Contraception - coil for teenager?

[MelbyG]

My 16 year old is having a tough time sorting out the right contraception for her. She can't have the combined pill as she experiences migraines with her period, she has spent 5 months on the nexplanon implant and had it removed yesterday as it was causing her terrible mood swings and a constant period. She's now looking at the coil but the sexual health clinic were not keen to giving this to her first up without trying all the other options so I'm wondering if they are reluctant, how suitable it is for someone of this age. If anyone has had any experience of a teenager having a coil fitted, I'd be really interested to hear how it's gone. She's had a lot of advice from both doctors and the sexual health clinic and all advice seems to differ quite a lot.

It's harder to fit if you haven't given birth. Make sure its mirena not copper - copper will make things worse. Mirena takes a while to settle and will possibly also cause constant bleeding.

Is the mini pill not an option?

I knew a 19/20 year old who struggled with the pill and the implant, so got a coil fitted. She was in absolute agony and was bleeding a lot. I would not recommend it. I have only heard terrible things about the coil xx

I cannot imagine a coil would be an option for a 16 year old? Have you talked to her about how they're inserted? I mean, I won't have a coil put in and I am absolutely fine with internal exams/have given birth twice.

Is she having regular sex?

I had a coil fitted after having had two babies -by c-section. It hurt more that I could have possibly imagined. I wouldn’t want my teen to experience that.

I wouldn't recommend that for a teenager. Or the jab. I'd try the mini pill.

I should add I havent given birth so my gynae had mine put in under a general (theres a bit more to why, but that was the main reason). So I wouldnt think it's a great idea for a 16 year old.

Mine was so painful for a while after having it put in. I'm told it's worse if you've not had a baby before so I wouldn't advise it for a teenager.

Make sure its mirena not copper - copper will make things worse.

Why would it make things worse? The only general side effect of a copper coil is that it tends to make periods slightly heavier. This can be a problem if you already struggle with heavy periods, but OP did not mention it as an issue. The copper coil does not have any hormonal effects, which would be an advantage for the DD as she has struggled with hormonal methods.

I had a coil from my early 20s, which was before I had my first DC, and I absolutely loved it. I am now on my 4th having had two DC and gone back to the coil every time. Side effect free, no effort required, no suppression of sex drive, extremely reliable, instantly reversible. Insertion was mildly uncomfortable and crampy each time - that was all. Lots of people love the coil - they just tend to be less vocal than the few that didn't get along with it at all.

Current research is that the coil is fine for teens and indeed there's a strong argument that it should be promoted more. There's a lingering attitude that it is only for older women who have given birth is some decades out of date. It is best for women and girls in a stable relationship or diligently using condoms, though, as in combination with certain STDs it can lead to uterine scarring.

It's more painful if you're young and haven't had a baby. They're also harder to get in because of being smaller so you'd need someone experianced, like definitely not someone who seems reluctant. Different brands are different sizes, so it could be worth asking about that. Also local anesthetic.

If she goes ahead I'd suggest having someone trusted there with her.

Copper coil here and no! Not for a young teen. Bleeding is awful with me and the cramps I get around ovulation could rival pre labour.

Are condoms definitely out of the question? I'm sure you can get mini pill and patch also.

Look up the coil Jaydess. More suited to younger women. Easier to fit. Lasts 3 years.

My previous GP said that as I haven't had a natural birth that an implant would be incredibly painful and difficult to fit. My current GP pooh-poohed the idea and said it would be fine. I think I believe the first one more!
Has she tried the nuvaring? It's very low dose, and my hormonal migraines haven't affected me since being on it.

Thanks for all your helpful responses. She tried the mini pill before the implant and had similar difficulties with hormone imbalance. Anything hormonal seems to really affect her so it looks like the coil is her only option. She is having regular sex and is using condoms and being really sensible but I think wants to have extra security. I have also heard about the fact that the coil is more difficult to insert with a younger teenager but good to hear your positive experience @HauntedGoatFart (fabulous username btw) and no, heavy periods are not an issue for her. The doctor who took the implant out says she is happy to insert the coil but the sexual health clinic were the ones who were reluctant and made her go for the implant first. She could of course just rely on condoms but both sexual health clinic and doctor do not advise that.

Have you had a look into the mini pill? I started it about 5 years ago, around her age- maybe that would be a better option?

Cross post sorry

What about the injection? It's sometimes tolerated better than Nexplanon. Also has she been told she can't have the combined pill due to the migraines? If the migraines are only period related then the combined pill might actually help.
I wouldn't personally put such a young body through a coil fitting.

Thanks @cptartapp. Jaydess coil sounds interesting - lower dose that she could try first? And thanks @loutypips for nuvaring suggestion. Will look into that too. Just don't want a coil decision now to affect her long term with scarring or other complications. I was a simple combi pill person with no issues so it's really tough to see her go through this and for it to be so complicated when she's trying to do the right thing.

Yes @keepingbees the migraines are only period related but apparently they are very over cautious about this. If she's had any kinds of migraine they avoid the combi pill. It's so difficult as advice really swings from doctor to doctor

I had a coil fitted before I had a baby. It hurt but probably 5 minutes of pain and then some strong cramps for 12 hours. I absolutely loved it when in. Periods were a bit heavier but I didn't mind as I benefitted so much from being hormone free (better mood, sex drive returned). I've since had another fitted after giving birth and i didn't feel a thing! It didn't effect my fertility at all.

I got the coil as a 16 year old virgin, I was very worried about pregnancy and my reliability at taking pills. They weren’t too keen but they let me go through with it and it was the best decision I could have made. I still use a copper coil 6 years later

@keepingbees using the combined pill if you suffer migraines with aura is linked to an increased stroke risk. The evidence is shaky at best, but NICE advise that it shouldn't be given to these women.

I'd definitely say go for a coil over the injection. That can really mess with your fertility and cause constant bleeding.

I didn't have a natural birth and I've had one Mirena coil and two coppers

Didn't hurt getting it in, and aside from some cramping that night 🤷🏽‍♀️ I wouldn't hesitate again

I had a coil fitted 6 weeks post partum and it was bloody agony!