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Original poster

Copper Coil paranoia... need some reasurance!

65 replies

Ruby2shoes · 27/11/2008 10:12

Ive just had the coil fitted just over a week ago and what an experience that was! I went into cervical shock and found the whole thing quite painful, despite having had a vaginal delivery. Ive had a loop excision on my cervix which would possibly make it more "temperamental".

Anyway I digress - I chose the copper coil as I have done the pill for years and then after my DD tried Depo jab but it completly killed my libido - and turned me into a suicidal axe murderer!!! So now hormones are out and having been off them for a year I feel like "me" again.

But now Ive read all the posts where everyone seems to get P with the coil in... Ive never met anyone in RL who has ! Hence Im holding DP at arms length and very worried even though my GP said it was one of the most effective forms - like the pill.

Am I being silly...?

OP posts:
nailpolish · 27/11/2008 10:21

i ve had a copper coil for 4 yrs and i love it

ViolentFemme · 27/11/2008 10:36

Statistically it's less effective than the pill but it is still very reliable. You don't need to worry about putting it on/putting it in/popping it in your mouth so it great for forgetful people (like myself). Just had mine removed as we're ttc again but I have no probs with it.

Relax and go with it!

BlaDeBla · 27/11/2008 11:36

I think they're great. The pill is only as reliable as the people who take it and it depends on their health to work efficiently. With the coil you don't have those problems. It just sits there and you can forget about it for up to 10 years.

I've used a coil since I met dh apart from when we were trying for babies and on the whole have been happy with it - much much happier than anything hormonal anyway!

I've also been treated for breast cancer so hormonal contraception becomes more of a risk factor.

Original poster
Ruby2shoes · 27/11/2008 12:42

It hadnt registered on my radar re pill only being as reliable as how dedicated you are to taking it!! Thinking about it like that makes sense, I think its just that I no longer have to do anything apart from check the threads that is a bit weird. Going to have a needle stuck in you every 3 months or popping a pill made me feel more pro-active and responsible.

I guess I will just have to relax and get used to the idea thats its in there doing its thing!

OP posts:
LilRedWG · 27/11/2008 12:44

My docs all said that the modern coils are more effective than the pill.

woodenchair · 08/12/2008 21:16

Do you mind if I hijack? I'm thinking of getting a copper coil fitted after having the evilness of my mirena removed earlier this year.

Have any of you had any side effects? I know that periods can be heavier, but was ondering if anything else happens?

BlaDeBla · 08/12/2008 21:21

My periods are not heavier or more painful or anything. Then I forget about it for a decade or so. You are supposed to check the threads every now and again.

twentypence · 08/12/2008 21:26

I've had a copper coil for 3 years and haven't got pg.

Dh has now had a vasectomy and I still have the coil in. I trust my coil more than his vasectomy!

SparklyBaubleFeast · 08/12/2008 21:28

anotehr pro coil,
absolutely no problems, except am scared of impending change of coil, it iwll hurt i know it will

woodenchair · 08/12/2008 22:06

Thanks!

Dr is calling me tomorrow about making an appointment to get one fitted.
I liked having a coil before for convenience, just not the suicidal side effects!

changer22 · 08/12/2008 22:09

I am a coil failure. A GP found it still in my mother when I was 15!!!

This was quite a few years ago and I don't know what type it was. Presumably they have improved it since then?!

tinseltwiddler · 08/12/2008 22:10

Had mine for over a year. No problems, even heavier periods have settled down.
I have a job finding the threads though, they were cut very short!

Original poster
Ruby2shoes · 09/12/2008 18:46

Ive now decided to have the threads trimmed as DP says he can feel them - not that it has put him off though!!!

But I was wondering if they are shorter does that not make them more sticky outy? surely if they are shorter then they cant "wrap around your cervix" ...which they dont seem soft and flexible enough to do??? Or is it just mine that feel like bridge cables !?

OP posts:
BlaDeBla · 09/12/2008 19:01

Are you going to have it checked anyway? The threads will soften in time. Dear god, Bridge cables

LilRedWG · 09/12/2008 20:48

Have never been able to feel mine nor has DH. Even the nurse struggled to find them when I went for my checkup.

saramoon · 09/12/2008 20:54

I had the evil mirena too and have now had a copper coil in for about 1 year. Periods are heavier but they do eventually ease off. It is much better for me than any hormonal t.hings which tend to have a horrible effect on me. Haven't felt my threads - but was told in pregnancy that i have a tilted cervix, would that make it difficult for them to be felt? and haven't tried but DH says he cant feel them so guess they are soft and not - lol - like bridge cables.
Ocassionally get paranoid though about getting pregnant esp around ovulation time but i think this would be the case whatever protection i was using.

