My copper coil in 10 years

[Sleepy101]

Hi

I had my coil removed yesterday after 10 years. Its not a pretty sight, worrying in fact. The health professionals said nothing to me about it or what it looks like. In fact they couldn't wait to throw it in the bin before I could see it. When I asked to see it I got so much resistance I had to insist and I asked to take it away because I was suspicious. Well most of the copper is gone and its corroded I tnink, that's not safe surely? Also tmi it smells like literally a dead animal. It's obviously covered in bacteria as the smell almost made me vomit. No mention or any of this from the health care or that I might want to get swab done to test it. I'm wondering if I should ask GP to test for bacteria for me. My stomach feels OK and that low level dull ache I used to have on off has gone. But there's defo someone on the coil from the smell and I've has that thing in me for 10 years!! So glad it's out. Us women puts these things in our bodies because we are told its safe and that its worth it to not get pregnant. But that picture below is an IUD that was considered safe.

[Galen70]

Dear Sleepy , I am sorry you had a difficult experience with your coil removal. The coil looks like a copper T380 10 year coil. I cant link images here, but it does appear some copper is missing from the shaft of the coil. This amount would be very small and unlikely to cause you any problems. The odour you may have experienced could be due to bacterial vaginosis, for which there is a slightly increased risk with a copper IUD. If you have concerns or any symptoms, then you could speak to your GP or a local reproductive health unit to assess . Coils in general are very safe, and this one has given you 10 years of contraception, but as with almost all methods, there can be potential issues. Usually for coils its either expulsion ( being pushed out ) or rarely perforation ( stats say about 1 in 2,000 insertions but probably even less than that if an experienced inserter ) . I think the main issue here is that your concerns did not appear to be taken seriously by the attending staff , and you are absolutely right to express that distress.

[Sleepy101 in reply to Galen70]

Thank you for your response. The smell was from the coil, I did a BV test and was negative. But fingers crossed I havent had any issues with infection. I think the missing copper is long gone like you said won't cause me harm. I'm glad it's out without any complications.