Having the coil fitted.

[Siobhan8686]

Im having the coil fitted in a few weeks. Im a bit nervous it's going to hurt. Any had one fitted? Was it painful?

I’m on my second. It was a bit sore but not agonising. Nothing to worry about.

It helps if you can be as relaxed as possible so try not to get wound up about it.

I am a practice nurse and assist in coil clinics
Take paracetamol before you go and have ibuprofen to hand if you need it (unless you can't take it; asthmatic or gastric ulcers etc)
You'll have the process discussed with you then sign a consent form
You'll be offered local anaesthetic in your cervix (I'd say have it) which is injected into the cervix
You'll get in the couch like having a smear and then the cervix will be located and held in place. The anaesthetic is given at this point. It feels achey. Then the cervix is dilated gradually by inserting a 'sound' which is a metal or plastic device. Starts off with a small one then gets bigger until about 1cm dilated. The coil is then introduced and all done once the coil threads are trimmed
It'll feel dull and achey like period pains
You'll bleed too so take a pad

If you've given birth vaginally the cervix won't be too tightly closed. This makes it easier to insert a coil. If you've not give birth vaginally or at all then the cervix is most likely tightly closed and may take a little longer to open

I'm on my second and had some ibuprofen an hour or so before the second one was fitted and it seemed to take the edge off.

I'm not going to lie, I had horrendous after pains after the second was fitted for a week or so. But that was two years ago now and my periods are no more. So short term pain for long term gain for me.

I think coils are like marmite you either love it or hate it, it's a 50/50 split in my friendship group.

Thank you. I had a app with my dr last week who has booked me in but she never mentioned to take ibuprofen so thank you to everyone who mentioned it. Im sure ill be grateful on the day. Ive had 2 children naturally and had smear tests but for some reason feeling really nervous about having it fitted.

I'm on my 3rd. Insertion is a bit of a pinchy feeling and it gives me mild cramps for 24hrs. It can also make you feel a bit dizzy but they normally have you lie down for 10 mins afterwards in case.

I absolutely love the coil. I have a normal cycle, retain my sex drive, it's extremely reliable and I never have to think about contraception. Win.

@Siobhan8686 you'll be fine xxx
Just take painkillers, I've had two fitted and I've not had kids. Each time it was just like bad period cramps that lasted max 30 seconds xxx
Deep breaths helped xxx

Thank you oldspeclkledhen xx

I had one put in on Tuesday

It's painful but over quickly - by the time you realise it hurts it's over!

I was cramping for the rest of the day (2pm was appt) but paracetamol and ibuprofen made it just like period pain and manageable.

Woke up the next morning fine and did a heavy gym session no problem.

Had a bit of blood for a couple of days but nothing a pantyliner couldn't deal with!

Good luck, the thought of how painful it is is worse than the actual fitting!!

Just wondering tho as who had one removed is it alot better? I was very dizzy after inserting it .. dreading that bit when having it out?

I had my first one fitted nearly 2 mths ago. It pinched slightly but was over quite quick. I led down for a bit afterwards. I didn't have bleeding for a couple of days and felt pretty normal. I then had bleeding on and off for about a month and was starting to think maybe it's not for me. As I bled 8 wks post partum and am already anemic. Then the bleeding stopped. I've had one tiny bit of spotting since and since then, nothing. If the bleeding holds off I'm probably going to like if.

@flippyflapper I had to have mine removed and the Dr told me to cough and pulled it out at the same time, I didn't feel a thing.