Anyone had any bad experiences with the coil, mirena or other types?

[bananabump]

Just had a baby 6 weeks ago and my doctor is reccommending I have a mirena coil fitted. An IUD would be ideal because I'm terrible at taking pills and condoms irritate me.

But the mirena coil contains the same progesterone that is in the depo provera injection which I used to have, which played havoc with my periods for 18 months and gave me a constant slight bleed, and everytime I went back to complain, the doctor would say "have one more injection, it'll probably stop your periods altogether" but it never did!

So I'm understandably quite worried about it having this effect on me again. I would prefer an IUD without progesterone, but my doctor was really pushing the mirena, saying odd bleeding was "rare past six months after having it fitted" so I could be bleeding for six months before they take me seriously?

Does anyone have any experience of the mirena coil, or the other types?

[Niecie]

There are lots of stuff on the Mirena. Try doing a search.

Seems people either love them or hate them and some have a bad reaction (depression, weight gain, continuous spotting, painful breasts, spots etc etc). When they work for you they are excellent and do stop periods. Difficult to know how it will affect you though and most doctors don't acknowledge that there are difficulties with it, so it seems.

Tough call given your past experiences.

[expatinscotland]

If your body does not agree with progesterone, do yourself and your family a huge favour and refuse the Mirena coil.

They are pushed so often here I think there must be cash exchanging hands somewhere down the line .

A LOT of users have had bleeding for months on end.

Stand your ground for the hormone-free one if that's what you want.

[Niecie]

Try this thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=138&threadid=1626#7816714

[expatinscotland]

If you do a search in the 'Health' section you'll see a very long thread about the Mirena. I think it's entitled 'Mirena coil' or summat like that.

[Niecie]

Think that's the one I have just linked to Expat. Sorry not very good at putting titles on - just amazed I managed to do the link properly!

[bananabump]

Thanks guys, didn't think people still used iud's so didn't think there would be loads of threads on it!

[bigshopper]

I refused Mirena as had the same problem with progesterone. The ordinary copper one seems fine but I have much heavier periods than before. Apart from that no problems (and am not pg, which is the main thing).

[canmummy]

I had a copper one as I disliked the thought of hormones in my body. Every period was horrendous - a super plus extra tampon (didn't realise they made them that big before and you should see the size of it!!) used to last a couple of hours at most. Couldn't go swimming with the kids around period time and other things, all in all it was awful!

Have now got a mirena in, mainly because I can't go through those sort of periods again. I'm having some slight spotting but am willing to persevere for a few months with it, after all it's in for 5 years!

Also, if you can't get on with progesterone, the injection puts it all round your body which can take up to 6 months to get rid of but the mirena releases the hormone directly into your womb so less in the bloodstream -and if you don't get on with it, it's very easy to remove.

HTH!

[bananabump]

Well, I contacted the surgery and the nurse said that if I wanted a copper coil as opposed to the mirena, I would have to come in and discuss it with my doctor again before the fitting appointment... in other words, so he can talk me out of it!

Now very confused as I'm reading both positive and negative reviews on both types of coil, so it seems like it's basically a game of chance. Either may have unwanted side effects, and either may be absolutely fine.

There should be a confused emoticon!!!