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TSR Wiki > Life > Health and Relationships > General Health > Sexual Health > Having a Coil Fitted

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One Persons Experiences

I booked myself into a hospital clinic nearby as I am away from home/everyone ;_;. The nurse took me in to discuss my options and I was told that if I'd wanted a coil I couldn't have one because they don't have the time/staff, but when I told her my ENTIRE history she reconsidered this. She steered me off Depo [which I'm grateful for; I never REALLY wanted it] for the simple reason that if something goes tits up with it, I can't "take it out" like I can anything else. And since I'm already the owner of an unruly womb, there's no point in risking that.

So, the coil. A consultant took over and explained the risks, the benefits, the pros the cons and the ins and outs, all of which I was pretty up on, but I listened and went through the health questionnaire for contraindications etc etc. They also want to know what day of a period you are on because things "flow" a little easier when you're on, but a heavy period can mean you dislodge the bloody thing, so a balance has to be struck.

One important point to note here is that they wanted to know when my last STI test was, and not just that, but my partner's. Because, during the first week or so of having got it, you are more vulnerable to infection which could be complicated - so no matter how "clean" I am, if I were to go letting someone of questionable sexual health go messing around up there, I would be a) a very silly bunny and b) very possibly infected soon after.

So, if you are, in the immortal words of Nelly Furtado, a promiscuous girl - this is not for you. They recommend this measure for the more stable relationships, and for that I don't really blame them. You can't be too careful.

After getting me to take off the lower half [in private] and lie down, an army of people trotted in. I don't think this is the norm, but there was a studenty/apprentice type, the consultant and a female chaperon/nurse there in the room with me. Good job I'm not shy, because the apprentice type took up a pew right in the front seat and switched a lamp on. Nice.

First of all the consultant washed up, gloved up, KYed and did a quick internal to figure out which way the womb lies. Not uncomfortable, I must say. Quick palpation of belly in addition to [well, y'know]. Then, a metal tool was put in to widen and make access easier. It was cold, but not in the slightest bit uncomfortable. I was nervous [I told them so]. There's no shame in being nervous, and it's better if you tell them that.. Then the not so nice bit. Local anaesthetic gel was pushed in. It felt so weird. I can only really liken it to having someone hit you a little too hard in the throes of passion. It felt harder than just gel, and it was weird. That, however was not the worst.

To measure how long the strings need to be, the doctor needed to measure the size of the uterus itself. [he made me do a cough. I dunno why. By this point I didn't care enough to ask]

Now, this comes easier to those of you who have had kiddliwinks, but I obviously haven't. So the next bit hurt like..well, like having a white stick shoved where it shouldn't be. It felt like hot period pain, but it got sharp and intense and I knew EXACTLY what was happening. I cried. I kept getting told to breathe, and yes, breathing does make it better but when someone has a STICK up your wrong end it's hard to relax those knees, resist punching them in the face, least of all breathe through tears.

What a knob I felt. But I'm sure they've had worse performances. I was on my own. The nurse came and held my hand and I grabbed it, scrunched it and sweated all over her. This was without a doubt the worst part.

After that the coil itself was whacked up there. Once again, hot searing stick of crampy agony followed by me sobbing away like a tit. Whatever, if you were reverse giving birth to a stick you'd probably cry too :p; BUT it was over now.

The doctors/nurses all left me to it after that. They told me I was very brave [haha], but sadly I did not get a lollipop. Something about them not being funded for the NHS. They told me to take as long as I wanted and gave me a box of tissues.

I sat in the room and cried for a good five minutes.

They saw what a state I was in, and rushed to get me some water when I came out of the room. They gave me a sanitary towel to use instead of a tampon/mooncup till I got home. I hate sanitary towels but I can't face putting anything internally right now. I get the feeling that my lady parts would bite anything else that went up there tonight. I have to use condoms for 7 days after [infection risk etc etc] but AS IF I'm even thinking about sex right now.

I have to go for a check [for movement etc] in 6 weeks, but I was told how to check it myself and all that jazz. My friends with Mirena seem quite impressed with it. But for the meantime, we'll see.

All that remains to say is that I'm in horrible pain right now, doped up on paracetamol and ibuprofen. [to their credit, they're working].

A Second Persons Experiences

Oooh the coil. Prescribed only rarely to people who have never given birth, and for very good reason! I booked myself an appointment with my Doctor, and went on the last day of my period- apparently the perfect time to have a coil...but I don't think there actually is one! I had the copper coil (IUD) which works by killing all the sperm (they really don't like copper apparently).

So, up goes the metal thing...but I have a high cervix, so she needs a longer one. It's cold, but OK, and not really uncomfortable as I was really relaxed about it. So then some pinchy thing goes up there- imagine a pretty bad period and you're about right. I just dug my nails into my hands but was OK. She showed me the coil- it's really tiny! Then she tried putting the coil up...but the first one wouldn't stay. So I had to go through it all again! (Motto being: If you have a tendancy to be at all awkward during health things, as am I, don't have this). I managed to let out nothing more than one slight squeak, which I am proud of!

Finally the second coil is put up there, and the threads are cut. Well, I say cut. She couldn't do it. Me being awkward again. At this point, I don't really give a damn what she is doing, I just want her to finish. I stand up and the cramps are just like a normal period- definitely liveable. Eventually it's cut, and she asks me if I can stand. I carefully do so, and get my undies and trousies back on, pad included because, as the first coil editor suggests, there is NO WAY anything else is going up there for a good few days.

She gives me all the details on checking it, and when to get another appointment with her, but I wasn't really listening.

I go out with my boyfriend (who I am coldly treating as if it is all his fault I am in pain as if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be getting long term contraception at all, and he'd BETTER love me for this) and sit down at BK. I'm not particularly hungry (usual for me...you guys might be), and sit and watch him eat. Half way through the pain (which has been getting slowly worse) overtakes me and I demand he drives me home with no concern for anyone who we should be picking up.

Painkillers and bed. So don't organise anything else later that day (I stupidly had an appointment with my course tutor and a poker night to be dealing with). The cramps last for a couple of days or so, but here is a hint- don't wait for the pain to start before you take more medication, take it every three or four hours for at least two days.

All in all, it's a good form of contraception, and worth it in the end as you don't need another one for ten years. But it's painful.

Any questions from those interested in getting one/with one/just plain interested welcome.