Endometriosis - I've to decide between Minera coil and Provera tablets. Any experience of either positive or negative much appreciated to help me decide.

[BeGoodElliot]

I had a laparoscopy 5 months ago which diagnosed endometriosis after months of pain and a few hospital admissions. Afterwards I was given a 90 day course of high dose Provera tablets. For the past month and a half I have been on no treatment.

I had gyno appointment today and as I have been pain free since the lap, the aim now is to stop it growing back. I was given the choice of going back on the Provera tablets or the mirena coil, to read up on what I thought would be best for me and to make a decision.

I've been trying to do pros and cons for both but would be grateful for any advice or experiences.

Provera PROS I have been on it before so know what to expect, I could stop it easily at any time, nothing is inside me, I stopped having period related headaches

CONS I bled for 8/12 weeks I was on it, I have disturbed sleep and crazy dreams, hot flushes, I have to remember to take it 3 times a day, it doesn't act as a contraceptive, I felt irrational rage at times

Mirena PROS Acts as a contraceptive, don't have to remember to do anything, lasts for 5 years, apparently has less side effects as it targets the area without having to go all round the body, no periods(?)

CONS Have only ever heard of people having rubbish side effects on it, it would involve having it put in, harder to stop if I am hating it than tablets, something inside me all the time.

I have been trying to lose a bit of weight and have lost a stone since my lap, and would like to lose another stone and a half, so worried about hormones putting weight on or making it harder to lose.

So if anyone has anything to add experience wise I would really appreciate it

[BeGoodElliot]

.

[fishybits]

I have endometriosis and PCOS. The Mirena coil has saved my sanity.

[BeGoodElliot]

Sounds good! Have you had any side effects with it?

[denialandpanic]

I've had a mirena for endo. It's fab and there's no way it's coming out I to was very very very dubious but I have not gone mad or got fat ( my main worries). my endo pain is gone and I have no periods

[Shattereddreams]

I'm endo too but didn't really suffer pain, just horrendous flooding periods and back pain.

I'm never taking my mirena out. Never. Got a hairy top lip but no periods!!!!
And the mirena can come out if it doesn't suit you.

Have you had children? Soft cervix etc. mine went in in seconds pain free.

It suits me, but I never had any side effects with combined pill and I think this is a good indication.

[fishybits]

No side effects for me bar no periods, no mood swings and no abdominal pain. I've got a tash and beard if I don't stay on top of it but I think that's more the PCOS than the coil

Joking aside, the Mirena allowed me to conceive DD as it was put in after an op to get rid of cysts and given a good scraping out. The coil stopped excessive tissue regrowth and gave DH and I a fighting chance when it was removed to try for DD. I've had 4 in total, the last one fitted recently.

[BeGoodElliot]

Thanks, that's really helpful as everything I have read online about the Mirena has been really negative.

Mad and fat are my main worries too, denial, so glad to hear you have found it ok.

It has been years since I was on the pill, some brands gave me side effects more than others, which is why I am unsure about how I would be on the mirena. But I am leaning more towards it now.

Yeah, I have had a baby, so hoping that will make the insertion easier!

Glad to hear you were able to conceive you DD, fishy

So sounds like if I go for the Minera I will need to invest in a good pair of tweezers then!

[mummytowillow]

I had mirena for heavy periods. Its gone missing and I've got to have hysteroscopy to get it out

But if your in constant pain, I'd go for it. It stopped my periods completely. I've had weight gain, skin problems but the benefits would probably outweigh the negatives for you.

[Mamf74]

I have endo and was given the Mirena and I loved it! Am a porker and need to lose weight for surgery so was concerned about hormonal weight gain (which is a problem I have); gynaes advised that as the hormones were in the coil they would pretty much stay local and not be as likely to lead to weight gain.

Sadly my endo has moved my cervix so they kept falling out so have moved onto Depo Provera shots and I hate them. Am considering giving them up (bleeding leading to "periods" with clots and flooding and pain. Grrr!).

One thing, though - my gynae advised that they wouldn't do anything for 6 months after fitting as it can take a while to settle. The other thing is that when my gynae fitted it my GP wouldn't remove it, would only refer me back - luckily (?) it got accidentally removed during a smear and my GP fitted the second so it was.much easier to get it dealt with.

[BeGoodElliot]

Mummytowillow, that doesn't sound good, poor you, I hope you can get it sorted out soon.

I think you are right in that I will need to weigh the potential side effects up against the benefits. I was hospitalised 3 times last year with severe pain before the endo was discovered, so I really do want to stop that from happening again and if that does mean weight gain, spots or a hairy chin then I think I will have to live with it!

Mamf, that's a pity that you got on well with it, but then could no longer use it, I hope you can find something that it better for you than the depo provera.

My gyny also said about the hormones being localised too. I have a local sexual health clinic which provides a range of services where I will have to go to get it inserted and removed. I have read about it taking 6 months to settle down too.

I think I might just bite the bullet and go for it. What's the worst that can happen!

[ClockWatchingLady]

Another mirena experience - I've had one for endometriosis too. Mine has unfortunately not stopped my periods, although it's made them lighter probably. The pain is still there but again I suspect it would be worse without.

Serious plus side is the localisation of hormones other have talked about - no fatness or madness in my experience (or at least not related to the coil...).

Overall, for me it's been generally good but not amazing. Worth a shot, and I'd probably go for it again given the choice.

[BeGoodElliot]

Thanks ClockWatchingLady, that is what I am thinking, that it is worth a shot and that hopefully it will at least improve the endo even if I get other side effects.

I tried to phone the clinic to make an appointment but they only do morning drop in sessions, which is a pain. Will need to try to get time off work, as they said it is busy every day but if I can arrive for it starting, I have less chance of a long wait (could be up to several hours) seems like a crazy system!

Thinking if I can get it in soon, it might have settled down a bit by the time my summer holiday comes around, (July) as I don't fancy 2 weeks of bleeding.

[Shattereddreams]

I thought it should be fitted during a period. Bear that in mind. Ask them specifically.

Also it did take a year for periods to stop. And actually I just had one a year after that but they just got lighter every time. This month was a red wipe at every wee for 2 days. I could have (would have if I had known) used a panty liner for freshness but didn't even need that

[Mamf74]

I would also recommend taking painkillers a little while prior to the fitting; it can be sore and I found taking a couple of co-codamol an hour or so before helped. (Although that is probably down to my knackered biology and them having a job getting it in place).

[BeGoodElliot]

I asked if it had to be fitted at a certain point in my cycle (I had read that it should be done within 7 days of a period) but was told as long as there was no risk of pregnancy they would do it anytime. If the clinic is opened on Friday I think I will go then as I'm off work, but not sure if it will be as its Good Friday, I'll phone on Monday to check. As that will be within 7 days of a period.

I am a bit concerned about the pain of having it fitted, so taking painkillers before hand is a good idea. I'll do that, thanks!

[BeGoodElliot]

Have a coil fitting booked for the end of April unless I can make it along to a drop in session before that! Much manage a day during the school holidays possibly (although worried about being sore afterwards and not being able to do things with dd)