What is a copper coil fitting like?

[PinkFluffyJumper]

Sorry to post in General Health rather than in Family Planning, but hopefully there's a bit more traffic here.

So I'm (planning on) giving up on hormonal contraception after having horrible mood swings and something which feels a lot like depression on two sorts of the mini-pill as well as the Depo injection.

The best kind of contraception I can think of at the moment would be the copper coil, but I've completely freaked myself out by reading horror stories about fittings!

For context, I have no children and so I've never had anything like this done, so I'm nervous about the whole procedure.

If anybody has any reassuring experiences to share, that'd be grand.

[mikkii]

I don't know if having a copper coil fitting is the same as having a mirena coil fitted, but I can tell you how I found that.

I had been warned to take painkillers beforehand, but I forgot. I have a reasonable pain threshold. This is probably worthwhile.

Apart from the usual indignity of heels together and knees flopped apart, speculum wound open, they then use a big pair if tweezers to hold the cervix so they can push the coil in. I found a bit of a nip from the tweezers and thought "ooh, that smarts" next thing I knew it was all over. I didn't feel the coil go in.

I guess in summary, take some painkillers before you go. I would not hesitate to do it again.

[Stewdent]

I had a copper coil fitted a month ago. I did take the recommended ibuprofen beforehand and found it a little uncomfortable at a couple of points (like the previous poster said, there's a bit of a nip) but not painful. The procedure only took about 5 minutes in all and I felt a bit 'meh, is that it?' as I'd heard such horror stories about it.

Don't worry and take the painkillers beforehand if you're concerned about pain.

[PinkFluffyJumper]

Thanks for replying.

Can I ask how you've both found the coil so far? I know the Mirena contains hormones so I won't be having it, but I'm interested to know if you can still 'feel' anything inside/if it's uncomfortable at all.

[PersonalClown]

I had my second fitted a few months ago. The only bit that hurt was the measuring of my womb to see what size I needed.

I get slightly more painful twinges when I'm due on. Nothing major, just an 'Oh that smarts' for a second or 2.

[Stewdent]

Well I've only had mine for 4 weeks so early days but no, I can't feel anything and totally forget it's there which is strange after years and years of having to remember to take a pill/get an injection etc.

Just had my first period on it and it was heavier than normal but after years of 'artificial' periods on the pill, I've forgotten what a normal period is like I think. Not painful though. And the doctor did day that its normal for them to be much heavier at first but should settle down after a few months.

So far, no regrets.

[dyslexicdespot]

I love my copper coil, it is by far the best form of birth control that I have ever used. I'm like you in that I react very badly to hormonal forms of birth control.

Having a coil fitted was a little more uncomfortable then a smear test.

Good luck!

[PinkFluffyJumper]

Thanks for the replies!

Sorry to be nosy, but have you all had DC? I'm told it's much easier to have a coil fitted if you've given birth and I'm somewhat inexperienced in that area...

[dyslexicdespot]

I had not had a baby the first time I had a coil fitted. It was more uncomfortable to have it done for the second time after I had had DS.

[PinkFluffyJumper]

That's reassuring, dyslexic, although I'm sorry about the discomfort you had the second time!

There are so many horror stories out there about the coil, so I just wanted to ask for some general experiences.

[Stewdent]

I have 1 DC (born 9 months before coil fitting)

[WizardofOs]

Mine took about 3 goes to get in because I have a tilted womb (didn't know until she had so much trouble getting it in). Even though it took ages and was not really a great afternoon out, it diidn't hurt. The GP seemed surprised it did not hurt but it really didn't. She made me lie down for a while afterwards but I felt ok. Was a bit crampy afterwards and periods last longer but I am happy with it overall.

[dyslexicdespot]

I second Leonie's advice about going to a family planning clinic. The midwife that fitted my first coil was a pro. I think her expertise made all the difference.

[ComtessedeFrouFrou]

You may find that they are reluctant to prescribe if you haven't had DCs - or at least that's what my Dr said to me. Not sure why exactly.

[tb]

I had 2 copper coils before dd, and had no problems whatsoever. Post-dd I had a Mirena and it was awful, and I put up with 12 months of black sludgy heavy spotting before having it removed.

[Amyo83]

I've just come back from the GP to have one fitted. It hurt a bit, but then I'm not particularly good with pain. There was one moment when the GP said that I'd feel a pinch and that was what hurt - a few flinches with the pain and one moment when I felt like I shifted up the couch almost trying to get away from the pain!
A couple of hours have passed and now it feels like I've got period pain.
Wished I'd taken something before to just numb the pain like others have said.
No children but the GP said it was a normal insertion.
My now (stupid) worry is that there may be a chance that I'm pregnant but still had the coil fitted. I know I'm not but there's still that irrational fear...

[lottieandmia]

I found it very uncomfortable, but they had problems fitting the first one - it wouldn't go in so they had to get a smaller one. I didn't like it at all and it is putting me off having one in again.

[AndreaaClare]

Just wanted to say ive had a brilliant experience with the copper coil. I struggled with birth control pills for years, having all the possible symptoms and not realizing just how rubbish and depressed they made me feel until i chose to come off them! Because of this the only birth control my doctor would happily give me is the copper coil because its non hormonal. Being young ( 19 when i had it fitted ) and never had children or even a smear test i was VERY scared and reluctant because of the pain ect. However i was pleasantly surprised, it did hurt, but NO WHERE near the agony that some people had been saying and the whole thing was over and done with in 10 minutes from going in the room to leaving. it was definitely bearable considering the years of sickness, depression and constant UTI infections caused by the pill! As for long painful cramps and periods after, i had slight cramping, no worse than a slighly worse than normal period the evening that i had it fitted, and had a bit of spotting for around 3 days and that was it for a month, where i had a normal, if not slightly more painful, but not terrible, period and thats how my periods have been for 6 months now, and i feel fantastic, no side effects what so ever. my only regrets are not having it done earlier! so to anyone who is worried about getting it done due to pain and side effects, i wouldnt be worried at all!