I’ve been sterilised, but I want MIRENA coil

[Ninafak]

I was sterilised after my 4th cesarean baby 3 years ago. I went for a weight loss surgery 6 months ago and ever since then I have had heavier periods and stronger cramps.
I decided to go for depo as I wanted to get rid of my periods, I booked in with the nurse who then told me that she wouldn’t advise me to have the depo as it’s likely I would put on weight, and advised me to go for mirena coil. I said that’s fine, but she said that they don’t do it at the surgery so would need to book an appointment at a family planning clinic, which I did and got an appointment today. Again, went and was sent away after they knew I had been sterilised. I told the lady that my own Gp surgery sent me there and she wasn’t happy so she called my GP surgery to explain to them that i had been given wrong information, and family planning clinics are only for pregnancy prevention, but since I have been sterilised they couldn’t treat me, so advised me to see a GP who would then refer me to gynaecologist. My gp booked me to come today, only to tell me that they want me to try medication first to stop the heavy bleeding and cramps. I said I don’t want no medication, I want mirena coil as I do not want to have any periods at all! Simple.. and she said she can refer me to a gynaecologist but most likely they will not accept my referral as they would want me to try some other method first.

Now I ask, is it not my choice? I am not a fan of medication and I don’t want to take any, I want to be free from period and cramps.

Am I being fussy or being treated unfairly?

Tia

[Ninafak]

Please also advise if you’d recommend anything other than mirena coil to stop periods and cramps

[TwinsTrollsandHunz]

Mirena IUD is used to treat menorrhagia and can be fitted by trained GP’s and gynaecologists.

“I’m not a fan of medication and don’t want to take any”

The mirena does contain low doses of progesterone. It isn’t a ‘drug free’ method.

[Fatted]

There is other medication that they can give you to stop/reduce your periods, not just contraceptives. The NHS won't willing fork out on contraception if you don't need it for that purpose.

The link between depo and putting on weight is generally across the board for all hormonal contraception, not just the injection. So you have the same risk of putting on weight with the coil.

It is worth going to see a gynecologist to address any underlying issues causing the change in your periods. I have had the same problem since having kids and every time I go back to the GP about it all I get told to go on the pill to stop them. Be grateful they are willing to investigate.

[BogglesGoggles]

If you want a choice then pay for it. The NHS isn’t exactly flush at the moment.

[Ninafak]

So do you think I should go on the mini pill or what would you suggest to take to stop periods completely? I’ve thought about having hysterectomy but not sure yet

[XXcstatic]

This is partly a funding issue. Family planning clinics are only funded to provide contraception, which you don't need. You can still have a Mirena - they are licensed for the treatment of heavy periods - but not from a family planning clinic.

The advice that your GP gave you was out of date, as an IUS (Mirena) is now recommended as a first-line treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding link. So you can either wait for the gynaecologist referral, or ask your GP if there are any GPs locally who insert Mirenas. You might want to consider trying tablet treatment as well though, as it can take up to 6 months for a Mirena to control heavy bleeding.

[TwinsTrollsandHunz]

You can take tranexamic acid orally to reduce your cramps and flow.

[MigGril]

There is no absolute guarantee that you will stop having periods with either the Depo or the coil. I did but for only two years with my first coil, they then came back. I never stopped bleeding with Depo, and as there are risks to taking hormonal conception just like any other medication, then it's probably worth trying the other medication your doctor is suggesting.

[Ninafak]

I appreciate your reply. It’s given me reassurance that I wasn’t just being played with. I understand it’s funding issue and I accept that. I think I might need to do a research in what could be the best for me to stop my bleeding and cramps fully

[LuluBellaBlue]

This probably isn’t the correct way to do things..... but can you go under a different name at a GUM clinic and not tell them they’ve been sterilised?

[Karwomannghia]

I’ve been sterilised because I wanted permanent hormone free contraception and I was told that in the future I may end up having a mirena anyway if my periods got heavy due to menopause so I’m surprised it’s been difficult for you.

[Ninafak]

I did think of that to be honest, lol. I know it’s naughty but I would just do anything to stop these heavy flows and cramps 😭

[yermawyabas]

Mini pill but be prepared for a fight for it. My GP said she couldn't prescribe it as it's a contraception and I don't need contraception. I said my periods were terrible and I wanted it to regulate them/stop them. She told me to go to family planning because she couldn't prescribe it to me. Next day she phoned to say she had spoken to family planning and they prescribe it out with contraceptive purposes And it was her decision if she wanted to and gave me a 6 month prescription.

She was happy for me to have the coil (I didn't want that)

I just didn't see the point in having periods when I was I sterilised and can't have kids.

I got a private prescription so didn't need the NHS prescription. It's £80 per year for the mini pill if you order from Superdrug pharmacy online.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Thing is - you may still get periods with the mirena coil. I do - and i also put on four stone in weight with the bastard thing.

[Whoops75]

I’ve had the uterine ablation and no period in 4yrs. It’s bloody brilliant, forget the Marina and get this done.

[Whoops75]

AKA endometrial ablation.

[Ninafak]

I’d love to hear about that, what is it?

[Ninafak]

Read a little about it on google, did your GP refer you? If so, to whom?

[INeedToGetHealthy]

I was supposed to have the Novasure endometrial ablation done by a private hospital last year but because they wanted me to have the mirena coil instead and I refused that they messed me around.
Having extremely heavy periods is not just about "getting rid of them" and by the sounds of OP's post, they are causing further medical problems, which should be dealt with via the NHS.

[Whoops75]

Op
My periods and cramps were awful, my uterus used to prolapse with the weight of the blood.
I went to a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist who did the endometrial ablation.
It is so great not to have any period, I still get PMS, sore boobs, ovulation pain but the mess is gone.
Hopefully they’ll find a cure for the other complaints soon

[Fr0g]

I took tranexamic acid for over a year because of heavy periods -it didn't work well; I was still loosing around a litre of blood each time, and periods got more and more frequent - but of course no idea what they'd have been like if i'd not taken it.
After about a year, I had a blood clot in my leg - A&E Doctor said straight off that it was likely due to the tranexamic acid, GP later said no link, but I did find research that linked the two.
Time dragged on, with each subsequent medication causing side effects, and being presctibed stuff that had contra-indications with the warfarin that I started taking after the tranexamic acid induced DVT. (Consultant said he was unaware of the contra-indication although plainly stated on the patient information leaflet).
Eventually I had Mirena Coil fitted (first attempt v painful, so had it fitted under general anaesthetic, along with another procedure) in 2012.
Mirena worked brilliantly, no periods, have probably had menopause while its been in (awaiting blood test results to confirm).
I found that no-one took my "heavy period" complaints seriously until (because I was using a mooncup) I could actually give an estimate of the quantity of blood.

I'm now getting UTIs frequently, possible link to expired mirena, so dreading the removal procedure.

Nice guideline 2018 on heavy menstrual bleeding www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng88/resources/heavy-menstrual-bleeding-assessment-and-management-pdf-1837701412549
Mirena is reccomended for heavy periods, not just when there is a contraceptive need. Refers back to previous guidelines (2007) - easy to find by googling.

Good luck with it all

[MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours]

How are they doling out Mirenas to menopausal women if they are purely a contraceptive?

Also are they still officially Family Planning clinics?? I thought it was all Sexual Health nowadays?

The only ridiculous thing I encountered was that as my mirena is for menopause, it CANNOT be fitted by the nurse, I had to wait ages for the consultant to do it.

But it does look like you have a case to go back and try again if it is NICE recommendations.