Copper coil / IUD insertion review 2015
Posted , 42 users are following.
I feel there is an unfair amount of negative reviews of coil insertions online. I had mine fitted two days ago now, but the week leading to my appointment I was torturing myself by reading every insertion review and account, especially of those childless. So come the fitting, I was extremely nervous and on the verge of changing my mind. Afterwards however, I felt extremely liberated and empowered, and realising there is an unbalance in reviews I thought I'd share my experience for anyone else that is considering the coil and or is very worried - like I certainly was! I know that every body is different and reacts in different ways and that I can not speak for every women.
The facts;
5'2", 21 years old, childless
T-Safe CU 380A QL - model of coil
Insertion two days after period
Took boots own ibuprofen and codeine tablets 1 hour prior
Numbing gel applied by doctor
The thought of pain was my main hold back, so my first question to my doctor was if a local anaesthetic could be an option (no one told me it was before in all my build up appointments). She said I'm more than welcome to one, but she would advise the numbing gel instead, and that the local anaesthetic is always there if I change my mind or becomes too painful.
I think this is extremely important, and that while we are so medically advanced we should not have to subject ourselves to pain if we do not need to.
I took her advice (she has been fitting them for years), and with the comfort of a local anaesthetic being ready to hand and full trust in my doctor, I didn't need it at all - to my surprise!
Now the pain - well, there was none. It was uncomfortable. You're held open, then numbing gel is applied so you're wet and sticky, she then held my cervix, used a long stick looking instrument to measure the length of my cervix, checked how I was coping, then swiftly interested the coil, cut the threads and I was done. Within minutes, and it was definitely only a few seconds when I had anything going up my cervix.
Don't get me wrong, I felt it, but not painfully, and it made my toes curl up, but it wasn't anything I couldn't manage again. I've a small white tattoo on my ribs, and that was much worse. As everyone describes, it's like a period cramp, but it somewhat travels up, so you can almost guess what's happening but not quite.
I just concentrated on my breathing, and told myself if most other women can do it, then so can I. However, I don't know if I would have been just as brave without the painkillers or numbing gel! But girls, you can have that too, and with a local anaesthetic if you wanted!!! - I can't stress this enough.
I was fine to drive myself home afterwards, I was aware of the cramps, like the pressure on your womb you get during a period, and a little light headed (I justified some sweets at this point haha), but again nothing I couldn't manage! I used a pad for the slight bleeding too, and didn't need any more painkillers after the first two.
I couldn't believe how easy it was, and I'm ashamed at how it isn't made abundantly clear to women that pain relief is readily available! Had I known, it wouldn't have taken me two years to pluck up the courage.
I am now hormone free (amazing!!!), free from mood swings, weight gain, spots, the list goes on! And I do not need to worry about contraception for 10 years. 10 years!! I simply check that there are two stings coming out of my cervix now and again. My boyfriend isn't bothered by them in the slightest either. He has only gone looking for them out of pure curiosity! Other than that he cannot feel them, and is just glad that I am hormone free, and happy.
It astounds me that this isn't a more widely used form of contraception. And I think that is mainly down to the idea of the insertion pain, and being squeamish of the T shape left inside. However I would rather that, than pump my body full of invisible chemicals.
I hope this helps someone, and I also hope you're as happy and as liberated as I am with a copper coil. I've already had some girlfriends convert!
L
4 likes, 88 replies
Littlelizzie197 LillianGreenwod
Posted
I've had the Mirina Coil fitted for 4 1/2 years, due to be changed in January. .. it's the best thing I've ever done! I haven't bled once, had no pain, no cramps.
Before, the pain made me immobile, I was really really heavy and couldn't go anywhere.
Thankfully I didn't read anything on the www, if I had, I wouldn't have had it fitted. It was my sister who suggested it.
I took a little longer to do mine as I have a miss shaped cervix, twice it kicked it out! So 3 were used all together, eventually it stayed in and I'm so happy!
I would totally recommend this coil. My 18 yr old daughter is now going thru the same agonising discomfort as I did, so now she's looking to get it fitted too... she is presently curled up in a ball next to me crying in pain, and there's nothing I can do but give her TLC. It's heart breaking, when you know exactly what she's going thru and also what could potentially stop it!
LillianGreenwod Littlelizzie197
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chloere93 LillianGreenwod
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As with most contraception, I know that most symptoms SHOULD subside within 3-6 months and now that you're way past the mark, could I just ask how you're finding your periods now and if they are still irregular? Or if they're at all longer? I remember my average cycle was between 4-7 days, though unfortunately with the implant I randomly bled 28 days of the month- maybe stopping for 2 days at a time before it would all start up again- and I just really don't want to have a similar experience where my bleeding is all over the place. This in itself would be a big factor to having 'mood swings' even without those evil invisible hormones haha.
