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I have been using this contraception for 4 years and I am very happy with it. Absolutely no side effects. I have to remind myself to regularly check that it is still there!
The only place I know that offers the gynefix is the Margaret Pyke Centre in London, UK.

The only reason I was able to request it, is I had had a bad experience with the regular copper coil (heavy bleeding, anaemia), and Mirena (severe, recalcitrant melasma) so I requested it and it was inserted on the NHS.
I don’t think it is commonly done unless you have already tried other devices.

There is a bigger gynefix (330, I think) and a smaller one (200). I have the bigger one (as I am older and a mother). I do not think the smaller one is available in the UK, which is a shame as it could be massively beneficial for young, nulliparous woman who do not get on with the rigid, T shaped copper coil. 
I am a happy user - after all these years I have found the contraception for me.

Gynefix-review-id-c27c0806-00ac-4893-a6ed-3076aae0f7a9

After years on the pill and 2 years with a copper IUD, I learnt that I had a small uterus and the reason why my period cramps were so bad with the framed copper IUD was that the arms were jabbing my uterine walls! Therefore when my gyne offered me a frameless device, I was really keen to give it a try. It was very painful getting it inserted as the knot at the top is being inserted into the uterine fundus, however the pain lasted less than when I got the IUD fitted and I had a lot more support during insertion as it’s a more complex procedure. 2 years in and my periods are very regular, I have no pain or spotting in the middle of my period (which I experienced with both the pill and the IUD) and actually period cramps have really really improved from even pre-contraception times. I absolutely LOVE this device and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. The only drawback is that it’s from a European company and since brexit there have been supply problems so you need to find a trained gyne and make sure they still fit them as I got mine years ago. I really can’t speak more highly of this contraception, I have experienced literally no side effects and only good things! 

Gynefix-review-id-b559d7fa-92a3-4b47-ab99-3f20b6e2a833

I love that it's non-hormonal and I don't need to think about it. My only significant symptom has been heavier periods. 

Gynefix-review-id-d2b9f0c8-6cd1-4a1c-ae83-4aeb73251a6c

I got the copper IUD in September, after being on the combined pill for around 10 years, and I’m so glad I did. 

Let’s start with the insertion, which was a lot better than I expected as I had read lots of negative experiences so I was terrified. I had mine inserted in a sexual health clinic as opposed to a GP surgery which I definitely recommend as I think they’re more equipped for it personally. Comfier chairs/beds, pain relief and staff who carry out multiple procedures every day (compared to my GP who held one IUD insertion clinic a month). A nurse carried out the procedure & a HCSW was present for comfort and to hold my hand. The nurse numbed my cervix with a gel which worked amazingly as I didn’t feel the pinch on the cervix at all. Measuring my cervix and inserting the IUD felt like painful period cramps, which for me was okay as I have had awful period pains in the past and it wasn’t as painful as those. This isn’t to diminish anyone’s painful experiences, but to offer a different experience as everyone is really different. 

I had some mild cramping for the rest of the day and the day after but nothing that stopped me going about my daily life. I also had quite heavy discharge for around 2-3 weeks after insertion but that settled down and returned to normal. 

Prior to coming off the pill I had been experiencing extremely painful and heavy withdrawal bleeds which lasted around 7 days and so I was scared of the common side effects of the copper IUD of increased bleeding and pain. However in my experience my pain has almost disappeared completely and whilst my periods are still heavy, they only last around 3-4 days now which is amazing, and using a menstrual cup as helped to manage the heaviness. So for me I think the pill was causing most of my issues. 

I would definitely recommend the copper coil as hormone free alternative, especially if you’re experiencing issues with the pill after being on it for a long time like I was.

Gynefix-review-id-96559681-3dce-45e8-8fba-42950b4be4c4

I am 27 and have had Gynefix for a bit longer than 1.5 years. Before this, I had the Kyleena (hormonal IUD) for 6 months and before that, I took no birth control for 6 months and before that I had taken the pill for about 5-6 years. 

I stopped taking hormonal birth control while away from my partner for a couple of months to test the difference on my body and experienced a positive influence on my mood, sex drive and had less cramping. While taking the pill, my periods were a bit shorter and less heavy, but I did have light cramping every month. Without hormonal contraception, I feel like the cramping depended from month to month and is much more related to my well-being at that moment as opposed to regular and expected.  

After my test run off the pill, I consulted my gynaecologist and they proposed a hormonal IUD, because my periods were still a bit longer than average, I agreed to try it, because who does not want a shorter period... In hindsight this might have been because my body was still settling, now my periods are about the same length but during the first and last part of my period, my flow is very minimal, which makes it very manageable for me. 

