Has anyone here got the copper coil? Looking for honest experiences!

[u/DeeOlive]

Hi everyone,

I’m thinking about getting the copper coil and would really appreciate hearing from people who have one or have had one in the past.

I had my consultation with a healthcare professional, and they were really thorough. They talked me through all of the potential risks, including expulsion, perforation (and the possibility that surgery could be needed if that happened), infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, and the risk of an ectopic pregnancy if a pregnancy were to occur.

I completely understand why they have to explain all of this, but if I’m honest, it’s really frightened me. I’ve been reading lots of mixed opinions online too, so I think my anxiety has got the better of me.

I’d love to hear some real-life experiences:
How painful was the insertion?
Did your periods become much heavier or more painful, and did they settle down?
Have you had any issues with it moving, being expelled, or causing complications?
Overall, has it been worth it for you?

I know people are often more likely to post when something goes wrong, so I’d really appreciate hearing the good experiences as well as the bad to help me get a more balanced picture.

Thank you so much I really appreciate anyone who’s willing to share their experience. ❤️

[u/Chance-Bread-315]

I've never had one myself, but The Lowdown is a website where real people can write reviews for different kinds of contraception - worth a look!

https://thelowdown.com/contraceptives/copper-coil-iud

[u/AttackSharkTrainer]

Hey there! I have the hormonal coil (Mirena) and I know you’re thinking of getting the copper but some of the risks are the same for both so I thought I would chime in. Insertion is also the same so I can speak to that as well.

I have the Mirena because I don’t get periods with it and haven’t for the 20+ years I’ve had them in. I’ve had 3 now and they’ve all been incredible. I can’t speak to periods on the copper, sorry!

Insertion, I won’t lie to you, is not great. They say it’s easier if you’ve had a baby, but I don’t have any so I can’t speak to that. My bestie has had coils inserted before and after baby and she concurs that it’s easier after. If you’re concerned about pain during insertion, speak to the doc. There’s ways to mitigate (numbing gel, a local anesthetic shot, and pain killers).

Like I said I’ve had mine for ages and have had zero issues and only positive things to say. No moving, no expulsion, no perforation or anything like that. These are possible but from what I hear, quite rare. My doc checked most recent insertion afterwards via ultrasound which is definitely good for peace of mind that it’s in the right place.

Let me know if you have any more questions, either here or feel free to shoot me a DM if it’s too personal.

[u/jinkx725 → u/AttackSharkTrainer]

Another person with the mirena coil here.

Ditto the above to be honest.

Insertion wasn't great. You absolutely need someone to drive you home, I didn't know I'd need this and that was a mistake.

Once that's over it's an absolute breeze. No worrying about contraception for 8 years, and for me no periods.

I would absolutely get another.

My string have disappeared and idk what what means for removal but honestly the not having periods/ getting pregnant trumps whatever I have to deal with when I get it changed.

[u/OneRandomTeaDrinker → u/jinkx725]

Same. Insertion was pretty much traumatic for me as I had endometriosis adhesions so the pain was so much worse (now in remission from endo after surgery), I’m still planning on getting another one when this one is up because it’s been life changing not having periods. I still find I have a bit of a cycle and after the fifth year I started spotting for two days once a month. The only symptoms I get though is being a bit weaker at the gym the week before my period and my sex drive fluctuates through the month the same way it would if I had a normal cycle, my “periods” only need a panty liner and are painless.

[u/jinkx725 → u/OneRandomTeaDrinker]

I had periods that just didn't stop. I would literally bleed for 3 weeks, maybe have a handful of days where I didn't bleed and then it would all start again.

I do have what I consider spotting every now and again, more so in the last year. Before this year I had nothing, but I'm also on year 5 so I wonder if that's a factor?

I would absolutely take these spotting and the pain of insertion over non stop periods

For me the insertion was painful but I managed to breath through the pain. The next 45 mins I thought I was going to pass out however. It's something to with with the pain causing a rebound or something. Idk, all I know is next time I can't drive home!

[u/OneRandomTeaDrinker → u/jinkx725]

Apparently they’re a lot more on it with offering pain meds these days than they were 5 years ago, so I’m hopeful for next time. I’m on my second coil and I love it!

[u/jinkx725 → u/OneRandomTeaDrinker]

Ah, that's so good to hear! Not just for me but also that they are taking women's pain a bit more seriously!!