I would also like to ask if you found that your breasts got smaller after stopping the pill? I'm a DD and having been on the pill so young I don't know how much of this was my natural growth or how much of it was thanks to the pill, as stupid as it sounds, it would really knock my confidence if I got significantly smaller after coming off of the pill haha!
Anyway sorry for the long interrorgation! I'm just really trying to make my mind up because I'm two ways about the idea of bleeding a lot and having to worry about my pill!
LillianGreenwod chloere93
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chloere93 LillianGreenwod
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LillianGreenwod chloere93
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emma44743 LillianGreenwod
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genie98106 emma44743
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I haven't noticed a smell. My other half hasn't noticed a diffrence either. Hope this helps. Go for it!
x
LillianGreenwod emma44743
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roxana91525 emma44743
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genie98106 LillianGreenwod
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Before deciding on contraception I read all the reviews of the different methods available, and to be honest I didn't like what I heard about IUDs. However, hormones do not agree with me, so I nevertheless was interested in a copper coil.
On 15th May 2015 I had a Eurimpharm T-safe CU 380AQL fitted, which is a ten year coil.
I am a 37 year old childless woman. In good health of normal weight.
On the day I was particularly scared after reading some of the horror stories on the net. But I need not have been.
The insertion was pain-free, it was over within a minute, and felt just like having a cervical smear. A slight tickling uncomfortable feeling that soon passed.
I was warned that I would have some discomfort and pain afterwards. And I did, I had mild period type pain that soon went after taking a couple of paracetemol. This pain continued for 2 days afterwards and was accompanied with some mild bleeding.
My cycle returned to normal after the initial bleeding. Coming exactly on 30 days. The first three periods were slightly heavier than normal, but I can report that my periods have now settled down and are just like they always have been. No additional bleeding or pain.
The only thing to note was the first time having sex, after the insertion of the IUD, about two weeks later, was slightly sore and there was bright red blood, as if from a cut. It only happened that one time. The pain and the blood not occuring again. I think this was possibly due to the cervix being irritated from the insertion more than the actual IUD.
So my recommendation is that the copper IUD is well worth the trouble. Especially seeing as there are no horrid side-effects from hormones. Sex drive, moods, skin, weight all normal.
kate76394 LillianGreenwod
Posted
I'm 21 and currently on the pill, have been for just shy of 3 years. I've only just started looking into the coil and find your review really really helpful thank you!! I get mood swings and sometimes they can be really bad but also suffer lack of libido. I know its personal but did anyone notice a difference in theirs when they came off the fake hormones?!
The insertion sounds scary but doesn't sound like it'll be too bad in the long run. Have your periods finally settled down now? I really like the idea of not having fake hormones pumped into my body everyday!
Thanks, K
lou1991 kate76394
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I had the coil removed a week ago after just shy of 5 months of use. I actually noticed a massive increase in my libido, I felt like a teenage boy (I'm 24). I don't know whether this is my natural state that I've just forgotten about because of years of using hormonal methods or whether this is one of those unspoken side effects.
I had plenty of negative side effects outweighing the positives (no hormones, high libido). These included constant spotting everyday for the entire duration, a metallic smell (for the above user who asked), heavy bleeding and pain after orgasm and feeling bloated all the time. I was told all of this was 'normal' despite no mention of these in the booklet and no one talking about them online. I was actually told I would have a normal cycle, if slightly heavier, and with occasional spotting.
I was told consistently that I'm just a 'bleeder', that I would continue to bleed after the coil was removed, but I have since started taking Loestrin 20 and my periods have stopped. I am happier and feel normal again. I cannot understand why any nurse or doctor would encourage a young woman to put up with constant bleeding, I was deeply unhappy because of it and despite the lack of hormones in my system I experienced PMS on an almost daily basis so my hormones where all over the place anyway.
Unfortunately, it seems as though there is no 'one size fits all' method and it will take perserverance and some experimentation. Unless you are truly unhappy with your current method I would be cautious about trying other ones. I have tried the implant, mini-pill, condoms and the coil, only to return to the combined pill.
I hope that helps you. I don't mean to put you off, I just didn't hear about any of my symptoms before having the coil fitted! For the record, it was in place and working as expected when I had it removed.
LillianGreenwod kate76394
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kate76394 LillianGreenwod
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I've suspected for a while it could be the hormones just from looking up loss of libido online and it even comes up on websites aimed at guys! I used to have a healthy libido but noticed around 2years ago that it just stopped. I wasn't sure what it was and seems to have gotten worse ever since hence the googling.
Like liliankentish I also get annoyed or irritable for no reason and feel like I cry when its unnecessary even if I try and stop myself crying it fails!
I only started looking at the coil last night /this morning and think it might be for me just need to pluck up the courage to get into the doctors. Did anyone notice sudden mood swings as their body was getting used to the coil or as a previous fake hormones were leaving their body? I also find whenever I go for a check up I get asked about alternative long term contraception such as the implant but the coil is never mentioned, does anyone know why that is?
CookieinSA LillianGreenwod
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