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Women's health

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Original poster

Mirena vs copper coil

24 replies

tigertummy · 21/02/2022 03:42

Has anyone got any experience of either the mirena or the copper coil. Which did you choose and why? Did you have any side effects?

OP posts:

Omgstoptouchingme · 21/02/2022 03:56

I've had both!

The best thing about the copper coil was being hormone-free. However, it gave me horrendously heavy periods and I eventually had it removed.

Mirena was worse for me. I'm sure it exacerbated IBS-type symptoms (although my GP always denied the link). Best thing about it was that my periods stopped almost entirely.

With both, I found the strings quite irritating and I suffered with thrush frequently.

If I had to choose which one to use again, I'd probably go for copper. But to be honest, I'm not sure I my body can cope with either of them!

user43786 · 21/02/2022 04:28

Copper coil for me. I couldn't get on with hormones after switching from the combined pill to the mini pill and my doctor advised that the hormones in the mirena were the same as the mini pill so it was best to stay clear.

After having no periods for 5-6 years on the mini pill they came as a shock when I had the coil and I was convinced they were heavy but in reality they were probably normal. Mine last around 4-5 days with maybe 1 day of heavy flow and I've had the coil for over 3 years.

HirplesWithHaggis · 21/02/2022 04:32

I also had both, and no problems with either. I heard that the copper coil leads to heavier periods but didn't notice til I changed to the Mirena. With Mirena I spotted for six months, and then had no periods at all, I got all the way through menopause without a hot flush to my name. It was brilliant.

But it's very much a case of ymmv, some women find Mirena amazing, others have horrible problems and their GPs won't remove.

Chocaholic9 · 21/02/2022 06:51

I had the copper coil but had it taken out after 1 year as my periods were still 16 days long every month. That got very draining.

I also developed an autoimmune disease involving my joints several months after it was inserted. I later found a study done by the American College of Rheumatology which found that IUDs are linked to the onset of autoimmune disease involving the joints, perhaps because the body sees the IUD as a foreign item and produces antibodies against it.

I wouldn't recommend the copper coil at all.

Mabelface · 21/02/2022 06:54

Love my mirena. On my 5th and final one. Not had periods for over 20 years and it's kept endo at bay all that time.

Original poster

tigertummy · 21/02/2022 07:10

Thanks everyone! This is all so helpful!

@Mabelface that is good to hear. I also have endometriosis and was managing it with the pill but since having babies the pill has given me awful migraines

OP posts:

PoodleKaboodle · 21/02/2022 07:14

I’m on my 3rd copper coil and it’s great. Don’t have to think about contraception for next 10 yrs, hasn’t given me heavier periods although the first one I had when I was early 20s did.
I chose it over the Mirena as I wanted hormone free.

HeadingForHome · 21/02/2022 07:18

I've recently had a Mirena fitted. I was a bit nervous, having read various horror stories, but so far it's been amazing. Some light spotting but nothing else. Skin is fairly clear and emotions not too haywire. I am breastfeeding though - I'm wondering what will happen when I stop breastfeeding and hormones return. So far, so good.

Had the copper coil years ago in an attempt to reduce hormones in my body as was having a lot of difficulty with my skin/mood etc. It was awful - so much bleeding and pain - got it out after a few months.

It seems really variable from person to person unfortunately. One thing I'd say is that I got the Mirena fitted at a sexual health clinic and they were excellent as they do it 5 times a day. No messing about at all. It hurts like bugger when it goes in but almost immediately settled down for me.

GeneLovesJezebel · 21/02/2022 07:22

I had my first Mirena fitted 7 months ago. It didn’t hurt at all, I’ve had worse smears !
Only trouble is I’m almost constantly spotting so thinking of having it out, but the wires have gone inside so need a procedure to remove it.
I’m really unsure what to do.

Gunpowder · 21/02/2022 07:23

I’ve got a Kyleena which is lower dose hormones (so suitable if you just want it for it contraception rather than heavy/painful periods.)

I absolutely love it. Far fewer side effects than the pill/mini pill. And it has reduced my periods to a couple of days of spotting. I wish I’d had one years ago.

Pushmepullyou · 21/02/2022 07:30

I’ve had both and also have endo. The copper coil was horrendous, weeks of bleeding so heavy it was like having a wee. I ended up very anaemic and def wouldn’t recommend.

