Positive experiences of IUD/IUS/contraceptive coil

Sex Tips & Talk
1

Hi, sorry if this is a bit of a long post!

I know this has been discussed a lot but I am hoping to get something other than horror stories!

I have been looking into alternative contraception methods and have been thinking that the coil is probably best for me. (Can't do pills or injection)

My gp has been pretty unhelpful so far so I am hoping for notes from people who have experienced it. Problem is most of the internet is people with horror stories (I know people are generally more likely to talk about negative experiences than positve ones!)

My gp suggested the copper coil with no hormones with sounded great at first but when I researched it I head it can cause heavy bleeding and pain which I already get so not exactly happy abou the idea of it getting worse. I know the other coil had slow release hormones but since I have not had the best experince with hormones in the past this worries me too. Does nayone have experience moving from other homone based contraceptives to the coil? I am not sure about the science behind it but I don't like the implant/injection/pill hormones messing up my whole system since it makes me cranky and have zero libido, it also scares me how it can increase liklihood of certain cancers, blood clots and so on. Does anyone know it the coil is more 'localised' hormones? Like is is more likely to effect just that area rather than the whole body?

I would ask my gp but like I said they have been pretty unhelpful, I might try my local sexual health clinic to see if I can get more from them but it can take ages to get an appointment so in the meantime I wanted to try here and see if I can get any more positive experiences. So far everything is just sounding so frustrating and scary!

Thank you

2

I can personally recommend the Mirena. I've had no issues with it and it has reduced my periods to nothing. I have used it for 6 years and I have had friends who have also used it long term. My daughter is having one fitted next week and I wouldn't have let her if I wasn't confident it was safe and effective. Our surgery has a sexual health nurse. GPs aren't specialists so if your surgery can't help the sexual health clinic should be able to give you all the information you need.

3

Like BeeMine I have had one fitted for a long time and it has been absolutely brilliant, mine was originally used because I had really heavy periods which reduced to nothing and my libido went through the roof.

4

I have had four partners over the years who have used a coil, none had any issues and all of them found there GP very helpful about their choices.

5

I literally had the copper coil fitted on Wednesday at my local sexual health clinic, they're brilliant there as the drs fit them all the time so talk you through any issues you may have. I opted for copper as I can't use hormonal contraception, I have PCOS and no periods so its ideal for me. Only downside is that I'm still bleeding from the insertion which is normal but I don't know how long it will continue for. Can be days to weeks or longer from looking it up. Only negative. With the mirena, the hormones are localised to the uterus only, my mum had one fitted couple weeks ago for heavy periods with an actual gynae who recommended it x

6

I love my Mirena! I'm actually on my second one, after the 5 years were up I simply got it replaced. I've had no problems really. With every contraceptive there are always draw backs. I do have acne but it's treatable and better than pregnancy. I went into cervical shock during insertion. This again was only because I had the old out, the new in and a smear during the same appointment. It's super rare. Person ally the pros outweigh the cons for me.

7

The Mrs has one without hormones and not had any problems. Had one for ten years (don't think they leave them in that long these days) before a break whilst we had kids then back on it. She's much better on that than when she was taking the pill, hormones were messing with her moods, especially when combined with working nightshift.

8

I had the Mirena for about 2 years and overall I didn’t feel massive side effects like mood, libido, etc. It stopped my periods entirely too.

My one issue is that my partners could feel the ‘string’ (not sure what it’s made of? Kinda felt like a type of plastic) exiting my cervix when we were having sex or deep fingering - at the time I was very into rough sex and large insertions - because my partner and I were so worried about accidentally ripping it out, and it became uncomfortable directly after a large insertion, I decided to get it taken out and moved onto the implant.

9

Had the copper coil a few months now, yes heavy periods but that isn't a huge issue for me. My GPs were fab, didn't need to go to a clinic for it. I just wanted to see how I feel without systemic additional hormones, otherwise would have gone for the Mirena. Can be in for 10 years, so at my age there is a chance that I won't need to think about contraception again, and what a joy that would be.

I would say try it, if it doesn't agree with you after a few months, you can have it taken out and try something else, worth a shot I would have thought.

10

I had the copper coil for about a year then had it removed because it made my periods so heavy. I then went on to the Mirena coil, at first I was unsure as I wanted to avoid hormones because of migraines but my gp told me that the amount of hormone in the Mirena is very low , about the equivalent of taking one contraception pill a week because it's directly into the uterus.

I had no problems with it at all, in fact my periods became very light indeed, some women are lucky enough to have them stop altogether. I never experienced any side effects at all and had several fitted over the subsquent years.

11

I’m on my second mirena coil and I am really happy with it. I get an occasional pre-menstrual type cramping and a very occasional period but other than it nothing. The insertion of the first was painful but I don’t know if that was because I’d never had anything in my cervix before or if it was the doctor that fitted it because when I had the second one (at a different GP surgery) it went in a lot easier.

