Mirena coil or mini-pill?

[QueenMolotov]

I'm currently pg with our last child and am thinking about long-term contraception for after the birth.

I'm 33yo, asthmatic, and suffer from migraines with aura. I've spoken to the nurse at our GPs, and she has said that the Mirena coil is my best option, followed by the mini-pill. (I've thought about female sterilisation and DH has offered to have a vasectomy, but the nurse said these would be unnecessary if I have a Mirena. Plus, it could alleviate PMS symptoms and lesson the heaviness of periods, which sterilisation would not do.)

Does anyone have experience of either method of contraception? I'm a bit put off by having the coil fitted and there being strings in place. I've also read about some negative side-effects. I like though, how effective it is shown to be at preventing pg, yet is reversible, and how it could regulate pre-menstrual moods and period flow.

I'm put off the mini-pill because of having to take it at a particular time every day (I struggle to remember to take my asthma inhaler on the dot), but I like how non-invasive it is.

[scaevola]

If you already know you're not great at taking medicines at exactly the right time, then mini-pill really isn't going to be for you.

I'm sure there was a long thread mirenas, and I'll see if I can find it for you. I've not had one, so no first-hand experience, but from talking to women who have them I'd say those satisfied with it vastly outnumber thise who aren't.

In your circumstances, it has the advantage that it can be put in after 6 weeks or so (during which time you might not be having much sex anyhow) and then you are covered for 5 years. That gives you plenty of thinking time about 'what next?'

Mirena failure rate is similar to vasectomy failure rate, and does not require several months to become effective. Vasectomy, if he's still sure about it, year before mirena expires might be a plan?

[scaevola]

Here are a couple of the longer ones of recent threads about Mirenas

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/family_planning/2614193-mirena-coil-good-or-bad

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/family_planning/1759468-Mirena-coil

[QueenMolotov]

Thank-you for your reply, and for those links - I'll check them out

[Ifiwasabadger]

Why not a copper coil? All the benefits of the mirena with no hormones...I love mine...