Coil/diaphragm

chocdonuty

I'm looking into changing my contraception, been on cerazette recently but it just made me feel well a bit crap! I've never really got on with hormonal methods and have it down to two, the coil or a diaphragm,
obviously there's pros and cons for both and I have plenty of info from the fp nurse until my docs appointment in a couple of weeks to either fit the coil (copper) or diaphragm.
Regarding the coil I've had different info abouty periods after it's fitted so unsure about that and the diaphragm is kind of unusual so any further experience or tips would be handy.
So I'm not after medical advice, just personal experiences of either would be great, thanks, chocdonuty

an9i77

I have had both the copper coil and hormone coil (mirena). Both were fine. The hormone coil gives you very light periods. The copper coil fell out after about six months( but fortuitously just when we decided to start ttc saving me another trip to the clinic). It came out gradually so it wasn't like you could miss it or not realise.

Justgone back on mirena now after completing my family.

System

Not wanting to take it off topic, but is it painful to have it fitted?

peachyprice

I used to used the diaphragm before my sons were born. I quite liked it as a method in the fact that it was reatively natural, apart from the spermicide of course, but I didn't like the fact that it takes away the spontaneity or the fact that you have to leave it in place afterwards, it is a bit mucky when you remove it. Then it failed dismally resulting in twins.

I had a copper coil fitted after I had my daughter, My periods were fine with it, no excessive pain or heavy bleeding, fitting was a little awkward because my cervix is in the wrong place. I had that for about 6 months, then that failed too

I've had a Mirena ever since and wouldn't consider anything else as a long term method.

peachyprice

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Not wanting to take it off topic, but is it painful to have it fitted?

Uncomfortable more than painful, not unlike having a smear and can it make you feel a little nauseous when you can feel movement inside while they're fitting it. You sometinmes get a dull ache afterwards, nothing worse than a period pain though.

newcook

I’ve never had a coil but have given the diaphragm a whirl – in my personal opinion its fiddly and it can interrupt ‘the moment’ if you haven’t been prepared and put it in before anything happens!

My friend has a coil and swears it’s the best form of contraception she has had – she said it feels a bit more uncomfortable than having a smear.

System

The diaphragm. You either put it in every night or risk it spoiling the 'moment'. Twas fiddly to start with and the cream was a faff.

It made me sore but Ive always been a bit sensitive down 'there'.

Never had the coil fitted.

gsymoo

I have a diaphragm. I was on the pill before, and tried the merina but that didn't suit me at all (stuck with it for 14 months in the hope it would settle down) The diaphragm suits me fine, bit embarrassing to have fitted as the doctor needs to check you can fit it ok yourself, and it won't move / dislodge. The only problem I've had is they advise that if your weight alters by 4lbs you may need to be re-sized. I lost weight (only 5lbs) and had to go down a size as I could tell it wasn't fitting right. My weight doesn't fluctuate really but that could be a problem for some. Hope that helps!

peachyprice

Judi wrote: »

The diaphragm. You either put it in every night or risk it spoiling the 'moment'. Twas fiddly to start with and the cream was a faff.

It made me sore but Ive always been a bit sensitive down 'there'.

Never had the coil fitted.

Ah, those early days of it pinging around the bathroom, hands covered in slippy spermicide

Yes, I found some of the spermicides made me sore, I had to try a fair few before I found one that suited.

hawk30

When I had the copper coil it gave me very heavy painful periods, but I much preferred a few days of discomfort to hormonal methods of contraception. Having it put in wasn't too painful.

System

Ah, those early days of it pinging around the bathroom, hands covered in slippy spermicide

Oh yes I remember those early days of it flying around the bathroom as I was about to insert it. Then you had to leave it in for so long after sex.

Bahhh no thanks!