A
male
age
51-59,
anonymous
writes:My girlfriend was discussing with me about getting a coil put in, she didnt originally want one because she said it made one of her friends gain a lot of weight.She has since talked with her doctor who said that was impossible. Shes made another appointment with her doctor to discuss it more.Does anyone know of any adverse side effects of having a coil? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 October 2010): I had the mirena coil fitted and within 4 weeks i had balloned from a size 12 to a wooping size 16,i was also depressed,angry,tired,nausea,my hair fell out,my skin was spotty and dry,i have since had it removed and im steadly losing the weight my moods are better my hair stopped falling out,i truly would not recommend anyone having a coil fitted worse decision i have ever made in my entire life.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (6 October 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionTisha-1 thanks so much for your detailed answers. They provide a lot of information. I will have another talk with my girlfriend later and show her the replies.
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1  +, writes (6 October 2010):
 The copper-based ParaGard has this information on its website:
What are the most common side effects? Longer heavier periods and spotting between periods; most of these side effects diminish after 2-3 months. However, if your menstrual flow continues to be heavy or long, or spotting continues, contact your healthcare provider.
Infrequently, serious side effects may occur:
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Uncommonly, ParaGard® and other IUDs are associated with PID. PID is an infection of the uterus, tubes, and nearby organs. PID is most likely to occur in the first 20 days after placement. You have a higher chance of getting PID if you or your partner have sex with more than one person. PID is treated with antibiotics. However, PID can cause serious problems such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Rarely, PID may even cause death. More serious cases of PID require surgery or a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the signs of PID: abdominal or pelvic pain, painful sex, unusual or bad smelling vaginal discharge, chills, heavy bleeding, or fever.
• Difficult removals: Occasionally ParaGard® may be hard to remove because it is stuck in the uterus. Surgery may sometimes be needed to remove ParaGard®.
• Perforation: Rarely, ParaGard® goes through the wall of the uterus,
especially during placement. This is called perforation. If ParaGard®
perforates the uterus, it should be removed. Surgery may be needed.
Perforation can cause infection, scarring, or damage to other organs.
If ParaGard® perforates the uterus, you are not protected from pregnancy.
• Expulsion: ParaGard® may partially or completely fall out of the uterus. This is called expulsion. Women who have never been
pregnant may be more likely to expel ParaGard® than women who have been pregnant before. If you think that ParaGard® has partly or completely fallen out, use an additional birth control method, such as a condom and call your healthcare provider.
You may have other side effects with ParaGard®. For example, you may have anemia (low blood count), backache, pain during sex, menstrual cramps, allergic reaction, vaginal infection, vaginal discharge, faintness, or pain. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you have questions about a side effect, check with your healthcare provider.
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reader, anonymous, writes (6 October 2010): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionThanks for your answers -
Its the copper IUD I believe, she had tried the pill and mini pill both of which do not agree with her. They made her periods very heavy and painful and cause bad mood swings.
Up to now I am using condoms which is fine for me but they sometimes bring on thrush for her.
Neither of us want permanant sterilization as neither of us have children yet, something which we both want in future.
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (6 October 2010):
Depending on the coil. The progestin one in the US is called Mirena. Here, from its website, are the common side effects associated with Mirena, followed by the uncommon but serious adverse reactions associated with Mirena.
Q: What are the more common side effects of Mirena?
A: Possible side effects of Mirena may include:
Discomfort during placement. Dizziness, bleeding or cramping may occur during placement. This is common. Let your healthcare provider know if the cramping is severe or if the symptoms don't stop 30 minutes after placement.
Expulsion. Mirena may come out by itself and no longer prevent pregnancy. Symptoms of partial or complete expulsion may include bleeding, pain and an increase in menstrual flow. If this occurs, Mirena may be replaced within 7 days of a menstrual period after pregnancy has been ruled out. If you notice Mirena has come out, use a backup form of birth control like condoms and call your healthcare provider.
