To throw the towel in with my MIrena Coil?

[TomHardyswife]

I suffer with really painful periods. Have suffered like this for years. I have previously been on the Mirena Coil for about ten years (changed twice) and loved it as my periods completely stopped. I don't use it for contraception as my DH had a vasectomy about 15 years ago so this is just purely being used to stop my periods.

My last Mirena coil was taken out last year as I wanted to see if I was starting menopause as I was showing peri menopausal symptoms and wanted my periods to start again to keep a track on my periods. Also I had gained a bit of weight and had read that weight gain is a side effect. And really, I just felt my body needed a bit of a break.

So out it came and I near enough regretted it straight away. Back my painful periods came with a vengeance to the point every month for about three or four days I was bed bound with a hot water bottle and groggy through all the pain relief. My GP prescribed me specific tablets to try and take the edge of the pain (can't remember the name..something acid?) which did nothing.

I went through winter feeling really low and depressed so I had blood tests to see if I was peri menopausal and no.. Hormone levels are all fine.

So finally I gave up and decided if there was no sign of the menopause then I will go back on the Mirena coil. The whole process took ages as the surgery has a new process where swabs have to be taken first and then a waiting list. I finally had it put in the end of May and it was the most painful insertion I have ever had. I had started my period early but the GP said she would do it anyway. The pain was indescribable, the whole process so embarrassing due to being on my period not helped by the GP exclaiming things like "I can't see a thing!" I had a searing pain down my right lower area kind of above my groin which never really went away. I continued for days feeling like there was a kind of jabbing feeling around where I guess my uterus is.

So they referred me to the hospital for a scan to check the position. To my amazement, all is okay! It's in the right position and hasn't slipped out of place.

So now I'm left wondering what the heck to do. I hate walking and exercising as I constantly feel so bloated. I look and feel pregnant as I am struggling to hold my stomach in, it's that tender. I haven't stopped bleeding since it was put in at the end of May. DH and I have had sex once and it was so painful we had to stop.

I'm so tempted to have it taken out but what should I do? Should I give it longer? My GP hasn't really been helpful and just said its my decision! I have a holiday coming up middle of July so I really need to decide quickly what to do as if I end up having it taken out, I know I will need to deal with a period straight away.

Sorry it's so long.

[El1995]

A similar thing happened with me but with the implanaon, I had it 3 years back amd it was perfect, no periods etc etc. I gave birth 9 weeks ago and had my implant put in at 5 weeks. It's horrendous! It's given me a chronic uti which is awful, I am crazy hormonal, and I've had a month lo ng period so far. Honestly if it's disrupting your life more than if you were to have it removed, take it out! These things are terrible for our bodies, I'm having mine removed soon. My GP was very blasé about things to x

[Greyponcho]

Sounds like endometriosis tbh.
In the short term have you tried progesterone only pill, just while you find out more about what’s going on?

[UnlawfulBananaPeeler]

My GP said it’s unlikely but it could piece your cervix/womb area are they certain it hasn’t because they’re the symptoms she described to me

Maybe have it taken out for your holiday so you can enjoy it. My periods have been horrendous since my 2nd child to the point one day I sat in the bathroom until i fainted from the loss and I asked the GP for something to make them lighter at a short term measure until i decided on my contraception . And she have me tablets to take throughout my period from the day it started to the end (so about 4-5 days) and they helped lighten it to a very manageable level. Maybe you could ask for them until after your holiday. I’ll try and find out the name

[TomHardyswife]

Thanks for the replies.

Greyponcho - I don't think they will prescribe me the pill due to my age? (46)

Unlawful - did the tablets tackle the pain? The issue with my periods is all pain related as they are not particularly heavy. The tablets that didn't work for me is meta (something) acid.

[TomHardyswife]

Sorry just to add.. Wouldn't the ultrasound scan have picked up a pierced cervix or womb? Or endometriosis?

[kikashi]

Naproxen can take the edge of the pain fairly well. It is available on prescription but I noticed recently you can buy small amounts OTC ( as Feminax ultra).

[stokiemum62]

Ask your GP for a referral to gynae for consideration of an endometrial ablation. Nova sure is the market leader. Perfect for when Mirena isn’t working and you are certain your family is complete.

[dogzdinner]

I'm older than you and am on the mini pill. I had the coil years ago and had terrible mood swings ( despite gp saying that wasn't possible). I'm fine on the pill. I didn't get any periods with it for a long time, but have recently started having them (maybe peri menopause). They're not heavy though.

[EBearhug]

Naproxen can increase bleeding (but it does work as a painkiller.) Not allowed to take it with some blood pressure pills, though, so do check if you're on anything like that.

[TomHardyswife]

Stokiemum62

Can you tell me more about it? Are you speaking from personal experience?

[KneesupGaston]

I had to give up on my copper coil, it was uncomfortable, gave me long heavy periods (I knew that was likely but didn't realise I'd be soaking a pad and tampon every hour!) and worst of all a monthly dose of thrush. I'm so happy now I have it out.

[CharltonLido73]

Now that you've been seen at the hospital, could you contact the consultant via his secretary and ask for advice?
I'm currently being monitored for acid reflux, and am going back in December, but the consultant said to contact him via his secretary if I need to between now and the appointment.

[Chesntoots]

I had Novasure done on Thursday. That bit doesn't hurt at all, just a bit of discharge which was to be expected.

I was also sterilised too. Now that does sting a bit! I look about 3 months pregnant, but, again, that was expected too.

Fingers crossed it will sort me out! My friend had Novasure about ten years ago ish and never had another period and doesn't regret it in any way.

[UnlawfulBananaPeeler]

I still got some cramping. Feminax is very good at controlling pain.

My GP said to go back absolutely they’d check manually if it wasn’t in the right place so not sure about a scan detecting it but possibly they could. Endometriosis could also be picked up on a scan. I’m sorry I’m not of more help!

[wobblebot]

I agree with pp, it sounds like endometriosis. My endo pain began after a coil change last summer and eventually I had a laparoscopy which helped for 9 months or so until the pain returned temporarily (it has settled now, I've been told flare ups are fairly common). The irony is that the coil is supposed to help the pain..

[StarlitTrees]

I’d imagine it was mefenamic acid that you were given.

Have you ever had tranexamic acid? It’s not pain relief, but would help to ease the bleeding.

I agree with PP who suggested you look into endometrial ablation and ask for a referral for this.

I’d also go and see a different GP as it’s possible that with the ongoing pain and discomfort, which is different to what you have previously experienced, that they may have perforated your uterus.