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Copper coil / IUD insertion review 2015

Posted , 42 users are following.

LillianGreenwod
LillianGreenwod

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

88 Replies

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  • m0nstereater
    m0nstereater LillianGreenwod

    Posted

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!

    im going on monday because i have started my period. i have been doing so much research about iuds and one thing i am worried about are the hormones... i was on the pill before, depressed, no sex drive and gained weight, im not on any pill right now losing weight and feeling so great. after reading your review i really want to get the copper. the doctor said that periods are heavier and i have read about cramps but none of that stuff really bothered me before so i dont think it would now?? how are you doin now!? do you still recommend it?? thank you again!

    • emma44743
      emma44743 m0nstereater

      Posted

      Personally I am soo happy I found this thread! I was sick of hormonal things as well and thanks to the copper iud I could finally get my hormones under control and start healing my acne without hormonal interference. Personally the insertion felt like a huge pinch basically, sort of like the worst period cramp you've had just in one go. But that bit lasted only a moment it was like a wave of intense cramping. I will note that my first period after it was a bit heavier and my ovulation symptoms like tender breasts and some mood swings were a bit intense but nothing crazy. Just have painkillers on hand for the cramping in the days after. Honestly so worth it a month later for me, you'll soon almost forget it's there! Just check for the strings every month and that's it smile
    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater emma44743

      Posted

      thank you for your reply!! ok i think im going with the copper!! xx
    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater

      Posted

      I just got it put in and it was terrible. I cried sad how long until the cramps stop?? The doctor said it was too low bc. I jumped and was going to have to do it again but it might be ok. Was this the right choice?? Sorry feeling so sensitive
    • emma44743
      emma44743 m0nstereater

      Posted

      Oh no sad I remember the cramps feeling terrible for the first few days but they would come in waves that I'd take painkillers for. They also felt extra intense because my period was coming up, which explained the mood swings! Give yourself plenty of reason to pamper yourself, really rest up and hang in there, lounge around as much as possible! I remember feeling terribly sensitive and moody as well but thst was due to my oncoming period and this can also be a new and very emotional experience in my opinion! Remember to check in with your doctor if anything severe happens. Dont be alarmed if theres bleeding or spotting for a bit. If you can get through the first few weeks (of course it's different for everyone, I hope less for you of course!!) the cramps disappear and you should eventually only get them when you have your period!
    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater emma44743

      Posted

      Thank you for responding!!! I had to go while on my period so I'm already feeling sensitive! Thank you again Emma. I hope it goes away in two days. xxx
  • ChipZa
    ChipZa LillianGreenwod

    Posted

    I am also very grateful to have found this thread. Thank you for starting the conversation! I’d like to share my experience in hope it will help others. Before coming across this discussion I wondered why no one was talking about the copper coil. I have tried the pill, the patch and the injection. I heard about the copper coil a few years ago and at the time wasn’t exposed to the information available at present. My last straw was when the gynecologist put me on a pill prescribed for women experiencing signs of menopause. The hormone party happening inside me was torture. Thankfully I stopped when I did. Here is how it went for me:

     Three things had to be done before insertion:

    1.    Pregnancy test

    2.    Cytotec tabs evening before insertion

    3.    Cataflam D, 1 hour before insertion 

    The process was over in a few minutes, there was a slight twitch when it was inserted. I drove myself home thereafter. (no side effects or drowsiness experienced). I did experience a fair amount of post bleeding on the day of insertion and there has been daily spotting.  

    I followed the advice of my gynecologist (who had prepared me for the worse pain imaginable) with regards to the pain medication - so perhaps that could be the reason why I didn’t experience to much of cramps. (I took a tablet before and after and had a good nap when I got home)

    I was advised to use sanitary pads and liners; this was a struggle for me (I generally don’t use these).  I tried it for a few days and then went back to the tampon. I was advised that you should not use tampons immediately after, to ensure that the coil is in place.

     This product needed a prescription, and it had to be inserted by a gynecologist, most of the gynecologist’s I spoke to were hesitant and gave me negative reviews in the past. It’s unfortunate because if the scenario was different I could have saved myself years of emotional roller coasters.

     

    It is very liberating to be hormone free!!  Specialists can say what they know / think and advise you the pro’s / con’s but each of us react differently and ultimately it’s your body and reactions. Don’t be afraid to take control. 

