Copper coil (IUD) vs Cap or diaphragm

I really had high hopes that the copper coil would work for me, as in theory it sounds great! However, after a long wait and several appointments later. I finally got the copper coil inserted. However… two weeks later, the coil had to be removed, as it had moved down from my uterus into my cervical canal. Which can happen and is apparently rare! I was just unlucky. Due to me never being pregnant or giving birth (according to the GP) insertion procedure without anaesthetic was super difficult and quite uncomfortable for me. Luckily the GP didn’t push and force her way through my cervix and stopped the procedure after struggling for a while. The GP then referred me to my local sexual health clinic, to have the procedure done there instead. As apparently they have more facilities available and can apply anaesthetic to your cervix, in these types of situations. When I finally had the procedure done, it was a positive experience, thanks to the anaesthetic!!! It did hurt a little. The pain felt like a sharp period cramp that came and went! I wouldn’t recommend the coil personally, as in my experience it was a faff to get done and then only to have it removed two weeks later! Also, with how easily the coil moved! And the procedure being slightly painful, even with anaesthetic. All of the above is not ideal!

Insertion was incredibly painful. Was like a really bad first day of period that I had to take off work sick and take lots of painkillers for. Lasted about 24 hours then settled. Unfortunately cramps continued as coil had not settled properly and one of the arms got stuck in uterus wall so I had to have it removed. due to pain of initial insertion I did not want another one back in. HOWEVER SINCE GIVING BIRTH I had another coil fitted at 10 weeks post partum and could not feel a thing! I have the progesterone coil now and have not experienced any negative side effects, other than light bleeding for about 2 weeks after insertion.

I have previously been on the implant, the combined pill and the mini pill for many years and having to come off each for different reasons. I decided to go with the copper coil as coming off hormonal birth control it had felt so good to have my natural cycle back, but I’m not yet ready to have kids. Insertion: I went for a ten year one. The woman was lovely and talked me through the whole thing. It was painful - I won’t sugarcoat that - but it lasted only a few seconds. I had cramping and some bleeding for the next few days (had to use pads not tampons), but nothing too bad. After: I was really happy with my decision and most of the time forgot it was even there. It hasn’t affected sex at all. I will be really honest that my first period (and to a lesser extent my second) were really painful - much worse than normal and they do last a day or so longer. However now I’m 3/4 months in and they’ve returned back to normal on pain levels (just slightly longer as mentioned). I am back to ovulating normally (as I wasn’t when I was on hormonal contraception) and am feeling really happy with my decision to get the copper coil! It was very much worth the initial pain and a few painful periods for me. I like that I can now decide to just take it out if/when I want to have kids.

I’ve enjoyed using the cap around my fertile window but struggle to feel 100% confident I have inserted it correctly. When removing the cap I notice a lot of discharge but not after use, only when removing. Way better than the pill or condoms for me.

Apart from the issue I'm currently dealing with (it getting stuck inside of me), I LOVE the diaphragm. I found out I wasn't never fitted (which is why it kept getting stuck upon removal), so my new, awesome doctor actually sized me. It's easier than popping in a tampon once you learn how to do it and then ya pop it out the morning after sex. No side effects, no hormones, no emotional hangover. It's very hard to find though. Pharmaceutical companies don't want women to buy one silicone object that lasts for the rest of your life, so finding the right size and actually getting it has been a challenge. My mom used it and only got pregnant to have me (her only child) and I've been using it for 5+ years with no issues.

I've used Caya several times over the past couple years (they last up to 2 years- due for a new one now). I use it on the edges of my fertile window (with fertility awareness) and/or combined with withdrawal or condoms to boost efficacy during the fertile window. Always use with Caya/Contragel- they come with an applicator to re-insert the gel into the vagina, as you need to reapply the gel each time you have sex. Watching the YouTube instructions on how to put it in (plus the instruction manual in the box!) helped me understand how to use it properly and to have an idea of how it was inserted properly.

