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Original poster

How painful is it having the coil fitted (on a scale of 1-10 :)

88 replies

glamourbadger · 08/04/2009 19:13

Despite having two kids I am a complete laaaady when it comes to anything remotely gynecological. Saw my GP today and the coil really does seem the best option for me, the thought of it just completely freaks me out!

OP posts:

TheCowThatLaughs · 02/01/2015 03:06

Pre-childbirth probably about 7-8, but only for a few seconds, but uncomfortable for a few minutes
Post-childbirth, I didn't know it was done

TheCowThatLaughs · 02/01/2015 03:08

And removal didn't hurt at all! I think my GP is very good at doing insertions and removals though, from what the practice nurse said.

duckwalk · 02/01/2015 04:33

I'll be honest and say the pain for me was around an 8!
I've got one dc, and had taken Paracetamol beforehand. Being fitted for heavy periods.
Just felt as though I was being stabbed right in the core of my body, it was awful, and took the nurse around 4 attempts. But as soon as it was in place it was fine...no pain at all. After getting dressed again, I was feeling very sheepish when coming out from behind the curtain! Had to apologise for my behaviour!
That's my 5 years up this Autumn.... for anyone who found it painful going in, is it painful coming out?

duckwalk · 02/01/2015 04:39

Whoa! Just realised this is a bit of a zombie thread!

NotCitrus · 02/01/2015 04:42

About a 1, but only for feeling a bit sore later that day. I got it done at the sexual health/family planning clinic where they do loads, and had a smear at the same time.

DropYourSword · 02/01/2015 05:02

Massive zombie thread ams81. But seeing as we were asked, I have had no children and the pain was a 7-8/10. And I thought I had a reasonable pain threshold. Felt very sick and was in strong pain for 24 hours, then uncomfortable for another 24. BUT it lasted 10 years and i loved it (hormone free one). Ended up taking it out myself after going to GP with stomach pains and she blamed it on period pains . Got home and called a friend who said to check my coil..it was halfway out my cervix. Pulled it out and was instantly pain free, just felt like a relief.

BathshebaDarkstone · 02/01/2015 05:06

It's not painful at all, but it used to make my stomach turn over and it can make you light-headed afterwards, so arrange for someone to meet you and go home with you.

Ebb · 02/01/2015 17:18

Adding to the zombie thread. For me it was definitely a 10. I found it horrendous but I have a very tilted uterus. I had a mirena for 3 years and that wasn't as painful - probably 7 - as had it put in soon after birth of last DC. Two GP's tried to remove it, couldn't, a scan and a referal to the family planning clinic and expereinced GP whipped it out but having the copper coil put in was worse than child birth. ( Quick, easy births. ) Thank goodness it's 10 years as I'm not having that done again! I do like the copper coil though.

bakingtins · 03/01/2015 08:39

Insertion 3/10 and brief, better than I expected. Post insertion pain, cramps and nausea for 2 days, curtailed my activities even on ibuprofen + paracetamol, much worse than I'd expected. 1 week of milder cramps.
(3 previous vaginal births)

VictorineMeurent · 05/01/2015 13:34

No pain as such, mild discomfort, 1. Afterwards I did feel very wobbly though so I wouldn't drive home.

DarylDixonsDarlin · 05/01/2015 13:47

On insertion, about a 3. Not too bad.

Drove self home, immediately needed a lie down, spent rest of day in bed feeling sick and dizzy and in pain. Was tempted to take it out again myself but DH stopped me and fed me ibuprofen and tea until it stopped, was fine the next day.

I was 23 and had had no vaginal births at the time.

HelenPeters82 · 08/01/2015 19:52

Was a bit worried about it but it doesn't hurt at all, I was lucky, the gynecologist fitting it was great though, really gentle when he was working his magic down there, and he was cute too, which always helps lighten the mood - I've already made sure I booked the appointment him for the check up ;)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 08/01/2015 22:19

Mild discomfort, a bit like a smear with a bit of cramping afterwards, both times for me. Second time was removal as well. It didn't curtail me at all, I took a couple of ibuprofen for the cramps and went off to pilates class as usual after the second one (was only a few weeks ago), wouldn't have done vigorous exercise that day though. I've had two vaginal births but a long time before any of this.

