Copper coil (IUD) vs Injection

I loved having the copper coil, however after about 7 months I got light bleeding which wouldn't stop for around 8 weeks. I had the coil removed and it stopped straight away. I was really disappointed as I much preferred it to the pill.

I’ve been using the Flexi T 300 for over a year and 1 month now, and I still have heavy bleedings. Sometimes 2-3 weeks long, with some very painful cramps here and there. I would say I have a very high pain tolerance but it’s just too much for me to handle. I do love the idea of a IUD, not having to think about anything. I just wish I could stop the bleeding. Now plan to take it out and switch to a hormonal one. I first thought having something non-hormonal aligns more with my beliefs. But how is a foreign metal piece in my body less invasive than anything else out there? Birth control for women just sucks in general. But I will keep trying because a surgery to cut this out is too expensive for me right now.

Really happy with my copper IUD so far. My insertion experience was ok, not as bad as I thought from stories I read online. No worse than getting a needle and it was over very quickly. I got it inserted on my period which I think helped for pain, and the doctor injected local anaesthetic into my cervix too. I had bad cramps for the next 2 days, and random cramps for the following 2 weeks, but that’s settled down now and I don’t really have cramps at all. My periods are heavier, but it’s manageable. Most of the time I forget it’s there, it’s great! I am loving being hormone free - I came off the pill after 15 years about 9 months ago and I feel so much better. I’ve got so much more energy, my sex drive is back, I’ve lost lots of stubborn fat. My skin is playing up and I’ve had some acne which is annoying, but I’m hoping it will settle down soon. I had 6 months of no contraception (just condoms) before getting the IUD, so I know all of these changes are from stopping the pill, not from the IUD. The only side effect is heavier periods. For me it’s worth it for being protected against pregnancy and still having my natural cycles! I would definitely recommend it.

When I was 15, I started using the injection to manage my menstrual pain (due to Endo). It worked like magic and stopped my periods and pain right away! However, it also had a downside - it really impacted my mental health. Recently, I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and I tried different pills to manage it, but I kept forgetting to take them on time. So, I decided to give the Depot Provera injection another try. I was a bit hesitant at first, but I went ahead with it anyway. It took some time for my body to adjust, and I experienced some spotting and pelvic pain until my most recent injection. (I've had 5 injections now). Now, things have settled down, and I only get occasional twinges. The day after the injection, I experience some period-like pain, but it usually goes away after a couple of days. Overall, I would recommend this contraception, although everyone's experience is different. For me, it has finally given me what I wanted - freedom from pain.

It did it's job in preventing pregnancy but the side affects weren't pleasant - No sex drive, vaginal dryness, caused acne, moody and irritable. I got put on it at 16 as I couldn't be trusted to remember to take the pill. It stopped my period which was great! I came off it during COVID due to not being able to get to the doctor for it and the bleeding aftermath wasn't nice - a lot of heavy periods which calmed after a while. However, what caused me not to go back on it was I didn't realise how it affected my personality until I came off it. Off it I was no longer depressy or irritable, vaginal dryness went away and I suddenly had a sex drive. Overall it wasn't awful as I was none of the wiser to what I was like not being on it.

The injection definitely stops pregnancy but does affect the body in different ways

I’ve been taking the pill for over 7 years and wanted to try the injection for convenience of not worrying about taking a pill everyday, for that it was great no periods no more cramps, however I found too many side effects which overrule the one positive. - The first month was great, however month 2 and 3 I suffered with what I thought was recurring thrush but I went to the gp and did swabs but everything was negative with no infections, turns out to be vaginal dryness which are the same symptoms of thrush and is highly uncomfortable - never had this on the pill, it’s effecting my sex life as it’s uncomfortable and has lowered my libido also. - The mood swings are insane with the first shot, I was very emotional and distressed, increased intrusive thoughts about my relationship, didn’t like my body etc. - I’ve always had clear skin until the injection I noticed the odd one or two almost cystic types spots which were painful and rather embarrassing that would last for weeks. - Noticed fluctuation of breast size too I probably dropped a size or 2 but didn’t loose any body weight. Not sure how long it’s going to take to go back to normal but definitely advise to anyone wanting to go on it, research research research and book a session with your gp to review it.

I used this contraception for nearly 10 years and I loved it- being young and having no periods saved me a lot of money and stress and was ideal when I went backpacking. It is only now I am older and have an interest in having a baby one day that I was keen to switch. It has taken me nearly 12 months to regain a regular cycle! I also never realised how bad it made my acne until I came off it.

I became emotional, my stomach is bloated all the time, I have no energy, I feel tired all the time, loss of appetite, I feel uncomfortable, my ears are ringing the whole time, my head feels foggy and I feel confused, I get bad period like cramps

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating made the experience horrible. Stopped getting my periods from the first shot which made me think i was pregnant.

Period like cramps, increased white discharge, nausea and bloating was horrendous. Stopped getting my period from the first shot which made me think I was pregnant. My depression also got worse.

I was on the sayanna press injection for 3 years. My periods started off a little irregular for the first couple of months and then stopped completely, which was a blessing as they have always been heavy and painful! Would start to get slight cramps in the week before the injection was due but otherwise, it seemed to suit me quite well. I'm a healthcare professional so injecting myself didn't bother me at all! I gained a little weight whilst using it but I am overweight anyway so unsure if I can attribute this to the injection!

I started the depo in June of this year, I then started constantly bleeding 3 weeks later up until the end of August. I had a 2 week break from bleeding, and then I started again for a further 3 weeks, and the pain that comes along with it is unbearable, it’s a constant vicious cycle. My moods are horrendous, I’ve had to start up antidepressants again, my skin hasn’t been this bad in literal months, all the lower part of my face has broken out into sore spots. I have tried all methods of contraception now, various pills, 2x coil and neither time worked as my body rejected both times, the implant which didn’t agree with me and now this. So I’m completely coming off contraception once this dose runs out. Never again