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Family planning

Mirena coil

172 replies

jamtoast12 · 19/05/2013 10:13

Hi

I have recently had the mirena coil fitted and now wander if I've made a huge mistake!!!!!!

I have always been on the pill and had no problems at all, regular cycles, bleeding etc but I am lazy taking it (forget regularly) so thought it get the coil as I'm 36 and not planning any more children.

However I have read lots of horror stories about it so seriously wish I'd not got it. In particular, I have a family history of thinning hair and mine is already very thin and I have recently read not only all the horror stories about hair loss but also that the mirena is bad for people like me who may have androgenic hair loss.

None of this was mentioned at the families planning who basically didnt offer any advice at all or give even general information.

It's only been about 10 days but I don't want it anymore!!, I'm worried about getting it out and what they may say. I asked for it but genuinely wasn't aware of all the issues with it so scared to ask them to take it out as I know its expensive etc?

Any advice please! Thanks

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LIZS · 19/05/2013 12:29

I think such stories are anecdotal rather than proven. The hormonal level is less than the pill. Unless you notice a difference try not to fret. Were you not given a booklet ?

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jamtoast12 · 19/05/2013 12:55

No wasn't given anything... T be honest it was not a pleasant experience! I know the levels are lower but my concern was lack of any oestrogen at all? Have you been okay?

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ChoudeBruxelles · 19/05/2013 12:58

Are you having any other problems?

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LIZS · 19/05/2013 13:00

on my 3rd . Hard to tell really but no pain , significant blood or hair loss. Weight gain possibly. They should have given you a booklet with the date of fitting and expiry date , plus you need a 6 week check.

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mikkii · 19/05/2013 13:06

I've had mine for about 2 years now (wow, I didn't realise it had been so long) and I haven't had any problems. I did have some hair/skin issues but this was traced back to Pernicious anaemia which also has it as a symptom, now I'm on B12 injections that has ceased to be a problem.

I used to suffer heavy painful periods, now I get some (sorry TMI alert) coloured discharge and maybe slightly achey tummy. That's it.

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jamtoast12 · 19/05/2013 13:43

No other issues at all, not even spotting! Didnt get anything other than a card with exp date on...

Not sure whether to give it some months or get it out as I've not finished my current pill pack yet ( it was already started so doc said to continue) so it won't cause any cycle problems

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LIZS · 19/05/2013 13:50

The card should have info with it. Do you have a follow up appointment? They won't be willing to take it out until you have discussed it then .

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jamtoast12 · 19/05/2013 18:17

There was nothing with the card. I was told by the doctor to come back in 6 weeks but when he left the room the nurse told me not to bother! It was very wierd as the nurse insisted I didn't return but he did.

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Helsbelscm · 19/05/2013 18:23

Don't get it removed now, you don't even know whether it will or won't suit you yet! I fit mirenas as part of my job. I think for the majority of women they are brilliant. The main reason I take them out early is because of irregular bleeding. You can expect this when it is first fitted and it can take several months to settle. Most women then get no periods or very light ones. I rarely find women get general side effects from the hormone (have never met anyone with hair thinning) but if you did have these as soon as the mirena was removed they would go. As for the 6 week check, opinion is divided on whether it is necessary. I like to see women to see if they are ok/have questions more than anything but lots of places don't. Maybe this place had recently changed their policy and the doc wasn't up to date?

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ilovepowerhoop · 19/05/2013 18:28

you should get the 6 week check as that checks it is still in position and the strings can be felt. You dont really need checks after that unless you have a specific issue with it. I have had mine for a year and havent had problems so far. I got a wee card plus a leaflet with mine.

according to the mirena website hair loss is an uncommon side effect that affects between 1/100 to 1/1000 women

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ilovepowerhoop · 19/05/2013 18:33
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jamtoast12 · 19/05/2013 19:41

Thanks everyone.. Think ill see how it goes! Doc said he cuts the strings so short that I won't be able to feel them anyway so not to worry about checking them monthly... This kind of goes against everything on the site etc? He said they are difficult to find anyway.

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Writerwannabe83 · 18/06/2013 11:45

How are you getting on jam toast?

I had my Mirena Coil for 2.5 years (had it removed 3 weeks ago as TTC) and it was a life saver for me.

I didn't have any problems at all and no side effects.

The only issue I had was that at my 6 week post insertion check they couldn't find the strings and so I had to go for an ultrasound scan to check it was still in place, which it was. I was told that in some cases the strings can be drawn back up into the uterus which is what they assumed had happened to me. It ultimately meant that having it removed wasn't quite as straight forward but it still came out ok.

