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Original poster

Copper coil??

26 replies

GokWannabe · 06/08/2010 21:17

I'm going to have a coil fitted and I'm pretty sure I want the copper coil but wanted to know what the negative side effects of it might be.

I know that it often causes heavier periods which I'm happy to accept (within reason anyway!) but is there anything else I should know about??

I don't want the mirena because I always struggled with my weight when I was on the pill ( dropped from sz 16 to 10 when I came off it!) and my moods were all over the place and was treated for depression twice so don't fancy dicking around with my hormones again.

OP posts:
MegBusset · 06/08/2010 21:19

I've had a copper coil for a couple of months. Only side effect is v slightly heavier/longer periods, nothing too bothersome though. I love it!

Original poster
GokWannabe · 06/08/2010 21:20

Thats what I was hoping to hear Meg. I know some people get REALLY heavy periods because of it but I think I'm more likely to weight/mood problems so hope its the better choice for me.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 06/08/2010 21:22

I've got one. Had it for 7 months, having it out in a fortnight.

It's got lots of advantages. Not worrying about contraception is great.

But it doesn't suit me. I can feel it sometimes, is quite uncomfortable and I have mid-cycle spotting (which is a common side effect). My periods have gone from 5 days and manageable to 10 days and so heavy I'm anaemic.

I think for people who it does suit, it's great.

Original poster
GokWannabe · 06/08/2010 21:46

SOH - did they agree to remove it when you asked or did they make you wait to 'give it a chance'?? I've heard they aren't keen on taking them out.

OP posts:
QS · 06/08/2010 21:51

I have had mine 4 years. My periods are lasting longer, up to 10 days. I have a very short cycle, of just 21 days, so I have my preiod nearly 50% of the time..... But my periods are not more painful.

This reminds me I should make the apt to have it out.

DrivenToDistraction · 06/08/2010 22:09

I've had mine for just over a year now and TBH I've no complaints about it at all. My periods are a bit heavier than before, but only for the first two days. Otherwise they are the same as always, no longer or more painful.

Hormonal amkes me fat and depressed this is fantastic.

ShowOfHands · 06/08/2010 22:14

They're happy to remove it. No questions. I think it's the mirena they're always reluctant to remove as it's so expensive and takes longer to settle down.

usernamechanged345 · 06/08/2010 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

choufleur · 06/08/2010 22:19

bled absolutely loads after it was fitted and have very heavy periods (i don't have them very often though). It's better than the mirena IMO

QS · 06/08/2010 22:21

la la la, I am NOT listening mrspickle

iskra · 06/08/2010 22:23

I've had mine for nearly 2 years now (wow! Hadn't realised that!) & it's been fine. My periods have gone from light 2.5 days to heavy 5 days, but I consider that a manageable price to pay for trouble free contraception. Last time I was on the pill I cried for a week.

Reminded me to get it taken out for TTC in the autumn though!

usernamechanged345 · 06/08/2010 22:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DrivenToDistraction · 06/08/2010 22:24

Oh, maybe missed out vital details.

I had my coil fitted 8 weeks postpartum (DC2) and was BF, so, it had ages to 'settle in' before I started to have periods again. I wonder if that might have made quite a difference, I have no negative side effects at all.

Beral · 06/08/2010 22:48

I've had 2. Only downside is very heavy periods but I found that these got a better after a few months (but still heavier than without). Best method out there IMO.

von81 · 07/08/2010 14:29

Ive had my copper coil in since 19th July 2010, after having irregular bleeding on pop, depo and implanon. Therefore I didnt go for mirena and other unwanted side effects!! Ive no children and absolutely killed me putting it in and for 3-4 days afterwards. I had a normal period for 5 days (heavier than when on pill though) All bleeding stopped then have been spotting on and off for over a week!! I know its expected etc but how long did this last for other people? All the pain has gone and is just an annoyance I just want a normal cycle after years of torchure from the fake hormones!!!

Original poster
GokWannabe · 07/08/2010 15:15

Driven I had my coil fitted 8 weeks postpartum (DC2) and was BF, so, it had ages to 'settle in' before I started to have periods again. I wonder if that might have made quite a difference, I have no negative side effects at all

I'm hoping that will be the case for me too, fingers crossed!

OP posts:
DrivenToDistraction · 07/08/2010 20:21

Insertion was also really totally fine, again I think that was probably to do with it being put in as early as possible postpartum. I'm not sure what the guidelines are in the UK but here they wont do it any earlier than 8 weeks.

I had no pain whilst it was put in, felt like a smear test if somewhat longer, but without the horrid scraping feeling. I also had absolutely no pain or cramping after.

Take a couple of paracetamol 1/2 an hour before your appointment and take someone with you to drive you home just in case you feel faint. Oh, very naughty, but I claimed pain and cramping and spent the rest of the day in bed MNing and cuddling DS Shock

quaere · 07/08/2010 20:25

Mine is great, periods were heavier for a bit but settled down quite quickly. I would recommend it - my dr promised that she would take it out whenever I asked if I didn't like it. They only cost £7 so it is worth it to the NHS to take a punt on fitting you one, as the pill costs them up to £14 a month, every month.

Karoleann · 08/08/2010 08:29

I had one for a couple of years - had it taken out a couple of months ago as TTC. Periods were very heavy for a couple of months and then settled down. Still heavier than before though.
I'd definitely get one put back in after number 3, i don't get on with depo, implanon either. (unless i can convince DH to have the snip!)

mspotatochip · 08/08/2010 10:04

Have had one since december. V painful going in (I have 2 dc) and I was sort of aware of it for six weeks. Breastfeeding ds and haven't had period but after first six weeks have scarecely given it a thought. Had ultrasound for totally unrelated matter and they said its in a great position which was nice to hear. Its absolutely marvellous!

von81 · 09/08/2010 07:52

Glad it settles down then eventually!! Just hope im included in those statistics!!

EveWasFramed72 · 09/08/2010 21:49

Love mine...I've had it since April 2008, and my periods were heavy for the first 3 months, then evened out. Now they are normal, and actually shorter (but, that could be age, and two DCs, not coil).

I would recommend it highly!

von81 · 14/08/2010 13:20

Ive been taking multi vitamins since monday! I ad a bit of bleeding tues but none since then and Ive been to gym every day which normally makes it worse!!!

mumofthreesweeties · 15/08/2010 21:40

I've had both the Mirena and the Copper and I can say that the Copper is the best............well only just. The copper has the benefit of not having any hormones which is marvellous as the Mirena really messed up with my hormones. I've had the Copper coil now since November last year and initially my periods were light with only day 2 being exceptionally heavy but nothing my mooncup couldnt handle. Fastforward six months and they are really really heavy on the second day. TMI, but a full mooncup and night pad every one and a half hours even at night. In addition my cycle has all of sudden reduced from a regular 28 day cycle to 21 which is driving me insane. I am now wondering what to do about it as I do not want to have another baby (3 are enough for me) and do not fancy any other hormonal types of contraception. I might just have to stick with the coil and hope it improves with time

von81 · 16/08/2010 07:44

Try the vitamins!