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Family planning

Anyone got a copper coil?

27 replies

LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 10:58

I have made an appointment to have a copper coil fitted as hormonal contraceptives really don't suit me. I'm just a bit concerned about the effect it is going to have on my periods. Does anyone have a copper coil and not have nightmare periods?? Any reassurance would be appreciated!
Thanks.

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ShowOfHands · 26/06/2012 11:02

I had one for 6 months. Had it removed in order to ttc. It made my periods longer and heavier yes. It also made me spot during ovulation.

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LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 11:58

Thank you. That seems to be the norm from what I hear. Hoping for me it will be the best of a bad bunch!

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Takver · 26/06/2012 12:05

I have a copper coil - I had my first one in Spain where it seems to be the norm for long term contraception (they were a bit "why on earth would you want to take hormones without trying a coil first").

I'm on my 2nd now, around 8 years in total, and no problems at all. I don't have nightmare periods, overall I'd say they're much the same as when I'm not using any contraception. They're a bit variable (light one month, heavy the next) but I think that's normal for me IYKWIM.

The only downside for me is that though the first one was fine it was bloody painful getting it put in the second time (and I'm not generally a wimp) and I felt quite strange for a couple of hours afterwards. If I have a third I'll get DH to drive me to the appt & wait for me rather than getting myself there!

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LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 15:55

Thanks Takver. That's reassuring. I am hoping for the best as I have tried the pill and the implant and wasn't suited to them. I have told DH that if this doesn't work for me he's getting the snip!

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susiedaisy · 26/06/2012 15:58

I had a copper coil for several years but as time went on my periods got heavier longer and more painful so had the mirena coil fitted 3 years ago and haven't looked back, I was in my late thirties when I had the copper coil and am overweight so both of those things may have affected my periods anyway regardless of having a copper coil, but if you can tolerate a very small amount of hormones then I would say give the mirena a go.

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RillaBlythe · 26/06/2012 20:32

I had one between DD2 & DD2 - about 2.5 years I guess. Happy with it - it did make my periods heavier but they were quite light to begin with so not too hard to manage. I have another one in but still haven't had my period back after DD2 so can't comment really. If it goes as it did before I will be happy though.

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Piccalilli2 · 26/06/2012 20:52

I've had one about a year. My periods are very, very heavy for a couple of days but I've always had heavy periods and they're not especially painful so it's ok really. I hadn't appreciated I wouldn't be able to use tampons any more. On the whole though for me it's better than the hormonal alternatives - I got my libido back and no mood swings

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ant3nna · 26/06/2012 20:59

My periods were initially very heavy, longer than usual and painful but settled down after about 6 months. Sometimes they are a bit painful now but not overly so. I've had it for about 2.5 years now and I'm very happy with it. I would definitely get another one and I'm never going back to hormonal contraception.

I don't have any children so I'm not sure whether that would have affected how the coil changed my periods but I suspect it has no effect.

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merrilymay · 26/06/2012 21:04

I have one, it suits me better than any other method tbh. I have pcos, so didn't want anything hormonal. I had the first one fitted after DD1 was born, it was pretty uncomfortable and I felt achy for a few days. Having it fitted after DD2 was born was a doddle though - no more uncomfortable than a smear.

The only thing is my periods are much heavier, though not more painful or longer. I just tend to get 2-3 days in the middle of my period of really heavy (changing a tampax super every 2 hours) bleeding. Though I guess that could just be the after-effect of having had 2 kids!

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mercibucket · 26/06/2012 21:08

Mine's fine and periods same as ever, I really like it, no side effects at all (after the first few weeks anyway)

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mercibucket · 26/06/2012 21:08

Mine's fine and periods same as ever, I really like it, no side effects at all (after the first few weeks anyway)

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NimpyWindowMash · 26/06/2012 21:13

For the first 6 months, my periods were noticeably heavier and a day or so longer as well. But after that they have settled down and are pretty much the same as they used to be. No spotting whatsoever. I like it - compared to hormonal contraceptives it's good having the natural highs and lows of the cycle including great sex drive.

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Elkieb · 26/06/2012 21:15

Flipping, bloody brilliant things. Made me feel normal, loved the spontaneous sex, and periods fine. Use tampons as advised that they are fine.

