Mirena coil to shrink fibroids?

[whatdoIget]

I've developed some fibroids which have become noticeable in the last year or so. I'm lucky in that they don't cause me any pain and haven't made my periods any heavier (although periods have become irregular, I'm not sure if fibroids can cause this or whether it's due to perimenopause maybe?)
The dr offered me a choice of going on the pill or having a mirena fitted. I've since read that birth control pills don't shrink fibroids though so not sure why she said that
I'm now thinking of having a mirena fitted. My uterus is noticeably enlarged now and I look a bit pregnant. Also I'm finding it a bit difficult to wee sometimes, I assume due to the size of my womb?
If anyone has any experience of any of this and can offer me any advice is be so so grateful
I don't need to use contraception (due to being single for years) so if there's any alternative that'd be great. I'm a bit worried about having a mirena because I do tend to suffer from pmt and I don't want to feel like that all the time really!
Thanks

[whatdoIget]

Bump

[whattodoforthebest2]

I've had the MIrena for 10+ years and have fibroids too. I'm menopausal now and on HRT. I don't think the Mirena has made any difference to the fibroids at all, although of course I don't know what they'd have been like without it. Apparently the fibroids are a bit smaller now, that is perhaps due to menopause though.

[lavendersun]

I had one inserted a few years back for a big fibroid and it did nothing for it but it did give me lots of mirena side effects so I had it removed.

[flingingmelon]

Just to make everything a bit more confusing, I was told not to use a Mirena coil as a contraceptive whilst I had fibroids, as they sometimes distort the shape of the uterus (?) and that can reduce their effectiveness. I'd ask your GP about it.

[lavendersun]

Not sure if it was down to that Flinging but I had to have mine inserted by a consultant at the hospital who scanned it to make sure it wasn't interfering with the fibroid (which I continue to live with on the basis that I will be menopausal soon enough).

I had a hideous time with that mirena, but had one in my late 20s for a few years when single and didn't need contraception and I did not have one side effect at all, that experience was wholly positive.

[whatdoIget]

Thanks everyone.
That's a bit disappointing then
Wtf is one supposed to do about the little buggers then?? Just live with them?

[lavendersun]

I just live with mine What - have one horrid day a month but have always had very heavy periods.

Last time it was measured it was 5cm on the front wall (for want of a better description).

My stomach doesn't tolerate the two acids for reducing bleeding so I just get on with it.

My only option was surgery the last time it was discussed. If I ever find it intolerable I will have it done, for now it is just monitored every 9 months.

[whattodoforthebest2]

You can have an embolisation, which is a surgical procedure to cut off the blood supply to the fibroid. It's supposed to have a high success rate. I was booked in for one a few years ago, but cancelled as I have a fear of operations. Ask your GP about it. I'd have done it as my periods were dreadful for a year or so, but I was too much of a wimp.

[whatdoIget]

lavender sun in really lucky in that they don't seem to have made my periods heavier, but seem to be making it quite difficult for me to wee at certain points in my cycle. And my uterus is noticeably enlarged
Thanks whattodo, I'm going to make an appointment with a better GP and discuss this. I'm a bit of a wimp with stuff like that too though

[whatdoIget]

Thanks again all

[BeautyGoesToBenidorm]

It was useless for my fibroid, and mine's only 13mm! I bled constantly for 15 months, which was why they gave me the Mirena, then I had 4 absolutely HELLISH months of bleeding and soaring weight gain before I took myself off down the clinic to get the monstrous thing removed.

I was then prescribed Micronor (norethisterone based mini pill) and have had no problems since.

[whatdoIget]

I think I've got a wombful of them basically. I didn't enquire too deeply but the sonographee said he couldn't see the back wall of the uterus. Does that sound bad? I don't think the pill would help because they don't seem to be causing heavier bleeding, just stopping me from passing urine easily and making me look a bit pregnant

[LineysRun]

I googled this, and this thread came up. It's under a year old so I won't start a new one.

