Coil/diaphragm

vodkachick68

I've never tried the diaphragm so can't comment but I had the merina coil fitted 14 months ago and I've had no problems with it. Yes it was a bit uncomfortable when I had it put in but it's no worse than having a smear. I have very light periods and hardly any pmt which I used to get badly before! All I will say is that it does take at least 6-8 months for the coil to settle into your system:D

heartbreak_star

I loved my Mirena and can't wait to have another fitted in March - had to wait a while after my LLETZ to have another but Depo really doesn't suit me.

HBS x

Fluff15

I have a copper coil and I love it - I don't have to think about it and I'm no longer on any hormones so that's a plus. Also, my sex drive has gone through the roof!

The disadvantages of it for me was that it hurt A LOT when it went in (but I've had no children and even smear tests make me a bit funny), and my periods are a lot heavier now. They last the full seven days rather than just four when I was on the pill, and they're a lot more painful.

an9i77

dragonette wrote: »

I have heard 2 horror stories about the copper coil and men who are rather generously endowed (desperately thinking of a polite way to say it lol) and the wire sticking into them painfully during sex. Has anyone else heard of this? I imagine it wouldn't help the mood any more than fitting the diaphram!

Well when mine was coming out it was my partner who alerted me to this, as he could, ahem, feel something 'up there'. But when it's in properly it shouldn't be feel-able as it's behind your cervix. Maybe the men just wanted to think they were generously endowed??

pm04gn

dragonette wrote: »

I'm considering moving to non-hormonal contraceptives too, can't take oestrogen as borderline for migraines and progesterone makes me weepy and bad tempered, really noticed it going back on the injection just before christmas.

So its copper coil or diaphram, I have heard 2 horror stories about the copper coil and men who are rather generously endowed (desperately thinking of a polite way to say it lol) and the wire sticking into them painfully during sex. Has anyone else heard of this? I imagine it wouldn't help the mood any more than fitting the diaphram!

It's only a very thin thread rather than a wire and if you find it's felt by your partner then pop back to the clinic to have them trimmed.

For whoever said about the coil migrating the risk of that is 1:1000.
The other two common risks are infection 0.5-1.5:100 in the first 20 days and expulsion 1:20.

fannyadams

I had the implants (5 and they were the size of matches when they were first available) twice for 3 years both times.
Apparently I *should* have had the 3 month 'Depo' injections first, to check I could 'cope' with the hormones (if I had done, I wouldn't have gone ahead with the implants as I was a raging hormonal mess for 6 months, but after that I was fine for the remaining 2 1/2 years)
I've used the Persona monitor for 13 years - you have to buy the sticks to wee on and they aren't that cheap (£10/month). We conceived our DS#2 (deliberately) with it :j
Friend had mirena coil fitted recently and had 3 months of 'trouble' (permanent period pains, bleeding etc) ended up having ultrasound to check it was in properly etc so not exactly selling it to me...

dragonette

I did think it was a case of the coil slipping (and while it made me lol, I know they are both generously endowed )

I think I might go for the copper coil, though if the mirena has less emotional effects than Depo or the implant I might consider that

Timpu

I've had a copper coil for three years now and am really glad I went with it. Having it fitted was uncomfortable and I was left with a dull ache afterwards but nothing paracetamol couldn't deal with. Periods were initially heavier (my body felt like it was trying to get rid of it but it's definitely still there) but now normal. I think my monthly pain has increased slightly - again paracetamol deals with that. Oddly, my cycle shortened when I had it put in but then got longer again.

Overall, I'd recommend, it works well for OH & I. I can't doing with mucking around with hormones (I have a thyroid condition that does that for me already!), daily pills etc. For me it was the most straight forward solution that suited us and it's no bother.

I was anxious about having it fitted so went deliberately to the local FP clinic, figuring they fit them day in, day out and they couldn't have been better.

GeckoGirl1985

Maybe I'm just old fashioned, and I understand they're not everyone's favourite, but I still think plain old condoms are highly underrated.

I know lots of guys (and girls) don't like using them much - men particularly as they can be uncomfortable or a bad fit, but it's still worth shopping around I think before writing them off as a bad option. Luckily for us, bf has found a brand and size that he is perfectly happy with so no having to faff around with coils, pills, jabs, implants, diaphragms, sponges or any of that malarkey. Maybe it's worth giving them another go before deciding for sure on something else?

hlw1810

I just had my copper coil changed to a Mirena today after having it for 18 months. My periods were heavy before but with the copper coil unbearably so lasting up to 12 days and really heavy and I've ended up anaemic.
Having the copper coil inserted didn't hurt at all, but getting them changed today wasn't pleasant. It took longer to insert the Mirena and caused some very unpleasant cramps and made me feel shaky & nauseous. Hopefully it will be worth it if it improves my periods though.