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.

I have the 3 year coil with the lower dosage.

On the pill I was absolutely psycho, panic attacks, crying, paranoia, like all the bad stuff that could happen with my head happened. Two weeks after stopping taking I was back to normal. I had the coil fitted and it took 6 months to physically settle down but mentally I have had no issues. It was very painful even though I’ve had a child but apparently I have a teenagers cervix (?!?!) and you can’t really tell I’ve had a child according to the nurse whatever that means. I’m 31 for crying out loud

Anyway....I wouldn’t go back to the pill ever and I’m so glad to be shot of it. I only went on it due to a new sexual partner who doesn’t want kids etc etc (well also not responsible getting pregnant the first time you have sex but hey ho)

If she can have the coil, it might hurt but then she doesn’t have to worry for a few years

Oh it hurt so much I kicked the nurse...I was so apologetic

I had the copper coil fitted at 17, they opted to fit the smaller 5 year copper coil and it was absolutely fine. Felt like a very intense period cramp when it was fitted and I did have heavier periods but nothing that I couldn’t manage. They were heavy anyway tbh.

I also have a copper coil now that was fitted after having children (10 year one this time). Again, no problems. Fitting was much easier this time as I’d only had a baby 4 weeks ago so things must have been a bit more open I bled reasonably heavy for 4 days after the fitting of the second one, whereas with the first one at 17 I didn’t bleed after fitting at all. Just some minor cramps.

I have a history of migraines so I went on the mini-pill at 19 (cerazette). Was on it for 10 years happily with no side effects other than no periods. You do have to remember to take it every day with no breaks.

Then I started to have almost constant spotting/ light bleeding so came off and had the copper coil instead. Didn't get on with it, my periods became heavier and more painful each month until it was unbearable. Switched to the mirena coil after a year which is still great two years later. Very light periods and virtually no pain.

I was told mirena is safe for migraine sufferers because the hormone dose is so low; I certainly haven't noticed any side effects. Side note: after cerazette I briefly tried another, older-type mini pill, which triggered a migraine almost immediately.

The only thing with her being young is that it does hurt having them inserted and removed, and for a while afterwards. Not enough to put me off having it done again though and I wouldn't say that's a reason not to do it. I've never given birth but obviously I was older than her when I had mine fitted.

Obviously everyone is different, but perhaps it would be worthwhile exploring with the drs / clinic precisely why they are reluctant to offer a coil if that's what she wants.

I don't know whether it's where I am or due to times changing, but when I went back to uni a few years ago, all the 19/20-year-olds had always used a hormonal coil. If you're advising that a teenager shouldn't have a coil because that's what you were told ten/twenty/thirty years ago, bear in mind that times change.

Also, there is now another smaller alternative to the Mirena that also lasts five years, unlike the Jaydess which lasts three. Begins with a K, can't remember the name off the top of my head.

I couldn't imagine anything worse than having a coil whilst being a teenager. My Mirena made me want to kill people who even looked at me sideways, I was an angry mess, mix that with teenage hormones and I'd buy her a new house to live in away from anyone else.

HauntedGoatFart I misunderstood - it was in reference to the bleeding.

Thanks all. Some great insight amd experiences here. @dixieflatline The reluctance to fit the coil came from the sexual health clinic. They seemed to suggest that because of her age they would always try other options first probably because they know it's going to hurt. Implant was a disaster though so I think she reckons anything will be better than that

I have no DC and am on my third copper coil. They usually have a clinic for "tricky" insertions which is the one I go to as they have more pain relief options like anaesthetic gel or injections etc
1 and 2 were fine for me, number 3 I went faint and sick after but only for 10 mins and then I was fine. Fitting of number 3 was the least painful one

Dixie Kyleena

Advice her to try the other options first.
I’ve tried everything over the years that I was able.

The side effects were horrific depending on what was used. Some could be counterbalanced with other meds, but not long term.

