Copper coil side effects?

[MissyMoooooo]

Hi, what are the side effects of the copper coil? I’ve read side effects of women’s whole personality changing (likes, dislikes, irritability, low mental health) etc and it’s got me worried

How would a copper coil do that? I had some physical side effects, but not what you list, are you sure that's not mirena? The copper coil is non hormonal.

@MissyMoooooo the side effects you are on about I think are from the mirena coil. I'm on my 3 rd copper coil and the only side effects are my period is a bit heavier and a bit longer .

Where did you hear that?

How could a copper coil do that? Are you sure you weren't looking at side effects for one with hormones as well?

My periods became very heavy and prolonged for about six months after getting the copper coil. Not going to lie, it was miserable to the point I was going to get it removed. But since then it has been fine, and a good alternative to hormonal birth control which I wanted to stay clear from. Hope that helps.

It made my periods heavier but actually not sure it was the coil as I had it in post partum so was breastfeeding and had no period on it for a year. I then had the covid jab which caused flooding for 8 months. It's now settled down.

For me, thrush for 3 out of 4 weeks every month.

Also heavier periods, but they weren't that heavy to start with, so manageable.

But the endless thrush, that (male) doctors said couldn't be related to the coil....

Coil gone, thrush gone, husband snipped 👍😁

@CuriousPorg can the Covid jab cause heavier periods? I had no idea about that, so maybe it was that rather than the coil?

I had horrifically heavy periods and became anaemic. I had almost constant pelvic pain too. As soon as I had it removed both stopped

@RK800 the copper coil is known for causing heavy periods for 3-6 months and then settles down. Most likely the coil.

Physical symptoms as the ones described here are well documented, but I'm not aware of mental health related issues.

That's hilarious that it would change the whole personality- how??
Copper coil isn't more a it isn't hormonal.

I have copper coil for many years- the only thing is that it prolongs period- from mine usual 5 days till 8-9 days.

But honestly, talk to your gp, read some articles etc...

Sorry there's was a typo, copper coil isn't mirena, it isn't hormonal.

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I’m not sure who wrote those comments/articles of people going mental on the coil, but I did think it sounded very scaremongering.

My brain is all over the place due to some health issues so I just wanted to get real responses

I think you are getting mixed up with the mirena coil? That does contain a low dose of synthetic progesterone.
It's comparable to marmite; love it or hate it!

I have had the copper iud for 10 years.
I thought I was going mad.
My mental health has always been fine.
I'm quite chilled out in fact.
Over the years I have gradually turned in to a paranoid, anxious, depressed wreck with no energy what so ever.
Some days I would just sit on the sofa and not move. Like a zombie. I just lacked so much energy and was so so sad. Getting up in a morning was torture.

I would maybe have a week a month, mid cycle where I've felt relatively normal (still tired but not as depressed or anxious). Before my period I was raging, after it I was depressed and paranoid.

I have always assumed it was perimenopause, the lockdown, my work, my kids... I never suspected the coil... Why would that do anything? It doesn't have any hormone in it.

Anyway I had it removed recently as it was due out. It has been replaced by a non copper hormonal one.

The day after I felt different.. more positive.. more energy.

I've felt such a change in myself I feel like me again. I was on the verge of going on HRT or antidepressants but I didn't even have the energy or motivation to do to the doctor about it. The only reason I had the coil changed was because you could book online whilst sat on the sofa... And I really wouldn't have the energy to get pregnant!!!

I've been reading and there is the odd account here and there about the copper in it causing similar symptoms to what I had. I would never have another now.

I'm not saying it'll be like this for everyone, but I'm adding my experience because I think it needs sharing. Everyone knows it can make your periods heavier and more painful (which it did!) but not so much about the psychological effects.

I’ve had a copper coil for a few years and had zero side effects, period hasn’t changed at all. No mood swings or anything, I feel much better than I did on the pill.

Same here

I had it and initially it was successful, however, after a few months my periods got heavier and heavier and my PMS was awful with it. Felt like my uterus was trying to push it out. Doctors are very keen to tell you that the copper coil has very few side effects but It doesn't seem to work well for all women.
Felt better after having it removed and have gone in to use other hormonal birth control with few issues.

I think it's a case of finding the right thing for you isn't it. The copper coil was Not for me..I'm not sure if it was the effects of the copper itself (maybe some people are sensitive to it?) or anaemia from heavier periods that did it but I was slowly turning into a lazy but paranoid vegetable!

Copper coil - heavy painful periods.

Mirena - very light periods but zero sex drive.

Contraception is so shit!

@haveatye Yep, same here!

Just looked back at my pp and I had my copper coil removed this year because my periods were so heavy and pro longed and I became severely anemic. Some months it was fine, other months I could barely leave the house.

I had it replaced with the Mirena and my periods are lighter and only last a couple of days which is great but my libido is way down. I just feel like I can’t win.