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Original poster

Copper Coil / IUD ?

34 replies

ClosedForCleaning · 27/08/2008 18:31

I think I've finally plucked up enough courage (or enough fear of unplanned pregnancy) to ask my GP for one. Is there anything I need to know before I take the plunge? Particuarly, there seem to be quite a few different 'models' under uk licence. Do I just trust GP's judgement, or should I request one over another.

Any good news on the subject out there? Why are they so out of favour these days?

help? please.

OP posts:
Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 27/08/2008 19:40

Okay, it's not glamorous, but anyone?

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 27/08/2008 20:00

I have one - it is great. If you have given birth vaginally it is apparently a doddle to have fitted. More painful if not as your oss will be small.

I think I have the Copper T or something like that. Any questions, feel free to ask.

mosschops30 · 27/08/2008 20:03

I had a mirena after ds was born (over 3 years ago) its never given me a problem, in fact I love it and am having a hard time thinking about parting with it (ttc no.3 soon).

It was bloody painful having it put in, like the worst period pain youve ever had, and I delivered vaginally twice. However it settled down after a day or two and has been fine since.

Best thing is no periods yay

liath · 27/08/2008 20:04

I've got a mirena - it has progesterone in it rather than copper so it's more effective as a contraceptive and will also make your periods much lighter. If you're sensitive to hormones though it can give some side effects. I've been fine with it and think it's fab. One word of advice - my GP tried to fit it and failed miserably (despite me having given birth twice) and I ended up going to a family planning centre to get it put in - it was a doddle once someone competent was doing it!!

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 27/08/2008 20:07

That's good to here LilRedWG. Have been down the Mirena route already mosschops - didn't suit me at all and shall be my last foray with artificial hormones for birth control.

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sugarplumfairy · 27/08/2008 20:12

I have one called t-safe, have had it for nearly 3 years. Bit uncomfortable going in, have had 3 children, so plenty of room!
I have v. heavy peroids now, but before were v. light so in reality I may just be having slightly heavier than normal, just has been a big change for me.
But the freedom it brings means alot, I never worry about pregnancy, am 37, youngest is now 7 so would really not want another baby.
I don't get on with anything hormonal and condoms always come off in my experience!
I went to a family planning clinic for a fitting as they have more experience than the average GP.

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 27/08/2008 20:49

Thank you. Can either of you remember if you were offered any choice of which one to have?

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sugarplumfairy · 27/08/2008 20:55

No choice, except mirena or not, so don't know what the diffence is after that.

BlaDeBla · 27/08/2008 20:59

I have the 'Rolls Royce' of copper coils as I became pg with the last one. The family planning are the best people to talk to about it. I've had a coil all the time since I met my dh over a decade ago and have had no major probs with it(apart from the pg and subsequent mc). It's the only thing I would sensibly use, and they are supposed to be the most reliable non-hormonal contraception.

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 27/08/2008 21:43

Sorry to hear about pg and mc BDB. I think I'd like the "Rolls Royce" version please, not the one that allows you to get pregnant. Do you know what it's called?

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emma1977 · 28/08/2008 00:01

There are a few copper coils around. Not a lot to choose between them as a patient, they are all pretty reliable. The only relevant difference is for the fitter, as some are narrower than others and more suitable if the woman has never had children or has a tight os. There are some that come without a framework, instead they have bits of copper dangling from a string, but I doubt many women have one of those (although they are popular in Germany I hear).

I guess they are less in favour these days due to the wider choice of long-term hormonal contraceptives available and the risk of heavier bleeding that comes with copper coils.

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 28/08/2008 08:18

Thanks Emma. Just need to wait for school to start now so that I don't have to let DSs in on the whole experience!

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BlaDeBla · 28/08/2008 09:20

My new coil is called TT380. Apparently it has a bit more copper in it than the standard copper T. Anyway, my 1st period after fitting seems to have gone on forever (about a week), but without pain. Hopefully it will be back to 4 or so days before long!

