[Nessicle]

Not sure if this is the correct area to post so Mods please can you move if not and I apologise lol!

Well I've been on many types of oral contraception over the years.

I was fine on Microgynon 30 which I started taking at 15 years old for my heavy periods but the minute I mentioned I'd had a headache or two a few times when I was about 17 years old he took me off it and recommended Depoprovera. I had Depo for 2 years my mood swings were all over, I got too thin and the main side effect that's plagued me ever since is the cystic acne - big huge boils that were on my face and I would have 3 at a time some times which was hugely painful. I came off Depo and the boils did become less frequent thankfully.

However, I started a relationship and needed another form of contraception and I was put on Dianette to help clear up the acne too which it did, it was ace and I had perfect skin. But of course the docs don't like to keep you on it for too long because of the high hormone content and the fact it can cause liver damage if used long term. I was put on Marvelon which is known to aggravate acne and the docs seem to have forgot that so again, the problem flared up and I was put on Dianette.

To cut a long story short I'm now taking Yasmin which is probably the best one for less fluid retention and the least likely to aggravate skin conditions but I've noticed that my back is covered in acne and cycstic boils to the point it hurts when I wear my bra.

So the doc has suggested I consider the Coil.

So I'm weighing up the pro's and con's of having one fitted and wondered if anyone here has one and what you think of it, how painful it was to be fitted etc and whether it's worth having it done.

I'm not in a relationship at the moment and don't plan on having children any time soon.

thanks guys!

She also mentioned the Mirena coil.....gosh such hard choices!!

[Adrienne]

I actually personally use the 5 year mirena one and i've had it for almost 3 years. It has no hormonal side effects such as wieght gain or any of acne and any of the usual things you expect with birth control. The thing about it is that most doctors wont put an iud on a woman who hasn't had children.

Edit: Here's a thread that might answer some of your questions.

My BC problems

[Carolyn]

I used iuds from the age of 18 to 28. I never liked the side affects of the pills.
I loved the iud - I never had to worry about taking a pill every day. The IUDs I used, did not have anything hormonal - just the copper wire it was made of.

I did not have my son until I was 29 - I had no problem getting an iud before the pregnancy.

It can be very uncomfortable/painful getting one inserted - make sure you take 4 extra strength aspirin/tylenol before the insertion.
You might even ask if there is something you can insert that will relax the cervix, prior to appointment of insertion.
Ask if you can get an iud inserted while you are menstruating - your cervix will be more relaxed then.

**Just want to explain that the pain comes from the doctor opening up the cervix to place the iud inside the uterus.

Have someone come with you in case you are in a lot of discomfort and don't want to drive home.

Expect some cramping afterwards - but you will be fine to go back to work the following day.

Make sure you get an iud that is good for a minimum of 5 years - you don't want to go through another insertion any more than you have to.

I found that my periods would only last 3 days, were relatively cramp free, and they always started every 21 days after the period finished - But I had 13 periods a year because the cycles weren't that long.

The bottom line is you can try one out. If it is not for you, you can get it taken out and try another form of birth control.

[speerrituall1]

I'm glad Carolyn had such an experience. The convenience is great but, mine was the other side of the tracks. My partner could feel the string that led out of my cervix and I developed severe scar tissue, therefore I had to have it removed. You never know it's a 50/50 toss.

[Adrienne]

Originally Posted by speerrituall1

I'm glad Carolyn had such an experience. The convenience is great but, mine was the other side of the tracks. My partner could feel the string that led out of my cervix and I developed severe scar tissue, therefore I had to have it removed. You never know it's a 50/50 toss.

Your partner could feel the string? I've never had that happen to me. I guess my favorite part is that i literally don't have anymore periods. I had my son and bled for 6 weeks exactly to the day before i had the iud put in. I breastfed til he was 13 months and didn't have a period the whole time until my son was about 1 1/2. Since then, I get if i get one every 6 months. I still get the pms mood swings and other symptoms but no pads for me!

