Copper coil (IUD) vs Implant

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 a Nexplanon inserted less than 6 months ago. I have tried other methods in the past (male condoms, birth control pills, Nuva ring), and I’ve decided that the side effects of Nexplanon are not so bad compared with other methods. Also, I feel very certain that I will not become pregnant with the implant, as it is more than 99% effective. That said, I experience bad side effects, including frequent headaches, breast sensitivity, near-daily cramping, some vaginal dryness, and underwear-ruining spotting. I have also experienced an increase in dysorgasmia (when there is pain after or during an orgasm). I think the spotting and cramping will go away over the next two months, as my doctor says that many implant users have no period after 6 months’ use. I am trying other things for the cramping and dysorgasmia, too, like B complex vitamins, eating cruciferous vegetables, and relaxation techniques. Overall, I am pleased with this method because my symptoms on other methods were bad in other ways and I was still worried about pregnancy. Now I have peace of mind. Finally, it’s worth noting that because I have Müllerian duct anomaly (I have a septum in my uterus) I cannot or should not get an IUD/IUS. I feel I have found an effective method that I can actually keep in my body, without having to keep it in my uterus.

I had the impalnt after being on the progesterone pill - found it much better not having to think about taking a pill everyday. The insertion was fine and really quick but unfortunaely made it no difference to my irregular periods. I wasted so much time waiting for it to settle and putting up with symptoms but it just wasn't the right contraception for me in the end.

Having tried the pill and hated it, I was keen to try the implant as it was something I didn't have to worry about or take everyday. I am now on to my second implant so have been using the implant overall for 4-5 years. Pro's are its super quick to get put in once you get an appointment that is and you don't have to worry about it for 3 years. It has stopped my period altogether which is great, it has improved my skin slightly but as someone who has always had acne before using contraception it doesn't bother me. I don't get any period symptoms including cramping, spotting or pain which is another positive. Con's are the low moods, slight weight gain that you can't shift and I've experienced an increase in headaches. The only period symptom I do get consistently are the low moods every month I can pinpoint a week where I feel down and blue. But overall I am happy with my implant, its being 100% effective in preventing pregnancy as well in the years I've been on it, which is a massive weight off my mind as someone who does not want children anytime soon. I would definitely recommend the implant.

i took the implant for 7 years, i had more or less every side effect you could possibly get. i never knew if i was coming or going, my mental health took a huge hit but 0 pregnancy scares and the side effects were less severe than when i took the pill.

Pros: Don’t have to remember to take a pill every day Lasts for 3-5 years Cons Gained 2 stone Continuous bleeding for 6 months then no bleeding at all for 12 months Can feel it in arm Worsens mood/made me feel numb

Having done little research on the implant before getting it, i panicked after reading the reviews here. I am now 3 months in and have nothing adverse to report. No mood swings, no skin issues, no pains and so far no periods either. Very happy with it for now.

I got the implant back in march, and since then I have gained more than 10kg. I have eaten and excercised the same for multiple years, and not gained excesss weight, only natural puberty weight. the weight I have gained is JUST cellulite, there's cellulite all over my body and im full of stretch marks, both of which were not there 6 months ago. although my periods have stopped which is a good thing (for me) I have been getting more migraines and headaches than usual. not getting periods is the only plus from the implant, the weight gain and stretch marks over my breast, thighs, hips and stomach, and cellulite ALL over my body, on my arms, legs, bum, stomach, legs make me feel extremely insecure and im finding it very difficult to lose weight.

I had the implant a few years back and it went really well.. My periods stopped, no weight gain and I took it out about 2 1/2 years in due to spotting and wanted to give my body a break. Went into the second thinking it would be the same experience... it was not! Bleeding for 2 weeks straight away (ruined all my underwear and bedsheets because I never knew when it had stopped!) Lower back pain pretty much constantly, ive put on weight super fast and feel awful in all my clothes due to what I think is severe water retention. Boobs have grown (not necessarily a bad thing) but are very tender. Headaches a lot more than usual. No energy. The worst side effect I have noticed is my anxiety, I haven't been anxious for a long time until I had my implant in, constantly feel on edge and mood is so up and down, a lot more emotional and body dysmorphia is at an all time high.

Now that I’ve come off the implant I can tell how it was affecting me. Since coming off it I have felt much happier, have a bit more energy, and my brain fog has improved. I was on the implant for a year and when I wanted to come off it the doctors encouraged me to keep trying in case it got better. It didn’t get better and I feel angry I stuck with it for a whole year. My skin was terrible, I had thrush constantly (it disappeared within 2 weeks of removal), I was depressed, tired, no sex drive and then if I did have sex my vagina was dry (or bleeding). There’s no point being on the darn thing if you’re not having sex! My periods were super random, sometimes I would have 3 a month and other times I’d have none. Only positive was my periods were less painful, and honestly I would take period pain over those other side effects.

I switched to the implant 6 months ago because I had high blood pressure & anxiety from the pill, and even though there's been quite a lot of side affects I'm still happier with the implant than with the pill. As of the past 5 weeks, I haven't gotten my period at all and am thinking my body's finally gotten transitioned to the new hormone levels of the implant. But before now, I got HEAVY and long periods, lasting 5-6 weeks on end, intense cramping, minor hair growth (on my legs and bikini area mostly), and weight gain (I suddenly got HIPS and went up 2 breast cup sizes). I've learned to deal with the weight, I no longer get the intense cramps, and I lasered off the new hair (lol). My advice is to stick with the implant up to at least 6-12 months, even with horror side affects, because it could even out like it did for me.