Hormonal coil (IUS) vs Sterilisation (Female / tubal occlusion)

I had the Mirena Coil put in for endometriosis. The actual insertion went well because I spoke to my gyno and asked for it to be done in the hospital, meaning that i had the option for general anaesthetic, local anaesthetic or gas and air. I went for the local and gas and air as I had had such a terrible experience having a copper coil put in 5 years prior. The gas and air distracted me and the previous coil removal and new coil insertion wasn’t much bother (i deliriously thanked the team in the room for not giving me as much trauma as the clinic i went to for my copper). The pain after insertion was significant but if you just prepare to have a day or two sat on the sofa taking regular painkillers it’s ok. After the insertion i almost instantly noticed a massive surge of hormones which my gynae had warned me about (she said i might feel ‘weepy’ for up to 6 months as if that isn’t a significant side effect lol). In the end I had major mood swings for around 4 months and was very irritable and all over the place. It did really damage my relationship as it was like i was having PMS every day. I wasn’t depressed or anxious, I just felt like i wasn’t in control of my emotions and i honestly felt like a hormonal teenager who is happy one minute and then angry and upset at something the next. (i also got a bit spotty in the first month or two after insertion - but this cleared up) Eventually after 4 months the mood swings stopped and I can honestly say Mirena is SO WORTH IT if you suffer from endometriosis. It’s completely stopped my endo pain to the point where i don’t even notice my periods anymore. Honestly Mirena gave me my life back within weeks of insertion. After suffering from daily pain for 5 years I now have so much more energy, my chronic fatigue is gone because the pain is completely gone and feel like i’m finally living again. I can make plans, hang out with friends and go into the office regularly - it’s helped me thrive again. It makes me sad that i wasted so many years in pain when this was an option and i would 100% recommend it!! I was initially hesitant to get Mirena because i was worried about the hormones affecting my mood and skin etc as im so susceptible and felt like a different person on the pill. But the important thing is that after the initial hormone “surge” you feel normal again - you just have to wait it out and hope that people around you will be patient with the crazy mood swings for a a few months. If you suffer from endo you will hopefully (everyone’s different) have the silver lining that you’re not in pain anymore so you gain a lot of energy that counters the mood swings. If you have endometriosis or even suspect you might have endometriosis I would really encourage you to get Mirena put in as a first port of call to try and treat it. In terms of my periods they’re SO light - literally just like brown spotting which i barely need a panty liner for which is amazing. sometimes they’re a bit irregular and can last a long time but honestly they’re so light i forget my period exists and Ill confidently wear white trousers whilst menstruating (it’s THAT light) The only reason i’m not giving 5 stars is because several months of feeling absolutely mental is not ideal BUT the level of freedom, energy gained instantly, lightness of period and now lightness of mood now i’m out of the surge period made it all worth it

I generally had an okay time with it but i kept getting spotting/or a light period every couple of weeks. much lighter than a normal period would be and without the usual pain i would get but definitely more frequently - which i found frustrating, and was often very bloated because i was so regularly getting a short period, it was quite annoying, so i stopped. I also thought it was making my hair shed. it was always pretty uncomfortable putting it in

This coil gave me really dreadful mood swings from ovulation time through to the start of my period. I felt really low and anxious, irritable with family, almost irrational about certain things, constantly crying, and passively suicidal. This persisted for around 8 months including months where I didn't have anything difficult/stressful going on personally. It clearly correlated with my cycle, and within a week of having it removed I felt like myself again. I know the hormonal coils work really well for some people - I have lots of friends who use them with no issues. But for whatever reason I am generally quite sensitive to medications and really noticed an effect from this coil. I've gone back to the copper coil which does make periods heavier, but I will take that over the mood destabilisation

I had a laparoscopic bisalpingectomy. Obviously it is a surgery, which means a few weeks of recovery and scars can take a few months to properly heal and fade, but I am so glad I got it done. It is permanent, so that is something to keep in mind if you are not 100% sure, but very safe and reliable.

Feel much better not having extra hormones circulating through my body and not worrying about contraception.

eryew4yhwesgs

This procedure saved my life! I was sterilised earlier this year aged 36, I suffer from Tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) and don’t want children so this surgery was the perfect solution. I opted to have both tubes removed completely to reduce any risk of recanalisation in the future. I feel so much happier in myself and no longer experience panic attacks related to sex/pregnancy scares so I’m actually able to relax and enjoy myself 😅 I had to go private because of my age and where I live but it was definitely worth the money. There is a Childfree friendly doctors list on Reddit, I found the link on a Childfree Facebook group. Definitely recommend sterilisation!

It maybe ok for some people and for some, like the other women here it may even be good, but for myself and a lot of other women this was and still is the worst thing that could have happened to me. My life has been irrevocably damaged by this procedure and is still being damaged. The complex migraines I have suffered since having the procedure caused me to have a stroke 3 days after my 39th birthday, I have never smoked, eat healthy, organic food and don’t abuse my body. Before this procedure I was extremely fit, quick minded, outgoing and energetic. It might not harm everyone but if you are one of the growing number of women that have been affected you will regret it for the rest of your life. Even a reversal may not completely fix things (as I found) depending on how badly the tubes have been damaged. Really do your research, join support groups for ptls and ask the women who are all suffering the same symptoms, as many questions as you can.

I chose sterilization several years ago to prevent pregnancy. It was the right decision for me and I have had no long-lasting effects.

Best decision ever. I never have to worry about a pregnancy scare. Note: only do this if you are sure you never want to become pregnant naturally.

I decided to get sterilised at age 25 after awful side effects from hormonal contraceptives (which doctors brushed off as nothing) including weight gain, depression, mood swings and complete loss of libido. I didn't want kids so I went to Marie Stopes and had my tubes tied privately (think it cost about £1000). Doctors on the NHS had more or less told me I was supposed to have kids and they only sterilised women who are older or who have already had kids...women's healthcare is shockingly bad. Anyway, other than temporary pain and discomfort after the surgery, which gradually tapered off after 2 weeks (I was in bad period-level pain immediately after, but by the next day I was just uncomfortable and this got better day by day), I feel completely myself and have done ever since...zero side effects! P.s. don't trust NHS doctors when it comes to women's health - they lie.