As I said, sorry! Had my coil out on Friday and my period, which was due now-ish has started today. But it's an almost black blood (sorry again!) is this normal? Should I be worried? I'm sort of not worried (but enough to post here) since I suppose it will get 'normal' within the next couple of days but has anyone else had this? TIA to anyone who can help.

my 1st period after coil removal lasted 6 weeks!! I ended up in casualty as doc thought i'd miscarried!! Found out i was just a bit mucked up but quite accidentally found out i had polycystic ovary syndrome too! Don't know whether the 6 weeks was the coil or the PCOS but something wasn't right!

Tracy
xx

What a small world www - I had mine removed last week.

My period isn't due till the end of this week, but I've had a couple of days of bleeding, 2nd day was very dark, so I suppose that sounds like yours, except I stopped after a couple of days, but then my period isn't due. Maybe just wait for the normal duration of your period. You don't feel unwell do you?

Can I ask another q re coil removal? Like I said, mine was removed last week. A couple of days later I had a couple of days bleeding, but now I feel rough. Could I really be pg?(I've avoided dh like the plague - could I really get pg from nookie that took place before the coil removal? I think it'd be too early to test as period not due yet, but I feel rough.I've had a headache for 2 days, and I feel a bit sick, actually like I've got a hangover, although I've not touched a drop for a week. (Never had morning sickness before, but I remember feeling like I had a constant hangover before) Thanks

WWW, nothing to contribute except sympathy and wincing . Was wondering how you had got on, sorry to hear you are experiencing this. Hope it clears up soon.

Hi wickedwaterwitch
I had my coil out a few months ago so I can't remember all that well, but I don't remember having dark blood. I would perhaps give the nurse at your doc's a call if it doesn't get better over the next two days. Oh, but mine was a non hormonal one - ie just the metal - not sure if that makes a difference. HTH

WWW, sorry to highjack this thread, as I don't have a coil, but do have almost black blood every period. To add to the gruesome-ness, it is always very clotty. I thought this was normal but looking at the replies, I think not. Does anyone else have periods that aren't red? (I'm on the pill by the way so can't be pg.)

Thanks everyone, ds downstairs with friend and I'd better make tea and check they're not killing each other in a sec so quickly, monkey, I've avoided Dp too!!! Weird thinking for the 1st time in ages that I could get pregnant (although that is the idea at some point!) can't answer your question tho, could you do a test? Asked a friend today who said it sounded like hers so will not worry. Feel well in every other way so think I'll wait and see what this week brings. Should be my period.

But tracyhay, reading your post maybe I should just call them. Will do it now!

tell us what they said, www, eh? Btw are you hoping to get pg quickly - or avoid dh for ages?! If I am, and I'm sure I can't be, but I really feel it (I feel tired, so tired, even after having a week of early nights, no booze, healthy diet, I feel nautious & raging headache)I haven't done a test because it would be too early - I'm not due for another 4-6 days - or would it - that was kinda one of my questions

monkey, I did a test before I was due and it came up a very pale blue rather than anything definite. built my hopes up a bit - which was fine, because I was pg, but might have made me feel miffed if I hadn't been.

Did it hurt having it removed? When I had mine fitted I couldn't beleive the pain. No one had told me how much it hurt and I do have a feeling that this one stays in till I die if it hurts that much! I've had three children so can't be that much of a wimp!

Monkey, not sure re the getting pregnant straight away or not. Feel very ambivalent about the whole thing. Would like to lose a stone, stop smoking, have given up alcohol for a month, have taken folic acid for ever and have settled into working and have been there long enough to be entitled to maternity benefits before I get pregnant. Mmm, in an ideal world!

Partly feel let's crack on, I'm 36 soon, aaahh a baabbby and what if it takes ages/I miscarry/can't get pregnant easily or again and partly feel, shit, pregnancy, labour, depression again (? maybe), sleeplessness, not enough money again, another 5 years off work (possibly), no life! Sounds like it might be too late for you though!!!

Lilibet, it didn't hurt having it out as much as it did having it put in. Lay there thinking, I'm a wimp, I'm wincing and I've done childbirth on gas and air, how can I EVER do it again if I'm this pathetic about having my coil out?!!! BTW the nurse said the blood is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Phew! Just pregnancy or not to worry about then

Message withdrawn

lilibet - it didn't hurt at all having it removed. He asked me to cough & that was it. I was bracing myself, but nothing at all. Not even a twinge.
Bundle - I read any line no matter how pale was positive - how long before you were due. Maybe I'll just torture myself and do a test, although a negative mught still be a positive, just too early, so I'd be torturing myself for no good reason.

www - I feel the same but at least I feel virtuous about no alcohol for a week - I stopped the day I had the coil removed, just in case.

