Copper Coil / IUD ?

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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.

hello everyone, my names katharine and my email is [email protected], if anyone wants to email me an answer. I'm 18, and have never had children. I had the copper coil fitted about a week ago, it wasn't that painful, but I would buy a hot water bottle for the hours that come after it. I havn't stopped bleeding but it's not that painful. Anyway, I had it fitted because I have had an implant for over a year and considinatly suffered from spotting and irregular bleeding. I'm having my implant removed on the 19th of May. Just wondered how many people expirence very heavy bleeding with the copper coil or nasty spotting, and if anyone here has ever tryed the implant and how long it takes for the side effects to disapear? At the moment its difficult to tell whether the bleeding is to do with the IUD settling down, if its the implant, my period or a bit of all three. Is the IUD good if you don't like the hormonal side effects of other methods of contraception, or does it make it worse, and will the fact that I've never had children make a difference? thanks, katharine.

Katharine,

Erratic bleeding is a common side effect of the implant. Once it is removed, the hormone levels are untracable within 48 hrs. Any implant-related side effects should go within 2 weeks max.

Heavier bleeding is also common with the copper IUD, occurring in approx 1/4 users. It often settles within a few weeks, so it is worth persisting with it. If you are in a lot of pain or passing clots, go back and see the person who fitted it. I assume that you have been checked for infections prior to fitting, as these can cause spotting/bleeding too.

Not having had children shouldn't affect how you get on with a copper IUD- it is just the fitting that may be trickier. It is also an excellent method of non-hormonal contraception, and is a lot more effective than other non-hormonal methods.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

thankyou very much, I'll go back to my docter if things don't improve by the end of the month, but you've certainly answered a few niggiling questions. cheers, katharine x

My youngest child is 8 months old and i have had the mirena coil fitted for 5 months now. i am having very long painful periods as well as headaches, horrible PMT, gaining weight i am heavier now than i have ever been in my life.I have lost my get up and go. generally i just felt better before i had the mirena want to give it a fair go but at the minute i think it is the root of all my problems. has anyone else been through this and would the copper coil be a better option. desperate to keep using an IUD not really keen on other contraception options.

I have had no children and i got the copper coil fitted this monday just gone 14sept. got it done at my doctors. it was the most painful thing ive ever had done. It even started of contractions and had cold sweats to the point i had to stay at docs for over an hour and get picked up as couldnt drive home. i do reccomend people take as strong pain killers as they can! ive still got cramping stomach ache now 5 days on, docs prescribed me stronger pain killers and taking parecetemol 4 times a day and defo need a hot water bottle. After all that im hoping it was the right decision.

i have a copper coil - dont know which, had it since december, and latho period ok- last 7days no pains or major heavy etc. i have alot of 'spotting' throughout the month and it often seems that i'm on more than off. gp said give it time, but its certainly a contraception as probably only have 7-10 none bleeding days!!!
i had mirena before and thinking might go back to it, i went for copper cos it last 10years, thought be good long term! but cant carry on with this little sex, or think my hubby will look elsewhere!!!
anyone else had this problem?

Hi all
I had a mirena fitted about 2 years ago and had the worst pain in my lower abdomen and bleeding for 3 weeks out of 4. Docs said to persevere so I did for 1.5 years. It didn't get better and in fact I bled after sex and then bled in between so I pretty much used the world's supply of pantyliners! I should have bought shares in Always.
It got so bad that I had it removed and went back on the pill. Pill being hormonal caused different probs so I went back to the docs and had the copper coil fitted.

Yes it was painful being fitted but it only lasts a few mins then it feels like a bad period.
Up to now, I've not had bleeding in between periods, no bleeding after sex so that's all good. My periods are heavy and longer (I do wonder where all this blood is coming from and where on earth was it before I had the copper coil! ) but I am having a much more positive experience on the copper one rather than the mirena.

I'm even able to use tampons after 48 hours of my period because they are heavy.

Anyway..all experiences are different but, at the moment, I would recommend the copper one and I'd say stay the h@ll away from the mirena!

Hi I had a c coil fitted about a month ago. I didn't want hormones hence the decision to not have the Merina ... My period was a very heavy one , not what I'm used to. Tbh I'll give it til the new year and if they continue to be that heavy ( and for 8 days ) I WILL definately have it removed . I hope this helps ??

Thinking about getting copper coil fitted ,any advice pls does it help with pmt ,do you get a period ,on the mini pill jst now and dnt get a period ,been on prozac for pmt but put weight on so really needin help with something that works ☹