Progestogen-only / Mini pill vs Copper coil (IUD)

I started the mini-pill as a quick method inbetween the time I was waiting to get the Copper Coil contraceptive. It has worked very well! No spotting or bleeding. Except, my periods were slightly heavier but had little to no cramps. I was very skeptical of the pill affecting my mental health but I am not sure as it could be other reasons!

Overall after trying many different pills, this was the best, I started to have very depressive weeks so I stopped as I was afraid of some suicidal thoughts.

I've been on Slynd (Slinda) for 5 months. I've had irregular bleeding the whole time. It is lighter than an actual period but enough to have to wear a protection of some sort. I also get mild cramps with it often. I have PCOS and I feel it has helped my acne a bit but not as much as some combined pills I have been on (Yasmin, Yaz). I had hoped it would improve my skin more. No effect on weight, appetite or sex drive. I sleep very good with this pill but I see loads of quite vivid dreams, which I never used to see (or remember) in the past. My mood is stable with this pill, however I feel like my mood has been overall more positive on the combined pills.

I loved having the copper coil, however after about 7 months I got light bleeding which wouldn't stop for around 8 weeks. I had the coil removed and it stopped straight away. I was really disappointed as I much preferred it to the pill.

I’ve been using the Flexi T 300 for over a year and 1 month now, and I still have heavy bleedings. Sometimes 2-3 weeks long, with some very painful cramps here and there. I would say I have a very high pain tolerance but it’s just too much for me to handle. I do love the idea of a IUD, not having to think about anything. I just wish I could stop the bleeding. Now plan to take it out and switch to a hormonal one. I first thought having something non-hormonal aligns more with my beliefs. But how is a foreign metal piece in my body less invasive than anything else out there? Birth control for women just sucks in general. But I will keep trying because a surgery to cut this out is too expensive for me right now.

Really happy with my copper IUD so far. My insertion experience was ok, not as bad as I thought from stories I read online. No worse than getting a needle and it was over very quickly. I got it inserted on my period which I think helped for pain, and the doctor injected local anaesthetic into my cervix too. I had bad cramps for the next 2 days, and random cramps for the following 2 weeks, but that’s settled down now and I don’t really have cramps at all. My periods are heavier, but it’s manageable. Most of the time I forget it’s there, it’s great! I am loving being hormone free - I came off the pill after 15 years about 9 months ago and I feel so much better. I’ve got so much more energy, my sex drive is back, I’ve lost lots of stubborn fat. My skin is playing up and I’ve had some acne which is annoying, but I’m hoping it will settle down soon. I had 6 months of no contraception (just condoms) before getting the IUD, so I know all of these changes are from stopping the pill, not from the IUD. The only side effect is heavier periods. For me it’s worth it for being protected against pregnancy and still having my natural cycles! I would definitely recommend it.

I didn't have a problem with the insertion/ removal process. It was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. The first night I had the worst period cramps I've ever had, on and off for several hours, which was not fun but also not unexpected. During the 10 months I had the coil in, I experienced painful cramps before and during periods, which i'd never had before. My periods weren't heavier but they did last longer (7-9 days). Alongside this my cycle got shorter, so the amount of time I was on my period each month went up significantly. I felt that I was prepared for heavier and more painful periods, but not for longer ones. The final straw for me was having 2 periods in the same month, each lasting a week or more. Personally, that wasn't manageable for me so I had the coil removed. Looking back, I did experience more social anxiety than is normal for me during the time the coil was in, but I can't say how much the coil was the cause.

After 10+ years of having the implant, I decided to go for the copper coil as was keen to be hormone free! With the implant, I experienced hormonal acne around my jawline, tender breasts, low mood & anxiety, irregular periods and spotting. The procedure was unpleasant - a short sharp poking feeling when going through the cervix,it was really uncomfortable but it was bearable as was over quickly. I had intense cramps that evening. I then had around 3 weeks of consistent bleeding, but this was possibly a mixture Of having a period and bleeding from the procedure, it was hard to tell because of how irregular my previous periods were. Within a few weeks, I had more energy, improved moods, hormonal acne had cleared and my skin was amazing. My periods now last 5 days, but I have spotting for a few days before period starts. Periods are heavier in terms of having to use super absorbancy tampons for a few days, rather than regular absorbancy. But this is bearable. My periods are still a bit irregular as expected when coming off hormonal contraception. Overall 100% worth the discomfort for the feeling of being "normal"

I only had the copper coil fitted 6 days ago. At the appointment I was shown how to feel for the strings and how the insertion was going to go and although I know they need to tell you that I would have rather not known about hoe they insert it! I can’t lie the insertion hurt but the doctor was amazing making sure I tried to stay calm and offered me local anaesthetic, I think everyone is different I went with my friend the other day to get hers and she didn’t bat an eyelid so don’t let that put you off! I had quite severe cramps on the first day felt like sharp pains and painful period cramps. Since then I have had a dull aching pain, bloating and spotting that lasted 4-5 days the spotting has only just stopped but the dull pains and bloating remain. The dull pain and bloating has me worried however, I will try and ride it out in hopes it is just “settling in”. Overall, if this works it is 5 years covered without a worry and it will be totally worth it. I would recommend going with someone and them driving you to the appointment so you can find a more comfortable position to sit in on the way home after the fitting as I found sitting up straight quite unbearable the first day. It is still early days for me and compared to the mini pill it is already better as it has no hormones which made me depressed, gave me mood swings and made me gain weight. Just the dull pain and bloating which I hope will sort itself out in time.

