non-hormonal coil and hideous periods, long & boring.

I had a non-hormonal coil fitted in December last year, 3 months after having F. I remember at the fitting, the Dr had problems getting the depth measurement, had several goes, and commented that it was short, I got an infection after the fitting and was given antibiotics which cleared it up. After that I suffered from pain and cramps pretty much all the time, but was told it was normal and just needed to settle. I had a normal-ish period in January (my first post birth) but then had nothing until the end of March, I took a pg test fairly early on when my period didn't turn up, which was negative, but didn't think any more of it as I was still breastfeeding and it would only have been my second AF post birth anyway. However over the next few months I experienced various 'symptons' that made me worry I could be pregnant. I had a very light bleed, but tested afterwards and got a couple of feint positives. I left it a week, tested again, got a negative and a few days later, had a very heavy and painful period. I was still experiencing pain and cramps after this finished so went back to the clinic to explain and get checked out. The Dr wasn't interested in the fact I may have had a positive preg test, all she wanted to know was that I'd since had a negative and a period. She checked my coil and said it seemed fine and that the pains weren't an issue, despite me saying they were bad anough to make me feel sick. She suggested perhaps I didn't suit the coil but made no suggestions as to what to do. Between then and now I've had very short cycles, the latest being 21 days, with very heavy periods lasting between a week and a fortnight which means I sometimes only have a week or two of not bleeding a month. Because the bleeding is so heavy, I feel very tired and wobbly, have a lot of cramps/pain and actually have issues managing the bleeding, generally have several embarrassing leaks each time. I'm also stills getting pains/cramps and spotting mid cycle too.

I'm sick of it, but don't know if I'm just being wussy as was told periods could be heavier. I'm reluctant to use anything hormonal as have never got on with anything in the past, yet don't trust us to be careful enough to rely on barrier methods (that's how we got F!) or cyclical charting type things. I'd have it out, but don't want to risk another unplanned pregnancy.

Does my experience of the coil sound normal? Am I just a wimp?

WWYD?

that sounds horrible, poor you

personally I don't think I could (or would want to) put up with that - I'd want it out asap

have you thought of trying the mirena - a hormonal coil? periods are meant to be much lighter on it, and the levels of hormones are way lower than in the pill

i'd also be considering the contraeptive implant, although both those options involve hormones that you were keen to avoid

maybe go to a family planning clinic rather than the GP for a good chat about your options

Poor you thats sounds awful. I take tranexamic acid tablets for periods and bruises cuts etc. I mentioned to my friend who was having the same problems as you and she asked her dr for it and was given tranexamic acid tablets to take for the start of her bleed. They helped alot, maybe worth asking?

I have been wondering about the mirena coil, the Dr I saw about the infection suggested it back then. I had my coil fitted at a specialist clinic so you'd think they'd have been more helpful really! Not terribly keen on having it out and another in, but like you say SH, I don't think I can put up with it.

Rhea, would rather sort the cause of the bleeding tbh, as not keen on taking medication really, but will bear in mind, thanks x

Isn't heavy periods one of the side effects? My friend can't have hormonal bc so the tablets fixed her probs. I hope you can get it sorted, heavy bleeding is the pits.

Just to add that I take tranexamic acid for heavy periods and they are an absolute god send so if you want to persevere with the coil I would ask for them tbh. I was advised that the non hormonal coil can increase the heaviness of bleeding by my GP as I was considering it at one time. Now that I know how effective the tranexamic acid is I think I'd consider having the coil after we've had baby number 2 as I don't want to take anything hormonal.

I had a non hormonal coil fitted 2 weeks ago and had to taken out by the GP yesterday as I was in agony! My periods were really light after having C yet I've spent the last fortnight in pain and bleeding heavily. I was convinced that the coil must be in the wrong place to be hurting so much, turns out it wasn't but GP did say that some people just aren't suited to a coil.

Like you I don't trust us not to mess up using barrier methods or natural family planning so I'm really not sure where to go from here. Certainly won't be getting a coil again!

I have one. My periods are about a day longer than before and i get a day of v heavy bleeding (change tampon every hour or two) which i never had before.  No pain though, and your experience does not seem normal, or acceptable to me.  I wouldn't put up with what you have.  YOu poor thing.

WSHS

Sounds really pants mate.  There's got to be another option, you shouldn't live like that.  FWIW, it's nothing like my experience, but I guess I was uncky xxx

It sounds like you're one of the unlucky ones that have heavier, more painful periods with the copper coil. I would be tempted to suggest the Mirena too - having your current coil out should be really uneventful, you'll barely know its happening, and knowing the issues from the prev insertion would mean they are able to pre-empt those probs next time so you shouldn't end up with such a laborious procedure 2nd time around. The mirena is usually the opposite of the copper coil, making periods lighter and less painful instead of heavier, (mine has been fab!).

My experience is only with the Mirena coil, but I suffered near constant AF cramps for 18 months when I had mine fitted, to the point where I just couldn't get on with anything. When I had it fitted I had been advised that I would experience "some cramping and discomfort". I was actually sobbing in agony for a week after the fitting, to the point where I was delirious and rocking with the pain, but kept being reasured that this was "normal" and basically made to feel like a wuss. When I finally had it taken out the consultant admitted that it hadn't been fitted properly.

If you're really not happy then I'd advise to have it taken out, but I can also vouch for tranexamic and mefanamic acid to help with the flow and the pain.

I can't use the pill as it exacerbates my migraines, but I was told that the level of hormones in the Mirena shouldn't cause me a problem. In addition to the cramping, the hormones gave me really sore boobs and I went up two cup sizes, so I know where you're coming from with your reluctance to use hormonal contraception!

I have the mirena coil and haven't had any probs.  I was told the amount of hormone is very low as it's in the right place and doesn't have to travel in your blood so there shouldn't be as many side effects compared to having the pill. Sounds like you're having a tough time on yours - I would go back and see about something else x