Patch vs Copper coil (IUD)

I love using the patch. It has made using contraceptive so much easier and I went through a phase of recommending it too everyone I know. I've had a few symptoms recently, but not sure if that is related to the Patch or a different medical issue. In the last year, I've had more hormonal acne than I did before, but that's the main side effect that I would say I've been affected by. We are coming off contraceptive soon, so hoping it is a smooth process

I found this much more convenient than a pill as it only has to be thought about each week. The patch cover seemed to often slip leaving the adhesive to get dirty through the week however, and I was told to stop using them after a short time as they brought back migranes that I had not experienced in years.

I really liked the patch with my moods, periods, only having to remember once a week to change it, etc, but it gave me a rash. I went to my doctor and was hoping they’d be able to say the rash isn’t a big deal or offer me a patch for more sensitive skin but there isn’t any other patch so sadly I had to come off it and go on the pill

The IUD fitting itself was less bad than I expected, uncomfortable and a bit painful but not worse than period cramps. However, about half an hour or so after, I got quite intense cramping pain and almost fainted from it on the way home. The post-insertion pain settled after a few days. With the IUD, my periods were quite a bit heavier than before but this improved a bit after 6 months or so. With the IUD, I also got spotting between periods for a few days each month (possibly related to ovulation). Also, since having the IUD fitted, I started getting recurring sharp stabbing pain, always in the same spot on the right side (roughly where my right ovaries are). This pain was worst during my period, sometimes making me feel close to passing out even though I was taking the maximum daily dose of ibuprofen (I later switched to mefenamic acid but that was not much better), and it was much worse than any period cramps I had ever had and felt more like someone is stabbing me than like a cramp. I also had this same right-sided stabbing pain randomly throughout my cycle. Moreover, I also started getting cramping pain during exercise (running) after I got the IUD. The right sided stabbing pain and the cramps during exercise maybe improved slightly over time, but were still bothering me quite a lot after 9 months of having the IUD. I had several checks done to make sure the IUD was still in the right place and to exclude any underlying disease that could be causing the pain, but nothing abnormal was found that would cause pain like this. The doctor said that they could not exclude that the pain might be from a hormonal condition (like endometriosis) that was masked by the hormonal contraception (progesterone only pill) that I was on before I got the IUD. In the end, I decided to have the IUD removed to see if that would get rid of the pain, both because I felt that the pain was not something I was happy to tolerate indefinitely, and because I thought it would be important to know if I have something like endometriosis and this is what is causing the pain, because in that case I would have considered going back on hormonal contraception to slow it's progression (I wasn't happy with the side effects I got from two different combined pills and three different progesterone only pills, which is why I switched to the copper IUD, so I didn't want to switch back to hormonal contraception unless absolutely necessary). After I had the IUD removed, the right sided stabbing pain immediately went away completely, but I got the cramping pain during running once since - it hasn't been long since I had the IUD removed so I am hoping that this will eventually disappear too.

The copper IUD was great, I had it fitted and then didn't have to worry about contraception. However, the initial insertion was painful and it did make my periods more heavy and painful. I had the coil replaced after 5 years but this coil came out on its own. I do use a menstrual cup and the coil came out in the cup, so this could have been down to user error on my part.

the inserction was painful and invasive, it had me feeling faint that day but come sugary drink helped. i enjoyed my time with it, but my period was much heavier and it led me to iron deficiency. i decided to take it out recently as i wanted to know how it was without anything and i was concered as to whether it was a healthy option for my uterus. when i got it removed i did feel a very positive feeling from not having it, but that could be that it was a concern on my mind for a while. but now im reconsidering having it inserted again since having no birth contol isnt a great option and i think i prefer iron deficiency than hormonal mood swings with a hormonal option.

My experience of the copper IUD is mixed, even if overall positive. I first got it as emergency contraception after my first sexual experience, and was not properly offered any pain relief. The pain was excruciating and slightly traumatic, but also as I wasn't used to things going inside my vagina either. However it served me perfectly for 5 years, and no hormones and side effects from those. When it was time for renewal I was prepared emotionally and knew what pain relief to ask for. The procedure itself was quick and felt very empowering. They offered me the 10 year one which was slightly bigger and I thought it was no big deal. I was in constant low level pain and discomfort with it, and periods became excruciating. I got it switched back to a 5 year one and this cleared up. Again. the procedure was fairly quick as I knew my body and had good pain relief. My last one suited me fine up until around 2020, when the combination of the stress from the pandemic and using an expired lube gave me recurring yeast infections that lasted at least a year. I then discovered that it had slipped and so got it removed, deciding to switch to Fertility Awareness Method. After that, the recurring yeast infections stopped.

Personally, I would never get another coil again. The reason for 2 stars is I actually had the copper coil inserted in 2018 and it was okay but I had it removed in 2021 after asking for it to be removed for over a year. My periods were heavier as expected, but I also had thrush every month, BV multiple times and it just became so uncomfortable dealing with this constantly. I had the copper coil again this year (march 2025) and it was awful. The insertion this time took an hour compared to the 10 minutes last time. I was in so much pain I was heaving, I have had three babies and this was worse than birthing a child. They finally got it in and I ended up with a mild infection probably due to how long and how many attempts it took. A week later it started to settle down 🤞🏼 however almost three months later and I'm having it removed next week. I don't know if it's misplaced (they will be checking this first) but I feel it 'stabbing' me randomly every day. I will be walking and suddenly stop and feel like it's stabbing me or trying to come out, but I can still feel the strings. On two occasions it's hurts me during sex which is a red flag. My periods are 10-12 days long and I'm getting through a pack of pads every 1-2 days, plus the thrush is back again. I was offered a replacement however I have declined and I am currently trying to decide which combined pill may be best for me, tho I am nervous about going on the pill now!

I was having heavier periods

I used to have fairly light and painless periods and I’m now in agony every month and bleeding through my clothes. I have it time to see if it would settle but it’s been a year so I’ve booked to get it removed and can’t wait.

I never had acne before but now I constantly have break out, my skin has not been pimple free in 2 years

After having children the contraceptive pill didn’t seem to work, I tried various types and had breakthrough bleeding. I decided to try the copper coil. Insertion was so painful but my periods have been regular and through tracking apps I’ve got to understand my cycle and know what my hormones are doing which I quite like.

The copper coil hurt the first day of insertion but then immediately settled. My periods have become slightly heavier and cramps a bit more painful but still very manageable with just paracetamol and ibuprofen. I am lucky in that my periods only last 4-5 days anyway. My moods change with a normal cycle pattern, I get some acne during my luteal phase. I love having protection but not having the negative impacts on my MH like hormonal contraception had. Would recommend.