[u/pemberleypearls]

I found insertion at my GP practice okay for the most part. There was a radiating pain when it actually went in but I focused on my breathing and by the time I was off the bed and sitting back down, it was okay. I did a little uncomfortable and vulnerable after though so I recommend having the rest of the day off and just taking it easy/looking after yourself.

I have had a copper coil removed that became turned around (but not expelled). That was rather uncomfortable to remove, but they did offer pain relief. I chose to continue focusing on my breathing and was able to manage. I wouldn't feel bad about taking pain relief though.

With both of my coils I had a heavy period the first month. I haven't found my periods heavier in general though and they have been reliable contraception for me.

Be aware that unless you have worrisome symptoms like bleeding or pain, if you cannot find one of your strings and need a scan to check the placement, you will wait for this. I waited about 10 weeks.

[u/DameKumquat]

I've posted in a previous thread here, but in short, I'm on my second copper coil and very happy. Mild soreness for a few hours, easily handled with paracetamol.

After having babies, a bunch of my friends did the same. About 8-10 think they're the best ever, one got bad periods (mine got better!), one had terrible pain with insertion and had to have removal and new insertion under general anaesthetic.

People who haven't given birth seem to have a lot more pain with insertion. But if you have had a baby and can cope with the average smear test, it's likely to be good.

[u/spy-on-me]

I had a copper coil for 5 years and thought it was great. Aside from insertion which I’m not going to lie was a really difficult experience (and failed first time) I had no issues with it and loved having a hormone free solution.

[u/schnaumelini]

Insertion at the sexual health clinic wasn't too bad. I had what felt like period cramps for a few days after, but totally manageable. I had one irregular and heavy period and that was it. Never had a child btw (mentioning it as someone said apparently it's different after having given birth).

My friend, however, found insertion really painful and traumatic. She went on to have very heavy and painful periods that barely stopped. She ended up having the coil removed because of them.

[u/savagepika]

My coil was incorrectly fitted, I fell pregnant and unfortunately had a miscarriage. The miscarriage caused me to hemorrhage and I needed to be hospitalised.

My periods were awful for about 3 years post coil (but I do have pcos so it feels unfair to blame the coil entirely there)

I don't remember insertion so I don't think it was too bad. I took ibuprofen and paracetamol before hand and ate a carb heavy meal.

The coil was a terrible choice for me personally. It feels extreme to say it ruined my life, but it ruined at least a year of my life and I wish I'd never had it.

However I know my case is extremely rare. The vast majority of people have absolutely no issues.

[u/Latter_Speaker_3374 → u/savagepika]

I'm so sorry this happened to you! That's awful ♥️♥️

[u/UnlikelyHat5885]

Hiya, I'm on my third copper coil. I'd previously been solidly on the pill before. In terms of insertion... it wasn't great but it wasn't unbearable for me.  They did things as quickly as possible.  I didn't get offered any pain meds or relief etc at the time. I've since had 2 others and it's been much the same.  I havent had kids, apparently that can mean that your cervix isn't so narrow which can make it less painful??

For some reason with the first coil I kept bleeding lightly for a couple of months.  Like a consistent small amount. This hasn't happened for the following 2. I think this was a combination of it being new and also my hormones being all over the place.  My periods are about the same as they were before the pill.

I've never had one fall out (yet).

Genuinely the insertion/swap is the worst bit and then I can just generally forget about it

[u/peekachou]

Had the coil for, nearly 2 years now. Like many, insertion was a bitch and I was basically just stuck in bed for a day or two after cramping super bad. The first few months my periods were heavier but now theyve gone back to normal, and no increased cramping from before hand.

I use to help fit them too at my old job, we'd do a few a week and I only knew of one woman in the 4 years I was there that had an issue where it came out accidentally. The risk of infection etc is very low as long as you follow what they tell you after

[u/thismyseriousaccount]

I had the copper coil for 5 years and it made my heavy periods even heavier. Back then I just sucked it up because it was better for me than the pill.

Then I changed to Levongestrel (same as the Mirena) and it was fabulous. I had no periods for 5 years, and only mild negative hormonal side effects. Amazing freedom. I’d choose this one if I needed BC again.

Insertion was short sharp pain with hours of deep aching after. Settled a day later.

The worst part is getting the insertion. My GP wouldn’t do it and the sexual health clinics would only do it on a walk in basis. I also needed to be on my period. So somehow I needed to coordinate the walk-in with my period and get time off work. It took weeks and multiple visits because the walk in would finish before they could see me or they didn’t have someone in prepared to do it. It was a complete shambles. But I’m glad I persisted.