It's been about 2 months since I had my Copper IUD inserted - and I'm so glad to say it's been the best decision I've ever made for contraception. I was nervous reading all the horror stories online, but my experience couldn't have been better. Minutes before I went in I actually started my period, so I'm not sure if that affected anything. My nurse injected an anesthetic into my cervix - just felt like a small pinch and not strange at all. I know a lot of women have not been offered this so this could explain more painful experiences. When inserting the coil it kind of felt like a period cramp that spreads quite quickly, I just closed my eyes and noticed I held my breath a bit but otherwise I was really calm. I had cramps for the rest of the day but just got tucked up on the sofa with a hot water bottle and was completely fine. What IS strange is that I haven't felt a SINGLE cramp since that day. I've had one period since and about to start my 2nd, and again, not a single cramp. I usually do have quite intense cramps on day 1-2 of my cycle, but NOTHING! I had really prepared myself for them so it was strange when nothing happened. My periods have been really heavy though, and usually a pad and tampon is necessary, but that lasts for 1-3 days. It's not as 'thick' as usual so it felt like a lot was coming out quicker. My partner and I had penetrative sex about 5/6 days after insertion and neither of us felt a thing. I can't say everyone will have this experience, but if you're like myself with relatively painful/heavy periods, no endometriosis, and a decent pain threshold, you'll be FINE. If you want to avoid all hormones like I did, but don't want to use condoms or take risks with Natural Cycles, then it's an absolute no brainer. Have even convinced my sister to come off the pill and have the Copper IUD as well. If it makes a difference, I specifically went to a sexual health clinic and not a regular GP.

My insertion was surprisingly a good experience, great communication, pain relief and local anaesthetic provided as standard. I didn't have any concerns during the insertion, however I experienced cervical shock about 15mins after ... not nice but supported very well by the team. Since then I have had inital breakthrough bleeding, lower back pain and cramps for about a week after the appt. My first period since was heavier and lasted 6days instead of my standard 4 days, I was also early by 3 days. Apart from that some spottinghas remained. I suffer with migraines and saw an increase in the amount from the insertion, since then its gone back to normal. Overall I am excited to see how it goes, hormonal contraception doesn't agree with me so not an option.

I am so happy with my copper coil (IUD)! I love that it is non-hormonal and so I don’t experience any side effects. It works well for me as I don’t have to remember to take anything and is very effective. When I initially had the copper coil (IUD) fitted I had bad cramps for about the next day. My first copper coil (IUD) did become dislodged after my 2nd/3rd period on it, I could feel the base poking through my cervix and following an ultrasound to confirm this I had to have it removed (which actually helped to discover a cyst growing on my ovary which needed surgical removal). My periods were longer and a bit heavier for the first 3-4 months on my first copper coil (IUD) but this was something I was used to having regularly experienced heavy periods previously. I knew the dislodging of the copper coil (IUD) could happen but wasn’t usual so I chose to have another one inserted as I was happy with how it was working prior to this. Following the insertion of my second copper coil (IUD) I have not had any problems since it was inserted almost 2 years ago, my cycle has remained regular and my periods have been similar to pre-contraception. My partner doesn’t feel the strings during sex and this form of contraception works well for us. I would definitely continue to use the copper coil (IUD) and would use again in the future after having children.

I really want to give the copper coil 5* but due to heavier periods that are difficult and sometimes inconvenient to manage, I can't rate the IUD as a perfect form of contraception for me, yet. However, I am hoping that my periods will get lighter as the months go by. In the 4 months of having the coil fitted, I have had two heavy periods and two almost unmanageable periods where super tampons, heavy flow pads and super absorbency period pants have been changed after a couple of hours max. On such days, I wear all three at the same time for protection! However, I am very happy with the copper coil with regards to side effects. It is great feeling like a natural woman without being influenced by artificial hormones. I have a normal sex drive, I have not put on contraception weight, I don't have any issues with spots and I am not bleeding in between periods. I am happy to stick with the copper coil, as the advantages outweigh the inconvenience of the heavy bleeding. With regards to the fitting of the coil, I was 2 months postpartum, so insertion was straight forward without any pain relief. My cervix had already been traumatised just weeks before, so the insertion wasn't anything to shout about. I also had if fitted on a period, which was easier for the doctor, as my cervix was lower and easier to 'find'. Whether you are having it fitted postpartum or not, if possible, I advise that you have it fitted on a period to help insertion be that little bit easier. I hope to come back here to change this form of contraception to 5 stars within the year.