Why You May Not Feel a Full Cyclical Rhythm With a Coil

Understanding the difference between a natural cycle, hormonal coils, and copper coils… plus my personal story

For many women, choosing a coil feels like a practical, empowering decision. It can seem like a simple solution, effective contraception without needing to think about it every day.

And for some, the experience can be more complex than expected.

This article walks you through what’s happening hormonally, why your cyclical rhythm may feel different, and how to understand your body with compassion, not confusion.

I’ll also share my own personal experience with the copper coil, because I believe these conversations need honesty and nuance.

First: What is a “natural” menstrual cycle?

A natural ovulatory cycle is a beautifully coordinated hormonal dance between the brain, ovaries, and uterus.

Across the month, hormones rise and fall in a rhythm.

Step by step:

1️⃣ Oestrogen rises → energy, mood, and the uterine lining build

2️⃣ Luteinising hormone (LH) surges → triggers ovulation

3️⃣ Ovulation occurs → egg released

4️⃣ Corpus Luteum is created →Progesterone rises → calming, grounding, nervous system support

5️⃣ Hormones fall → menstruation

Ovulation is key because this is what creates the Corpus Luteum and therefore progesterone, which supports mood stability, sleep, bone health, and nervous system regulation.

This hormonal dance is what creates the feeling of cyclical flow, outward energy, then inward reflection, then rest.

What happens with a hormonal coil?

Hormonal coils like Mirena or Kyleena release a synthetic progestin into the uterus.

Although often described as “local,” they can still influence hormonal signalling.

Step by step changes:

Ovulation may be suppressed or inconsistent
LH surge may be blunted
Natural progesterone may be lower
Bleeding may become very light or stop
Hormonal rhythm becomes softer or less defined

The cyclical pattern is often less pronounced.

What happens with a copper coil?

A copper coil such as Paragard is non-hormonal, so ovulation continues.

However, it works by creating a local inflammatory response in the uterus.

What may change:

Periods can become heavier
Bleeding may be longer
Inflammation may increase affecting hormone rhythms
Menstrual phase can feel more intense
So again you are not aligning to your ‘natural rhythm’

Hormonal rhythms remains more intact, but the physical experience of menstruation can change.

Why you may not feel a full cyclical rhythm

The biggest reason is progesterone exposure.

If ovulation is inconsistent (more common with hormonal coils), the nervous system doesn’t receive the same calming progesterone peak which can make phases feel less distinct.

This can feel like:

Flatter emotional landscape
Less clear phase transitions
Reduced body signals
Less sense of ebb and flow

Emotional and nervous system differences

In a natural cycle, hormones guide a rhythm between outward engagement and inward reflection.

With coils, some women report:

Feeling more emotionally steady but less cyclical
Feeling slightly muted
Less clear inward phase
Subtle anxiety or mood changes

Others feel completely fine… experiences vary widely.

Cycle awareness and body literacy

Body signals may feel quieter because:

Bleeding may be absent (hormonal coils)
Ovulation may be inconsistent
Cervical fluid changes are altered

This can make it harder to track phases in the traditional way.

Quick comparison

Feature	Natural cycle	Hormonal coil	Copper coil
Ovulation	✅	Sometimes	✅
LH surge	✅	Blunted/variable	✅
Oestrogen rise	✅	Present but altered	✅
Progesterone peak	✅	Often reduced	✅
Endometrial build	✅	Thin	✅
Bleed	Cyclical	Light/absent	Often heavier
Cervical mucus	Cyclical	Thickened	Cyclical
Full hormonal rhythm	✅	Partial	Can Be Affected

My personal story with the copper coil

When I was younger, I thought the coil would be a win-win.

The pill gave me migraines, and as a hormone-sensitive soul it made me feel a bit loopy, so I wanted what I believed was a hormone-free option. I chose the copper coil.

At first, I trusted what I’d been told, that it was localised to the womb and wouldn’t affect the rest of my body.

But over time I started noticing changes. My breasts reduced and felt almost like empty sacks. My joints began to ache. At the time, I didn’t connect any of it to the coil.

Then I began bleeding almost constantly for months.

I went to the doctors, and the initial suggestion was medication to stop the bleeding, but something didn’t feel right to me. I pushed for further investigation and eventually had a colposcopy.

I was told I had CIN cells on my cervix that were borderline cancerous and that the affected area was large enough to require an operation!

To cut a long story short, I had an operation and treatment, which left me with debilitatingly painful periods afterwards, cervical stenosis and fertility issues.

I was also told (by the doctor who did the operation) that my copper coil had deteriorated inside me and definitely contributed to the irritation and wider picture of my cervical health challenges. After all, it works through inflammation.

That experience deeply changed how I think about “local” contraception and how differently each body can respond. I believe these experiences led me to look for a more holistic approach to my journey through Menopause, and I’m not sure you can blame me? 😂

Why stories like this matter

Every body responds differently to contraception and menstrual health solutions.

Many women have completely positive experiences with coils. Others don’t.

The important thing is not fear it’s informed choice and body awareness.

Supporting your body if you have a coil

Support your nervous system

Prioritise sleep
Balance blood sugar
Gentle movement
Stress regulation

Support hormone pathways

Eat enough healthy fats and protein
Include magnesium-rich foods
Support liver detoxification

With a copper coil

Support iron levels
Focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition
Ensure adequate zinc intake

A new way to think about your rhythm

A natural cycle is like a full hormonal symphony.

A hormonal coil can feel like a softer, quieter rhythm.

A copper coil keeps the rhythm but may make the menstrual phase louder.

None of these experiences are wrong, they are simply different physiological environments.

To close…

This conversation isn’t about whether coils are good or bad, or whether anyone should or shouldn’t use one. (Although after my own experiences I definitely do not rush to recommend the coil.)

But, for some women, coils can be supportive, particularly in situations like endometriosis, adenomyosis, when ‘progesterone’ is needed. They can be a helpful and appropriate tool for a particular season, body, or health picture. I see it almost like a band aid, where as natural solutions can support the root hormonal issue to support a women to come into balance long term.

What matters most is understanding.

Because when we truly understand how our bodies work, how hormones communicate, how ovulation shapes our physiology, how different contraceptives influence our rhythms… we move from feeling confused or disconnected to feeling informed and empowered.

Without that education, it’s so easy to feel lost. Many of us make decisions simply trying to feel better, trusting the information we’re given, without being offered the full picture of how our bodies function or what different options might mean long term.

And that’s not a personal failure… it’s a reflection of how little cyclical education most of us receive.

The real invitation isn’t to question past choices or search for the “perfect” option. It’s to advocate for deeper education for women, so we can make decisions from a place of awareness rather than uncertainty.

When we understand our bodies, we can choose what supports us in this moment… knowing that our needs may change across seasons of life, health journeys, and personal circumstances.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Only informed, compassionate choice.

Do I have a full menstrual cycle with a coil?