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Advice on copper coil

31 replies

Lily715 · 03/05/2019 23:04

Considering the copper coil as would much prefer a non hormone contraceptive for various reasons.

However I have heard its quite common to get pregnant on the copper coil?

Any advice?

OP posts:
Dancingbea · 03/05/2019 23:10

99.9% effective! Pregnancies very rare. Can cause heavy bleeding though.

VeronicaDinner · 03/05/2019 23:13

It's only anecdotal, but I've never got pregnant with mine and I've had it since 2006. Except for taking it out to get pregnant. And I've had A LOT of sex.

solomonsfish85 · 03/05/2019 23:14

I've had the Copper coil 2 years and it was great the first year. The second year definitely more painful periods and heavy flow. But I can put up with that as there is no hormones to make me feel alien!
I have heard the pregnancy rumours also. I'd say there is some people who get pregnant, but that's the same as any other contraceptive..do what's best for you!

Surfingtheweb · 03/05/2019 23:26

Best contraception I've had, the periods are heavy but no hormones is great.

Lily715 · 11/05/2019 10:08

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
OrdinaryGirl · 11/05/2019 16:24

Adding my voice to the others... have had copper IUDs for 15 years now with no problem.
(Wouldn't touch a Mirena as I've known too many people have a slew of weird random unpleasant symptoms since having one fitted, which have been dismissed by their doctors.)

CarolsBiggestFan · 11/05/2019 16:26

I had the 10 year copper coil - only had it removed last month as DH has had a vasectomy.

I loved it, no hormones, my periods we’re slightly heavier, but I’d absolutely recommend it.

gettofuckthrees · 13/05/2019 15:12

Good to hear some positive experiences; I'm debating wether the advantages outweigh the potential risks.

I have a susceptibility to infection, more so with dental procedures but have also had sepsis in the past -unknown cause.

I might ttc DC2 about three years from now but the thought of going three years using hormonal contraception is ghastly. I was a demon trying to negotiate hormones.

Anyone had any negative experiences and if so were they solved quickly? I read that there's a slight chance it could damage your womb (nhs website) but an experienced gp or nurse would lower this risk. Would I sound like a prick to ask for the most experienced muff diver in the practice?

Lily715 · 14/05/2019 13:31

"muff diver" what a vulgar phrase!!

OP posts:
gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 14:42

It was meant to be a joke!

Forgot it was 2019 and the name of the game is to be offended daily.

Many apologies

Lily715 · 14/05/2019 14:53

Sarcastic much? Rudeness seems to be the theme here!

OP posts:
gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 15:06

The only hint of sarcasm intended was when I originally used the phrase, trying to inject a bit of humour into my query re. experienced doctor or nurses inserting the coil so as to avoid incorrect insertion.

You said the language was vulgar, I took that to mean you were personally offended by it, then extended apologies. I don't really know what more I can say.

I certainly do use flowery dreadful language but never intend to be rude towards someone, unlike yourself.

"Vulgar" and "rudeness" because of a turn of phrase, after an apology! Yikes!

SeptemberDays · 14/05/2019 15:19

Isn't the pregnancy thing about ectopic pregnancy. So you have only a slightly lower risk of an ectopic pregnancy than someone not on contraception (very unlikely anyway), but 99.9% less risk of normal pregnancy. People think that that means it increases the chances of an ectopic, but that's not how it works.

To the other poster, the gum clinic will be more experienced than the gp as they do them all the time, go there if that's an option for you.

gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 15:28

Thanks @SeptemberDays good advice about GUM clinic, will look to see if there is one in my area.

Also good to know that there is slightly less chance of an ectopic pregnancy too, that bit was slightly unclear on the nhs website - that was our main concern when we read about the advantages and risks. Thanks!

Lily715 · 14/05/2019 15:30

Your apology was dripping in sarcasm and you know it! Bored of this now, see ya.

OP posts:
Lily715 · 14/05/2019 15:32

And perhaps bear in mind that not everyone appreciates the disgusting language you use! While it may be appropriate in your own home and the way you speak to your friends, maybe it is not appropriate for a public website :)

OP posts:
MustardBastard · 14/05/2019 15:33

Was going to offer my advice having had personal experience of the copper coil but read the previous posts and cba to be reamed if I use a term people don't like.

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 14/05/2019 15:33
Advice on copper coil
gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 15:36

That's me told (Sarcasm)*
*
It sure did!

And absolutely love the use of the Anchorman meme, just be careful though, that film was full of disgusting language, perhaps not appropriate to use on a public website! Shock

gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 15:46

@MustardBastard I'm just so glad I never dropped worse!

I am genuinely interested in your experience though if it could help?

MustardBastard · 14/05/2019 15:57

@gettofuckthrees Had it fitted 4 years ago (aged 32, no kids or previous pregnancies, didn't want pill due to pcos) and it was very painful and I bled like a bastard. Particularly for the first few periods, and I am talking changing super plus tampons every 2-3 hours. When particularly bad (and I mean, probably count on one hand) I had to sit/sleep on a towel. That said I liked it, and I only suffered cramps and severe bleeding a couple of days per month. It was convenient and I loved it being non-hormonal. I had it taken out in the last half of 2018 because I had started bleeding irregularly (at one point for 3 weeks out of 4) but I a) have pcos b) was very very stressed with work at the time and c) was a bit of a porker at that time. Oh and d) Partner agreed that we could not ttc but could just leave it in the lap of the Gods. So now we are still not ttc, we're just au natrel and I use (and I mean that loosely) a bbt thermometer to track cycles... which are all over the place.

But long and short of it is, if I were wanting to actively prevent pregnancy, the copper coil would be my first choice again.

No hormones, no depression, no weight gain, no feeling mental and "instant fertility" once it's removed.

gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 16:07

@MustardBastard thank you for coming back! That's really useful as it's the side effects of the additional hormones that I struggle with and what you said about the benefits of no hormones outweighing the risks - despite it sounding like you have had a hell of a time of it at times - sounds positive.

Thanks again and best of luck with the au naturelle! Halo

Popsicle30 · 14/05/2019 16:10

Had the first one in for 3 years prior to having my DD and then I’ve had the second in for the last 4 years. I have had a really good experience and certainly prefer it to any hormonal contraceptive I’ve had.

My period is only slightly heavier and only really heavy for one day. I’ve had issues with the second one in that no one could find the strings but a scan confirmed all was in situ and following that an experienced nurse managed to find them by getting my position correct whilst she had a look Blush. So all in all I’d recommend!

gettofuckthrees · 14/05/2019 16:14

@Popsicle30 that's reassuring that you had a scan to make sure all was ok and that the nurse found it with some manoeuvring.

It does seem that increased bleeding during period is standard but I can cope with that. Thanks for your experience!

feistymumma · 14/05/2019 16:15

Heavy bleeding with the copper coil and read up about copper toxicity - suffered from that one year in and had to have it removed.