Copper coil (IUD) vs Cap or diaphragm

I genuinely love my copper coil (IUD) that lasts 10 years, and I wanted to write this review as I used to hear horror stories about it and it almost put me off, but I didn't experience this and I want to reassure others that may be considering this. I got my copper coil in March 2023 after an unwanted pregnancy as a last resort. No hormonal contraception worked for me and I often experienced negative side effects, so I felt my last attempt was the copper coil. What a GREAT choice! Yes, the insertion is uncomfortable, but I asked for cervical numbing cream and it was mildly uncomfortable for two minutes. Definitely bearable with numbing cream. Since then, my periods are still regular a little bit heavier. and I do get a few more cramps. Very easily managed with a menstrual cup and painkillers. I love not having to think about my contraception, and I don't need to think about getting it replaced for TEN years. What a dream! It's a life saver for those of us that struggle with hormonal contraceptives.

As the copper IUD gets so much negative press I wanted to post my genuine positive experience. Initially I was apprehensive to get the coil after hearing so much fear mongering, and so many users saying they had major cramping (perhaps some did), but this wasn't the case for me. I experienced the worst period cramps that I have ever had within the first 7-10 days post-insertion, but it was manageable with ibuprofen + heating pad. Once I got through those initial days it practically subsided (apart from the slight numbness around my cervix from the procedure which healed around the month marker so I recommend taking any kind of sex slowly to avoid worsening it). Between days 10 and my first period I had occasional mild cramps here and there, but after that first period the cramps completely subsided. Fast forward to month 6 I can confidently say that the cramps only occur at normal times of the month (just before or the first days of your period) just slightly more painful but not unbearable. When it came to bleeding side-effects in the first 3 months I never got any spotting between periods and my period came on time but was heavier than usual (more bleeding but the same number of days as without an IUD). However after that 3 month marker I remember the bleeding becoming lighter, to the point now where it is similar if not the same as the amount pre-IUD. In conclusion the IUD has worked great for me, and I barely even notice it now. If you can do visit a sexual health clinic over a GP surgery, as they seem to be more experienced. Please don't let peoples bad experiences put you off, I strongly believe that for 99% of IUD users the bad experiences are based upon people noticing the fine details with their body that perhaps was there before but now that they have the IUD they become a 'worrier'. That every little cramp means something bad. I say that if you have an issue, go and see a professional who's qualified and not ask the internet.

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’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.