merlehaggard · 08/01/2015 22:20

a2011x · 08/01/2015 23:53

I work as a Hca in contraception clinic. We have some ladies who don't even realise it's fitted, we also have some ladies who are sick, faint and scream in pain and abandon fitting when we are a third of the way into the fitting. It varies from woman to woman but you should expect it to be uncomfortable at least. People mostly find the clamping of the cervix and the actual insertion the most painful. If you are very relaxed it's the easiest way but easier said than done. Good luck! I hope you coil HCA sings with you like I do ha ha

Cavort · 09/01/2015 01:36

Pre baby coil insertion was absolutely off the scale. They had to peel me off the ceiling afterwards.

Post baby it was just the same as having a smear. No pain at all really, just discomfort.

RoundRobinSparkles · 09/01/2015 06:32

I was seriously considering the coil as most contraceptive pills don't agree with me. They either make me bleed constantly or give me daily headaches. The only one that doesn't is dianette and they won't let me take it anymore .

The one that I'm on now makes my hair greasy and my skin is shite so I'm miserable.

After reading these comments I think I'll try and cope with being spotty and greasy.

stillenacht1 · 09/01/2015 06:36

I have had mirena and copper coil. Mirena was more painful on insertion. Worse than a smear but v worth it afterwards.

About a 5 for me.

Flangeshrub · 09/01/2015 06:44

3 vaginal births.

1 on insertion.
0 from then on. The same as a smear really.

It is agony for a small proportion of women though (I am a HCP and have worked in family planning)

goodasitgets · 09/01/2015 07:43

No DC, had two copper coils
First one was maybe a 1. Partially expelled itself, pain for removal was 0
Second one was a 7
If this one expels I'm booking the same person that fitted the first one!

Pramula · 09/01/2015 08:17

First Mirena fitting I had local pain relief via injection - all was absolutely fine. Injection a teeny scratch and only a tiny sharp nip felt from the insertion.

Years of great period-free and hassle free contraception after that.

Second Mirena insertion several years later- diff story. No pain relief given as would have been usual 'because I was breastfeeding' at the time. . I didn't think to take any paracetamol beforehand as was expecting some kind of local. So it was pretty painful going in, although quickly over with.

Unfortunately however- no idea why- I went into fainting mode immediately afterwards and had to stay in the clinic over an hour in a bed under a space blanket. I think I was in shock- as PP have said- teeth chattering and freezing hands and feet. Main issue basically was having very painful labour-like cramps and feeling very faint.

Probably all made worse because I felt quite scared at what was going on and was left alone for almost all of that time. The specialist family planning place I had it done obviously wasn't particularly prepared or staffed for an adverse reaction and so it might have been different somewhere else.

Still love the Mirena though and once this one needs replacing i wouldn't hesitate to get another.

bvh123 · 03/08/2015 19:42

I had a Copper Coil fitted in October 2014 and it wasn't a great experience. The lady who did it was a trainee and managed to break the first one she attempted to insert. In the end her more experienced colleague took over and successfully inserted the second one. The whole procedure took 15 mins (it should take less than 5!) and afterwards I felt quite woozy. It wasn't particularly painful, it just nipped a bit and feels like a hot ache in your lower stomach. The issue I had was the pain afterwards. For the remainder of the evening I thought I was having contractions the pain was so intense. It eased by the morning but for 9 months, I had 10 day periods with bad cramping before, during and afterwards which wasn't pleasant.

Anyway, I have just this morning had my copper coil removed and a Jaydess coil inserted (at the same appt). The nurse was fantastic and the whole procedure was over in under a minute. It still nipped a bit but I have had no pain at all following the procedure which is fantastic. I feel great! If you get a good nurse, you should be fine

WizardOfToss · 05/08/2015 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExConstance · 05/08/2015 13:51

1 for me, I had this strange slightly faint slightly sicky and pannnicky feeling afterwards that was a bit flesh creepy but not centred on the areas involved.

Needaninsight · 05/08/2015 14:08

Oh god. A 10. Both times.

So much so, I'm avoiding having another one put in :( which given I don't really want another child just yet, means I'm also avoiding my husband!!!

I honestly thought my insides had been ruptured the first time, the pain. Worse than childbirth.

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