Does copper coil (IUD) cause vaginal discharge?

I only had the copper coil fitted 6 days ago. At the appointment I was shown how to feel for the strings and how the insertion was going to go and although I know they need to tell you that I would have rather not known about hoe they insert it! I can’t lie the insertion hurt but the doctor was amazing making sure I tried to stay calm and offered me local anaesthetic, I think everyone is different I went with my friend the other day to get hers and she didn’t bat an eyelid so don’t let that put you off! I had quite severe cramps on the first day felt like sharp pains and painful period cramps. Since then I have had a dull aching pain, bloating and spotting that lasted 4-5 days the spotting has only just stopped but the dull pains and bloating remain. The dull pain and bloating has me worried however, I will try and ride it out in hopes it is just “settling in”. Overall, if this works it is 5 years covered without a worry and it will be totally worth it. I would recommend going with someone and them driving you to the appointment so you can find a more comfortable position to sit in on the way home after the fitting as I found sitting up straight quite unbearable the first day. It is still early days for me and compared to the mini pill it is already better as it has no hormones which made me depressed, gave me mood swings and made me gain weight. Just the dull pain and bloating which I hope will sort itself out in time.

I really want to give the copper coil 5* but due to heavier periods that are difficult and sometimes inconvenient to manage, I can't rate the IUD as a perfect form of contraception for me, yet. However, I am hoping that my periods will get lighter as the months go by. In the 4 months of having the coil fitted, I have had two heavy periods and two almost unmanageable periods where super tampons, heavy flow pads and super absorbency period pants have been changed after a couple of hours max. On such days, I wear all three at the same time for protection! However, I am very happy with the copper coil with regards to side effects. It is great feeling like a natural woman without being influenced by artificial hormones. I have a normal sex drive, I have not put on contraception weight, I don't have any issues with spots and I am not bleeding in between periods. I am happy to stick with the copper coil, as the advantages outweigh the inconvenience of the heavy bleeding. With regards to the fitting of the coil, I was 2 months postpartum, so insertion was straight forward without any pain relief. My cervix had already been traumatised just weeks before, so the insertion wasn't anything to shout about. I also had if fitted on a period, which was easier for the doctor, as my cervix was lower and easier to 'find'. Whether you are having it fitted postpartum or not, if possible, I advise that you have it fitted on a period to help insertion be that little bit easier. I hope to come back here to change this form of contraception to 5 stars within the year.

Pros - none hormonal, the placement doesn’t cause me discomfort, I can forget about it & for 3 years hasn’t caused me any concern on unwanted pregnancies. Cons - the doctor I had to insert the coil was amazing, and it was no more discomfort than a smear, however the 2-3 days following I was in a lot of pain. It did settle. I suffered with BV 2/3 times whilst my body became used to the coil in my body. Vaginal dryness is the biggest thing for me which I’ve never exp before and lastly longer heavier periods. The heavy side has taken 2 years to settle down, the random cramps and spotting has settled and less frequent and my period lasts longer. Not completely ideal for me but currently the pros of protection and being non hormonal it’s the best option for me.