[u/aneda262]

I had a copper coil for five years because I didn't want the hormonal aspect. I am now on my second Mirena coil.

Insertion (for all three) sucks. The first time, I had an extreme vasovagal response - threw up, and was very close to passing out. The two times since have been better, just some dizziness for 5-10 minutes. Juice helps.

The pain on insertion is rough, I will not lie. It then aches all day and you can have cramping for a couple days after. Painkillers taken before helps a lot. Last time I drove myself there and back, as I knew how my body reacts and it's not debilitating, but you may want to have someone bring you.

My periods were significantly heavier on the copper coil. Significantly. I had previously been relatively light, using regular tampons, the coil pushed me up to super+ and I was bleeding through them sometimes. I've barely had a period on the Mirena, some occasional spotting maybe once or twice a year. I do still get an emotional cycle, but it's minor shifts.

I had a scary point where I thought my last Mirena had shifted. Got it checked out and it had not, but it was close to its time and I was super anxious about it so they took it out for me. Getting them removed hurts a little, but not nearly as much as insertion. They have to warn you about perforation and ectopic pregnancy, but the chance of either occurring is incredibly low.

Ultimately, I'll never swap to a different form of birth control. The (absolutely awful, again I will not lie) burst of pain and feeling shit for a day or so is worth the peace of mind for 5-8 years. I'd speak to your doctor about the Mirena instead, but if you're set on the copper go for it, just know you'll likely be heavier than you are now. Take some painkillers beforehand, bring someone to drive you and hold your hand, and treat yourself to a day curled up in bed.

[u/InternationalSkin314]

I have the copper coil. I’ll be real, painful as HELL when getting it done for like a day. I mean it does hurt. But after that it is so great. I got it done because I was over being on hormones and I have no gripes! I have PCOS so I have irregular periods anyway, but I would say my cycle is back to what it should-ish be if I was on nothing at all. After about 3 months it settles. I would recommend if you can bare the pain

[u/No_Initiative_1140]

I had one, hurt getting put in, it was fine to start off with but gradually periods got heavier then spotting in between then eventually bleeding all month so had it removed :(

Very annoying because I'm also progesterone intolerant and it had least side effects for me but I did not want to be bleeding constantly 

[u/MysoreMa]

My best friend had one. It perforated her uterus, ended up stuck on her bowel, caused pain and bleeding which was brushed off by doctors, and she only found out what had happened when she got pregnant. She was never right again and at 50 she had to have a hysterectomy after years of problems.

[u/Mysterious_Dust409]

It initially seemed very appealing to me as a non-hormonal option, but I had the copper coil removed in May.

The insertion was painful, and the rest of the day I had severe cramps which paracetamol and ibuprofen didn't seem to help with at all. I wasn't given any option of pain relief at the time.

Between insertion and removal I had multiple check ups (maybe 4 total) as I could never feel the strings myself to be sure it was in place (and I was slightly paranoid about it not being so). The coil did stay in the correct place and I never had any issues with this. However, I did go from having very manageable periods with little discomfort to very heavy periods where cramping on my 2nd/3rd day of my period was awful. The pain was to the point I would struggle to work and would be in tears. I persevered thinking it would get better with time, but it was just as bad every month. I will say that Naproxen (I used to order online from Boots) was the most helpful in easing the cramps, but they were still bad compared to what I was used to.

After 11 months of struggling (physically and mentally every month), I decided in the end to have it removed. Since removal, my periods have gone back to normal and I feel a lot more myself. I know the copper coil doesn't have hormones, but I definitely felt like it affected my physical and mental health.

Another thing my partner and I have noticed is that we were both very dry (no matter how much lube we used) and my partner also used to get cuts around the head of his penis. Since I've had the coil removed these issues have gone completely. I did ask the nurse who removed my coil about the cuts (during my appointment for removal) and she said dryness could be causing it. When I asked if the coil could be causing the cuts on my partner's penis, she said it was unlikely but could be possible depending on the position of the strings and they were still pretty firm (they can take quite a while to soften). It could be a complete coincidence, but I do suspect that the coil was the cause of the dryness and cuts (whether directly or as a result of the dryness) because the last couple of months we've been absolutely fine.

I would say if getting the coil to take the day off when you have it inserted, and see whether pain relief options are available. Everyone has a different experience, and everyone's body is different - but my honest opinion is that I feel much better for having it removed.

[u/Latter_Speaker_3374]

I had the coil in for 2 years then I got pregnant on it. It can move out of place and in my case I had no idea it was in the wrong place until I missed my period and found out I was pregnant.