[speerrituall1]

Originally Posted by Adrienne

Your partner could feel the string? I've never had that happen to me. I guess my favorite part is that i literally don't have anymore periods. I had my son and bled for 6 weeks exactly to the day before i had the iud put in. I breastfed til he was 13 months and didn't have a period the whole time until my son was about 1 1/2. Since then, I get if i get one every 6 months. I still get the pms mood swings and other symptoms but no pads for me!

Yes, the insertion was done by feeding the coil through a "straw" like apparatus. Attached to the coil had was a short piece of synthetic string/thread, which pulled for removal. The coil also caused me to have heavy periods. It was not a great experience. I had it inserted after having my son.

[Carolyn]

With regard to the string, I did have a boyfriend that could feel it during sex.
But that was an easy remedy, the doctor just cut it shorter.

With regard to having the iud removed, you can't just pull on the string to remove it. The doctor has to reopen the cervix, then remove the iud.

It is possible that the iud slip out of the uterus and cervix - but how this would happen with out you knowing, is beyond me.
That's why you feel for the string every once in a while, to make sure the iud is in position.

The bottom line is for you to reasearch the pros and cons.
Like I said before, you can try an iud - if it you are not happy with it, the doctor will remove it and you'll have to try something else.

[GlossyAbby]

I have the copper iud and like it. I wanted something hormone free.

[Sarah84]

I've never had a coil fitted so cant comment, but I take Loestrin 20 pill and have been using it for about 4 years with no side effects what so ever, no weight gain, acne problems etc I don't know if that ones ever been mentioned to you but woth asking about if you'd rather continue using the pill rather than having a coil fitted.

[macface]

I have the copper IUD too.

[Andi]

I´m back on Diane mite again (I think it´s the same as Dianette?). I started it at age 18 because of teenage acne, then switched (I was worrie about it being too strong), but got cystic pimples from takine Yasmin. So back to Diane mite, and gone was the acne.
I have expressed my concern about Diane being a higher dose pill, but every gynaecologist I asked said "if you don´t have any side effects and you´re healthy, stick with it as long as you want to".

I also know some girls who have been on it for like 10years or more. And I never heard it could harm the liver, I can´t recall reading that in the infoleaflet that comes with it.

And I agree, most doctors won´t give you an IUD if you haven´t had children yet. Most definitely they´ll suggest the patch, nuvaring, or a different type of pill.

[pinksugar]

I agree with Andi, I was one Diane (which I think is the same as dianette) for years and years, and I was never told that about my liver, nor did I have any negative side effects apart from gaining weight.

I'm now on the nuvaring since I would sometimes forget to take the pill and I prefer not having to think about it.

I would either stay with the one that has had the best results (dianette?) or go for either the nuvaring or perhaps the patch? I would really only consider the coil if I wanted something long term, but I just don't like the idea of having something inside my body for such a long time, especially after all those horror stories of the dalcon (sp?) shield and such with skin growing over it... I prefer the nuvaring that gets taken out every 3 weeks.
Hope this helps! good luck in your search, and keep us updated

[Nessicle]

Wow thank you so much for sharing guys this has really opened my eyes and helped me greatly. I've thought about it a lot over the weekend and I've decided to talk with my doctor about whether she thinks it's suitable but I think I'd like to try the Mirena coil.

I've just tried nearly every pill available and the only one I can take without the acne is Dianette (same as Diane) but it made me put on so much weight and I was constantly hungry lol

I also spoke with my cousin who has the mirena coil too and she thinks it's great, she had acne in the past and hasn't had any side effects in that regard from it.

I suppose it's a case of "everyone is different" and I won't know until I try it. I know it will be uncomfortable and probably painful to have it inserted but I will take some painkillers before the procedure. I was subjected to all sorts of internal examinations and vaginal scans last year whilst in hospital so it can't be any worse than that lol!

Thank you so much everyone you've really helped me tons!! xxx

[magosienne]

good luck !