Mirena coil

I have mixed feelings about them, my first was really great, stopped my heavy periods and helped my migraines. But the nurse cut the strings to short so they struggled to remove it.

My second one, well let's just say was a disaster. This was after my first pregnancy and it perforated my uterus and I had to have surgery to remove it.

I wasn't totally put off and tried for a third time after my second pregnancy. Third time it never settled down and I had constant low level bleeding so had it removed after 6 months. It can be difficult to get them to remove them early as well.

I love it. I'm on my 3rd and it's great.

@BooseysMom maybe the original oestrogen dose was too high rather than too low, or micronized progesterone didn't suit you. I was lucky I started on cyclical and a low dose of oestrogen (25 patch) for two weeks before I started the progesterone. The oestrogen made me feel better and the progesterone made me feel worse so I kind of knew what suited me and what I needed to adjust. Again lucky my GP felt the same, it seems to be a bit of a lottery whether doctors know what the best course of action is. I knew nothing about my own cycle and how hormones affect it before. Though my whole life I felt best during ovulation and inclined to be anxious before my period, I didn't know what the hormone peaks and falls were.

Apileofballyhoo
Thanks for your post. I have tried this regime for about a year and had nothing change. In fact they increased the patches to a higher dose and I was so bad I came off everything. My boobs became swollen and painful and the aching was the same. Plus the bleeding and mood swings. I don't rate HRT at all tbh

The only thing is that if you don't get on with it or the hormones then you have the faff of getting it removed.

I have endometriosis so my periods were awful so I took the progesterone only pill. Stopped them immediately but if it wasn't for me I would just stop it. Less hassle. Not sure if it's enough for use with hrt like the coil is as I'm not allowed that.

I'm peri now and my doctor is happy for me continue.

May be worth a try.

Micronized progesterone (Utrogestan capsules) and oestrogen patches/gels/spray are chemically identical to what your own body produces, might be worth looking into if you've never got on with synthetic hormones.

Loved it. Stopped my painful periods within 6 months. Inserting and removal was not pleasant but worth it o be pain free.

It was brilliant.

I'd suffered with truly awful migraines for years which, we finally realised, were menstrual migraines.

They fitted the Mirena coil so my periods stopped and so did the migraines.

Wish I'd had it years earlier!

I had 2 back to back so ten years of them to help with heavy periods. I was warned it could take up to a year for any random bleeding to stop and I would say the first 8 months were pretty rubbish. However, after that my periods stopped completely. No weight gain or any other side effects.
I would have continued with them but I found having it put in was the worst pain I've ever, ever experienced. And when the second one came out I just couldn't face it again. I'd even taken diazapam to help knock me out a bit!!!

I’ve had it for just over 21 years. An absolute gift from the Gods. My only beef is that initially they were changed every 3 years, then 5 years after more data was gathered, now every 8 years. So, essentially I could have had a lot less removal/new insertions which are a special kind of hell. Worth it though. When I had my first put in, I had a heavy period that lasted for around 6 weeks, then spotting for around 6 weeks. And then ……… no more periods ever🎉🥳🎊🍾🍾🎊🥳🎉. As in never. Can’t explain how good that is. No words. I’d absolutely recommend.

I am 35 I had a coil fitted for contraception and also as my periods heavy anyway fast forward 18 months I bleed constantly for over a year they kept telling me it would settle but it didn't.
Had a scans and check ups etc anyway I have ended up with a growth on my ovary not sure exactly what it is still waiting results.
I ended up going to the walk in centre and asking them to remove it as I had had enough when the nurse removed it she said no wonder you have been bleeding it's not been inserted correctly
Never again! x

I've had three. Current one in too long but last GP didn't remove them. I'm 58
Menopause done I think.
No periods but the first time I tried it, it wasn't possible due to C section birth.
I wasn't aware of the breast cancer risk.

I’m on my third, no issues except the pain on fitting it. I’ve heard that the arm implant might be better for my age (44), has anyone heard that or have experience?

Well, I feel the same way about utrogestan being prescribed as part of HRT. Why would GPs suggest taking something that makes you suicidal?

On the other hand, other than bloating and tiredness, the mirena has been a mirclacle for me. No more anaemia or pouring with blood, or suicidal thoughts/endless weeping like when I took utrogestan.

And FWIW my GP never pushed it, she suggested it as an option.

Anyone had one with a prolapse? Does this affect it?

Why @Cityandmakeup …your experience or othe4 people’s? I would probably have been heading for a d&c and then hysterectomy otherwise.

Just no. It baffles me why the nhs keep pushing this.

BarrelOfOtters thanks. I think I'll book a consultation this week, and not because my bloody manager said to! You're right, she can do one! 😆

I'm on my third. They are brilliant. I have light bleeding for around 6 weeks when they're fitted but went from exceptionally heavy periods to much shorter, lighter ones.

@SoftPillowAllNight don’t be nervous about continuing with the hrt if medical advice is it’s OK. Talk to them about it.

my HRTwas making it too difficult to read mammogram or mmr scan results.

They asked me to come off hrt for 3 months to see if they could get a clearer picture of the bit they were concerned about as biopsy inconclusive and the next mmr after being off it was fine, much clearer.

I was fine off the hrt and talking to them they suggested staying off it as it would be easier to tell if any subsequent changes. I could make the case to go back on if the menopause symptoms were too bad, but they aren’t, I think I’m pretty much through it and vaginal oestrogen is all I, personally, need.

@BarrelOfOtters - do you mind sharing what changes in breast tissue made you come off Oestrogen & testosterone?

I've recently been diagnosed with dense breast tissue and 1 fibroadenoma. I was wondering if HRT needs to be stopped but gyn & breast surgeon both have said no need to stop.

I'd hate to stop HRT but having had 1 large fibroid in my uterus and now 1 fibroadenoma I'm getting nervous..

I had mine fitted when I was 50, my only regret was not having one before.

@BooseysMom I was very reluctant to try the Mirena - 53 when it was fitted - and I went on it as could no longer tolerate the low moods on the progesterone part of HRT. I had a bad experience with fitting and will have to have it removed at a clinic (no pain I just fainted) but once it had settled in it's been fine. I had a bit of very light spotting on an off for a few months, but nothing to write home about.

The slow steady small release of hormones suits me and the mood swings have largely stopped. I've had to come off the oestrogel and testosterone due to changes in breast tissue - but the mirena is still in and causing no issues.

I think it's certainly worth discussing with your GP. It was the gynae at the hospital who suggested it for me.

And yes, your manager can fuck right off. And if you are bleeding that badly you should be off sick.

Your manager can fuck off.
Love it!😂 They just don't want me taking time off sick. Anyway thank-you for your advice. If I could just book a day's annual leave the time the bleeding starts I'd be sorted! I guess I'll have to just try the coil.

Your manager can fuck off.

For your benefit - I got the Mirena to address PMT and it has really worked for me. I was on the pill before then the implant, Mirena suits me best of those. I fully intend to continue with it to get me through peri and menopause.

Speak to someone medical about the potential positives and negatives, without worrying about how long you'll need it. But think about it for yourself and whether it's right for you, not cos your manager thinks you have too much time off...