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.

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!