More than 10% of Mirena users may experience:
Missed menstrual periods. About 2 out of 10 women stop having periods after 1 year of Mirena use. Your periods come back when Mirena is removed. If you do not have a period for 6 weeks during Mirena use, contact your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
Changes in bleeding. Your period may become irregular and you may have bleeding and spotting between menstrual periods, especially during the first 3 to 6 months. A few women have heavy bleeding during this time. After your body adjusts, periods usually get lighter and the number of bleeding days is likely to decrease, but may remain irregular. Or you may even find that your periods stop altogether—in which case, you should contact your healthcare provider to rule out pregnancy.
Call your healthcare provider if the bleeding remains heavier than usual or if the bleeding becomes heavy after it has been light for a while.
Pelvic and/or abdominal pain may occur. Talk to your healthcare provider if the pain is persistent.
Cyst on the ovary. These cysts may develop as long Mirena is in place. They are generally harmless and usually disappear in a month or two. However, cysts can cause pain and may sometimes require surgery.
Between 5% and 10% of Mirena users may experience:
Headache/Migraine
Acne
Depressed mood
Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Less than 5% of Mirena users may experience:
Vaginal discharge
Breast pain or tenderness
Nausea
Nervousness
Inflammation of cervix, vulva or vagina
Pelvic pain during your period
Back pain
Weight increase
Decreased sex drive
High blood pressure
Pain during intercourse
Anemia
Unusual hair growth or loss
Skin irritations (such as hives, rash, eczema or itching)
Feeling bloated
Swelling of hands and feet
Expulsion
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Q: Are there any potential serious complications with Mirena?
A: Mirena may be associated with uncommon but serious side effects:
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Use of Mirena and other IUDs has been associated with an increased risk of PID. The percentage of women who develop PID while using Mirena is less than 1%. The risk is highest shortly after placement—especially within the first 20 days—and if you have a vaginal infection at the time of placement. After the first 20 days, the risk of PID is reduced.
PID is an infection of the uterus and other organs of the upper reproductive system. It is caused by bacterial infections that are usually sexually transmitted, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, that travel beyond the vagina and cervix into the uterus and other organs in the reproductive system. The risk of PID is greater if you or your partner have sex with multiple partners. If not treated quickly and appropriately, PID can lead to serious problems, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy or constant pelvic pain. Serious cases of PID may require surgery. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is sometimes needed. In rare cases, infections that start as PID can even cause death.2
Before placement of Mirena, be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you have signs of a vaginal infection or PID. Signs of PID include long-lasting or heavy bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness, or painful sex, chills or fever.
After placement, contact your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms listed above occur and persist.
A rare life-threatening infection called sepsis may occur within the first few days after Mirena is placed. As of September 2006, 9 sepsis cases out of an estimated 9.9 million Mirena users had been reported. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe pain or unexplained fever after Mirena is placed.
Embedment is when Mirena attaches to the uterine wall. If embedment occurs, Mirena may no longer prevent pregnancy and you may need surgery to have it removed.
Perforation. Mirena may go through (perforate) the uterine wall. If your uterus is perforated, Mirena may no longer prevent pregnancy. It may move outside the uterus and can cause scarring, infection or damage to other organs. Surgery may be needed to have Mirena removed.
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My next post will have the side effects from the other device available on the US market which contains copper.
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A
female
reader, person12345 +, writes (6 October 2010):
 No a coil cannot make you gain weight. Are you talking about a copper IUD or sterilization? Either way, it doesn't have any effects outside her reproductive organs. The IUD can cause longer, heavier, more painful periods, but other than that it can't. The other IUD, Mirena, is hormone based and has the same side-effects as the pill.
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female
reader, aunt honesty  +, writes (6 October 2010):
 No the coil cannot make you gain weight, this is impossible, so your girlfriends friend must have gained weight through some other cause, there is only one major side effect from the coil and that it to do with her period it can make them last longer be alot heavier and alot more painful.
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