I tried both coils and required hospitalisation for blood and iron 🤣

Mainly I used condoms and the not so effective removal method. Last year, hours after surgery I stood against all the advice from everyone around, just to do a happy dance after my husband

Hopefully she can have something more suited to her. Some of the hormonal effects and bleeding can be controlled. Some make things worse like the coil in my case

. It might also be a good idea for her to see her gp. Get her bloods etc done. Even though it was obvious what the issue was, I still had to go through loads of tests to rule things out, and to keep an eye on iron levels, blood count etc.

Have you tried different doses of the mini pill? I started getting migraines after a car accident so I was no longer allowed the combined pill. It took a few different kinds of mini pill but we eventually found one that suited me.

After my hysterectomy 🤣 not husband. Got rid of that dead weight years ago

Had my first Mirena put in at 16. I've never been pregnant. Mild discomfort/cramping when it was put in. I'm on my fourth Mirena now and will be getting another once this one's 5 years are up.

Dds friend had one fitted a few months ago, age 15.
According to dd she had it fitted at our local children's hospital under anaesthetic. She had it due to horrendous periods.

Used to work in sexual health - I think it's a great idea - the mirena stopped my periods and is also reliable, works even if you've vomited and is now licensed for 6 years

We also used to fit them in teens - often with no issues

Following this thread for advice for 17yo she has had bf's but not sexually active she said she is not ready and too scared off getting pregnant
The problem she has she has not had a period she is on a waiting list to be seen for this. She has all the symptoms cramp discharge well developed but no blood.
I'm afraid she will go to a party maybe too much to drink and get carried away in the moment of passion with a boy and no protection for herself she will not go to gp to ask says its embarrassing.

I've had a copper coil in for about a year - absolutely love it. I also have had issues with hormonal contraception in the past. It was slightly uncomfortable going in, but no more so than a smear. Got very mild cramps for an hour or so after. I went to a sexual health clinic to get it done and they were great. I have had kids though.

A copper coil won’t make things worse - it’s entirely free from hormones and so it will just be her natural cycle. I was the same with the pill etc and I’ve never been so depressed as when I had the implant. I got a Copper coil at age 25, so a little older however I hadn’t had any kids at that point. It was harder to get in - i had to get a local anaesthetic injection so they could dilate my cervix a bit - but honestly it was the best thing ever. I was a changed woman once I wasn’t on all those fake hormones. It makes me laugh now that it was so tricky to get in as now I’ve had two kids (the second a 9lb baby...) the doctor practically threw the coil in from the other side of the room and I didn’t feel a thing 😂. Talk to GP or family planning clinic are excellent with coils. Find a sympathies female doctor with coil training and go for it. They are brilliant. I’m getting mine framed when I get it out finally!

I had a mirena coil for 7 years, no complications, no constant bleeding (periods in fact stopped, just had the odd monthly cramps), i was recommended it at 24 due to medication I was on, I hadn't given birth. I think it would be a good option- much better than the pill, which a teenager may forget to take and many factors can affect performance of the pill. It wasn't too bad going in, or being replaced really either.

Would she be able to get the coil at the moment? I'm trying to get my mirena removed and it looks like at least a few months wait for any services. I would also say to try everything before a coil, just because if she doesn't get on with it they really won't be keen to remove it for at least 6 months. And if she does get it, take some painkillers first. I've had no children and it was so very very sharply painful.

Also, was she prescribed anything whilst on nexplanon? I had constant bleeding after depo (which I really wouldn't recommend for a teenager) then had the implant and a course of norethisterone that stopped my period for the full 3 years. As someone who also cannot have the combined, I would recommend the mini pill. Unfortunately in my experience hormonal contraception does exacerbate teenage mood swings, in my opinion all contraception is crap, under researched and comes with side effects so its up to her to decide what she is able to live with.

I'd add to the voices saying cerastes. It works well for me now as someone who suffers with migraines and bad periods. As a teenager a similar mini pill worked well. It's got to be worth a shot before what sounds like a pretty uncomfortable experience getting a coil at her age. Good for her for taking such responsibility though.

That should say cerazette!