Removal of Mirena after 10 years

[Kazzabob]

Hi - I've had my Mirena for almost 9 years - my husband had a vasectomy about 4 years ago. At that point I went into the docs to get Mirena removed but my last doctor said there was no hurry to have it taken out if I was having no issues - which I wasn't and still don't seem to be. I get very slight spotting but nothing more. Question is should I have it removed altogether? Removed and replaced? Leave it be? I haven't had a period for almost 12 years as had my two children close together. Any experience/thoughts/advice? Thanks

[allypally999]

I thought they were supposed to be removed/replaced after 5 years? Maybe you have a different version to me. I'd go with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude your GP is taking.

[HeyMacWey]

Odd that your periods haven't come back. Do you think you could have gone through the menopause?
I'd want it out tbh. I wouldn't want a foreign object in my body for no reason.

[Kazzabob]

I actually went for a health check at the docs today and asked - she's doing lots of blood work for hormones amongst other things and says I should have it taken out. I'm only 43 so would be surprised if been through the menopause already - but I would have thought I should be getting periods by now as its well over the 5 years it's licensed for. Any else not get periods after this length of time?

[Mirena9yrs]

I'm 34 years old and have had my Mirena just over 9 years and 1 month now. No periods in that time though I spotted for 3 days in January in my 7th year. I have the device mainly to manage pain from endometriosis which for me, works exceptionally well. The string has migrated which the Dr's are not worried about, just means for me it will need a procedure to remove. My Dr said as it's still working, leave it be. I wonder if anyone has kept one more than 10 years?

[Jtruslow84]

I’ve had my mirena for almost 14 years and just had it removed last week! I’m anxious about what to expect..

[ChristmasHumper]

I had my Mirena removed in March after being in place for 10 years. I am 50 next birthday. I hadn't bled at all for the last 9 years. Wondered if I'd gone through the menopause. But so far had a few periods of various durations, heaviness and very variable cycle lengths. Not settled into a regular cycle yet, so assuming i'm now perimenopausal.

[Stillinafter10]

Went for smear before Christmas and nurse was not impressed that my coil had been in for 10 years. Never had problems with insertion or or over the years! I am 62 next month and they arranged appointment to take it out. Problem - could see it strings etc but couldn’t get it out, 3 attempts and a lot of pain. Dr said was concerned that she may cause problem if she tried again and wasn’t happy that it was painful so is sending me for a scan to determine what’s wrong. I’m really upset and worried I don’t like doctors and hospitals! Any reassurance from anyone in similar position?

[L1minal]

I don't think you should worry too much, stillin, I had a Mirena in for much more than 5 years and quite frankly didn't want to have it taken out because it had completely put a stop to my endometriosis.

When I finally decided that I really had to bite the bullet (as it were) the GP doing the job grabbed the strings and they promptly broke off. She fished around with some instrument and couldn't get the damn thing out (ouch) so in the end I was sent to a clinic so they could do it via hysteroscopy. They had it out very quickly - it had got stuck 'round a corner' as the doctor put it.

I can't pretend it was the world's most fun experience but it was a whole lot less unpleasant than the GP trying to drag it out. I'd been horribly worried beforehand so the relief was wonderful. I was in and out in about 5 minutes. Hopefully it will be the same for you, and if you're sent to a gynae place remember they're experts who do this sort of thing all day, unlike the GPs. I'm a bit that your doctor was surprised it was painful!

[Stillinafter10]

Thank you for reassurance I hope it is simple and quick!

[MN12years]

Hi .. I've now had my Mirena in for 12 years ... yep 12 YEARS !! Ive only had spotting on a handful of occassions, I'm 52 and had hormone testing showing I'm not in Menopausal.
I've had no adverse effects (touch wood) and had an ultrasound last week showing it was still in the correct place.
My GP is advising to have it taken out, but I cant see a reason why (apart from the whole "foreign body" argument.
Has any one else been or is in the same situation ????

[ELS223]

I had my Mirena for just over 10 years. I had to have it removed due to having a series of strokes. I'm 52. I had it placed to help with my menorrhagia. I only had very light spotting a handful of tines over the 10 yesrs. It worked great.

It was removed 2 weeks ago and I have already had a period.

[Ninlil]

Mine has been in for around 15yrs, I've had no periods but twice had a bit of spotting for 1 or 2 days a few years apart.

I am 55 and presume I'm in Menopause.

I've never had any issues with it but did mention to the doctor that it was still there around 5 years ago and she said if I wanted it out I would need to go to a family planning centre as she couldn't do it but it was fine being left in for now. I'm not sure how long I should leave it though and if it isn't causing any problems should I bother getting it out at all?

[Toogramtogiveadamn]

I was told the mirena was a maximum of 5 years and had mine replaced after 5 years no question. I wouldn’t be happy having the same one in for 15 years

[Momofthree3708]

I have had my mirena in since November 2011. So I'm almost at 9 years now. I am 30 years old. I would spot here and there for a day or two every few months, but no actual periods. Until recently.
... Back in November 2019, I started getting my period again. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that my daughter started her period. Because we both skipped a period last month, and now I have mine again this month. For almost 9 years I hadn't had a period.. and now I do. So I can't help but wonder.. is it because there is now another female with a menstrual cycle in my house, or has the mirena stopped working and am I at risk of getting pregnant? What are your thoughts?