OP, @whatdoiget did you ever get this resolved? I have a 5cm fibroid that is causing problems, and I honestly don't understand why GP and Gynae keep pushing the mirena coil at me. I am 55, menopausal, fed up and honestly can't take any additional mood lowering - and they know this.

What is the mirena actually supposed to do to a 5cm sub-muc fibroid in a gimmer like me? I just want the bloody thing gone. I have had scan after scan, appointment after appointment, and three sodding hysterscopies.

[Nearlyhadenough]

The mirena coil releases hormones that will (maybe) relieve the symptoms of fibroids - heavy bleeding and pain. It will not shrink fibroids.

I refused a mirena, regardless of what my GP and gynae consultant said, I really didn't want one. Would prefer a hysterectomy (get it over and done with!) but have to go through each step first. Had a hysteroscopy and ablation 3 days ago - now playing a waiting game.

LineysRun - what would you like the doctors to do for you?

[LineysRun]

Hi, nearlyhadenough, thanks for your reply!

I'd like either fibroid removal, or I'll settle for hysterectomy now. This has been bandied around now for three years.

One Gynae referred me for ablation (NovaSure), the second Gynae said No, not appropriate. Another Gynae said hysterectomy, 1st Gynae and GP said No.

All suggested mirena, though. Which, with my current symptoms of low mood, I am saying no to. I can't risk anything further on that score.

[TinfoilHattie]

I had a Mirena coil to try to deal with fibroids. Mirena doesn't stop fibroids growing. Mirena does stop a lot of the symptoms which are associated with fibroids such as the very heavy bleeding and flooding. My Mirena worked wonderfully for about 2 years but the problem was during that time my fibroid kept growing and eventually shoved the Mirena out of the way.

I eventually had a hysterectomy last year after the gynaecologist ruled out a lot of other options such as ablation and embolisation. I'm only 44 though, and still a long way off menopause. I can understand why they are less happy to do a hysterectomy on an older woman who is menopausal - once menopause is over the hormone balance will start to shrink fibroids. It's a major operation and not to be taken lightly. What symptoms is your fibroid causing?

[LineysRun]

Symptoms: constant low level bleeding, pain, bladder issues, bloating, misery.

I am 55. I don't have the heavy periods any more, and the fibroid has grown 25% in the past 3 years when it should have been shrinking.

Sigh.

[Mummytron]

I have one and it doesn't bother me. My periods habe always been heavy. My understanding is they grow in peri/menopause but shrink after.

[lasttimeround]

I have a mirena. Fitted just over 5 years ago. It helped with the periods. I have lots of fairly large fibroids. Before the mirena I used tranexamic and mefenamic acid to control bleeding and pain during periods. Mirena was a big improvement.
I'm now due to have a partial hysterectomy. My fibroids are do big I look about 4 months pregnant. I have trouble mainly related to the size of my abdomen. I'm 42. I've and gave been dealing with the symptoms of my fibroids for just over a decade now.
My health is poor at the moment and I can't seem to get better. I'm hopeful some of this may resolve itself once I get the fibroids out.

[EllenRipley]

It's very difficult to completely get rid of them but there are things you can try before you go down the mirena route (which could potentially cause you more problems). On the whole, fibroids are known to be caused by a hormone imbalance, usually too much estrogen. I take a supplement called DIM that enables your body to metabolise 'bad' estrogen. Lots of research online, it's efficacy isn't just anecdotal. Also, a supplement called calcium d-gluconate. Some people swear by serrapeptase. I've had one small fibroid for years and I believe the DIM shrunk it and has prevented others forming. I also watch my diet to make sure there's no estrogenic foods in it. Fibroids that are removed usually re-grow but if you've got a womb-full of the buggers, would you consider surgery? After which you could address the hormone imbalance. I did a shit load of research when I was diagnosed with one, there's a lot to wade through and assess if you're so inclined, but diet and some supplements & herbs do seem to help a lot of women (you have to be careful though - I have an interest in 'alternative' medicine but not at the expense of good science. It does annoy me that women are diagnosed with these things but are only given invasive or pharmaceutical options). I hope you get some relief x