The best side effect of the mirena in my opinion (better than not having to worry about contraception!!!) is that my periods have not come back at all since ds was born. With dd they came back at 10 weeks despite exclusive breastfeeding. This time ds is nearly 9 months and - nothing!! Hooray.
Glad to hear it doesn't hurt having it out, though for me it wasn't too bad getting it put in either.

monkey, I think I did one test a good few days before I was due. I just felt weird. but my periods are pretty erratic so the 'due' date is a bit of a moveable feast. obviously the longer you leave it, the better because of the concentration of hormones in your wee. but I know how hard that is when you're dying to know....

contribution about testing rather than coils etc. Just wanted to say that I tested on day 10 when pg with my ds and got a faint +. Good quality tests can now be done at any time of the day from the day your period is due, ie 14 days from conception. With this reasoning if you think you conceived earlier it will show earlier and also if you test first thing it should work sooner than "any time of the day". Trouble is if you take the test and its +, great you've got your answer, but if its neg they you don't know whether you can trust it so end up doing another anyway which can get expensive. Hang on in there guys. I know its awful waiting but you'll not be sure otherwise.

www and others, it can hurt v. much having a coil put in. I gather it depends which part of the cycle you are in. When I had mine in, years ago, it was agony and I went green for hours. I know others who both have and haven't had pain this way, so it doesn't affect everyone (a bit like childbirth really). As for having it removed, I don't know. Mine was removed under a general anaes., as it had moved and embedded itself in my uterus
(mm, nice).

Good luck in getting pregnant. But after my 3rd child has just started school I do not want to go back to that. I went on the Minera coil 4 yrs ago and have never had a period heaven, it did hurt to have it fitted but that is nothing on the advantage of period free life and cheaper. i hope to be on it for ever but will have to have it checked after 5 yrs?

After 5 years the mirena has used up its hormones so needs replaced. Appareantley they take one out and put the other in at the same appointment, so you are lot left unprotected. But if you leave it much past the 5 years you might be, and as there are no more hormones, your periods will come back -- uuurgh!

Thank you fo clarifiying that for me susanmt.

No probs. May as well make the most of being married to a doctor. There arent a lot of perks. Like now ! Fiiday Night, 9pm, kids in bed, he's been called out. Just me and the wine and Mumsnet! Sorry, did I say there weren't any perks???? ROFL!

That would be 8pm. Looks like the wine has kicked in already!!

hi people, i have finally found people who have had mirena. i had mine inserted after my son was born and i have just had my second removed as we have decided to try for another baby. i was not looking forward to the periods again. so i sat and waited for it but it never came. doctor assured me that periods and fertility would return. i have no problem with fertility and got caught straight away with first son. finally 9 weeks after removely she finally came and i mean came. i do not wish the amount of bleeding i have had on any one. so to my question. has any one had this and will this prevent my chances of getting caught again.???

I had the mirena coil removed six weeks ago, to try for a baby, after having it in for 6 years, as yet I haven't had a period just wondered when to expect it! Feel like I'm in limbo at the mo and not in control of my own body. Have done pregnancy test but it came back negative but ahve been feeling really grotty. Anyone help me out?

Im due to have my copper coil out today at 4pm which i have had in for 6yrs an 3 months i have normal periods every month sometime a 5 day bleed some time a 7 day bleed, not really sure what to expect as im aware from some questions asked on forum that the coil stops working after 5 yrs how true is this?
And if im already having normal periods does this mean my body doesnt have any hormones goin into it...if this is so why havent i conceived while the IUD has been inside me

VERY CONFUSED LADY!

Hi everyone! I am 41 and after having my just copper coil in for almost 7 years am due to have it removed next week. I am dreading it, as think it will really hurt. Must say been really happy with the coil, no pains, periods been just normal, infact, I have forgotten all about it being there, (hence it been in for so long )
Considering my age, not sure what kind of contraceptive to use from now on, as I cannot use anything with hormones in due to mild hypertension, would I still need to use one? i have 3 children, and don't want any more - lovely as they are so welcome any comments.