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RunWorkCook · 26/06/2012 21:24

I have had one for a year or so and I'm wavering about whether to keep it. On one hand when I don't have my period I love it. But the first couple of days of my period are hell. Filling my mooncup (15ml) every 60-90 mins and I find the constant need to be near the loo an issue at work. Have to set my alarm every two hours a night. I can't decide whether 26 days of feeling better than when I'm on hormonal contraception compensates for 2 days of having my life restricted by my period. At the moment it's staying in as I don't have time to go to the doctors.

Sorry probably not what you wanted to hear.

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bookbird · 26/06/2012 21:26

I've had one for 2.5 years. It was a nightmare at first, but settled down after 6 months. I now find that I have a heavier, more painful period every other month, and my cycle is shorter, but my GP says that this is normal.

I'm glad I got it though, I'd been on the pill for 15 years and felt I needed a rest from hormones.

If you go for it, do take some paracetamol 45 minutes before your appointment. it's more uncomfortable than painful, but I felt very clammy and queasy afterwards.

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amistillsexy · 26/06/2012 21:34

I was on Merina and realised that it was really affecting my moods. Swapped to a copper coil (despite my GP treating me like a freak and saying it was all in my mind Hmm) about 2 years ago.

I do have quite heavy blood flow for the first couple of days. I need to use the extra huge tampax coupled with night time pads to feel relaxed about sleeping through the night. I also find my periods last a couple of days longer now (6-7 days rather than 5-6), but I use a mooncup for all but those heavy 2 nights.

My mood swings can no longer be put down to Merina influences I just blame DH Grin

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LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 21:35

Thanks everyone. This is all really helpful and mainly reassuring!
RunWorkCook that does sounds like a nightmare. You poor thing. Did you have normal periods before you had the coil fitted?
I think I will go for it and I will definitely take painkillers first thanks bookbird. My GP said it might be more 'uncomfortable' as I have not had a vaginal delivery, only caesareans, and I'm a wimp.

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LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 21:40

Amistillsexy I didn't realise until I stopped taking the pill how much it had affected me. I suddenly felt like a weight had been lifted, chilled out and not grumpy any more! My GP said that although Mirena has low dosage localised hormones it can still affect you negatively. I think for me heavier periods will be the preferable option.

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RunWorkCook · 26/06/2012 22:17

It's hard to know what my periods were like before as i was on the pill for 10 years before having kids then spent 3 years pregnant or breastfeeding, so little experience of what would happen without interference. They did seem normal though. My sister has had similar issues with the copper coil, but I suspect if one of us suffers it's likely the other one would too. I think my sister is having hers taken out.

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carriemumsnet · 26/06/2012 22:26

I had one and periods were long and heavy, but manageable and that wasn't what made me change. The fact I got pregnant while not trying and aged 40 was what made me think it wasn't for me Shock Hate to scaremonger but if I had a pound for everyone who said - that happened to me too - I'd be rich. So if getting pregnant wouldn't be the end of the world go for it, but if it would I'd honestly think again. Of course dd3 is now the BEST thing that ever happened EVER, but at the time it was a heck of a 40th birthday surprise. Now have mirena and LOVE it - don't think it's as bad as the pill at all but know some folks don't get on with it

Good luck with decision

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carriemumsnet · 26/06/2012 22:27

whoops and apologies for a) poss TMI and b) the extra colour - was just posting as a mnetter not mnhq!

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amistillsexy · 26/06/2012 22:32

Shock Carrie Now I don't know whether to grab DH and go for an 'accident', or head for the hills and not let him near Grin !

Is it not very dangerous to become pregnant while you have a coil fitted? What do they do with the coil, leave it in and hope for the best, or take it out and risk m/c?

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timetosmile · 26/06/2012 22:32

Just to let you know - as I expect you may be aware - the copper coil can work by preventing the embryo from implanting in the lining of the womb - the egg and sperm can still meet and form an embryo.

Many women are comfortable about this, but I always think of a Catholic friend of mine who only found this fact out after having a copper coil for three years, and was absolutely devastated...

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timetosmile · 26/06/2012 22:35

If you get pregnant with a copper coil in, the risk of that pregnancy being an ectopic one is higher that average. However the overall risk of an ectopic pregnancy with a coil in is far far less than the risk of an ectopic using no contraception (because your risk of getting pregnant is so much higher overall than if you had a coil fitted) does that make sense?

Once you've got a viable intrauterine pregnancy i think they leave the coil alone - maybe scan you a bit more often?

hth

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LexieSinclair · 26/06/2012 22:36

Oh no Carrie a third child is not an option!!
I hadn't even considered the possibility of it failing as I thought it was one of the most effective options!
DH is going to have to get the snip I think...

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