If I get a copper coil fitted, is the only likely side effect increased/heavier bleeding?

[NoBabiesRightAtTheMomentPlease]

DP and I have been using condoms/the rhythm method for months now. So far so good. But we're pretty, ahem, active, and I'm finding that each time my period's due, I'm panicking a bit thinking I could be pregnant - which tells me I don't have enough confidence in the contraception we're using, and that at this point in time, I don't want to be pregnant.

So I need a more reliable alternative. DP doesn't feel ready to have the snip, which I understand. I don't want to be on anything hormonal (I tend to get depressed/irritable, gain weight and lose my sex drive), which he understands. So I'm thinking of getting a copper (not a Mirena) coil fitted.

As I understand it, the only/main side effect is likely to be heavier and possibly longer periods, which I'm thinking (possibly wrongly ...) I could probably handle. Am I mistaken? Is there anything else I need to know about this contraceptive option? Is it likely to be a right royal pain in the arse and negatively impact, rather than facilitate, our sex life? Is there a better hormone-free, non-barrier option that I'm overlooking?

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

I'm past worrying about pregnancy now, but I had IUDs for all my childbearing years, apart from when I wanted to get pregnant. Something like six times in all, from Lippes Loops to Copper 7s and Novaguard as the last.

Yes, bleeding may be heavier, but that's a small price to pay for 10 years of worry free contraception. Another benefit for me was that it seemed to raise my metabolism, and I would loose weight easily, and stay at a healthy weight thereafter.

There is a tiny chance of infection, that's the biggest drawback, but it is extremely rare, and only happens in the early stages. Once the coil has been in for a month or two, you can forget about it and let it get on with it's job, sight unseen or felt. Perfect, if you are in a stable long term relationship.

I voted coil for thirty-seven years. I had one infection with the old fashioned Lippes Loop, but no trouble at all (and they are so much easier to have fitted) with the modern ones. I recommend taking a couple of paracetamol or some such, when going for you fitting though. May as well.

infection or loss of coil can happen, but with me it was the horrible painful twanging sensation I got in my cervix all the time- worse when me and dh had sex. Put up with it for 18 months and then had enough so had it whipped out (quite literally 'thank's to brisk nurse )

Yes, agree about infections .I think if the threads are hanging down a long way then the bugs can travel up there more easily.I would only go to a Sexual Health clinic to have it fitted : Gps do not do enough fittings whereas SH are doing it all the time.Also i would insist on being tested for any bugs prior to fitting. Insertion does hurt a bit as they have to stretch the cervix as the main body of coil passes through but it is only a minute or two.Still worth it. takes 3-6 months to all settle down so I would take additional precautions during that time.these SH ar really great: just ask for them to check it until you feel confident and comfortable. Also check threads every month at end of period. If you do not like the sound of this a Cap may be a good choice but all that fiddling around and you need to practice with it

I have the copper coil and it is fab. Love it. No hormones, yes longer periods for me (not heavier) but it's a small price to pay. You can literally forget about contraception. I highly recommend it. (My GP fitted it and it was fine btw)

The only resaon I recommend SHC is the v small risk of perforation on insertion .I must say IT IS A TINY RISK and as others have said the bens of the coil far outweigh the drawbacks. The fitting of the device makes all the diff.

Had no other side effects with copper coil, thought it was good. Unfortunately, I had two come out in quick succession (I think possibly due to mooncup) so have switched to Mirena, on the basis that now I don't have to use the mooncup.

Thanks very much for posts. That's helpful.

Osbega, the painful twanging doesn't sound so good. Sorry to hear that.

I'm thinking it's got to be worth a go though - and I'd get it fitted at the SHC.

The only thing is, I do use a Mooncup - and that seems to be problematic with a coil, then ... at least in your experience, Jiminy? Hmm.

Oh, and I have a retroverted uterus. I wonder if this is likely to make fitting a coil more awkward?

i use a mooncup and have no problems with coil coming out. it's still very much in there 15 months after insertion!

i thought it was actually more likely to come out if you used tampons because it is possible for the threads to get 'caught' on the tampon material and get yanked out.

I love my coil. Periods were heavy for the first 6 months or so (I've had it a year) but seem to have settled down now, no other side effects, love life much better than with condoms, it's great :)

Oh and you can use tampons for the heaviest days of your period but then I switch to towels. I can't see why a mooncup would be a problem.

I have a retroverted uterus too, NoBabies. No problems. I used specialist contraception clinics, they are the experts. Ask them not to leave the threads too long, but you don't want them trimmed short either. After a while the threads get tucked up safely out of the way, too short and they can be bristly.

OP, this information is pretty accurate even if written for an American readership. www.ehow.com/about_5472872_side-effects-iucd.html
Hope that helps. The answer to your question is that there are more side effects than that. But check out the other options for family planning, as they may have disadvantages that made them not suitable for you, or plus points that make them more suitable.

I think the point about s towels is so good. I switched to these with coil as I thought tampons MAY increase likelihood of infection but there is no med evidence to support this thought. Most likely cause would be infection from unfaithul partner......

Intresting thread as after not being on the pill for 6 years and just using condoms while having children I am now on the lookout for something more reliable. But as I am still bfing my periods haven't returned. Is it worth waiting till the return so I know everything is normal before getting a coil. Don't want any more kids we think, but with a 3yo and a 7mo it's not like we are at it like rabbits!

No respectable med professional will fit a Coil/IUd if there is the slightest chance you are pregnant. They would be looking for a normalish period PRIOR TO current cycle at least.

I had one (and am awaiting new one post dc) and loved. Didn't want hormones (paranoid about falling pg and want reassurance of periods). Had the first one fitted as emergency contraception so hurt but usually it is put in the week after your period as cervix wider and softer and def not pregnant. Had heavier but shorter periods. Works very well if in longterm monogomous relationship (reduced risk of ascending infections). I loved it.

I had nearly constant cramping with the copper coil, apart from 5 days after my period. I also bled most of the time

It was horrible. I stuck with it for 18 months then pulled it out. Bliss

had mine out too due to heavy prolonged periods. went to ahve it out but they couldnt find it, went to the hospital and the doc there got it out (painless) but since then had heavy periods and cramps now 2 weeks later still got heavy periods. anyone else hadd a similar problem? thinking ill have to go back to the docs!

Just to say, my GP didn't think it was the mooncup, and the mooncup people advise that its OK, so it might not have been that.

I've had one since dc3, have had three periods so far, first very heavy but shorter than they used to be, second very light, third in between (hopefully they are settling down!)

It is fab, I know its there (cos I check) but if I didn't check I wouldn't know. No pain, no problems at all, the only thing is that although I wouldn't let it put me off having another one it did hurt a lot going in, it felt like a second stage of labour contraction. I wish I had been prepared for that! It was slightly uncomfy for the first few hours too.

I would only recommend it in a solid long term relationship though, not worth risking nasties otherwise.

I had one put in about 4 years ago. It has been great- slightly longer periods (as someone else said- not heavier). I have one called a Gynefix, that is kind of sutured into place (not nearly as awful as it sounds). In fact, would be getting a direct replacement next year except DH and I have decide to start trying for babies this summer, so it's coming out.
I previously had the injection, and it made me fat and irritable and depressed. I am not keen on hormonal BC, so the coil worked out fabulously!