The pill or the coil? Experiences?

[Zenab12]

Hi so I have been on the pill for roughly 2 years now,
I already have 2 children(5&3) but I'm not planning on having anymore children, I'm only 23 but now I have one of each I feel like i'm done.

As I said i started on microgynon 2 years ago, was on it for a year, had an unplanned pregnancy ( I was taking it correctly) we wasn't planning a baby as I said we don't want more children, the pregnancy ended up being ectopic anyway, so because of that I asked to change my pill, at that time a year ago I did consider the coil and had a consultation about it with the doctor, in between both of my children who are 22 months apart, I have had 2 implants in my arm, I had a very good experience with it, I only removed my implant the second time because my sister in laws got stuck in her arm when having it removed and it scared me of keeping it in ( silly I know). Anyway I changed to a lower dose pill gederal a year ago, it's been okay but I just suffer with sickness since being on the pill. I also don't feel 100% comfortable being on a combined contraceptive anymore and would much prefer to be back on the progestin only contraception.
I also feel the combined pill even at this lower dose is making me extremely tired, depressed and just moody in general

I spoke to my doctor today about switching to the mini pill which only has the one hormone, but she said the pill shouldn't be used for long term use and expecially for people around my age they recommend more long term contraception, I've hsd 2 doctors tell me that the pill isn't supposed to be used for long term use? Is that true?

The doctor spoke to me again today and recommoned me going back on the implant or the coil, she said she didn't want me to stay on the pill or give me the mini pill which I was asking about either, she just only advised me to do the implant or the coil.

I have no problems going back to the implant it's just my sister in law told me you can only have it inserted into your arm 2 times otherwise its hard to remove it after 😂 so I'm just confused.

I'm genuinely thinking about the coil just for the fact that it lasts for 5 years, I'm 95% sure I don't want anymore children at all, but I obviously at such a young age don't want to get non reversable contraception as I can't fully be 100% as you never know what will happen in the future.

I'm just scared about getting the coil inserted, the doctor I first spoke to said if you've had children it's less likely to hurt to have it inserted. Would just be interested to hear other people's opinions.

I think the important thing about contraception is what's right for you. If the implant suits you, go for that. Your Sil is talking nonsense - sorry there is no scientific evidence behind what she said. Personally I am a mirena coil fan but realise they don't suit everyone. I have just had mine renewed for the 4th time - I am an old bird and mine is part of my HRT but I used it for contraception after my kids. The fitting is fine - no worse than a smear for me.

I've had the coil fitted (& removed so we could have DC2).

For me it's perfect, will have another put in after DC2 is born.

Low hormones, reversible. I struggled with the pill side effects.

I didn't find the insertion painful. Had cramps for a few hours in the evening after.

Personally the implant didn't agree with me. Made me very hormonal. But I know some people find it works really well for them.

In your situation I would go for the Mirena Coil. Brilliant and no periods for me. Insertion is minor discomfort

@mrspatrickdempsey
The thing is I absolutely loved my implant but the first time I had it after my daughter I would have no period for 3 months at a time, then I would get a really really bad period for 2 - 3 weeks and it made me so tired from it. The nurse told me that every time you have one fitted it's different so you could be the one with no period, minimal bleeding or a lot of irregular heavy bleeding and she can't tell you which, I am really leaning towards the mirena coil. I have a good feeling about it, I have a high pain tolerance so I don't know why I am so fearful to be honest.

I was all booked in a year ago to have it done and then I changed my mind last minute after a chat with my sil, I don't have a sister myself and my sil is older than me so I always speak to her about this stuff, but she just basically said to me oh I could never get that done, I don't specifically know what it meant I'm guessing she just meant it would be embarrassing to have something like that done I suppose. My husband is all for it though, he's been telling me for along time to get off the pill after I had the unplanned pregnancy Last time.. Our 2 kids have put him completely off the idea of more 🤣🤣🤣 our lives as girls though Im fed up with the whole worry about contraception thing by this point 🤣

Thank you for all the replies. I'm definitely leaning towards the coil. I guess Im not going to know how it works for me until I try it, so I might as well do it as if it works out good it will be so good for me

I’ve also had a couple of Mirena coils. I’m a lot older than you with 1 DC. I was on the pill for years but the Mirena is brilliant. No periods and getting it in and out was a very minor discomfort. It really works for me.

