Copper coil (IUD) vs Cap or diaphragm

I’ve had no issues since having it put in January 2022. Having it placed was uncomfortable but not painful (I was 22 and not had any children). I was done with the side effects of hormonal contraception and I’m glad I made the switch.

I experienced cramps after having the copper coil fitted, which was to be expected. I was told it could take three months to calm down. After three months I was still experiencing cramps which were much worse than usual so I decided to have it removed.

I am a new user to the copper coil but am happy with how its going. I naturally have heavy periods (day 2 i would go through 4 pads extra absorbant in the day) but I'm in a place where i wanted to allow my body to heal after over 10 years of progesterone contraception ( implanon-mirena- copper coil). I feel this is a good balance for allowing my body to live in its natural state while also protecting from conception.

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.

Tried the pill in my early 20s but didn’t like the side effects, felt generally unwell and slightly “down” while taking it. Started using the cap in my mid-twenties, first one fitted at the wonderful Marie Stopes Centre, but subsequent ones refitted after two preganancies by my (female) GP. Used it for about 25 years until menopause (apart from gaps to have children). Brilliant if used properly with gel or cream, no side effects, and means when you want to attempt a pregnancy your body doesn’t have to adjust to your normal hormone levels as it does if you take the pill. Pregnant within 3 months of trying for both my preganancies.

After bad experiences with the pill I wanted to avoid hormonal contraception, and did not think the coil was right for me. The diaphragm is therefore the only method of contraception (other than condoms) that I found available. I got it fitted at a local sexual health clinic fine - although I did have to ring up to request that my appointment was with someone trained with fitting it, as not everyone can do this. There were a few different sizes to make sure you get one that fits you. It's a bit tricky to get the hang of putting it in and taking it out at first, but if you're used to fiddling with a mooncup you'll pick it up. It's good when you have planned when you need to use it, as you can insert it a couple of hours before and not have to worry about it in the moment. My partner says he can feel it but it's usually not uncomfortable for him - occasionally when I'm on top. As someone who has had a lot of UTIs, I was a bit worried about the increased risk of cystitis (because the rim sits against your bladder) but have never got it when using the diaphragm. The downside is that it requires a bit of extra planning, so if I'm lazy I end up just using condoms instead. Also it's pretty gross when you take it out after leaving it in overnight, and a load of stinky semen-spermicide goo comes out! All in all, a bit of a faff but I'd way rather use this than hormonal contraception. I only use this occasionally as a result. I wish there was a really good non hormonal, non coil option out there!