of clots that size! I honestly notice very little difference and I went back for a second coil so that says it's worked well for me

My first couple of periods were a lot worse than normal with copper coil but they're now not much different to before.

Insertion wasn't too bad either- like a slightly longer smear as a PP said.

I love the lack of artificial hormones and have found my moods much more balanced than they were when I was taking the progesterone only pill.

I'd definitely recommend copper but have no experience of mirena.

I've had a copper coil for about 4 months. My periods were light, short but frequent beforehand. Now a couple of days longer, two or three of them with heavy flow.
No pain, no pms, but didn't have them before either.

For anyone that has the copper coil, how long did you bleed for after it was inserted? Im hoping to go swimming on Saturday but also think that's slightly wishful thinking...

Checked my app! I had it fitted on the 10th, spotting that day then didn't bleed until the 15th which was 3 days then stopped

I'm on my second copper coil and very happy with it. Both times I've had spotting after, but gone the following day.

First one I had was a 5 year one. When that was replaced the nurse suggested getting a 10 year one, but couldnt get it to fit. She gave up with that and fitted another 5 year one. So that was all a bit uncomfortable, but the normal fitting is slightly uncomfortable but definitely bearable. Ive not had children so its meant to be easier after giving birth.

I chose it to avoid hormones. Had the arm implant previously and put on loads of weight, that dropped off within 3 weeks of getting it removed.

Periods were a bit heavier the first few months, but settled back to pretty much normal. Maybe last a few days longer, as if its dragged out a bit but other than that, all fine.

Thank you, thank you! It's really reassuring hearing all these positive stories. Copper it is.

I only had spotting with the copper IUD, and 24 hours of periodlike cramps after insertion. I can't really see any reason why you couldn't go swimming? I certainly wasn't advised not to.

I had copper coil, got pregnant within 3 months, was horrible and lost the baby. Prior to that I had 2 traumatic births and couldn't do it again, didn't want hormones. I was absolutely devastated.

It's rare that it happens but it does