Experiences and side effects with the non-hormonal copper IUD?

[Waheymum]

I am limited by my own medical history so I can only have a copper IUD (or use condoms) for contraception. Please could people outline any issues you've had with the non-hormonal copper IUD?

I tried it twice and both times it started to eject itself causing pain and bleeding. My sister has been fine with it though. But it didn’t suit me,
my body just didn’t like its presence.

How did you know it was ejecting itself? Could you feel it?

I had it as I had worried about the mirena's hormonal impact, and wanted something without that. Didn't work out, my periods got progressively worse and more painful and crampy and heavy to the point of dr suspecting endometriosis. I have no idea if I was right but I suspect it may have played a role in that. They were so painful. it eased off a lot after it was removed.

Surprisingly the mirena was amazing (even though I didn't want it at first I had it later), having no periods is great

@Waheymum

Yes, sharp pains and bleeding. Both times I had it out the same day as it was acute pain. Nurse said it was half out the cervix, half in. I had had children so not sure if that’s relevant.

Sisters been fine with hers.

Fun fact, they come in different sizes. When I had mine inserted it was at a family planning clinic and the doctor actually scanned my womb and measured to fit the right size. If you have it put in at your GP you just get a generic size, so do your research on where you have it placed. She even numbed my cervix for me before insertion and I didn’t feel a thing (certainly not my experience with a previous hormonal coil at the GP!)
I had two of three months of the world’s heaviest periods with the copper coil, then they returned to normal and no problems whatsoever. It’s been the best contraception I’ve ever used.

I’m on my third copper coil now. I’ve had no issues at all. A couple of days of my period are heavier than they were previously but it’s manageable.
I had two 5 year ones. Last time I went I asked for the 10 year. She tried to insert it but she couldn’t get it to fit correctly so I ended up with the 5 year again so as mentioned above, the size of them must differ.

I've had two. First time round, initially periods were a bit heavier and lasted longer than before but I'd had such a nightmare with the implant, that was a welcome trade off. My periods were predictable again even if they were heavier. Things then settled and I was quite happy with it. Second time, my periods never got heavier or longer and no period cramps either. I also liked that it didn't impact my fertility as, both times, when I've had the IUD removed to TTC I've conceived first month. Couldn't fault it and I'm going to arrange to have a third now I've had my baby.

I had one for a year in my 20s and found it almost unbearable - would never use it again. It made my periods much heavier and much, much more painful. Was so relieved to have it taken out. Sorry 🙈

I’ve had three - all completely fine

I used them for many years with no issue then kept getting awful recurring BV. It only stopped when I had the IUD removed and I haven’t had it since.

I had one because the mini pill sent me crazy and made me pile on weight. Insertion wasn’t as bad as I expected, I could have gone back to work but I had already booked the afternoon off, I also drove home straight after. My periods would last about five days and were pretty normal, I had heard horror stories about them being heavy but that didn’t happen to me. I only removed it because Dh had a vasectomy, I’d have it again and recommend it to anyone who doesn’t get on with hormone contraception.

I felt like I was going mad on it, had it removed and felt much better. Apparently a small number of people can have a negative reaction to the copper.

I had two after I had to stop hormonal contraception.

First one i spent two weeks of each month getting shooting pains down my leg. They scanned me and kept telling me it was nothing to do with the coil as that was in the right place, but it started as soon as I got the coil in then stopped immediately once the coil was removed 10 months later. All in my head though .

Second one was fine for years, periods not heavier. But then after 5 years (10 year coil) they just suddenly got so heavy that I ended up anemic and was having to change a super-plus tampon every hour or two for a couple of days during my period. .

Have now got a Kyleena coil (very low dose hormones, which seems to be working well for me).

I had a series of them over twenty odd years with no issues at all. With the last one I eventually couldn’t find the strings - not a problem in itself as the medical professionals were happy to leave it there - but after some spotting I had it removed under mild sedation. Post menopause now but always very happy with mine.