AF from Hell following coil... is it always going to be like this?

[Picante]

DD is 4.5 months. This is first proper af - had a small bleed around 8 weeks. Got coil fitted when she was about 9/10 weeks.

I have never had a period like this before. Tampons don't fit following the birth and I'm just having a horrid time of it.

Are my periods likely to be this heavy from now on? If they are I think I'm having this coil removed!

bump

You poor thing. Is it an ordinary copper coil? I haven't used tampons for years. They're not especially advised if you have a coil, I don't think. I found them useless!

Have a word with your family planning to find out if it is the coil causing heavy periods, or something you would be experiencing anyway. I have a coil, and my periods have calmed down although it took a while. I don't have much choice in which contraception I can use for various reasons, so I'm stuck with it. Please get yourself checked out, and don't suffer in silence!

Hi picante
I had a copper coil fitted when ds was 6 weeks old. When periods came back they started of very heavy, but it did get better. After a few months it got better.
I guess it depends on your reasons for choosing that type of coil. I had a copper one because I wanted to be hormone free, and also it never failed for me, no remembering to take pills etc. In terms of contraceptive, it was fantastic for me, in for 8 years no worries and no side effects. I found the heavy periods a small price to pay for that peace of mind. Will get another one after this baby is born.
HTH

It should calm down, within a few months. The tampon thing is at when your flow is light - if the tampon stays dry it can catch on the coil threads and pull it out. But they are OK for heavier days.

I took iron supplements till it calmed down.

Are your periods longer as well as heavier? Mine was the same length or maybe a bit shorter but really heavy, like totally filled a mooncup in a couple of hours. It was shorter though. It pretty much got back to normal in 4-ish months, and 9 months on sometimes it is almost totally pain-free, which is how it was before. Give it a few months.

Thanks all.

Yes longer. This one is well over a week now.

I chose the coil because I wanted to be hormone free. I'll give it a few months. Actually I think I'll only give it one more month. It's horrible!! Might have to have another baby!!

Mine settled down after two or three months, so give it time.

I'm only on my third since fitting, and it's heavy. Glad to hear it might settle down though. I have to say though, that with a mooncup the inconvenience is kept down to a minimum. I am mainly missing the, erm, usual action, but I am verging into tmi now, so I'll stop...

I am on day 3 of my first period since getting it fitted 12 months ago. I have had 13 months period-free since the birth of ds so have been enjoying the benefits of the coil without any of the side effects. I never really had heavy periods before and have only had 2 periods in the last 4 years between dd and ds

I was really struggling with the amount of bleeding yesterday. Am used to wearing tampons but just don't feel safe with them. Woke up yesterday in a pool of blood on the sheets (tmi). It feels like the days after childbirth.

Am taking heart from some of your experiences and am hoping it eases in the next few months or i will have to consider having it removed.

Honestly, mine was so heavy at first! But now it is pretty much back to normal, and it is so great to have non-hormonal contraception. Mooncups really help.

I had very heavy periods after having a copper coil fitted.

In fact I was amaemic (blood count was 7, couldn't run for more than 5 mins etc) and I am sure that was why.

Certainly since I had a Mirena fitted it has been much better (tho there are other issues but maybe I'll have to live with them).

Is it possible to use mooncups when everything is so.. erm... spacious?

I think so- they are wider than tampons, and come in two sizes (pre- and post- bucket childbirth), so worth a try. If they don't yet fit, it must be early days, or more of the ol' kegels are needed, and it's pads for now.

Not sure if it's normal to be so wide after birth that tampons won't fit. Maybe you should see your GP about it?

Re. copper coil - I had mine taken out after 2 periods as the flow was so heavy I was using super tampon and pads and still having to change far too frequently.

I had a copper coil for quite a long time and my periods went from being two days of light flow to a week of very heavy flow and really bad pain. I don't want to worry anyone but it never improved and I ended up having it removed.

I'm told I'm very old fashioned by Family Planning Clinic as I now have a diaphragm/cap as I too didn't want any hormones (can't take combined or mini pill) and it's great...