I used the caya cap. It has been a game changer after previously taking the pill. I feel in control, no need to remember to take a pill, just put it in when needed. Better than condoms as it is women based and not detectable. Effect of not taking hormonal contraceptives has been amazing. All the side effects that I had ( migraines, reduced sex drive, dryness, breast tenderness, strong period pains, breakthrough bleeding and emotionalness) all gone. I wish someone had told me about it before!

Having experienced terrible physical and mental health side effects from both types of contraceptive pill (Combined and POP), and permanent pain and repeated UTIs with the copper coil, I hoped that Caya diaphragm would be a suitable non-hormonal method to try. Unfortunately, I found insertion very tricky - it seems I have a case of "deep vagina, small fingers", as I could never tell whether I'd pushed the diaphragm up far enough to cover my cervix, and sex was always a bit uncomfortable. I'm naturally prone to cystitis and thrush, and getting both while using the diaphragm also put me off using it long term. However, on the plus side - I didn't get pregnant (though I was still breastfeeding a lot, and my periods hadn't yet returned postpartum), and I did manage to avoid the hormonal depression, skin changes and weight gain/loss that I've experienced in the past with pills.

All in all it was acceptable

Fiddly and a faff. Didn’t bother a couple of times and ended up pregnant. He’s nearly 20 now and I’m still married to his father so not all bad :) Tried the copper coil for a bit after but it gave me very heavy periods and stomach cramps which had never been a problem before. Switched to the mirena coil and now on my third - no periods for 15 years and no menopausal symptoms despite being 52. What’s not to like?

I was only using it shortly, as I wanted to avoid hormones. It was not bad, but the need of using a spermicide as well was the reason why I stopped, I had vaginal discharge caused by the spermicide.

A bit fiddly until I got used to it.

An oldie here! I was first fitted with a Cap (can't recall the brand) when I was 27. I had been married for just over six months but, more importantly, had been on the Pill for more than 10 years and was keen to use a contraceptive method that was ultra-reliable and guaranteed to have no side-effects, either short or long term. The Brook Advisory Clinic in Tottenham Court Road fitted my first Cap, I'd been going there since I was a schoolgirl and stayed with them because it was clear they were far more expert in contraceptive medicine than my GP - and I suspect that is still the case. Before deciding to use a Cap all available methods were talked through with me by a nurse, specially trained by Brook and, frankly, with better knowledge that our family GP (who I knew well as a family friend) or any other doctor I knew. Before coming off the Pill I was taught with a practice Cap how to coat it with spermicide gel and how to insert correctly. I was sent out to walk around the area for 20 minutes, ostensibly to see if I had inserted it correctly but in reality I suspect this was more of a confidence building exercise to reassure me that it wasn't rocket science and that the Cap would remain in place until it was removed*. I was encouraged to start using my Cap while I was tailing off the last month of Pills so that when the time came I would be confident in using it "for real". Once I was dependent on a Cap I found it to be a quick and easy method. No need to insert hours before you think you may need it: carry in your handbag and simply insert when you go to the loo (if out for a date) or last thing at night before you go to bed. One huge plus is that if your period starts while you're out-and-about and you have your Cap in there are no embarrassing leaks and no stained underwear - the Cap catches it all! I used a Cap for 10 years, only stopping when I decided the time was right to have children. I had no side effects of any kind and no failures. As a child of 1960s and have grown up with the expectation of always having aan active and lively (and varied!) sex-life. The Cap proved more than equal to the task. So long as you use it correctly, this is the one sure-fire female-led method with no side effects and plenty of pluses. One very important point: DON'T expect your family GP, or the practice nurse, to be very enthusiastic about fitting you with a Cap. It is still the case that contraceptive medicine is barely touched on in standard UK medical training for doctors, and I'm told it doesn't happen for nurses either. In any case, I'd strongly advise any woman seeking proper, accurate and informed contraceptive advice to go, at least for the first year, to a specialist clinic such as those run by Marie Stopes or the Brook. * I'm concerned by at the comment by another reviewer that her Cap can slide around in her vagina: if this is the case either it doesn't fit properly or she isn't using it correctly; whichever, if it isn't securely in place over her cervix then it cannot work properly.