mirena coil - yes or no?

[dementedma]

aged 51, periods all over the place and very heavy
have been offered coil. One friend swears by it, another said no way.
What to do?

[DayLillie]

Ah yes the Mirena dilemma. It is a hard one.

It seems to be a good thing to try if you have really bad bleeding, as it is simpler than some of the more intrusive options like higher dose oral progesterone, ablation and hysterectomy:

www.menopausematters.co.uk/periodtreatments.php

I was offered one for contraceptive purposes, which I was told could be used with oestrogen if I had menopause problems, and that I would not have periods.

I declined as I do not want to be in a position of waiting to get it taken back out again if I do not like it. At least with pills, you can stop taking them and feel in control. I also know someone who had a perforation and had to wait 3 months for an operation to remove it. It has always been somewhere off the bottom of my list of desirable contraceptives.

Later, with all the annoying random bleeding, I warmed to the idea, but the doctor who fitted them had retired. So I am not bothering.

Lots of people swear by them and find that it is a good combination with patches or gel.

[Nandocushion]

I LOVE mine, but I am not having any other issues with perimenopause or menopause, so I don't know if it would help your issues. It has completely stopped my periods though.

[pinkfrocks]

I think the only answer is suck it and see. I know a couple of people who have it and love it. Equally, I've read on here about women who didn't get on with it.

You can try it for 3 months then have it removed, if that helps?

[TheGingerTree]

I had the Mirena fitted after the birth of my second child. A bad mistake. I didn't tolerate it very well. I gained weight and I felt like I had constant PMS. I also had spots for the first time in my life.

My GP refused to admit that the Mirena could be causing these symptoms. I struggled on for another 6 months but then found a support forum for women with the Mirena. I was shocked to read posts from literally hundreds of women all with symptoms like mine.

I insisted my GP remove it, and within a week all my symptoms had disappeared. Within 2 weeks I'd lost 7lbs without even trying.

But I have several friends who swear by it.

[TRexingInAsda]

I like mine, and I have been quite sensitive to hormones in the past. I couldn't take the progesterone only pill because of the effect on my mood and skin. But the Mirena seems fine so far. I think it's worth a go.

[SecretSquirrels]

Yes yes yes.
I had 3 before my periods ended and they sorted all bleeding problems and saved me from a hysterectomy. It is after all, temporary and if it doesn't suit you can have it removed.

[passmethewineplease]

I've had mine in since Feb. I like it. Bled for a few weeks initially but all settle down now and periods are a lot lighter. No real side effects as of yet. Skin is a bit more spot prone but that's something I've always suffered with so can't say if that's down to the mirena or not! It really is trial and error I think!

[TheGingerTree]

Just to add. 10 years ago when I had the Mirena I reacted badly to it.

But have just started HRT and don't appear to react at all to the progesterone part of my cycle. In fact my body seems to quite like it.

So you really can never tell. You can always trial it and see?

[Goodbetterbest]

It's a yes from me.

No periods for years. A little erratic bleeding at first, and one migraine.

Changing it after however long was hideous, but for 10 minutes discomfort it has been so worth it. I'm a huge fan.

[Squeegle]

Yes yes yes from me. Has mine put in 2 years ago to deal with v heavy periods. Am 49 now btw. It has changed my life for the better big time! Don't know how I coped before really. I was quite reluctant too, but am now a firm advocate.

[dementedma]

Thanks all

[elizadolittlechoc]

I agree with Squeegle. Would never have chosen coil for contraceptive, but after years of ineffective progesterone tablets, and natural remedies, Mirena did the trick. However, my system had horrible side effects, so it's a really individual thing.Am now at end of my second one second, so now debating whether I need another at 52? Deveopling cyclical headaches which last 3 days, although other symptoms of meno gone.