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Original poster

anyone have/had the copper coil PLEASE come and talk to me

27 replies

mad4myboys · 19/04/2009 08:59

i have 2 ds's and do NOT want anymore. DH is in middle of referral for the snip. I cant have the combined pill due to migraine. Am on POP but have a nightmare with my skin is soooo spotty on it it gets me down plus no libido at all. Have been to see family planning and the best option for me is the copper coil due to it being non hormonal.

Am petrified of having it put in as i had my smear just before i got pg with ds2 (16 months ago ish) and it was so painful that the gp sent me for internal scan in case there was a problem. So theres that and also i havent really heard any positives about the copper coil, just the mirena. So are there any positives with it?? Other than not remebering to take a pill? My periods are normally irregular so that worries me too

OP posts:
stillenacht · 19/04/2009 09:04

hello i Have one (since October 2008)

MrsJamesMartin · 19/04/2009 09:04

I have one and its great! The putting in is quite uncomfortable, very similar to a smear , takes a bit longer though. Taking some ibuprofen and paracetamol half hour before takes the edge off though!

It took about 3 months to fully settle down, bleeding was very heavy for 1st few cycles but now, 9 months later, everything is pretty normal.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 19/04/2009 09:18

so you do still have periods on it? what is likely for me? still be irregular?

OP posts:
suwoo · 19/04/2009 09:24

I've had mine for 7 years except for gap to have DS and this new baby.

Its been absolutely fine for me in all respects. My periods are a bit heavier but probably still lighter than some peoples. I don't have period pain.

The insertion isn't wonderful but it takes only minutes and taking paracetemol before hand does help. It isn't that painful, its a sharp pinch and then crampy a bit like contractions.

I will be getting mine back in after this baby.

HTH

Catilla · 19/04/2009 09:32

I had one put in about 8 weeks after 2nd child - was told it's easier if you go sooner as the cervix is still soft and bit open. Wasn't painful at all, more uncomfortable, and nothing like I'd feared.

Bleeding was a little unpredictable at first but nothing like the scare stories of continuous. DD has just turned 2 and I would say my cycle length is still unpredictable (24 - 30 days) but periods start slowly so I don't really find it a problem. They are longer with one or two heavy days but no pain. And libido has returned massively compared to when on the pill.

HTH and good luck.

SlartyBartFast · 19/04/2009 09:37

had mine since 2000, need a change of coil but this has caused me absolutely no problems. i had light periods before the coil anyway.
had heavy periods for a couple of months after insertion but otherwise no complaints whatsoever.

cazboldy · 19/04/2009 09:39

I have had one for 18 months now and no problems here!

saramoon · 19/04/2009 10:25

Have had one for about 18 months and have had no problems at all. Heavier bleeding than before but i have quite heavy periods anyway.
Had mirena coil in before that and hated it, the hormones made me feel terible.

BTW what is POP?

SlartyBartFast · 19/04/2009 10:28

? is it progestorone only pill?

saramoon · 19/04/2009 10:34

Ah, yes, that sounds right. Copper coil is good if you dont suit hormones which I didn't.

hairtwiddler · 19/04/2009 10:49

I had tried every form of contraception around until found the copper coil was right for me. PO pill made me agressive, couldnt' be bothered with cervical cap, couldn't have combined pill due to migraines.
Having it inserted isn't the most dignified half hour of your life, but I took ibuprofen beforehand and it was fine.
It does tend to make your periods a bit heavier and last a bit longer. Before the coil my period usually lasted 4-5 days. Afterwards up to 7 days although only 2 heavy days. I use a mooncup so really didn't notice.
I don't think it would affect the regularity of your periods as no hormones involved.

stillenacht · 19/04/2009 10:55

my periods last 2 weeks - am thinking of getting it taken out

JohnnyTwoHats · 19/04/2009 11:53

I took my own copper coil out it was making me so miserable! Depression, acne, heavy painful periods. Think carefully about it as copper can have an effect on your body- just because there are no hormones doesn't mean it will not affect you.

SlartyBartFast · 19/04/2009 11:57

you took it out yourself {shock]??

SlartyBartFast · 19/04/2009 11:57

but how can copper cause acne and/or depression??

southeastastra · 19/04/2009 12:01

interesting johnny, been ok for me though had it about 5 years! (forget how long!)

long periods are the only downside though plus worse pmt

southeastastra · 19/04/2009 12:02

upside is that it brings back sex drive (ime!)

Nettee · 19/04/2009 12:08

There is a 10 year copper coil so once it is in you don't have to worry about it for a decade. No hormones so libido and regularity of periods not affected. first few periods are a bit heavier. If you go to a family planning clinic to have it done then the doctor will be more "expert" than your GP and if they can't do it you could have it done under GA (I was threatened with this by the GP but the family planning doctor managed no problem). It is very reliable - not as reliable as the mirina but still up there. Mine came down into my cervix and I had a faff convincing the doctors that I could feel it and then I had a scan and then I had a new one and no problem since.

I think it is fab - also if you do change your mind and have it out - your fetility returns immediately

Nettee · 19/04/2009 12:09

Mind you I have just seen your DH is going for the snip - condoms between now and then? struggle on with POP for a few more months?

Original poster
mad4myboys · 19/04/2009 19:23

how did it cause acne etc?? How can the copper affect you? Does it only make periods heavier whilst settling down or forever? I hate using condoms, really dont like the feel. Plus it 3 month wait list then you dont get the all clear for 4 months after when they do a sperm count so too long for me to want to use condoms but too long to stay on the POP!

OP posts:
stillenacht · 19/04/2009 19:26

hi i have had the copper one in since October and my periods have been very heavy and lasted for 2 weeks (at times feel drained poss anaemic during periods)Periods far worse than any blood lost after birth (sorry tmi) but it is very handy and easy and can forget about it. Not sure what to do whether to get it taken out or stick with it but have feeling that my periods are going to stay v heavy and long.

stillenacht · 19/04/2009 19:26

agree with southeastastra too

springlamb · 19/04/2009 19:35

I used the copper coil for 15 years (with 2 breaks for dc) and never had a single problem with it. Remember to check after each period that it's still in place (very easy to do).
My periods were lighter with it.
It's a very useful alternative for those of us who for whatever reason don't want to use anything hormonal.
The first method of contraception I used was a Dutch cap - blimey, I was ready to give up on sex after the first month.

Original poster
mad4myboys · 19/04/2009 19:40

blimey, so confused what to do. If it was a simple/pain free thing to have done i would give it a go without thiking twicw
e...

OP posts:
UniS · 19/04/2009 20:21

have copper coil. No significant side affects. Period a bit heavier in the middle days than before and spotting mid cycle.
I didn't find it painful to have inserted or particulary uncomfortable.
Have had unpleasant bleeding and mood problems with hormonal contraception before.