The mirena on the other hand has been amazing. No periods, just the odd bit of spotting. Honestly life changing

paisley256 · 21/02/2022 07:35

I've had 2 copper coils, no probs whatsoever.

Luckingfovely · 21/02/2022 07:49

2 copper coils over here as well, I tried the Mirena but it massively affected my mental health to dangerous levels.

I know people that absolutely love it, and people that could not live with it at all.

Sadly I don't think there's any way to know how you will react without trying it. If any MH problems at all in the past or now, I would be extra cautious.

I would also suggest that you have a clear convo with your doctor about how quickly you can have it removed if necessary.

GrendelsGrandma · 21/02/2022 07:49

Copper coil pre babies in my 20s, horrible heavy periods and pain every month but I stuck it out for years.

I've had a couple of mirenas post pregnancies, very light bleeding and no pain. However I don't know if it plays a role in weight gain, libido, low mood or if that's just motherhood and age!

GeneLovesJezebel · 21/02/2022 07:50

Funnily enough my PMT has massively calmed down since I’ve had the Mirena in.

Purplewithred · 21/02/2022 07:53

Copper coils pre-baby back in the late 80s gave me heavy periods.

Mirena since 1994, now part of my HRT, no periods. Has been brilliant for me.

collywobble · 21/02/2022 07:54

I've had both the Mirena and the copper coil. Copper coil was great although periods were slightly heavier nothing unmanageable. My doctor then suggested I change to Mirena as I it could be incorporated into my HRT regime , I was wary as I didn't want to upset my hormone balance as I do get dreadful PMT but it has been great. I had initial side effects of very sore breasts for three months but this settled and have had no periods at all which is great.

CanorCanelloni · 21/02/2022 07:59

It's the second very positive thread about Mirena when a couple of years ago all threads were full of women with horrendous experiences.
Does make you wonder if the site is being used to share positive messages about the product.

Roselilly36 · 21/02/2022 08:02

I have had both, one copper coil, but caused heavy periods, switched to Mirena, on my third and final one now, as this will take me through the menopause. Mirena has been good for me, very rarely have a period. Insertion has been painful every time, but worth it when it’s in. Take painkillers before your appt. good luck OP.

Hohofortherobbers · 21/02/2022 08:09

I've had copper for 20+ years since about age 19-20. I have heavy periods but I did before and I don't think they're worse. It's hassle free. I do sometimes consider going for mirena to do away with the periods but don't want to risk any side effects. Had it out twice to conceive the dc and straight back in after. We have also considered dh getting a vasectomy now we're done but it seems non urgent as I get on fine with the coil, probably facing menopause in the next 10 years ish so will probably just stick with it tbh. Seems a waste to get vasectomy for just a few years

Original poster

tigertummy · 21/02/2022 09:21

Thanks everyone!! Lots to think about. Now to try to get a doctors appointment...

OP posts:

emmathedilemma · 21/02/2022 09:31

I had a mirena to supposedly help with heavy bleeding. It did the opposite and once it's in they just tell you it should settle down. I had a year of hell with the thing until it finally bled out. I'm convinced GPs are on a bonus system for every one to fit as they seem to be "sold" as the cure all to any sort of gynae issues.

Tonsiltrouble · 21/02/2022 09:34

I have loved my Mirena, but it’s reached the end of its life. I am one of the unlucky ones whose strings have vanished, and after two quite painful attempts to remove it I now have to have it taken out under hysteroscopy. The wait for that is 6 months! I’m back on the mini pill in the meantime and have horrible acne.

Madickenxx · 21/02/2022 09:38

I had copper coils for 15 years and it was fine until recently. Am now in my late 40s and my periods have got gradually heavier until the point when I couldn't leave the house and had to change the sheets every night. I had it replaced with a Mirena around a month ago and so far it's OK. I started spotting around the time my period was due and have now had light bleeding for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping it will settle down soon. Compared to the flooding I used to experience this is fine for now. I'm hopeful that my periods will stop after the "settling in" phase but we'll see. I was worried about mood changes but if anything I seem to be more balanced compared to when I was on the copper coil as I used to have 2 weeks of terrible mood swings each cycle.

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