[Momx2forever]

I'm 38 and have had mine in for 12 years. I have a 19yr old daughter and 18 year old son. I have spotted on and off through the years but have not had an actual period. Starting 3 years ago I had to have a series of 4 back surgeries, well my neurologist and orthopedic surgeons where not happy about me having it in for so long and said that I had to have it taken out before I had my surgeries. The only reason I had it put in was also for my endometriosis, which it is wonderful for. In 2008 when I had it placed I had complications with the first one and it sent me into a for of labor causing me to have contractions and all, they had to rush me in to have it removed and ended up placing another one (with no issues thankfully), so with that being said I'm not to keen about having this one taken out although I did tell my surgeons I did 🤷‍♀️. If it's not broke dont fix it, right.....

[allthingsred]

I'm 40 had mine in for 11 years. Off to.the doctors tomorrow had had a bit of stomach pain the last few weeks so thought it may be time to get it changed. I've had no periods since it was fitted which I was worried about but less so since reading this thread.
Does removal after so long hurt? Will period come back straight away?

[Jodimomof3]

I am the same way. Ive had mine in over 10 years. Never really had a period until my daughter started her cycle. Now I have a period several days before her. Strange how our bodies work. I thank all of you posting bc I've been scared to go to the gyno thinking I'd have to have surgery to remove it!

[Hollysbiz]

hello i have had mine in for 13 years i’m only 33 and i have been having problems! i went to the ER bc something didn’t feel right but they told me everything was fine it was in the right spot but now i’m getting bladder infections that turn into kidney infections and i’m lightheaded. and when i gave my period it’s for like two days spotting but this time it’s different. BTW I DRINK TONS OF WATER!!
anyways this period is strange bc excuse the details but hell idk what else to do!!!
when i take my tampon out there’s like black blood clots just on the end that’s closest to my merena.
someone help bc i have a fever and i’m just worried i may have had a miss stage or something.

[Hollysbiz]

miscarriage

[Hollysbiz]

hello i have had mine in for 13 years i’m only 33 and i have been having problems! i went to the ER bc something didn’t feel right but they told me everything was fine it was in the right spot but now i’m getting bladder infections that turn into kidney infections and i’m lightheaded. and when i gave my period it’s for like two days spotting but this time it’s different. BTW I DRINK TONS OF WATER!!
anyways this period is strange bc excuse the details but hell idk what else to do!!!
when i take my tampon out there’s like black blood clots just on the end that’s closest to my merena.
someone help bc i have a fever and i’m just worried i may have had a miss stage or something.

[2010Gibby]

Year 16 for me and I'm 54. Not in menopause yet and no problems. Not sexually active, but no plans to have it removed because I like not having a period!!! In the 16 years I've literally had only 4 periods of spotting.

[Siandc]

I have no idea how long mine has been in. I'm 51 and I'm guessing at least 15 years. I actually completely forgot about it until a tv programme I was watching jogged my memory! I didn't have it for contraception as I had a sterilisation before it was fitted, it was for periods and I can't remember the last one of those, so it clearly worked. I do recall in the dim and distant past, a GP saying that if it wasn't solely for contraception, not to worry and only deal with it if I start having issues. I must admit, the idea of removal now is a bit daunting, as I'm sure after all this time it is probably now part of me.

[11years]

I just recently turned 30 and have had my mirena in for over 11 years now! I was supposed to have a follow up appointment after getting it put in to make sure it was in place but I never made it to the appointment. Ive never been able to feel the strings but my husband has a few times over the years. Ive actually loved mine, and enjoyed not having any periods. Ive only spotted twice and still it wasn’t enough to even use a tampon! I haven’t had any trouble with it..though recently I’m not so sure…Idk if this is related or caused from it but lately Ive been having reoccurring UTIs and each one seems to be worse than the last..this most recent one has moved up to my kidneys and giving me horrible abdominal and lower back pain..causing chills, lightheaded, and nausea. I don’t have insurance but decided to go to a local reproductive clinic and she was not to happy to hear about me having Mirena in for so long. She immediately wanted to remove it but couldn’t find it or my cervix! I was in so much pain while she was looking so I was given an antibiotic to cure the UTI and now I go back tomorrow for a pap and so she can try again. I’m really nervous, though I can say reading this thread has brought me a lot of relief so thank you ladies for sharing your stories and experiences.❤️

[lifeturnsonadime]

Pleased to find this thread as I've had mine for over 11 years. Those who have had it in for lengthy periods of time are you planning on having it removed?

[Cactusali]

I’m 61 and have had a Mirena in situ for about 10 years following fibroid surgery. I remember it very occasionally and resolve to contact my GP to see if it should be removed. Then I forget about it again. Have read lots of conflicting advice online, but am mostly happy to leave it where it is as it doesn’t seem to be causing any issues.