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Family planning

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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:

GlamGiraffe · 18/01/2020 13:10

I had one for a year. Insertion was no problem at all and wasnt really painful. periods weren't noticeably worse. I had a problem in that I bled (not spotted) continually. I felt so I'll I eventually had blood tests which showed severe anaemia and completely depleted ferritin. It was a nightmare to get it removed. It was a choiceto take massive amounts of prescription supplements or a transfusion. I took the supplements and after a few weeks I was already feeling better and the tests showed an improvement. I didn't realise something so simple could make me slow unwell.

steph2102 · 18/01/2020 15:12

I have had the mirena coil in for 18months and have had nothing but hell, not just with the coil but any form of hormonal contraceptive (pills, implants etc). I have been back and forth the doctors complaining of horrendous mood swings, hormonal acne and the most concerning thing for me over the last year has been the hair loss :(. I am booked in to have it swapped for the copper coil end of January so I'm hoping to also have positive things to say about it!! :D

I'm not sure if i've been reading too much into it but has anyone had any side effects of copper toxicity? That's one thing I'm curious to know more about with this coil.

PlayingGrownUp · 18/01/2020 15:22

It’s honestly the best birth control I’ve ever been on.

Before having it in my periods were like yours - felt like I was dying for a day and then very light for 4. With the coil it’s actually evened out - begins light on day 1, heavy day 2 & sometimes 3 and then light day 4 before vanishing really suddenly. I do get cramps 2 days before my period starts and the only change is it feels like it’s going up and down instead of across so it can be a bit uncomfortable to sit down.

As for the insertion - I didn’t notice it. I’ve never had kids and it was literally done during the smear test - they told me to cough to get it in place. They also gave me meta- something acid to help stop cramping so I took one 30 mins before my appt and had spares in case there were cramps afterwards but honestly they were no worse than normal cramps and only lasted an hour.

I would totally recommend it.

StateOfMind · 18/01/2020 15:27

Not good for me. Gave me such heavy periods that I ended up with anemia.

But. You cannot tell how it will affect you until you try it.

SexIsAProtectedCharacteristic · 18/01/2020 15:34

I have one. Apart from a couple of days of pain after it was inserted (like bad period cramps) I've had no trouble with it at all. Best contraception I've ever had.

You are best off going to a sexual health clinic rather than your GP or ask if it's something the nurses at your surgery can do if they do a sexual health clinic. Reason being you want someone experienced to do it to minimise the discomfort of insertion and get it done quickly, it is reasonably unpleasant tbh.

G3m81 · 18/01/2020 15:41

I changed from cerazette to the copper coil in December. I had terrible side effects from cerazette, weight gain, cystic acne, bloating, mood swings etc. I think I stuck it out for so long because it stopped my periods and it seemed a good trade off. After doing some research I decided to try the copper coil and my doctor agreed that if it didn't work she'd take it straight out and I could be referred for sterilisation. Fitting it wasn't as bad as I expected, obviously it's not fun but it didn't hurt like I thought it would. I've had my first period since and it lasted 6 days and was heavy but bearable for 3 days then eased off. I've noticed a significant change in my mood and my family and friends have noticed as well. Apart from having periods again I think this has been the best contraception for me, I've lost weight without trying as well which is an extra bonus. Try it and see for yourself, if it's not for you then have it removed but you won't know until you try.

misskatamari · 18/01/2020 15:43

I had a copper coil before kids, as I'd also had a bad time on cerazette and didn't want any hormones. It was okay. Was a relief not having to worry about pregnancy, but my periods were very very heavy and very painful (i had to wear a pad a change a super+ tampon every couple of hours). I didn't want one again after having kids as didn't want to deal with that again, but I know some people are fine with them.

kippersandchips · 18/01/2020 15:53

Love mine. Periods were heavier at first but went back to normal over 6 months..

LadyLuna16 · 18/01/2020 16:02

I had one and all fine apart from having constant thrush. Was told that it couldn’t be caused by the coil, but I decided to have it taken out anyway and no more thrush. A shame as that was the only issue - but it was unbearable.

Teateaandmoretea · 20/01/2020 19:54

Yep I had constant thrush too. Plus periods that lasted 20 days and then BV. Oh and pain during sex. Loved the thing 😆🤦🏻‍♀️ but equally other people swear by them. The actual fitting wasn't bad and you can always have it taken out.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 18/02/2020 21:27

I don't like hormonal contraception so in that respect it's been great. Insertion wasn't the nicest. My periods are a little heavier and last a little longer, but they were really light before, so not a problem.

The only thing I find is since having it fitted I bleed after sex for a bit. And some positions are a bit painful. I've had it in almost 2 years.

I'm off for a smear next week so will ask about that then.

MirkwoodMiss · 18/02/2020 22:56

Just beware-
Had one fitted and went into a very depressive state. It took about 6 months, after which i doubted my sanity. After months of research, came to the conclusion it had to be the IUD.
Had to insist it was removed but then felt better within a WEEK.

Never, ever again.

Whathewhatnow · 04/03/2020 23:03

@MirkwoodMiss was that a copper coil or an IUS like a Mire,na/ Kyleena/Skyla?

DropYourSword · 04/03/2020 23:06

I’ve had 3 copper coils as I dislike hormonal contraception.
First was pre children. Hurt A LOT during insertion. But then started put with zero issues for nearly 10 years.
The next two were after having a child. Insertion was mildly uncomfortable but absolutely tolerable. Again, zero issues.
I love it as a form of contraception. Would definitely recommend based on my experience.

G3m81 · 08/03/2020 21:06

@MirkwoodMiss same here! I posted above a few months back but things have taken a change for the worse since then and I'm having it removed. I've suffered with the lowest moods ever and feel so depressed. I never ever thought something with no hormones could have this effect but after doing some research there seems to be a lot of women in the same position. Back to square one now, contraception sucks!

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