Also have two children was on cerezette, unplanned pregnancy which also ended up ectopic. Had a coil put in afterwards and it’s fine. Seriously not painful to go in just uncomfortable

Not 100% sure on the accuracy of the pill not being safe for long term use - there are people (with conditions such as endometriosis) who take it long term.

With regards to the coil, I have the copper one. It works for some people - some of my closest friends are really happy with theirs. There's no hormones, etc. However, I actively despise mine. I think most people find that their periods settle down after 3-6 months - mine have only ever got heavier (I use Lil-lets Ultra tampons AND a night-time pad which will protect me through ~3 hours on a heavy day) and my cramping is much much worse.

Even worse (and this is only an effect of the current world situation), I've been desperate to get mine out since the beginning of last year but (and I'm not blaming them) neither my GP, or any of the local health centres of GUM clinics will remove it because of the pandemic.

Honestly, there's a lot of support for the Mirena coil on here and I'd consider giving it a go, just wouldn't recommend the copper.

I have the Mirena. It's brilliant. I've struggled with mood swings, very heavy periods etc etc my whole life. Since being on the Mirena I've had none of those. I bled lightly for a while after it was put in (period wise) other than that I barely have a period at all. Occasionally I'll have a day of extremely light bleeding and that's it, I'm done. From someone that struggled to take a pill correctly..on time and what have you, and having horrendous periods, I absolutely recommend it.

I also have the mirena coil and love it.

No periods and my mood is definitely improved. Didn't really hurt at all having it put in.

@abcyz yes, the only thing putting me of is even during normal circumstances it took me forever to have both my implants removed, that's the only hassle with them is you have to wait ages and its not convenient like a pill where you can just stop taking it however I had both my implants in between wanting and trying to have kids, so I do definitely think it is probably worth it for me to just try it because I know now I need something for long term, with 2 young children as well the pill can be quite a hassle to take.

I also feel hormone free is alot better, because I'm only 23 I don't want to spend the next however many years on hormal contraception, maybe I'm completely wrong but my body just doesn't feel like my own since having the pill. It's also caused me to have depression etc.

The bleeding is a concern for me tho, the reason why I've stuck with the pill for this long is purely because I can control my periods, by taking packs together and even when I do bleed it's very very light and no pain which is so good for me. But yes I will keep that in mind not to go with the copper one. But yeah I guess its worth a try

From what you have said since my last post, I would definitely go for a Mirena. It was easy to get booked in to have it fitted and once there was forgotten...except I loved within a few months my periods just vanished (DH loved that as well😉).

I found that my periods returned nearly at the 5 year point so they just changed it early for me

I currently have the mirena coil (levosert version). I’ve had it 4 months and I have had bleeding or spotting nearly every day! My last period lasted 2 weeks. Apparently it can take 6 months until you see an improvement in your bleeds. So, if you do try the coil, bear in mind you may be ‘out of action’ for many months while it settles. Some women have hardly any issues, so you may be lucky, but I just wanted to balance out your relies by saying it’s not the miracle contraception for everyone.

@ExTeacherNowJustMom

You sound really unlucky. A fair few of my friends now have the Mirena and all had similar good experience to me

@Sunflowergirl1

I know, I agreed to the coil as most of the reviews of it were fairly positive. But four months in and I’m starting to regret it. But, I will wait until 6 months as i don’t want it to have been a waste of my time. I think sometimes people say quite flippantly about it taking a few months to settle...but, especially during a lockdown, every week feels like a month! So to me these 4 months have felt like too much time spotting/bleeding.

Hello,
You have very good reason to want to change from the pill but I just wanted to say I would ask to speak to another Dr if you wanted to stay on the pill. I am on the exact same pill as you and plan to be until I am 50 (or menopause, whichever comes first). I have had an implant (bled the entire 14 months before they would remove it) and a coil (the coil was worse) so the Dr knows I won't have either again. They suspect I have endometriosis and like you this is the only thing which controls my bleeding. If you did choose to stay on the pill I would maybe ask to even speak to a gynaecologist because as far as I have been told there is absolutely no issue doing this. More inconvenient of course but if its what works for you it's really your choice.