Gynefix vs Hormonal coil (IUS)

Like many others, I found myself unable to decide between a coil (painful) and hormones (just dont want hormones). Gynefix has been the perfect in-between solution for me. Hormone-free, but also not painful. Insertion was a bit uncomfortable. The gyno needs to pierce your uterus wall. It felt a bit like getting a tiny push somewhere deep inside which, rather than super painful, was just a weird feeling which is what makes it uncomfortable. During the week after I could still feel that spot but again it wasn't really painful just weird to be aware of an internal organ like that. Other than having to avoid strenuous exercise for a few weeks, the recovery was very smooth and I had no issues. You cannot feel the gynefix inside you which is amazing. I have noticed no difference in my periods other than that 2 weeks before my period is due, I get some light spotting. I was afraid that during sex, the guy would feel the removal thread, but this was not the case. The thread also curls around the cervix a bit (over time) which makes it even less noticeable. Maintenance wise it's also great. Just visit the gyno every couple of months to get an ultrasound and make sure the Gynefix is still in place. You get 5 years of protection. I wish the gynefix was advertised to more people because I believe it is an awesome solution for anyone that is looking for a pain-free, hormone-free, hassle free contraceptive.

I got my gynefix mini online and had it inserted at the John Hunter clinic in London. I had paraguard before which gave me terrible cramps and incredibly heavy periods: I had Jaydess for 3 years which gave low but manageable mood but I started having terrible back pains either it. Once I had it removed, back pains stopped. I didn’t use anything for a while and then tried the implant, which was awful! It gave me terrible mood swings and anger! Went back to jaydess and back pains returned and low mood. I started looking for other options and found gynefix and I am so glad I did! Insertion was painful and my periods are significantly heavier but nothing I can’t live with. No back-pains, no horrible craps and no mood effects! Thank you whoever created this! I really forget it is there and only sometimes can slightly feel it, but this is by far the best contraception I’ve tried! It was hard to find a dr to get it fitted and I had to order it myself as NHS don’t supply it, but worth it!

Got one at mortimer market in 2023 and other than a slight increase in discharge (normal discharge), which to be honest I don't think is related to the gynefix, I have had an amazing experience with the gynefix, I just wish it lasted longer than 5 years! Insertion was very smooth; uncomfortable/painful for sure but nothing terrible and not the worst pain of my life, I was able to walk home after the procedure. Had spotting / light bleeding throughout my cycle for maybe a month or two, and I remember having spotting for a few months, but honestly nothing crazy or super annoying. My period was a bit heavier for a few months after insertion but now it is back to my normal (I had light, minimal pain periods before the gynefix for context!). I love it and wish it was more available in the UK, fear that when I need it out I wont be able to get it on the NHS and I can't see myself wanting any other contraception.

Kyleena was recommended with mr having Adenomyosis due to wrongly being given the copper coil before and bleeding for months on end. Kyleena had irregular periods to begin, the only sidr effect for the first 4 months were severe coldnesd/flu like symptoms the day before my period for all 4 months. As my periods stopped, my sex drive and mental health crashed. I'm on month 9 and awaiting removal.

Having used the pill on and off for 20 years I was hesitant to use another hormonal contraception but I was so happy with kyleena - no noticeable mentsl or physical symptoms. Insertion is not pleasant but it's over in seconds.i experienced some period cramps in first few weeks but then periods became extremely light and pain free for the last 3-4 years. I would get this method again without hesitation.

I had a terrible experience with Mirena. It started with severe cramping after insertion. The cramping continued for weeks. I got a UTI from it. Then the other symptoms started - severe depression, sneezing, severe sinus pain, insomnia. I experienced severe vaginal dryness and vulvodynia (shooting pain down there) which ultimately led me to showing up at my gp and begging for it to be removed.

Periods stopped, no noticeable side effects other than toward the end of the 5 years when I had a few side effects (tender breasts, spots, mood swings) which I put down to hormonal change as the coil was coming to expiry date. Now I've had it replaced and I have no side effects. Stable mood, skin clear, no periods, no stomach/back/head pain.

In terms of contraception practically perfect, I react extremely badly to hormonal contraception usually and this didn’t cause any of the negative side effects I usually get from hormonal methods. My periods became lighter and I still have the normal symptoms of my cycle which is exactly what I want. The only negatives (which is quite a big one) is significantly increased pain throughout my cycle, during my bleed and also cramping randomly throughout the month, sometimes when exercising and also two days before my period which I didn’t experience before. I am devastated that this has been discontinued in most places. I think it’s completely inexcusable that there is now no IUS which for most people doesn’t stop their period. One other slight negative at the beginning was my partner took some time to get used to the feeling of the strings when having sex, however this improved after a few months and is no longer an issue.

In terms of contraception practically perfect, I react extremely badly to hormonal contraception usually and this didn’t cause any of the negative side effects I usually get from hormonal methods. My periods because lighter and I still have the normal symptoms of my cycle. The only negative (which is quite a big one) is significantly increased pain throughout my cycle, during my bleed and also cramping randomly throughout the month, sometimes when exercising and also two days before my period which I didn’t experience before. I am devastated that this has been discontinued in most places. I think it’s completely inexcusable that there is now no IUS which for most people doesn’t stop their period.

Got this inserted as a long-acting, reliable method of contraception. I found the insertion process ok, it was uncomfortable but not painful. I was able to easily feel the coil threads when I checked regularly. I had lighter periods but actually found period pains worse with the coil in place - hence the deducted star. I had this removed as we wanted to try to concieve. The removal process was totally painless. We got pregnant in one month of trying.

Overall my experience has been positive in comparison to my previous experience with combined oral contraception. I no longer have mood swings or night sweats however over the 4 years of having my hormonal coil I now have no sex drive which was a big change for me, in addition to this sex became painful.On the other hand my periods stopped after 6 months to a year.

Today I finally had my Mirena coil removed. The insertion and removal went smoothly and were painless. I had the coil for 10 months. During the first 6 weeks, I experienced continuous bleeding. After that, my periods became more regular but were very long up to 10 days and lighter than usual. After a period ended, I had another one a week later for only 3 days, and then the cycle repeated exactly every 28 days. I also had persistent discharge, infections, and cysts, and I even had to have a biopsy due to white spots on my cervix caused by the Mirena. Today, having it removed, I felt immediate relief. I was prescribed desogestrel tablets, so hopefully it will be better, although the pill doesn’t have very good reviews either.

From coil insertion I had issues, it was very painful having it inserted and I had cramps for a weeks. I also got a post coil infection. I would get horrible period pain at that time of the month and my periods would also last longer than before coil. Often had spotting and could always feel there was something there like a pressure (difficult to explain). I also didn’t feel like myself, I didn’t have energy for a long time after the coil insertion. I got thrush and then got a UTI in August which I had for 6 & half weeks and took 5 courses of antibiotics. I finally saw a nurse who said stop the meds and agreed with my decision to have coil removed and said we would monitor it. I had coil removed 29/09 and am still getting the discomfort down there and regularly have a hot bean bag on my lower abdomen. Some days are better than others and this week I have had headaches so I’m not sure if it is linked to coil removal. The nurse will call me for follow up next week and if still getting it she needs to see if it could be pelvic inflammatory disease