     

    Oh and time wise, it’s been around 4 weeks since insertion. 

  • kay56436
    kay56436 LillianGreenwod

    Posted

    Hi, 

    I'm so glad I found this thread, since it's still recent cheesygrin

    I'm kind of torn between the Copper IUD and the Mirena IUS. I'm currently on the implant, and recently I've started bleeding non-stop (Well, just about - I have about 2 days free, but then the red monsoon is unleashed once more frown )

    I've also put on SO much weight, to the point where I can't manage it anymore. I can't fit into any of my clothes, it's pretty embarrassing tbh. I've also been exhausted every day - I end up sleeping 12 hours or more every night, it's so bad.

    I've had blood tests to check my thyroid, blood sugar levels, and iron levels and everything is fine apparently... 

    SO - what would you recomend? I really want a long term form of contraception - I'm planning to move to Finland this August, and contraception costs A LOT over there, so the coil would be most cost effective. I feel the implant is really messing with me, so I was leaning towards the copper IUD, but I kinda feel like the Mirena has less horrible side effects... 

    Just a little side info on me, I'm 19 and I've never had any children. I have a sneaking suspition that the insertion is going to hurt a lot for me, but I'm definitely going to take your advice and take some painkillers before I get it done.

    Thank you! cheesygrin

    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater kay56436

      Posted

      Hi there!! I was really torn between the two also. I hate hormones so I went the copper. It hurt. I'm going to be honest, for me, I screamed. I've stopped bleeding and forget that it's even there. I'm goi g for a check up soon bc she said it was too low but we will see. I'm glad I chose the copper!
    • kelly2904
      kelly2904 m0nstereater

      Posted

      Hi can I ask if anyone has come off the pill had the copper coil fitted and managed to lose weight. I've put 3 stone on and can't budge it. I'm going for a consultation on Monday for the coil. I think what I'll find weird is I've never had a period in years so will not be looking forward to that. Do you have to have it fitted after you've had a period? Thanks
  • katie41248
    katie41248 LillianGreenwod

    Posted

    Hey everyone. I had a copper IUD fitted on 7th march, not gonna lie I found it very uncomfortable although the actual pain only lasted a few seconds but it was intense! But I am 24 and childless so this might be why. I had cramping all that evening but took painkillers and chilled out and next day felt fine with mild spotting.

    However, 5 weeks later my first period arrived which was a bit painful but nothing intrusive, but later that day I noticed my strings hanging outside-went back to my clinic the next day and found it had partially expelled itself 😩 so had to have it removed. I'm going back in a few weeks to have another put in as otherwise I was happy with it, just really didn't think it would happen to me. But they said they would only try once more. 

    Also, I was told no tampons for 6 months, but I did use a menstrual cup and I wonder if that pulled the strings in any way. But either way I am not looking forward to the insertion again-but might ask for some numbing gel?! Was not offered to me. Button the short time I had it it was great-definitely felt liberated!

    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater katie41248

      Posted

      Hi!! I was told no cups because of the suction when you take it out!! At least in the beginning. I asked a friend about tampons and she said she started using them the next day. I waited two weeks before using them. just have to make sure it's not dry when you pull it out. I want to use the cup but worried about pulling it out. I also googled it about the cup. Good luck getting it put in again!!
    • katie41248
      katie41248 m0nstereater

      Posted

      Hey! Really?! I didn't know that, and when I told the nurse that I used it she said that shouldn't be a problem. It's crazy how mixed the information and advice is that they give out. But I just hate using pads it makes me feel so dirty! Especially on heavier days. But I guess I will have to put up with it. Fingers crossed it works 2nd time. I keep finding horror stories online though that's making me have second thoughts 😕
    • m0nstereater
      m0nstereater katie41248

      Posted

      Oh please don't tell me that because I've already gotten it done!! I wore pads after it was inserts and then when I got my period again I wore pass and tried a tampon and it was ok! I just try to do as much research as possible. My gyno said I didn't need to check for strings but I've read everywhere else you should so I'm going to!
    • katie41248
      katie41248 m0nstereater

      Posted

      That's so strange- the nurse told me to check after every period without fail-as that's when it's most likely to expel. It's just got me thinking that it could expel at anytime without me knowing and then I could end up pregnant. But there's literally no more options!!

       

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