Gynefix vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

After trying out 4 different brands and types of contraceptive pill and Mirena coil over a period of 7years+, I finally found a method (Gynefix) that works for me. It has been an exhaustive road with everything from migraines with aura to bleeding non-stop for 10 months whilst on hormonal contraception. Due to having heavy and painful periods, I was also warned against the normal copper coil. So to find a copper coil that does not have the same side effects was amazing. I got it fitted in Mortimer Street in London after an ultrasound scan and a 3 month wait. The insertion was not painful compared to Mirena! It did take my body around 9-12 months to adjust to no longer having any hormones in my body, but it has been worth it. Now I have regular period, minimal pain and feel like myself again.

Works great for me

I had a GyneFix fitted at the Margaret Pyke clinic in London close to where I lived at the time. I had it fitted when I was 35 after having two children. It was suggested for me as i have a tilted uterus plus I did not want to take any hormone contraceptive. It needs to be changed every four or five years. The last one I had fitted was when I was 44. It was hands down the best contraceptive for me. No hormones, no side effects, you just forget it's there.

Positive - first one for 5 years, protected against pregnancy, stopped periods after about 18 months so saved money on tampons. No significant side effects initially. Set and forget method was great. Negatives - I found the fitting incredibly painful. When I had it changed after 5 years the reinsertion was traumatic and I won't have it again. I suffered with mouth ulcers every month that got progressively worse over time. My mood wasn't bad but it was overall flattened. The new one never settled and I had problems with the threads travelling upwards, I found medical staff across the board (GP, clinic, hospital for ultrasound) very uninterested when I had issues after fitting which was difficult because I was frightened of possible consequences if it moved or they couldn't get the threads to remove it. I have honestly never had thrush so much in my life as I did when I was on kyleena. Noticed more and darker body hair over time.

Works well for me, was hoping would take away periods altogether but definitely made them lighter. Found fitting comfortable as just had some cramping. But I have quite a low cervix, so I could feel the strings and needed them trimmed.

Not pleasant to put in but completely stopped by periods after few months. Reassuring that no pregnancy, however absolutely 0 sex drive and this effects relationships.

Initial 3 month settling in period is intense, lots of bleeding and emotional side effects plus insertion pain. After 3 months it settled and I thought I had found the holy grail, emotionally stable and no side effects. At 6 months I developed a large ovarian cyst which put me in agony and A&E, doctors said this was caused by the coil and had to remove it. Unfortunately I cant recommend, the search continues.

No periods but developed acne. I also get cysts now regularly (never had before) that burst and hurt so bad that the first time it happened I went to the ER.

only had mirena coil fitted 3 weeks ago but so far it’s been good, i have had quite a lot of lower back pain but other than that i don’t feel any different

Prior to having the mirena coil I had the most horrific periods literally to the point of passing out. I can say I have had my coil in for nearly 6 years and not had a period since and now I feel like I have my life back! It has been one of the decisions I have ever made and also hardly had any hormonal side effects.

I loved the mirena but over 3 different coils, shortly after insertion I would get kidney infections that didn’t respond to antibiotics. The link was only made on the third despite me asking the gyno about it. Such a shame because I loved it otherwise. Kidney infections mostly skipped the uti stage and went straight to them but bacteria wouldn’t grow in pee. If this sounds like you remove it!

Had it inserted at birth during a c section so no pain for insertion. Periods for lighter every month with significantly less pain than before and have virtually stopped after 8 months - just a small amount of spotting.

occasional cramps and sore boobs but I'll take that for no periods and no babies!