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Original poster

anyone had a coil fitted recently? Anyone free to discuss with me?

18 replies

mad4mybaby · 07/01/2009 15:34

i have had probs with the pill in the past (migraines, nausea etc) i seem to struggle with oestragen. I also got bad skin after my first ds and then got better when pg with 2nd ds 7 weeks and have been given cerazette which was what i was on before i had 2nd ds. I havent started taking yet and i havent yet had a period since having ds2. doctor said coil was the only thing that wasnt 'hormonal'. the idea of it grosses me out. hate the idea of a bit of metal in me. also the having it put in me.

Can anyone tell me their advantages and disadvantages? Do you still have a period? Any side effects? Would you recommend it?

OP posts:

dustbuster · 07/01/2009 15:37

Hi again, we seem to be crossing paths a lot this afternoon!

I had a copper (non-hormonal) coil fitted after DD was born. The fitting was slightly painful and I had some cramping afterwards - like a bad period. If I were to do it again I'd take a couple of painkillers beforehand, but it wasn't that bad at all.

Recently had my first period (after 9 months of breastfeeding) and it was fine - quite light and not at all painful.

Would def recommend - the discomfort of the fitting is far outweighed by the fact that you don't have to worry about contraception for 10 years!

Hope this helps.

Original poster

mad4mybaby · 07/01/2009 15:41

hello!! its because im trying to cram in my mumsnet time whilst ds2 asleep!

Did you see the actual coil that they put in side? Wondering how big??

OP posts:

12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 07/01/2009 15:41

Absolutely recommend it.

It's a teeny tiny piece of copper wire coiled (hence the name) up and sits in the neck of the womb. It's not nice having it put in - but not really that bad either, but once it's there you can forget about it for 5 years (my last coil was only 3 years but this new one's for 5). There'll be a slight period type pain for about an hour afterwards (obvious when you think that the neck of the womb has had to be stretched a little to get the coil in) but then you're done.

I still have a period and it's a little longer than it used to be, but other than that there are no side effects, I don't have to remember to take a pill every day (like you I had terrible side-effects from the pill) and it doesn't make me put on weight, there are no mood swings, my skin doesn't erupt like an acne-ridden teenager every month etc.

My only advice would be don't opt for the Mirena coil... have heard more than one story of ladies still getting pregnant with that one fitted

12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 07/01/2009 15:43

The coil is only about 1.5 - 2 cms long (ish!!) with little blue strings attached. It's not big at all.

Original poster

mad4mybaby · 07/01/2009 15:45

i def DONT want anymore kids and dh will be getting the snip but not in the position to at the mo as he'd prob have to have time off work and he is a contractor and cant afford it at the mo..

def dont want get pg on it! I have never been regular which was why i was put on the pill quite young.. does it affect that at all? Or would my body decide to come on as and when? I wouldnt want to NOT know when im due on IUSWIM?

OP posts:

12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 07/01/2009 15:49

Well I was always quite regular any way but with the coil, I can practically set the clock by it

spiker · 07/01/2009 16:07

It does hurt getting it fitted and you'll be crampy for the rest of day - take the strongest painkillers you can just before you have it fitted and plan an evening in with a bottle of wine for afterwards. And get it fitted by a family planning Dr who's done lots of them - not a GP who does 1 a year!

I can't use hormonal methods either and on the whole I'm happy with the coil. Periods are heavier and more frequent however, although this settled down a bit after 6-9 months. I must say that they got so heavy I nearly packed it it, then I found out I could have had some drugs to help with this

I think it is about the most effective form of contraception going. Other options are barrier methods or Persona, but they are not so effective (I have 2 DSs, one from each method!)

Original poster

mad4mybaby · 07/01/2009 16:12

so if i only gave birth 7 weeks ago and not exactly'right' down there im guessing i should wait a few months?!

OP posts:

nooonit · 07/01/2009 16:35

I had Mirena fitted about 8 months after having DD2.

I know Mirena is a whole kettle of fish on its own but apart from a bit of uncomfortable-ness when fitting (like nipping?) and some cramping that night it has so far been great for me - spotting instead of periods etc.

Would second idea to take painkillers before fitting and drink wine later.

Was told that you're best to have fitted 5/6 days after start of period - think so cervix is more "open" (ewwww!)
.
Would also second having it fitted by either GP who specialises like my lovely lady doctor or at FP centre

alicecrail · 07/01/2009 16:45

I went to have one fitted before i had dd. i'd had problems and it was suggested mirena would help. They couldn't get it in and apparently my cervix was in spasm (ewwww) that was bad enough but then got pelvic inflammatory disease from the attempt - not the best week of my life! I wouldn't let that put you off though as i hadn't had children then and the people i know who have had children and a mirena said it was fine. Also i am considering having one fitted myself, but might have to have some sedation

SilkyDemon · 07/01/2009 16:46

Have had Mirena fitted twice and would absolutely recommend it. Like previous poster, it nips a little whilst being fitted and there's some period pain-like cramping for a few hours afterwards, but the whole procedure only takes about 5 minutes iirc. As far as I'm aware, it is currently the most effective contraception at about 99%, and can be left in and forgotten about for 5 years. If you do decide you'd like to try to conceive, it can be removed quickly and fertility returns to normal with immediate effect. Periods can be erratic for the first 3 or 4 months but, after that, it was just a little spot bleeding once a month.

Good luck.

Molesworth · 07/01/2009 16:49

For some women mirena has serious side effects which often aren't highlighted before fitting.

However, if you don't get any side effects, it's hassle-free contraception with the added benefit of light periods or even no periods at all.

Original poster

mad4mybaby · 07/01/2009 16:52

ok odd question but where do you feel pain? deep inside? do they have to put t fingers/instrument inside? Im worried it be agony because i had smear just before i got pg and it was agony. gp sent me for internal scan but all looked ok...

OP posts:

susue · 07/01/2009 16:59

I had a copper coil after having DS2 and it was fine, didn't feel it go in or have any pain/cramps. I had the mirena fitted about 2 months ago, it felt crampy in that they were deep aches rather like the first contractions you feel, like deep period pains. Took a couple of tablets and was fine an hour later. They use the same instrument for doing a smear test and they were very good at explaining what they were doing and how long it would take etc. I did deep breathing throughout and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Good Luck

Ruby2shoes · 08/01/2009 09:27

Hi Ive had a copper coil for a couple of months now and had "ishoos" when it was fitted - cervical shock - if you do a search there are quite a few threads re coils.

A few people have probs but most sail through with very little discomfort. Its great and now I wish I had gone for one sooner, my periods are settling down almost to what they were before except I have 2 slightly heavier days but it is now shorter.

Dont dwell on what sort of pain or if you will have any at all as it will be different for everyone. The nurse always did my smears and I felt no pain but the smear I had by my GP just before I had the coil fitted hurt like hell and made me bleed which had never happened with the nurse, so maybe she was a bit heavy handed!

Will be going back to the nurse in future!!!

Original poster

mad4mybaby · 08/01/2009 10:18

am thinking i should wait until im completley healed below before i get one? i didnt have stitches but did tear and the scar still is 'fresh'

OP posts:

motty · 20/02/2009 12:09

Hi there,

I had a copper coil fitted 2 months ago. I am still heavily spotting ... I cant go without protection.. so my life now revolves around tampons!

Did anyone else experience this? I did go into shock after having it fitted - and I was on depo, so may be withdrawing from that ... BUT still 2 months on ?

The only good thing is i have lost weight! I am however getting slightly worried about this now ..

hmm

chainstitch · 20/02/2009 12:22

i have a six year old dd conceived with the coil in. is that the sort of information you are looking for?

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