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 28/08/2008 09:58

Thanks - just typed TT380 into Google and it's come up with a Kenwood 4-slice toaster. Hopefully there won't be painful mix-up at the surgery.

OP posts:
NormaStanleyBelcher · 28/08/2008 10:22

CFC - PMSL

LilRedWG · 28/08/2008 11:09

I think mine is the t-safe too. Periods are heavier than when on pill, but apparently this is just my 'natural' non-hormone controlled cycle. No pain though.

oops · 28/08/2008 11:13

Message withdrawn

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 28/08/2008 11:34

Oh dear - poor you, that sounds grim. Unfortunately I can only think of one way to find out if I'm one of the unlucky ones. And really I'm out of other options. Better start developing a taste for steak and curly kale.

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Highlander · 28/08/2008 12:25

I have a plain copper - the highest dose of copper that allows me to keep it in for 8 years.

I had 2 elec CSs and it was fine having it fitted. I took 800mg of Ibuprofen beforehand.

My periods are slightly heavier than before. For the first 2 nights I wear an Always nighttime pad. During the day the regular Always pads are fine for 3 days then I'm down to just a Carefree panty liner. I do get spotting between periods, but it's teeny spots.

Tampons are out, except for the first 48 hours, and only if your period is enough to fill a tampon.

do not have your GP fit the coil. It's quite a specialist procedure, and it's best done at your local NHS sexual health clinic (don't worry, that won't be the clap clinic!!). They fit billions of coils every week and are very experienced, thus minimising your discomfort. They will also be very empathic about the fact you will be sitting with your fanny in the air for 20 mins!!

You may be 'persuaded' (brainwashed) into going for the Mirena coil. The reason being that quite a high number of women who have the copper coil subsequently have it out as they don't like the heavier periods.

Original poster
ClosedForCleaning · 28/08/2008 16:40

That's a lovely graphic description! My GP originally trained and worked as a gynecologist so reckon he'd be better than most. He managed to put the Mirena in - and remove it again without any major discomfort. Metal version does look rather more like an instrument of torture though so I can see your point. (Mirena was an absolute nightmare btw).

Why no tampons?

OP posts:
didoreth · 29/08/2008 02:17

I've had copper coils for over 20 years, if they suit you they're brilliant, you only have to think about contraception once every 5-10 years. Never had any problems with fitting. When I had my first one fitted after dd was born, my periods did get slightly heavier. When I had it changed after about ten years, my periods got lighter again. Have just had a t-safe fitted (ds now 16 weeks), should last me to menopause now.

Cies · 29/08/2008 06:09

I had a copper T fitted (and I've not yet given birth). It was rather uncomfortable and did cause my periods to be heavier, but also shorter - i.e. same amount of blood comes out quicker. Tbh, I preferred that, rather than atm when I can have an 8 day light period. Period pains were stronger with the coil in, but nothing unbearable.

Highlander · 29/08/2008 09:52

on lighter days, tampons could stick to threads of IUD and potentially pull IUD out

MadgeMoo · 31/03/2009 19:20

Can anyone help? I currently have the implant fited and not getting on very well with that tbh, constant periods are driving me crazy after 7 months of it been fitted. My GP has suggested the copper coil, t-safe as it has no hormones etc???? what i have read so far sounds a bit scary even after having a child lol. I was wondering if anyone who has one can tell me their experience of it and how much it hurts to have fitted. Id rather have an honest opinion from people who have had it fitted than someone who has read about it. Thanks

HarryB · 31/03/2009 21:01

Madgemoo, I had the copper coil fitted pre-pregnancy and it wasn't too awful - about 6 out of 10 on the pain scale, but was over so quick, it was bearable. I am having one fitted again in a couple of weeks, post pregnancy - and am wondering myself if it will hurt or not as although I didn't push my baby out, I got to 9cm before an EmCS.