I was on the pill and I’ve found the coil doesn’t really affect my mood in the way the pill did. I don’t want to scaremonger about the pill, i don’t think it causes depression, but as someone who suffers with depression, I think the pill did impact my mood. Coming off the pill certainly didn’t cure my depression, but it did lift my mood a little. Personally, I’ve had no such problems with the coil.

If you want more advise but your specific GP isn’t very helpful, have a look on the surgery’s website to see if any of the doctors have any specialist areas. They should all be able to give good advice about contraception anyway but sometimes they take extra courses in specific fields. If not, as you say, try your local sexual health clinic.

12

Firstly - I'd definitely recommend speaking to a health professional at a sexual health clinic (and maybe consider changing your GP?) in order to get some proper, decent advice.

Now, for my experience:

I have tried various hormonal contraceptives from the pill (I always forgot to take it), the injection (did NOT get along with that) and the impant (first one was GREAT, second one left me moody and with periods which lasted FOREVER. Plus I was anxious, had less than no libido - I was almost disgusted by the thought of sex - and panic attacks were a regular).

Now I have the Mirena coil which is apparently, hormonally, the equivalent to taking about one pill a week. It's localised so should have less of an impact on your overall mood and bodily functions, too.

I LOVE my Mirena. I've had it about a year now, with no problems. My periods have now stopped completely (other than the odd spotting every 2-3 months). My moods are level. I feel good. I don't get bloated. I still get a little cranky just before when my period would be due, but that's about it. And even the procedure isn't that bad - it's over quickly and you feel fully back to normal within 24-48 hours.

I honestly can't picture myself using any other sort of contraceptive now.

Oh and I'm back to being my normal horny self too, so that's a bonus!

The reason I didn't go for the copper coil - even though it's hormone-free - it because I was put off by the idea of having heavier periods, and also the copper works by literally being an aggravator, which didn't seem like a very kind option for my body. I didn't like the idea of putting something into my body which literally pisses it off, in order to alter your mucous production. Not to mention, my skin isn't all that keen on cheap metal / copper anyway (I rash easily) so figured doing that to my uterus would probably suck more than life itself, so, yeah!

Obviously, everyone is different, and my experience could differ massively from your own, but for every horror story you read, there is a positive one like mine.

13

Lovehoney - Jess Wilde wrote:

Now I have the Mirena coil which is apparently, hormonally, the equivalent to taking about one pill a week.

See now, this I did not know when I made my choice of IUD, I didn't really consider how very low the amount of hormone was in the Mirena. Hmmm, something to consider over the coming months methinks.

14

Count me as another Mirena lover. I'm on my second one, and as well as sorting my mood out at those times of the month, it has completely stopped my periods too. It's great!

15

Thank you everyone! It is reassuring to hear some positive stories. I think the whole concept kinda scares me!

16

kitty29 wrote:

Thank you everyone! It is reassuring to hear some positive stories. I think the whole concept kinda scares me!

Is there a particular thing about the concept, IUD or procedure you're particularly concerned or scared by? Maybe we can help alleviate some worries.

17

I'm on my second Mirena coil and I can't imagine life without it. The benefits of having it are simply incredible. For the first 6 months my periods were noticeably much lighter, and then in the 7th month they completely stopped. I honestly can't tell you how liberating it is to have not had a period for over 7 years. I can wear what I want, go on holiday when I want etc. without having to keep an eye on the calendar, and I've probably saved a fortune on tampons!

It's also a huge relief not to have to worry about condoms breaking, or forgetting to take the pill. For someone like me who has anxiety, this was honestly pretty life changing. I was initially a bit worried about the hormones since I found the side effects of the pill far too powerful for me to bear, but I've honestly not had a problem with the small dose the Mirena gives out.

Obviously every person's body is different, and my story will not 100% match yours. If your GP isn't being helpful, then there's no shame in going to see a different GP! I won't lie - I found that getting it inserted was pretty sore, but I gritted my teeth and it was over in a few seconds. I was a bit woozy afterwards, so if you do decide to go for it, make sure that someone is with you to make sure you get home safely and give you a bit of pampering. After a good night's sleep, I was right as rain and just got on with things as normal.

I can get a bit evangelical about the Mirena so I think I'll stop there. Any more questions, just ask!

18

I have a copper coil and have had I for 5 years. Like yourself, I’ve had negative experiences with hormone contraceptives in the past so I was sure I wanted the copper coil as it’s hormone free. I did experience more painful periods for the first few months, but I was informed that that is normal and shouldn’t last more than 6 months- and it didn’t. My periods are also slightly heavier now but nothing unmanageable. I would definitely recommend the copper coil, the pros certainly out way the cons.

19

An update on the Mirena that I mentioned my daughter was having fitted this week. She has been given the Kyleena today, the brand new version of the Mirena newly licenced in the UK this year. It is particularly good for women who haven't had children. Had a quick search online and it seems to release even less hormone but is essentially the same thing.

20

I can tell you that hte mirena was a posiitve experience for me, the initial install it did take a coupel months to settle with some random spotting but after that it really has worked perfectly for my needs.