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General health

Mirena Coil fitted

19 replies

mutbag123 · 19/02/2007 16:09

Today I went my GP practice to have the Mirena coil fitted for the 1st time, which i found extremely painful. After about 20mins of trying to fit it, my GP told me that I'll have to go back another day to try again as it wouldn't go far enough in the womb for her liking...

After reading all of these posts I'm not sure what to do, ie, loss of sex drive since having the Mirena coil fitted quite a number of women stating, also skin probs etc etc.

Has this happened to anyone before where the practitioner has had probs fitting the coil? I now have to go back in 3 wks and really am not looking forward to it one little bit.

Would be great to hear from anyone with advice or similar experiences, thanks,

OP posts:

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GrumpyOldHorsewoman · 19/02/2007 16:15

Oooh. Please keep us posted as I had decided after many long years in the contraceptive wilderness to go for the Mirena coil - it sounded like a Godsend, but perhaps not. This is the first time I have seen a truly negative post, and I would be interested to know a balanced range of views before taking the plunge.

Sorry you are having a bad experience, hope it's better for you next time. Maybe it was your doctor having an off day..it might be OK when you go again.

mutbag123 · 19/02/2007 16:26

I sure hope your right, maybe my gp was having an off day, the worse thing of it is, that I've been through trying to have it fitted without suceeding and still getting the belly ache... Makes me feel like someone has it in for me... Better luck next time... will keep you posted it I suceed 2nd time round. Thanks

OP posts:

vwvic · 19/02/2007 16:59

Hey there. I've just had my mirena replaced with a new one, and I think the insertion definitly varies according to the technique the doctors use. My first one went in no problem- it was barely more noticable than a smear test. The one I have now was really painful. From what I can gather, a retroverted uterus can make insertion more painful- could this be the case for you? If so, the doctor can use a special pair of forceps to "straighten" out you cervix, and makr insertion easier. HTH.

mutbag123 · 19/02/2007 19:11

Hi there,

Thanks for your comments about the retroverted uterus, the doc did use some forceps but according to her my uterus kept spasaming which was obviously tensing me and causing me stomach cramps, just my luck it didn't go in 1st time round, typical...

OP posts:

hart2hart · 19/02/2007 19:36

I had similar experience to yours mutbag. Doctor couldn't insert it - she said because I'd had a C/S 2 months before my cervix wasn't 'open' like someone who'd had a vaginal birth (?). She said to go back after I'd had more periods as this should soften my cervix. Don't think I'll bother though.

I have 2 friends who also went to the same Doctor (who have both had 2 babies vag route) and she couldn't get it 'in' with both of them too!

I think she must have been quite inexperienced or something. Someone told me a Doctor at a family planning center would have more experience than a GP.

Apparently inserting it can be painful though. If you do a google search on Mirena you can find boards with people moaning (though you're more like;y to moan if it's not gone smoothly - if it was fine why would you bother post a message etc..)

daisyartichoke · 19/02/2007 19:58

i would definitely suggest going to a Family planning clinic as they will have loads of practice. i went to one and having the coil fitted was very straight forward.

LostMe · 19/02/2007 20:08

I was advised to have mine inserted at the end of a period as the cervix is softer. I also took nurofen before I went. Insertion was fine! Unfortunately I seem to have a reaction to the progesteron on the Mirena which means my last period (7 months on) lasted nearly two weeks and I am an absolute cow to the children - it's like having permanent PMT. Saying that I know at least three close friends who have had the Mirena fitted, no problems and thing its totally the best thing ever! For me? It's coming out asap and DH is being frogmarched to get snip!

LIZS · 19/02/2007 20:13

I was told when I had mine changed that the uterus can spasm making reinsertion difficult in which case I'd have to come back . In the event it was fine but must arrange the check up - was done in November btw my gp said he does more (there is an annual minimum quota for gps) than the fpc doctors who see a range of women and there are several of them covering.

amelia02 · 19/02/2007 20:17

Lostme - has he agreed? If so how did u do it?? Am trying to persuade dh to go but having nightmare. And he's seen me go thro' labour 3x. Was thinking of mirena otherwise. People say take lots of pain killers first. Or large g&t??!!!

LostMe · 19/02/2007 21:03

Amelia - I think DH has realised that there is NO SEX until such time this is sorted. Before we tried the Mirena I was terrified of getting pregnant again which put a bit of a damper on sex life, but now feel I have tried everything (the key word being I so it's now up to him) We have two wonderful children and both know we don't want any more (but he's still a wimp) but sex life is now non-existent so the ball - so to speak - is in his court!

LostMe · 19/02/2007 21:05

Saying that - if he is really dragging his heels - Mirena has worked for more people I know than not. I'm just unlucky I guess. But painkillers before (& G&T after if you are driving) is good idea!

mutbag123 · 19/02/2007 21:22

Funnily enough my period finished on fri so I guess my cervix is softened, I did also take pain relief (Ibuprofen 400mgs) an hour before I went to the appt but that didn't seem to help one bit.. I am not looking forward to going back again. I have 4 work colleagues who have the Mirena and have had no probs. I too have a a little son who will be 2 yrs next month and was born via c section. I must be a gluttan for punishment going back for a 2nd fitting after failure of the 1st.

OP posts:

LostMe · 20/02/2007 09:38

A friend of mine had the spasm thing and said it was so bad her husband had to come back from work to look after the children. However, she is adamant that it is the best thing she has done and is now doesn't have periods at all! Good luck

LostMe · 20/02/2007 12:52

Sorry - I should also add that I hardly felt mine being put in. My last comment (below) sounds a bit scary but most people I know haven't really had a problem.

hart2hart · 20/02/2007 14:57

I think a lot rides on the skill of the Doctor inserting it. The Doctor at my GP practise seems to have a bad record but other people I have spoken to love using Mirena and had no problems.

Apparently it is harder to insert if you've not had children or only had C/S

BibiThree · 20/02/2007 19:21

When I was reading up on the Mirena, general opinion was to have it fitted at a Family Planning clinic rather than the Drs as they do a lot more at Family Planning places. My Dr hurt me like hell and wasn't a bit apologetic about it.

On the plus side, I had no period for 6 whole months, BUT wherever my periods went, they took my sex drive along with them and replaced them with spots.

Everyone has different reactions though and I'd always advocate giving it a go, I've got friends who feel like new women since having theirs. It can always come out if it doesn't agree with you, and that part doesn't hurt a bit.

TwirlyN · 07/03/2007 16:23

I'm so glad to find this thread. My problem is the same. Today, for the first time i went for a mirena fitting. I was told by hte doc she has fitted loads and never before has she not beeen able to. until today. she just couldn't get it in to the womb, and i've taken quite a battering inside. Still sore. so, now i need to go for a scan to find out what's going on. have had really painful periods for years, and thought it was the norm.

TwirlyN · 07/03/2007 17:15

mutbag, did you go back, and how was it?

issasmum · 07/03/2007 17:25

all you guys sound so brave even though you talk of the pain.....when i heard i might get a few period like cramps, a fear settled in me and it wont budge. i gave birth to both my children at home and my god was it some madness. and the contractions you get when your womb starts going back to its original size. it still brings tears to my eyes. i dont like pain and i cant willingly do something that would cause me pain.....what a wimp, arent i? bravo to all of you though....im giving abstinence a go.

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