menopause and mirena coil - how do I tell?

[Cromwell1536]

Hi. A year ago I had an ovarian cyst and the ovary that it was attached to, removed, along with the fallopian tube. The scans I had showed that I had recently ovulated, and this accorded with my experience of my menstrual cycle, which was fairly regular. I'd had some unusually heavy periods (for me, that is, not by the standards of many). I'm 50, nearly 51. My IUD was replaced by a Mirena coil during the surgery. After a month or so of daily spotting, I seem to have settled down to - no periods. Don't think I"ve had anything for pretty much the whole of 2016 so far.

Thing is, is this Mirena or is it menopause? I do get a bit sweatier than before but it is hot of late! My libido a bit lower - takes me longer to get up a head of steam, but I do get there - and while I"m probably a bit vaguer than usual, I suspect this is because I stopped work a year ago and just don't have to use my brain as much.

I think I would like to have the mirena coil removed and see what is actually going on with me. My GP is not very approachable and I don't have the spare cash for a private GP appointment. Does anyone have any similar experience? Sorry, being a bit vague.

[PollyPerky]

Basically, you can't tell with the Mirena in place. But the Mirena plus oestrogen (patch or gel are best) is considered the gold standard formula HRT by many consultants. So if you are feeling not quite right, you could try oestrogen-only on top of the Mirena and see how you feel.

Progesterone alone in the Mirena will stop your periods but it won't do anything for symptoms caused by loss of oestrogen- so you might find your symptoms of hotness etc etc increase as your levels fall.

Sounds as if you need to try to change GPs if yours isn't supportive.

[Cromwell1536]

Thanks. Yes, guess I'll just have to find a GP that is willing to discuss options and doesn't automatically assume that not having periods is an unalloyed joy.