IwishIwasaStockingStuffer · 09/12/2008 21:01

I got the copper coil fitted when DD was 6 weeks, she is now 15 weeks (I think, lost count now) and when I had my check appointment 6 weeks later to see if it was alright they couldn't find the threads and thought it had fallen out and that I might be pregnant.

I burst into tears, DP was in the waiting room with our DD and DS who is 15 months. There is 13 months between them.

I wasn't pg but I was very pleased to see on ultrasound a coil in the perfect place and not a baby.

Original poster
Ruby2shoes · 12/12/2008 09:38

I was expecting them to be softer and more pliable - I didnt look when GP was fitting it so was rather supprised when I had a feel for them !

Yes Im having it checked so will ask for them to be trimmed. Glad to hear they will soften.

OP posts:
motty · 18/12/2008 10:27

i went into shock when i had mine fitted. I didn't eat before the op as it was 9am and im not a big breakfast eater.

I was given drugs before the op for the pain, but due to the lack of food in my stomach - after the op, i couldn't stop being sick, my blood pressure dropped dramatically and i had a fever!

Once i eventually got home, after being at the doctors 4 hours i went straight to bed, hot water bottle and managed to eat something then have some pain killers.!!

All i would recommend is eat and strong pain killers before insertion. and have someone on call to take you home incase you become faint.!!

im now 2 days in, still in a bit of pain, but nurfoen is getting me through! hopefully it will be worth it!!

Original poster
Ruby2shoes · 18/12/2008 21:47

motty hope you are feeling better.
I felt decidedly odd for a few days after and had an odd senstation rather than pain. A heavy feeling a bit like in the last weeks of being pg. But after 4 days it went and apart from some spotting I felt fine. Have had a slightly heavier and longer period but it was not as bad as I thought it would be and now I wouldnt know it was there! It better stay in for the 10 years as I am not going through that again in a hurry!

OP posts:
sallycinamon · 22/01/2009 21:31

Does the copper coil (or Mirena for that matter) cause reduced libido or weight gain?

motty · 20/02/2009 16:54

Im on the copper coil, and I have lost weight, But I think thats due to coming off the Depo injections.

Melaniered · 09/05/2009 12:03

I had the copper coil fitted nearly 3 weeks ago, after the Gp being unable to fit the Mirena (I ws in the surgery for nearly an hour and my cervix kept clamping shut, it was excriciatingly painful and I can only liken it to Childbirth) I was referred to the hospital, the doctor there who has been fitting coilds for the last 20 years was also unable to fit the Mirena as I have a tilted womb and kink in my cervix(?!) and eventally managed to get the copper one in.

Since then I havent stopped bleeding and have had alot of lower back pain (not something I usually suffer with). Also for the last week I have had a really sore mouth and tongue, and a really odd sensation in my mouth, it feels all furry and coated with something, and tastes odd. I am wondering if there's any connection, I am normally incredibly fit and healthy.

agentcb · 22/05/2009 11:55

Hi Everyone,

I had the copper coil fitted 3 days ago, and as it is the first time i have had it done, i have not had sex with my bf yet, i am leaving it a few days, as told it is best!
Nervous about it now though, in case he can feel the strings that you all speak so 'highly' of !! Or should i say 'wirey' !!

I hope they will have softened and are far enough away for him not to feel! I was told my cervix tilts back, so fingers crossed!!

Anyway, the fitting was not very pleasant, as i had been warned ! It was bearable, didnt last long, but overall i wouldnt want to go through it again in a hurry!! The feeling of cramping was painful, but as i said it doesnt take long, and once its in, you are left with a dull pain in your womb for the rest of the day (painkillers help!)

I was and still am at the moment the total bitch from hell on the pill, i hate myself for my behaivour and can only put it down to the hormones in my system.... i finished the pill 3 days ago and wont look at another one again if this works!

I cant wait to feel like 'me' again!

Will keep you posted!

ginnny · 22/05/2009 12:08

I had the coil fitted a few months ago. I had cramps and bleeding for about a week after they put it in. Since then periods have been heavier but NO period pain at all and I am a lot nicer to be around (even to the point where I quite like sex again )
I was on Cerazette and was the bitch from hell too which is why I decided against the Mirena coil as the hormones are similar.
Its such a relief now to be my old self again and I'd definitely recommend it.
As for the wires - I can just about feel them and they feel like threads of cotton. DP can't feel them at all!