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Original poster

Copper Coil. Honest Opinions please...

40 replies

rainyday1234 · 17/01/2020 13:34

Happy Friday ladies!

I have had quite a lot of issues with contraception over the years. I was on the combined pill for about ten years but had to come off because of migraines with aura.

I then went on Cerazette which gave me spots on my chest and back, thinning hair and low mood and now I'm not taking anything. I feel really good at the moment not being full of hormones apart from bad PMS/headache a day before my period (not had it since I was 16!) and a couple of spots on my back (does anyone else get these symptoms?)

I am thinking about having the copper coil but have read a few horror stories about heavy periods which put me off. Can anyone tell me how the procedure feels/how long it takes and if it's a good choice or not? It's it like having a smear?

I don't want to have the Mirena coil because it's that hormone that caused the spots and bad mood.

I don't want to have a coil put in, only then to suffer and have it taken out again.

Thank you for your help ladies.

OP posts:
Ginnesaisquoi · 17/01/2020 13:39

I have a copper coil and I love it. It was uncomfortable when it was fitted and the first few periods were slightly heavier than usual, but everything has settled down now. It’s so nice not to be taking any hormones.

QuintusEstInHorto · 17/01/2020 13:41

I've had one for almost a year. Insertion was uncomfortable but quick. I had heavier, longer (10 - 14 days) periods for the first six months but now they've settled down and are back to normal. They are slightly longer than they used to be, 7 days ish, and a bit heavier, but no problem. They don't hurt. I'd definitely have one again.

Starlight39 · 17/01/2020 13:42

I used to have one and loved it! I didnt notice any difference in my periods and hardly noticed it after about a month.

chocolatespiders · 17/01/2020 13:42

I was so miserable with the mirena but the copper has been a dream and can stay in for 10 years!!!
Fitting was quick and no pain for me.

BadgertheBodger · 17/01/2020 13:44

I’m on my 3rd. Had it put back in after having a baby. The procedure is a bit uncomfortable but totally manageable and hopefully quick. Similar to a smear yes. I love it, I had heavy periods anyway so haven’t really noticed a difference.

StuntCroissant · 17/01/2020 13:45

I've only had mine 6 months so far but hate it! ☹️ I found it unbelievably painful to instal (and I had two babies without any pain relief). I've bled almost constantly since having it, interspersed with very heavy, long periods. So yeah, the good news is that it works well as contraception ha!

IvinghoeBeacon · 17/01/2020 13:58

I had one before having children. It worked well for me - periods were heavier and more painful, but I started out with lightish and not very painful periods so this was manageable. Insertion was uncomfortable (I hadn’t had a baby at this point) but bearable. I bled a little for a few days after insertion but not much, and then periods settled into their usual regular pattern. Had it for five ish years then was pregnant within a few weeks of having it removed. I plan to have one again after this baby is born.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 17/01/2020 14:01

I've had 4, interspersed by pregnancies.

Insertion is crampy and uncomfortable, but generally takes a few minutes max. Other than that, it's completely set it and forget it. I've not noticed heavier periods and I love having excellent contraception with no hormones.

fannyanney · 17/01/2020 14:06

My copper one is great. I had a mirena in the past and had a lot of back pain with it so I was worried about this one. But it's been great. I have the 5 year one

pinkyboots1 · 17/01/2020 14:08

I have the plain copper one because of bad history with all things hormonal and I've had no problems at all. My periods became lighter and no more painful than before.

edgeware · 17/01/2020 14:11

I had a copper coil for 7 years. Procedure is indeed like a smear, not pleasant but not horrible either. I had a long period after it was placed, after a little while my periods became regular again. They were heavier but not extremely so. I am not using any birth control at the moment and my periods are about 4-5 days, with the coil it was more like 7-8. A bit heavier and a little bit more painful but really, I’m talking maybe 20% or so more. Nothing that bothered me as I had it for 7 years without issue!

Russellbrandshair · 17/01/2020 14:12

I have one for 10 years. Love it! Spontaneous sex, periods the same, no hormones, no babies and I rarely even think about it. It’s brill

Wallywobbles · 17/01/2020 14:15

I've had a few. I bleed quite heavily but no other issues at all. No pain. I like it a lot.

123girlsandboys321 · 17/01/2020 14:15

I had one and it was AWFUL

really heavy periods making me anaemic, really painful periods too. I had it removed in the end and they said my body was expelling it Shock

Never having one again...loved the idea but the reality was bad

WYP2018 · 17/01/2020 14:18

I love mine. The only side effect I get is a bit of ovulation pain (but I’ve had that off an on over the years anyway, so might not even be related).

I think you just have to give your chosen method a go though, as everyone is different.

bumpertobumper · 17/01/2020 14:19

Mine is no bother, periods fine, does the job.
Thumbs up from me

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 17/01/2020 14:27

I love mine! I actually had it fitted as emergency contraception but I was considering one anyway.
The insertion is not pleasant but not awful either. It's a little more painful than having a smear...it felt quite pinchy! I had cramps for a day or so after insertion. Again, nothing too bad, they felt like period pains which were controlled with ibruprofen. It took about 6 months for my periods to properly settle down.
I've had it for about 3 years now and my periods are heavier than before but they were very light previously so it's not too bad now. I have a couple of days of spotting before a period but I actually quite like that as it gives me a bit of warning that it's on its way!

Other than that, I don't know it's there and it means not having to worry about contraception for the next 7 years which is amazing! And no impact on my hormones either, which is great as I really didn't get on with the pill

Teateaandmoretea · 17/01/2020 15:02

I didn't get on with it at all - but other people do. You just need to give it a go for a while if it doesn't work for you then you can always get it removed.

Original poster
rainyday1234 · 18/01/2020 11:45

Thanks for your replies ladies. I’m really nervous about having it but I just need to be positive and think it’s going to work for me. My periods at the moment are heavy for a day and then much less for another few days. I’m hoping it will not change them too much. The thing that makes me not want to go back on hormones is because I feel good in myself mentally and my sex drive is back. I also hate condoms Crown Confused

Can I ask how you booked your coil appointment? Did you go and see your GP and then you were booked in?

Thank you

OP posts:
MerryDeath · 18/01/2020 12:22

my copper coil was absolutely brilliant. as soon as my fanny is better from DS2 tearing his way through it i'll get another one. i'd rather have some heavy periods than any of the hormonal side effects.

CmdrCressidaDuck · 18/01/2020 12:50

I got my IUD through the local sexual health clinic - I emailed to make an appointment. Many GPs don't do them now as it's prohibitively expensive to get insured to so it unless you specialise in them (or so I heard), so they're often done through specialist clinics (including Marie Stopes).

I would Google "contraceptive services" and your area/borough and see what it says about IUDs.

If you happen to not like it, it can also be pulled out very quickly - but it is a great solution for many people.

Northernsoullover · 18/01/2020 12:52

Absolutely hated mine. My periods were ridiculous and I kept on getting BV.

xmaself24 · 18/01/2020 13:01

Having mine fitted was awful. Was in pain for days after but it's been fine since then. No heavy periods. I need to have mine out but am scared it'll be the same as having it fitted.

GnomeDePlume · 18/01/2020 13:07

DD2 born practically clutching the damn thing about 10 months after it was fitted

Branleuse · 18/01/2020 13:10

I had the copper coil for years. Im terrible with progestogen, so even mirena gave me side effects. Copper was great. Made my periods last about a day longer, but not a big deal to go from 4 or 5 days to 5 or 6. Thats about the only side effect i had from it.

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