Copper coil (IUD) vs Injection

My 3rd coil now. 1st lasted years. Second one fell out and I didn’t realise so accidentally got pregnant. 3rd has extra long strings so hopefully that won’t happen again. Never had much pain during insertion or removal or any added pain any other time just slightly heavier periods. Overall have always been happy with the copper coil just need to be better at checking the strings after each period. Feel happier and have a higher sex drive while it’s in.

I switched to the copper IUD after 8 years with implants and always irregular bleeding with the implant. The fitting was a little uncomfortable as expected but definitely bearable with a paracetamol taken beforehand. My first two proper periods were heavy-ish but not unmanageable (I don't remember having particularly heavy or painful periods before using implants); I felt some lower back ache and cramping for a couple of days at the beginning of each period but again this wasn't too bad, and it was nice to recognise a normal cycle after losing this when using the implant. Over the next four periods my bleeding has got a bit lighter than the first two, and I only feel occasional cramps or back ache so I'm very happy with the IUD and would definitely recommend it.

I've had copper coil since february 2024 and I feel so good that my body can have a normal cycle again after years on a pill. The insertion itself wasn't nearly as bad as people say. Yes it was a sharp cramp but it only lasted around 30 seconds and I could still talk through it so it wasn't anything traumatising. I took 800 mg of ibuprofen beforehand and that's what the doctor advised as well, it definitely helped. On the day I had it done I felt a bit weak and my lower abdomen felt as if I did a great deal of ab exercise. Nothing a couple painkillers and hot water bottle couldn't solve. My periods did become much heavier and more painful but before I had a coil they were very light and I had no pain at all so it is probably just about the same as most women experience every month. For this reason I wouldn't recommend it to people who already have heavy and painful periods but for someone like me it is manageable. I definitely feel so much better with it than a pill, sex became way more enjoyable and I'm more in tune with my body. I had the procedure done at sexual health clinic so I would recommend it over a GP. Overall very good experience and If I don't get any side effects from it over the next 5 years I will definitely do it again.

I’ve had a really positive experience with depo. I was on it for around 4 years pre-covid, and have currently been using again for 18 months. Periods have completely stopped and I haven’t experienced side effects (my hair might be slightly thinner, but I’m not sure if I’d just never noticed I have thin hair). After stopping use the first time it did take many months for my periods to return. I’m only thinking about stopping taking it now with the recent studies on links to brain tumours.

I have really enjoyed not having periods and not having to remember my pill as I am very forgetful. I have gained an increased sex drive and I used to get cramps all the time and it stopped most of those. I rarely get migraines. Maybe one every two months. My only major issue was my hair loss. I’ve lost about 50% of my hair and now it’s brittle but after taking calcium supplements and changing my diet it’s a bit more normal. It could be unrelated but around the same time as I started the depo I also got Dyshidrotic eczema on my feet. What makes me think this could be related is I’m also very itchy on my hands, and legs since starting. I could just be getting older and I’ve had issues in the past with my hips but I’ve also pulled my back, and badly sprained my ankle and hip. This has only happened after starting the depo. After a year of being on it everything seems to have leveled out. All bad points above have now become less noticeable and I feel very comfortable. External issues are still an issue like being constantly interrogated like I don’t know what I’m doing in the nurses office as I take my depo every 10 weeks due to bleeding for the last 3 weeks of the cycle. They also seem to want you on the coil I’m not sure what that is about but it’s very annoying. Also depending on who is administering the shot you may feel basically no pain or a ton that could last for a few hours These side effects may not be for some but from my past personal issues I am happy with the contraceptive compared to others I’ve tried

Since taking the injection I have experienced severe lower back pain. I sometimes struggle to sleep

I felt like I was going crazy or losing my mind while on this contraceptive. I was an emotional wreck, I was not doing so well physically either. I had zero sex drive, so it did not make sense for me to be on birth control when I was not even having sex (markedly diminished libido).

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued

the side effects makes it feel like its not worth it. i cant eat the things i like as much because im gaining weight and dont want to be unhealthy. i feel way more fatigued

I went on thsi injection due to my terrible experience with rigevidon, at first everything was fine as my skin cleared up, i only get the odd spot which is supported by acne medication- which was great considering i am acne prone. However it was beginning clear that i was gaining weight, I started off as a size 8 (very slim and petite) to currently being a size 14, leading to a size 16. My hips have also widened, this has led to an increase of SO many stretch marks, it has had an affect on my confidence due to this durastic change, while having the same diet the whole time. Yet this may be because i began at 16 now 18, coming into adulthood maybe?? At the minute my moods are terrible, i am very irritable, riddled with anxiety and more sensitive; so if youre looking into this as someone who has suffers with mental health I would not recommend. The pain of the injection is not bad however I am attempting to come off of this contracpetive as soon as possible yet just struggling which pill to choose due to my fear of weight gain, poor skin and loosing my sex drive. Just remember eveyones experience is different this is just mine :)

I would absolutely never recommend this to anyone. As someone who has previously struggled with mental health issues but has been well for about 10 years, my mood has been incredibly low and my anxiety through the roof. This is not something I’ve experienced for years (actually last time I was on hormonal contraception). I feel very lucky to be in touch with my moods and still having therapy so I’ve been able to quickly be aware this is likely to be the Depo as nothing else has changed to bring this on. I will not be using this again and would really recommend others proceed with caution.

I went on the depo injection after having my little boy as I thought it was an easy form of contraceptive as I didn’t have to remember to take it everyday. Fast forward a week post injection I started with the most horrific nausea, stomach pains, back pain and anxiety. I thought I maybe have a bug so went to the doctor who ran some bloods (all came back clean) never felt anxious or sick prior to having the injection so the only thing I can think of that is new is the depo. I have now been nauseas well over a month every single day to the point I am on anti - sickness tablets. I will not be having it again as it changes your body and emotions so much and the other downside there is no reversal so once it’s in if you suffer from the side effects you have to basically put up with it until it’s up for renewal. Wish I had done my research before as I have read on numerous sites that the hormone levels they give are so high and this is what causes all the adverse effects.

Completely stopped my periods which has been amazing. Very convenient only have to think about 4 times a year and GP now very good at supplying in comparison to when this brand was new on the market. Have struggled to use the devices recently as have to apply a lot of pressure to inject the suspension and have therefore had to discard a few injections on occasion which isn’t ideal. Having using it for so long I can’t tell if my weight or mood have been negatively or positively impacted, but will be keen to see what happens when I stop using.