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.

Mirena and Jaydess devices are fantastic contraception and lighten or stop periods. Copper coils are nearly as effective and have the advantage of no hormone at all but do tend to make
Periods heavier and longer. Inserting them is the same process.They can be painful to insert but this is not necessarily due to age or parity . Teenagers do have coils fitted but they are often squeamish about the idea and have to accept a settling in period and the risks of insertion. Some clinics provide good local anaesthetic and whoever fits it should be experienced.
If she gets migraine with aura or her migraines are made worse by the combined pill she can never take it and not can she have patch or nuvaring.
The implant is an excellent contraceptive but in your daughter's case it causes intolerable mood swings. In terms of hormone it is similar to any progesterone only pill but it is worth trying a few different ones because they do vary a bit. The persistent bleeding is a nuisance if very constant but irregular bleeding or erratic periods is to be expected with all progesterone based contraception. In most cases it is tolerable even if it is annoying. The injection contains a higher dose of progesterone so there is a risk of more effect on hormones and in general it is not a good option for teenagers as there is some anxiety about a possible impact on bone health. Condoms are advised for all under 25s and anyone of any age in a new relationship but they are not nearly as effective for contraception as all the other methods and this is particularly relevant for a teenager for whom an unplanned pregnancy can be such a distressing problem.
Sorry for the lecture. I have seen teenagers use mirena and copper coil successfully but also others in whom fitting it was too difficult or for r whom the first few weeks side effects meant that it was removed on request before we really knew whether it was going to settle and be successful.

Another vote for copper coil. It is also instantly reversible if it doesn't suit.

Worth a try because if it works for her it'll be perfect. I got my first when I was a teenager and had to have it taken right back out again because it hurt so bad. Once I'd had a baby I could tolerate them.

@Gannicusthemannicus She thankfully got a doctor to remove the implant as the sexual health clinic is still closed. The same doctor is happy to put in the coil in a few weeks if she wants to go ahead. She was given mefenamic acid on the nexplanon just to help stop blood flow. They did talk about given her additional pills to counteract the progesterone but it just felt like fighting hormones with hormones and we were both questioning how much medication a 16 year old really should be on - seems crazy.

Thanks @yikesanotherbooboo for a great rundown of all options.

Thanks to you all for your help and experiences.

I'm wondering, given everyone's experiences if she should try another type of mini pill first but she has has such a nightmare with all things hormone I think she's prepared to take a deep breath and try the copper coil route. I will get her to read all your thoughts and see what she decides.

I imagine the reason for not giving a teenager an iud/is is the increased risk of std because of the cord going from the vagina to the uterus. This is the reason I was given to avoid it in my early 20s, I was (rudely) quizzed on the number of sexual partners I had.
I absolutely love my Mirena coil and am on my 3rd.
I would never have a copper coil, it's not an inert substance and I've seen what copper jewelry does to my skin, no way I'd have it up me.
I sincerely hope that her sex life it absolutely brilliant concidering the amount of trouble she is going to to avoid pregnancy and that the lucky boy in her life shows them both some resect and always wears a condom.

I wouldn't have a Mirena if she's that sensitive to progestin and would definitely go for the copper one if she and her doctor are happy with that option.

Thank you for this thread currently having the same conversation with my 15 year old dd.

She can only have progesterone only contraception as she gets migraine with aura. So she's tried mini pill and currently has the implant but her mental health has gone downhill and skin is terrible.

I can't use any hormones and have had 2 copper coils for over 10 years with no problems at all.

I can't see any other options than the copper coils for her.

I had a Mirena when I hadn't been pregnant and it was easy to fit, not that painful and resulted in 5 period free years! If you havent had a baby you need someone experienced to fit it. I always thought they sounded ideal for teenagers, long term acting, no remembering to take anything and added bonus of no periods