I also had the mirena coil removed after 2 years end of November to try for a baby. I had a period on the 1st dec and thought how quickly my cycle had come back. End of December I felt nauseas and had terrible mood swings. In vain I took a pregnancy test which came back negative. I have done a further 2 tests which came out negative as I still have not had another period. I can totally understand how you feel in limbo, it would be nice to get back into a natural cycle!

hi,
i'm looking for a bit of advice and direction i guess ( although i think i know what you are going to come back with!) i had the mirena fitted 4 years ago and to begin with my period were all over the place, sometimes 2 a month. they settled down after about a year and although my pmt isn't great, it's not as bad as it used to be! i have been constantly dieting to no avail am having dizzy spells and pains in the lower abdomen on the left hand side. is this all connected to the coil? my friend has just had her mirena removed and dropped half a stone in 2 weeks! i don't suit any pill and i don't think i want another coil (although once you get over the fear of not having period and spending a fortune on tests, the advantages are huge). dh has said no to the patter of a third pair of tiny feet. oh! what to do!!!

hey,
this maybe a really daft question but ive had my coil fitted now for over 6 years and wanting it removed to try for a baby, but how do i go about doing it? is there a time in my cycle that i have to go to get it removed???

I have posted this on another forum so I thought it might be useful. To answer the question above no you don't have to have it removed at a certain time of the month. Fitting is different but removal at any time. Good idea to wait a month before trying though. Make sure you start taking folic acid, get your rubella immunity checked and stay off the alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine for a MONTH before you start trying. Also good idea to wait for your cycle to come back to normal so you can spot any complications.

Thanks to everyone for posting all your comments. Its good to know the range of symtoms out there. I thought I would post my story and also try and summarise what I know.

There are two types of coil (IUD), one with a hormone and one without. They behave very different and can effect you differently after they're taken out.

If you have had sex within 7 days BEFORE the IUD is removed you can get pregnant as the sperm can stay around. It is possible to get pregnant as soon as its removed also.

The IUD with hormone.. the hormones (like the contraceptive pill) can take up to 6 months to leave your system. You can get pregnant straight away or it might take longer because of this.

For most people it can take up to a year to get pregnant with trying and no contraception and that's normal. As you get older your chance of conceiving gets lower. At 35 you have half the chance of conceiving than in your early twenties. Age has recently been shown to affect men also. Even if you're young healthy and normal it can still take a year to get pregnant. This is normal. Doctors are unlikely to give fertility tests before you've been trying a year.

If you do want to get pregnant remember to keep taking folic acid from a month before you try, stay off the alcohol cigarettes and caffeine and get your man to also! Also check your rubella (german measles) immunity. Ask your nurse for a blood test. Even if you had the jab at school at 12/13 you still need to check and get a booster BEFORE you get pregnant.

My experience of the coil. I had a coil fitted which was relatively painless, a bit uncomfortable. It was the one without the hormone. I had a lot of very VERY heavy periods, excrutiating pain and pain when not on my period also. It was uncomfortable for the whole 6 months I had it in. I had the coil removed 2 months ago and it was fine to remove. No infections, nothing wrong.

A month later I had a very light period. Really only spotting for about a day and a half, very little at all.

A month after that I have my period now and it seems normal.

I think from the posts above it is normal for your periods to take a while to come back to normal when its removed. It is possible to get pregnant straight away but it would be better to wait until you're having a cycle normal for you. If you have any other symptoms go to your doctor and insist you're checked out. Dont know what doctors in the US are like but in the UK you really have to insist sometimes if you know something is wrong. Don't wait. You may get symptoms similar to pregnancy. This may be because you really want to get pregnant. It may be due to a cyst or ectopic pregnancy. You must get it checked out.

For any kind of medication, contraception or getting pregnant have a good look round on the internet. The NHS Direct website isn't bad but there is lots of information out there.. just takes a little bit of time to find.

Hope this wasn't patronising.. just wanted to point out some information all in one place. Please correct anything above that you know to be wrong.

M.

To china,

You can still get pregnant at your age if you haven't started menopause. You doctor could test you to find out if you have but you're probably a little young for that yet.

You could ask your husband to get sterlised, it is a relatively painless operation but does seem a bit extreme.

It doesn't hurt to have taken out. At least in most cases, just relax and it will be fine. Even for me and I've never had a baby!

There are other methods of contraception. Condoms of course. Or the rhythm method or the ovulation tests but there is still the risk of getting pregnant then.

The only sure way to not get pregnant is to not have sex. condoms are 99% good and so is the combined pill but even they aren't 100%. You can still have fun in bed without having full intercourse of course. Just be careful!

m

Hi Wyo
Thanks for the summary here. Its not patronising at all - very useful. I had a non hormone coil removed 2 months ago and was desperate for info on what happens on removal. It was a non-event in the end. I actually got BFP after ovulating 2 wks after removal.