For me, the insertion of the Kyleena hormonal IUD was very painful. I had expected pain but not like this, honestly. I was mostly the duration that got me, if it would have been quicker it would have been much more manageable, I feel. The days after I was not able to leave my bed and could not sleep because of the excruciating pain, even with strong painkillers. Though it got slightly better, what made me take it out after a bit more than 6 months were the frequent cramp attacks I was getting throughout my cycle, regardless of where I was in my cycle.  For the first few months, I powered through as the gynaecologist told me this was "normal" in the first few months. Also, my period did not shorten or lessen while having this IUD as it does with many other people. After a bit less than 6 months I decided this was not working, as the pain was not getting better. I don't think I had it long enough to say anything definite about my mental health during that time. As a side note I also had an painful experience during sex, where I feel like my partner bumped into the device, which is not possible if the IUD is placed right. Though the doctor checked and assured me it was placed correctly, both the cramping and this incident suggest the IUD was not finding a good place in my uterus. 
So I went and looked for different options. Because I suspected the shape and size of the device might have been the problem for me, I looked for smaller options. Also, as I had such a good experience coming of the pill I was very open for non-hormonal contraception as well. 

So via other people, and by changing my gynaecologist, I was informed about gynefix and I am very happy I found this frameless option that seems to agree a lot more with my body and ticks my box of being hormone free.  Lots of doctors don't even know it exists, which is wild. I was told this copper IUD does not increase bleeding like the classical copper IUD because it has not T-shape, which makes sense, less bulky so less for your body to fight against. And this effect is not seen in hormonal IUDs that also have a T-shape, because the hormones often suppress the bleeding or even make you have no periods at all. A lot of my womb friends have that experience. 
So I am very happy with it at the moment. I will just say a few things that might help you: 
- The insertion for me was still painful, but I feel like it was more manageable for me because it was quicker. But I know this is hard to compare because some doctors are just better at inserting than others. I still took a painkiller beforehand and went for tea afterwards to relax. I experienced mild cramping for about a day or two, but I did not have to take the day off and could work, which was much better than the nightmare I experienced with the Kyleena.
- I usually use a cup for my period, however, due to how the gynefix works and to make sure it settles well for the next 5 years to come, you are not supposed to use a cup for 3 months. Which was fine for me. After 3 months I just used the cup again as usual. 
- Just like with a classical IUD there is a string that comes out of your cervix, so the IUD can be taken out again after 5 years. The string, in case of the gynefix, is a bit more rigid compared to the Kyleena or classical copper coil (T-shape), because the copper pearls are attached to it. This means it is a bit more challenging for the doctor to loop the string into your cervix, which is possible to increase your comfort, they just often don't have a lot of experience with it. In my case, my doctor tried to loop it in twice but it the end of the string came out every time after a few weeks. For me, it does not bother me, I can feel the string when I insert my finger but I cannot feel it sitting there throughout the day. Also, my partner does not feel it during intercourse usually, it only happened twice during the time I had it. I think it depends on the arousal in combination with the time in my cycle. So all by all very fine, just remember your doctor might think it is just like a classical string and might want to cut it short. In my experience, it is better to either leave it longer so it can loop around and up outside your cervix, so it is not poking anywhere down or your doctor can loop it inside your cervix if they are able to do that. 
- I don't feel like my bleeding has increased. I also don't have more cramping. 

I am convinced my experience just shows there should be more options out there, and doctors should be more informed about them. There is no one contraception fits all option. Some people need hormones, while others/many are better off without them. And in the non-hormonal realm there are not many options, so this might be one you can consider.

Gynefix-review-id-05d7c26c-fbb1-4120-97b2-e34b30d78882

I definitely felt an increase in my sex drive after getting the Implant removed (how annoying!). My periods became regular and SO MUCH SHORTER only 2-3 months after having it removed. My periods used to last 7-10 days (and then you'd sometimes get spotting after that!) now they last 2-3 days which gives me more opportunities to have sex without my body killing the mood. I also feel so much more present in my mind, brain fog etc has subsided.

Apart from getting it changed every 3 years this contraception is totally management free and painless to receive. I benefitted from using the implant between the age of 16 until I was 27 (so was on my 4th implant when I had it removed and not replaced). The consistent downside of this contraception for me was the spotting between periods/the irregular periods - sometimes you would only get a week break between spotting and periods! Often my periods would last 5-10 days. I found that the Implant worked best with my cycle in the first 12-24 months after incision because my periods were predictable (though not 4 weekly, more like 8-12 weekly) with no spotting inbetween; however once you neared the final few months before needing it changed periods seemed all over the place. (I must say, though, that I have a few friends who had no periods and total hassle free contraception - I think it's luck of the draw.)

