Gynefix vs Injection

Overall the IUD is good, but periods are longer, sometimes up until eight days. Also fatigue before period has increased a lot.

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!

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.

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

I began using the Depo as it was recommended by a nurse in my GP clinic. During the first 6 months the only noticeable side effect was the decreased sex drive. After my 3rd injection, I began having serious pain when trying to have sex. Due to this pain I booked an appointment with my GP to get swabs done to check for any infections. They completed swabs and no infection was found, I was told it was most likely just dryness. Therefore I stopped having the depo and started the pill again as I had no issues with the pill. I was on the pill for a month and has really bad head aches so decided to come off contraception completely. After coming off the depo it took 6 months for me to be able to have sex again due to the dryness.

Stopped periods after 2nd injection… fairly happy with this contraception compared to the pill. Biggest side effect for me is low sex drive

Initially, getting the injection was a bit scary, but it wasn't painful and there was very little residual pain the day after. My periods stopped completely, which I found to be great. I didn't notice any side effects,

I was on it for 9 months and I only started the pill today but the injection had made me bleed nonstop and have really bad back pain and the weight gain was really bad I didn’t feel myself and the sex drive at the start was high but it kept getting lower and lower the cramps are worse than the ones i used to get and my family have a high estrogen level it doesn’t work that well when you have high estrogen levels.

I can not tell you how much I adore this. The injection is a bit intimidating, but it's very quick, I did my first one with the help of a nurse (watch videos on how to do it and ask the nurse any questions you have). The injection is a bit weird in that you squeeze it into you, vs using a plunger, but it is a very short needle, and it didn't even hurt! I have had next to no side effects, my life has become a lot better, I sleep better, and I am able to get up early for uni. I get no PMS or cramps and I don't even get a bleed anymore (I am a bit sad as I had just bought a bunch of sanitary towels on a Prime Day). I switch from POP to this, and Syana is what birth control should be. On POP, I had so many side effects (which you can read about on my profile), this is amazing, my mind is so much clearer and I lack the PMS brain fog. My only complaint is to do with my NHS trust, they can only prescribe one at a time so if the one you get is faulty you need to request a new one which could take a week, also means you can't have one on standby for if you don't have time to contact GP and go to a pharmacy. The nurse who is my point of contact dislikes this rule and has tried to change it.

Except for the cramps, I'm happy with this enjection

It gives pregnancy like symptoms which makes one think they might be pregnant however it is safe.

It was my first time on any contraception and I wanted to take necessary precautions before travelling abroad for two months, so I was advised by my Nurse Practitioner to have the Injection rather than go on the Pill so I wouldn’t have to worry about missing days, losing pills, etc., and was told that she’d received no negative feedback about the Injection and that the side effects would be minimal. Perfect, or so I thought. My overall experience was horrendous, and after discussing methods of contraception with strangers I met abroad and hearing their own negative experiences with the Injection and from friends, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself and pretty miffed (to put it politely). I’d missed a period prior to travelling, and my breasts had felt so tender and painful for the first week or so, but then I bleed continuously for my whole trip (yep, two months straight of bleeding in countries where sanitary products are few and far between) and my mood swings absolutely battered me, not to mention my libido dying upon arrival in SE Asia. Now I’ve been home for a few weeks, and yes things are slightly better, but my moods are still all over the place and I’m still spotting everyday. Yes, with the Injection you don’t have to worry about taking pills, but never again will I subject my body to this. I just wish my Nurse Practitioner had offered me more options and have been more upfront regarding the side effects, and instead not dictating what I needed and sending me on my way. I would also like to mention, as a non-binary individual, that this form of contraception did at times make me suffer with body dysphoria, however I appreciate that users may respond differently to the Injection and other methods of contraception.