I would absolutely definitely have another one in the future.

I hope you are getting on ok with it now x

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jennybear76 · 22/06/2013 13:09

I have just had the mirena fitted. (3 days ago). I'm getting really bad stomach pains. Some like bad period pains, others like muscular pain in my upper abdomen! Went back to gp yesterday (day 2) and it's still in place but when will these pains settle ? I'm also incredibly bloated. I only had very light spotting on days 1&2. I don't want to give up in it this early but I feel low and in pain. Any advice?

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nohalfmeasures · 22/06/2013 13:14

Didn't suit me. Lots of breakthrough bleeding and cramps. I gave it 6 months which I thought was a fair time, but but finally went back and had it removed. It's a shame as I really liked the idea of it.

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Writerwannabe83 · 22/06/2013 13:48

Hi Jenny,

After insertion I had some discomfort for about 3-4 days. I had been warned about this by the GP so I had switched my shifts round at work to enable me to have 3 days off.

With the help of paracetamol, ibuprofen and hot water bottles it was bearable. I did have some light spotting for a few weeks but I had also been warned about this too - it was just the coil starting to disintegrate the lining of the uterus, which is what it is designed to do.

Don't give up just yet, it is still very early days. I do hope things settle soon though x x

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jennybear76 · 22/06/2013 22:15

Thanks for that. The spotting I was warned about. The pain I wasn't! The doctor prescribed me solpadol which are helping along with ibuprofen. It hurts more when I've eaten though. I don't get why? Really hoping it settles , it would be the perfect contraception if it does.

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Writerwannabe83 · 22/06/2013 23:46

I found mine to be brilliant once the initial bleeding and discomfort had wore off.

Prior to insertion my periods were horrendous. They were extremely heavy, very difficult to deal with, gave me awful stomach pains and would last 5-7 days.

Following the Mirena things became a million times better. I would still have regular periods (although they do stop completely for some women) but they would be absolutely minimal. For the first 3 days it would be like spotting, but barely enough to even justify using a sanitary towel. The last 2 days would just consist of some blood streaks on the toilet paper if I'd had a wee Smile Sorry for all the TMI but just trying to give you some encouragement and a reason to persevere.

I actually got my first period today after having had the Mirena removed and my stomach cramps are horrendous and I reckon I've lost more blood today in about 6 hours than I did throughout the entire 5 day period with the Coil. It has been quite a shock to my system actually, I had forgotten how bad it used to be.

I'm really hoping me and Hubby conceive quickly as I not sure I can face months ad months of 'normal' periods again!

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jennybear76 · 23/06/2013 09:36

Don't know about the rest of you who are suffering but these positive experiences are encouraging me to persevere. After fitting I read so many negative experiences I almost wanted to rip the thing out myself! Wink Here's to hoping you conceive soon wannabe! Good luck.

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apple15 · 09/07/2013 23:55

Had the Mirena put in 4 weeks ago. Had a period then been spotting everyday. Now I have my period again. Hopefully I wont get spotting everyday this time around. no pain or anything. Just annoyed as it has been 5 weeks without a break.

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wych2 · 10/07/2013 12:32

My GP referred me to gynae consultant for extremely heavy periods. He has recommended fitting the mirena coil. I'm peri-menopausal and until bleeding stopped most recently had been bleeding almost non-stop for 3 months! Anyone else had one fitted for peri-menopause symptoms and had good results?

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yunasakura1 · 26/07/2013 21:22

I had it fitted 6 weeks ago today and I went for my checkup. I've been concerned as I'm still bleeding but wasn't told till today it can take months to stop grrrrr I soooo wish I hadn't had it put in now

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MoreThanWords · 26/07/2013 21:32

I bled in varying amounts for six months; it's taken over 12 months for my periods to only need a pant liner - longer than I expected!

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PlatinumStart · 26/07/2013 21:44

I've put on weight (about 1/2 stone) which is proving really difficult to shift and my skin has gone crazy - break outs and very oily BUT on the plus my periods have all but stopped and this is a HUGE benefit to me as they were debilitatingly heavy prior to coil.

If my skin calms down ill stick with it.

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ohforfoxsake · 26/07/2013 21:51

I'm on my second. Took a few weeks to settle down at first - had my one and only proper migraine as a result, but nearly 6 years on I've not had any periods and no side effects whatsoever.

WRT weight gain/loss it had nothing to so with the coil.

Would def recommend.

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