Is this normal regular pain with a copper coil?

[Reastie]

Am feeling a bit fed up today so just want to check if this is the kind of regular discomfort which is the norm with a copper coil.

Every month I get a few days of painful ovulation pain mid cycle, which I have to take nurofen to get through. Then, about a week before AF is due I'll start getting cramps again, a bit like my body warming up for AF. Again, nurofen is needed. Once AF starts, I might get pain the first day or so, and very heavy bleeding for a day, after that it's lighter and lasts a few days. Towards the end of AF the cramps start again for a good week after AF (yup, you've guessed it, nurofen needed again!).

I'm concerned the amount of painkillers I seem to regularly need. The pain I can live with (so long as I have something to help with it!) but I'm worried about doing damage by taking nurofen so regularly. I feel like (about 4 days post AF today) I've been taking once full dose every day for a week or so and don't like taking too much medication on what feels like a regular basis.

I know heavier and more painful periods are to be expected but is this the norm? I don't want to have it taken out as it's our last option for contraception (bar DH vasectomy but we're mid 30s and just incase we change our mind on no more DC have decided to leave this until we are 40ish). I'm just fed up with the constant (what feels like) painful cramps and paracetamol doesn't even touch it.

[CityDweller]

How long have you had the coil in for? I had one in for about 12 years. I remember the cramps being pretty bad at the beginning, but then easing up (i.e. not needing painkillers - but I have quite a high pain threshold anyway, esp. re. period pain). I didn't ever get it after my period though, just at ovulation, before and on first day.

It might be worth getting it checked at the clinic you had it fitted, just to make sure it hasn't slipped out of place.

[Reastie]

Oh yes, I should have said . I've had it in nearly 3 years, it was awful initially, I couldn't exercise for months as it set off awful cramps. I've had it checked a while ago a couple of times and it's in place apparently.

It also gets to the point sometimes where it's painful at orgasm too, like all of the movement and spasms in that area is aggravating the coil.

[CityDweller]

Hmm, that doesn't sound great... I do think I remember having mild versions of some of things you mention (e.g. occasional pain during intercourse), but nothing as severe as what you talk about. I'd definitely have it checked again. If it is in place then think about having it taken out as it may just not work for you. I know you said it's your 'last option', but how about a diaphragm? It's a bit unfashionable these days, but I used it successfully for about a year before conceiving (and the fact that we conceived almost the moment we stopped using it implies it was pretty effective!). Or condoms, I guess.

[Reastie]

I looked into diaphram but they're not as effective (I get super anxious about getting pg again) and I'm allergic to latex so have to have a non latex one, and my family planning clinic say they can't fit latex ones . Same with condoms, have to be latex free, which are less effective, and DH doesn't get on with them at all and I'd just be too worried about them not working.

Have made appointment tomorrow with family planning nurse to check coil and see if what I get is normal or not and where to go from here.

[Superworm]

I started having problems with ovulation pain and the copper coil. Turns out I had a infection some sort of organism living in it that showed up on a smear. Has it out in the end.

[Reastie]

Wow super . I have had a smear since having the coil so assume I'm OK on that front. Hopefully the apt tonight will look into that if needed.

[justanotherbiscuit]

I've had the copper coil twice. when I was 18 and the pain made me faint so I had it removed.

I was told this time it would possibly be different as I've now had 2 dc, I've had it 10 weeks and when my period is at its peak the pain is horrible for one day as I have short periods. 3 maybe four days.

I can't even walk and feel as though I need to move my bowels (tmi) . I then get very faint, clammy and yelp with pain! then it goes away.

I've been advised it could probably settle and I want it to as throughout the month I feel great, and happy I'm not having to remember to take a pill.

sorry to hijack, it's just Iknow I'm going to have it removed as although short term side effects they're to harsh to deal with.

[Reastie]

just FWIW it took a few months before mine settled down a bit (not that it settled that well!)

