Copper coil?

Casualcontrol1

Have an appointment to get the copper coil fitted today as emergency contraception but plan on keeping it in longer. Have read a lot of various reviews online. Just wondering if anyone can share their experiences positive or negative as I’m very scared! TIA

December2012

I had to do similar last year. It was uncomfortable being fitted but I kept thinking it is easier than pregnancy! I went to the IFPA and found them very helpful.

My periods are heavy (but were prone to that anyway). I will keep it in for another few months to see how things settle. I may then switch to the mirena to avoid the periods.

Happily, it worked and I am not pregnant.

jo2509

I also had one fitted in IFPA. Fitting was fine - quick, bit uncomfortable but managable.

I did find it made my periods much heavier (they had always been very light) and i did get quite bad cramps, period pain etc (never had any pain before).

In the end i had it removed as my relationship had ended so wasnt relying on it for contraception, but otherwise i probably would have kept it.

Good luck!

Casualcontrol1

So I had it fitted, it was uncomfortable but wasn’t really all that painful, definitely not as painful as some reviews that I had read. I’ve never had a child so they gave me arthrotec to insert vaginally last night to soften the cervix. Had paracetamol and anaesthetic gel also. Felt lightheaded after but feel grand now no pain which almost has me worried considering the reviews I’ve read! Was it painful having it removed?

CopperLady

I had my copper coil inserted under general anaesthetic in August 2016 in Cork University Hospital. I am extremely happy with it!
My periods are a bit longer and heavier but it is manageable and the cramps aren't that bad for the most part.
It took about six months for it to settle I think, I had cramps and felt a bit lightheaded occasionally but I put that down to my body just adjusting to having a device in it. One strange thing I did experience during those six months was severe heartburn during my period which I never had before, but that got less with each passing month and now is not an issue at all. I have never used hormonal birth control so cannot compare, I chose the copper coil because I wanted to avoid hormones for health reasons and have a long-term contraceptive (mine will last ten years! ).
I am a very petite person (4' 11" and six stone), and have found it to be great! I am 25 and have no children also. Hope that helps!

rantyface

I got one in an emergency 14 months ago and am very glad I did.
Insertion felt like a long smear test- definitely less painful than childbirth which was the alternative at the time.
I wish I got it when I was 20. It has fewer side effects than the pill for me and doesn't require any day to day effort. I think it should be recommended or at least mentioned straight away when people look for the morning after pill- if you can afford it, it is a much better option.
On the downside my periods are much heavier (ten days long and I need to take iron tablets now) and slightly more painful (but they were completely pain free before). For a few months I had sensations as if I could feel it moving or even falling out.
I won't take it out until I want to have children.
Good luck!

Fionax2

I'm 24 and got the copper coil inserted 2 months ago. I had previously been on the pill since I was 18 and decided my body needed a break from hormones. I am in a serious relationship so it seemed the best option for effectiveness and fertility in the future. So before the insertion I got two tablets to put up my vagina to open it up. She measured to see what size would be best suitable and picked the 5 year one . getting it put in was very painful I won't lie but only lasts one minute . afterwards I had really bad cramps for about a week . after getting it done I read a lot of terrible reviews and I'm really glad I didn't read them before hand as it would have totally put me off. I'm due to go back for my checkup and so far so good. The only side effect I've gotten was bad cramping after insertion and my first period . I got strong pain killers to east the pain. I'm hoping the pain will ease over time but its not unbearable as ive always had crampy periods anyways. Ive had some brown discharge but that is normal.My advise would be don't focus too much on people's negative experiences because everyone is different . looking back I'm glad I did it. Its non hormonal with the only side effect being cramps . if you read the pills side effects there a mile long . of course every woman is different but my experience has been positive so I would recommend it to anyone. Hope this helped someone make a decision.

Sile Na Gig

I had one put in after my third child. Insertion was no hassle, just like a mild period cramp. But afterwards I started getting mid cycle bleeding, incredibly heavy periods and migraines. It got so bad that I was struggling to look after the kids when I had my period so I had it taken out...and got pregnant again almost instantly. I’ve known loads of people who have had no issues and swear by it, only one friend who had a similar experience to mine so anecdotally it must be pretty rare?