Copper coil (IUD) side effects

After 2 years on the progesterone pill & implant with very irregular periods I decided to try the copper coil - best decision I made! I was very nervous at the thought of the coil and insertion but I had a lovely nurse and healthcare assistant who were really supportive and told me exactly what was happening and when. The procedure did hurt, but it was a manageable pain. I experienced a short sharp pain which was then followed later by cramping, I also felt dizzy afterwards. The day of the procedure was the worst cramps I've ever had. I'd recommend stocking up on painkillers and having a hot water bottle. I had the following couple of days free which I was glad for as I didn't feel up to going out or to work. After a couple of days to settle I was fine and back to normal. For the next few months my periods were much heavier and with more painful cramping but this was still manageable. I also began to have ovulation pain/ cramping, my GP said to monitor this as the coil is still settling. Today, almost a year later, I am feeling so much happier with my health, despite some settling issues and the cramping/ pain. I would say the positives outweigh the negatives in my experience. I have my regular normal periods back, reduced acne and generally feel better for being off hormonal contraceptives - I wish I'd done it much sooner & I now don't need to worry about it for 10 years!

Great option for those who don’t have heavy periods to begin with!

I had my first copper coil inserted three months ago and it has been very smooth sailing so far. Admittedly was very nervous for insertion, however procedure was quick and the pain is sharp and intense but also over fast, I was also offered an anaesthetic jab for my cervix. Very intense cramps followed immediately after insertion and lasted for two days, definitely book time off work on insertion day! However, although I feel the presence of the coil when I exercise, cough, sneeze or have sex, there is little to no pain. My periods are more uncomfortable and I get premenstrual cramps when I never used to, however much lighter. Still too early days to know if this will always be the pattern. Experience so far much better than expected and love feeling safe and protected with no hormonal side effects.

I had the copper coil fitted at the weekend and i just wanted to post this for those out there who are hesitant due to the horror stories about the insertion: I'd say the most 'uncomfortable' part of getting it fitted was the speculum (the tool that holds your coochie open), but it doesn't feel too bad. i'd say it feels like putting in a heavy flow tampon on the last day of your cycle. The following part is like a lil scratch inside (feels like a period cramp) but only lasts for about 5 seconds. I didn't actually feel the actual IUD part as it wasn't painful surprisingly, (i thought that it would be the most painful part) and i was more thinking about the fact that it was the first time a stranger was looking at my coochie haha. After the fitting i was fine, and about 20 min later the cramping started which felt like the 1st/2nd day of my cycle. it was painful and felt like i was on my period but take some ibuprofen and paracetamol, get a hot water bottle and just get into bed for the day. The cramps carried on in the second day but again, just chill and take some tablets. I was apprehensive to sit in certain positions incase i could feel it and was absolutely petrified to poop for the first time but all is well hahaha. I cant comment on any other side effects right now as its been about 5 days, i just wanted to balance out all the horror story reviews you see everywhere about insertion. my periods are usually painful, and i just want to say - just because some people found insertion to be 'the worst pain they've ever felt' , doesn't mean it will be the same for you. Everyone is different, so dont let their experiences put you off. I've been off the POP pill for a week now, and i can feel the depressive, numb, low sex drive fog lifting which is amazing. I can feel myself slowly returning back to the normal me before the hormonal chaos of the pill. I'll keep you updated in about 3 months time, but if you've been thinking about trying the coil and are put off by the horror stories, you wont feel the pain of insertion cramps forever! ;)

Good points -after decades of the pill, I enjoyed going totally hormone free and getting to know my natural cycle again felt really empowering. This was the biggest plus for me. I do not want to go on hormonal contraception again. Bad/neutral /negatives -heavier periods and bad period pains. Became manageable once I knew to expect them but was a massive change after v light 'periods' on the pill. -insertion was quite traumatic for me but this was partially due to me having scar tissue on my cervix after cold coagulation/lletz treatment c 8 years before which made insertion difficult. They gave me a cervical block and gas and air which helped, but it was still painful and i felt quite shaky and tearful afterwards. Removal was easier, a short sharp pain but none of the extra relief required. -reoccurring thrush. A couple of months after i got the coil i got thrush, and this continued monthly for about 6months. The nurse suggested that the thrush could well be linked to the coil.

I have used the copper coil since I was 20. (So for over 20 years). It was fantastic! Easy to insert, just like having some mild period cramps for a day afterwards. Not a bad price to pay for hassle free contraception. Never had any issue with it over the years then after I had my second daughter I had a 10 year one out in but my periods for unmanageably heavy so I had to switch to the IUS Kyleena. Would recommend it to anybody!

I was advised to start the copper coil because I don't get periods (potentially due to PCOS) however as soon as I had it fitted my periods became regular and they were extremely painful. I had never experienced period pain before and it would make me feel faint. Getting it fitted was uncomfortable but not as bad as I was expecting. Same with the removal.

The insertion of the copper coil was like someone dragging nails against your womb. It was extremely painful. I was provided with a numbing injection but that did nothing for me. The insertion was very traumatic and I was dizzy afterwards. Experienced a lot of intense cramps. Whilst having the coil, my periods became heavier and longer. The period pain also increased. Additional the pain from having sex was very painful and uncomfortable.

When I first got it, it took a few days to get used to. Having it fitted felt not too painful but just like someone putting something too hot inside you (it's a weird sensation to explain). My periods seem to be a lot heavier than before and last slightly longer now. I've bleed through clothes a few times with a tampon in and extra layers where as this didn't happen before. I don't get much period pain generally but I feel like it has got slightly worse since getting the coil. My periods are sometimes irregular anyway so hard to know if coil has made a difference there. Still fairly satisfied as this is a lot more convenient for having sex than other methods and can't be felt during

At the time of this review I am still under 3 months of use. Right off the bat let me just say I had heavy bleeding and cramps since the day I had it fitted. This was the biggest shock for me as every research I read said I would experience a change to my period, either possibly heavier or lighter and also cramps. What I actually experienced was heavy, continuous non stop bleeding for 5 weeks straight. No off days inbetween. I went back twice to get looked at as I was that concerned. They confirmed on both occasions it was fitted correctly, it hadn't moved, I had no I fection and I wasn't pregnant. They couldn't however explain the heavy bleeding but every thing looked normal even with the 2D scan results. The bleeding was so heavy I stained clothes, furniture, furnishings you name it even while wearing a tampon and sanitary towel at the same time. The blood itself changed look and consistency. It started dark and over time transitioned to a bright fire engine tomato red. The day it stopped I had bled just as heavy as the day 1 bleed it was like a tap being switched off. I also had a change in my vagina smell, for the first time ever i could actually smell myself (but this could have been a result of the constant bleeding- i truly dont know). Now i am no longer bleeding the smell is considerably less. I am hoping to get back to no smell in time. As for the cramps intense, my usual cramps had always been mild. All of this impacted my mood, my mental health and my sex life. Oral sex certainly out and I was always super conscious during sex it went from being unscripted unfettered love making to mindful, cautious strategically planned sex so not cool. 5 weeks of hell to be honest. But now it's stopped and all I have now is mild spotting. I wait to see what this does to my actual period. I have PCOS so might take sometime before I get a true period. This isn't to put anyone off but actually to share a different reality to all the reviews I read before I had this fitted. As the only natural contraceptive available at the time of my fitting this was my only option.