[Reastie]

OK, fp clinic told me I have to make apt with GP to be referred to have swabs and a scan. They didn't say what might be wrong or why I need them so I'm feeling quite and worried. If nothings wrong I have to see them again, where I assume they will say I should have it out . They mentioned a brand new mirena like coil which has less hormones, but I looked online and looks like all the hormone side effects are the same as with the new one as skyla. Wonder what DH will think about abstinence

[justanotherbiscuit]

Reastie I have very recently went to colcoscopy for tests and had swabs smear, I was worried in the lead up and thankfully everything was absolutely fine.

Strangely enough the nurse was really encouraging of the mirena , could not understand why I was on the copper coil.

I just wanted something non-hormonal.

Good luck, I hope you're feeling better soon .

[Reastie]

Thanks, I just don't want hormones

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

Don't know if it is normal but I'm in the same boat, ovulation is getting more and more painful. Was on codeine last night. I've had a smear and swabs which were all clear and an ultrasound this week- am waiting for the results.

I really don't want to have to take it out, like you contraceptive options are limited and I really don't want anything hormonal. I may have to resort to sending dh to be "done"

[Reastie]

spoffy we really are in the same situ! Let me know if you get your ultrasound results there and then or if you have to wait. I have a feeling it will all be clear and it just doesn't agree with me. We've OK I have DH doesn't agree decided not to have more DC but only because I can't go through pg again, really we'd love another one, so the thought of DH getting the snip seems so final, but I really really can't do it again . Have my GP apt for Monday.

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

Didn't get the results there and then, I've got to go back to the gp next week to get the report. She did poke around in the area that I get most pain (I hadn't mentioned that as a particular problem) and was measuring something though. When I first got pregnant I was told I had a fibroid although it has never been mentioned in the gazillion scans I've had since then. I'm wondering if the coil is irritating the fibroid.

I've got 3 DC and having any more would finish off my last shreds of sanity. But I'm still not ready for permanent contraception!

[Reastie]

That's very interesting squiffy as fibroids run strongly in my family and it's likely I'll get them, I wonder how quick they are to crop up and grow and if this is the source of the problem.

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

Hmm, nothing in the scan that would indicate a problem apparently. Referred back to the family planning clinic for their advice. Gp recommended I have the coil out to see if it improves and repeat swabs. Pain again today and bleeding. Argh!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I was going to suggest you ask for a referral from your GP to a gynae as both fibroids and endometriosis (given your second paragraph) should be checked for here.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

BTW if endometriosis is present, scans will not detect it if it is there. FP clinic is all well and good but you need a diagnosis first and foremost now.

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

I think I'll get more bloody sense from the fp clinic than the gp. The doc there is a consultant Gynae who volunteers for the clinic. She was amazing last time I was in (when the previous coil was expelling and the gp said she couldn't do anything as I was "bleeding too much" for her to see anything and I'd have to wait 6 weeks for a referral).

The gp seems determined to get me on the pill despite the fact that I've told her 1)it badly effects my mental health and 2) I got pg on it.

[Reastie]

spiffy let me know how you get on. I have no idea what to do.

I got my swab results back today and apparently it shows strep b, which I also had when pg but had abs for. I don' think that's causing all this though, I think it's just something that's been picked up because of the swabs. Awaiting scan still.

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

Hi Reastie, I'm back with an update. (exciting I know )

Had a second lot of swabs done which showed group b strep. Gp says normal background flora and as I've not got a fever they wouldn't normally treat. However the lab results showed it was sensitive to antibiotics so I've got a course to see if it helps before an onward referral to Gynae. Pain getting worse this month so keep your fingers crossed it does the trick....

[spiffysquiffyspiggy]

Did you get a scan in the end?

[jellybean321]

Hi I.know this is an.old thread but just wondering what the outcome was as im.in the same position now with the mid cycle pain and looking what to do? Thanks