I ended up getting it removed early last year because I found I was starting to get serious brain fog coupled with a very low sex drive and feeling constantly down for no justifiable reason. I almost started to feel absent from any emotion and quite robotic. I must stress, however, I think this is more a result of 11 years of continuous hormonal contraception and not something I felt was an after effect of the Impant specifically. I can honestly say I felt no immediate side effects when getting the Implant in and the pros outweighed the cons in my mind. I've seen research to suggest it is beneficial to take breaks from hormonal contraception which is what I'm doing now. I would still revert back to using the Implant when needed as I got to a stage where I could predict which cycles would result in spotting and which wouldn't. The breaks between periods felt a huge plus for me.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-7fc12552-e3a9-4aba-90e9-43efd6828adf

Within a few months I returned to my normal self and to be honest I'll never quite know how much of it was down to the implant, but like a lot of women I almost feel traumatised by my experience with hormonal contraception. We need better alternatives :(

Insertion was fine, completely painless. First few months seemed fine too, and my periods stopped which to me was a bonus. But then I started having really bad mood swings, feeling really sensitive, crying for no reason, constant feelings of hopelessness, I was so depressed I ended up on anti-depressants. There was a lot going on for me at the time so it only occurred to me after several months and reading some other women's experiences online one night that it was potentially down to the implant. I made a appointment the next day to have it removed and it was slightly more painful than having it put in, but it was so worth it I felt so relieved!!

Nexplanon implant-review-id-29e8f8c3-26d1-465a-8a1f-0cd5bcea2234

In theory the implant is great but it has really effected my periods which became heavy, irregular and more frequent. I now have at least 2 periods every month!

Nexplanon implant-review-id-e7c17526-bea1-4161-9e38-1a6000b8136b

Have found that the implant doesn't agree with me at all and I'm having it removed in a couple of days.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-816e4f7b-a297-4115-8ac1-62401dc55596

After I stopped this my emotions went back to normal and I had a normal period. I then stopped having periods altogether on the progestogen only pill.

I would not have a period for 3 months then would bleed for 3 weeks straight. I would have pregnancy symptoms every now and again (breast tenderness, nausea, plus no bleeding) and would take tests that were always negative. I experienced depression and low mood, and mood swings more than anything. I grew darker body hair on my belly and my skin was poor with lots of acne that I couldn't get rid of traditionally. This was mostly noticeable when I had it removed and switched to the progestogen only pill after 3 years, and I felt better.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-f933d845-3c2f-403b-b474-5c85566335fd

I have tried a number of combined and mini-pills before and had terrible side effects. i switched to implant ~4 years ago, so i'm now on my 2nd implant (each last 3 years). procedure is fine, give a general anesthetic and it's quite quick. I like that it's easy to use and nothing to think about for a few years. Periods completely stopped (but they did on pill as well), breasts super tender after my first one, couldn't stand them being touched. Also get a lot of night sweats that seems to coincide with the time i've been on implant.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-01bb019f-a199-4722-8825-bfdeacf4a64c

I had my first implant 18-21 whilst at University I didn't notice any weight gain, abnormal mood swings and my periods stopped which I liked. I took a year off any hormonal contraception and used condoms then went to get a new implant just over a year ago. Unfortunately this time round has been a negative experience, I have experienced horrible mood swings, feeling really low for no apparent reason, irregular periods sometimes lasting 2 weeks coming off for a week and starting again. In line with my low moods this time round I have experienced times with a loss of sex drive.

Nexplanon implant-review-id-9c6a05c4-b15e-49e5-b628-2079089c1a97

My first one was fine (no side effects), my second one I have a whole list of side effects, so even if you think it's fine be aware your body reacts differently each time you get a new one

Nexplanon implant-review-id-c8963353-2171-4867-8c16-a93942f919b5

In the beginning it was really good, stopped my periods and was great to have something in and forget about it. However, what started as a breakthrough bleed ended up being 6 months on my period. My mood was also impacted I was always either crying or angry. One of the worst ones I ever tried 

Nexplanon implant-review-id-044936da-7049-4a3a-893b-da2fd7958baa

My emotions went back to normal & it felt like a fog had been lifted! 

I didn’t realise how anxious, moody & a huge pain in the a** I was being until I stopped taking it!

The one thing I wish the doctors had told me more about was the process of having it taken it. They say they just “pop” it out but my experience was far from a “pop”... 

The GP said the implant ‘fused’ to the skin around it & embedded itself in my arm. When I quizzed her about it, she said it was “quite common”; regardless of the fact she ‘forgot’ to tell me this when she put it in. 

I now have a 2cm scar on the inside of my left arm*. 

If it had worked for me then I wouldn’t have minded it being gouged out but it didn’t work for me at all & now I have another scar on my arm I wasn’t expecting. 

Morale of the story, always ask questions to your doctor before going ahead with it!

*this doesn’t happen to everyone

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