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Original poster

Mirena - do you have or have had one? Would love to hear some experiences of it?

41 replies

Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:10

I have been advised to have one as I keep getting uterine polyps and apparently the mirena will shrink them and keep the lining thin until I hit menopause.
However, there are so many awful stories regarding the mirena and I'm also concerned about the risk of breast cancer and the mirena too.
Only two of my friends have had one and they both had horrible experiences with it so I'm in a dilemma.
I know the only way I'll know is to give it a go but the thought of the potential horrid side effects are putting me off especially anxiety, depression and migraine with aura as I already have those!

OP posts:
IamMummyhearmeROAR · 16/08/2018 22:16

Horrible painful insertion with 3 people in the room but the doc was a trainee so I doubt this is the case for all. Once in I experienced weird ragey feelings and constant bleeding for about 3 months. After that, years of no periods and no symptoms of anything. Just had it removed last week but I’m not having another. Just can’t get over the insertion issue

BE18mum · 16/08/2018 22:18

I had one a few years ago and had no issues at all. No pain during fitting, no side effects and conceived without issue after having it removed. Having a new one fitted on Monday as it’s the best contraception for me. Also made my periods much lighter or stop altogether for some months which.

Previously used the implant which dramatically changed my mood, and various forms of the pill which were ok but a pain to take on the right days (I have a rubbish memory!)

DuskyMoth · 16/08/2018 22:21

I have one, and for me it's been a really great decision. At first I had a lot of constant bleeding/spotting but my gynaecologist told me to persevere for at least 6 months. I was so glad I did, as by the 6 month mark everything had settled down.

I had mine due to really heavy periods which made me anaemic. I now don't have periods at all.

I've always struggled with migraine with aura but I've not noticed that they are any worse. I don't think I've any side effects. I'm quite fat and struggle to lose weight, but that could just be cos I eat too much.

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Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:23

Thanks, good to know it was ok once settled, I know I've got to expect a settling in time. I'm having it fitted at my gynae department so hopefully fitting will be ok??

OP posts:
namechange2pointoh · 16/08/2018 22:24

It’s was a life changer for me. Went from bleeding/spotting for over 2 years to no periods in about 6 weeks.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:25

dusky good to know you've not had any issues with migraines, I don't want those getting worse. I'm aneamic too and need my periods to be lighter as I'm struggling with iron supplements!

OP posts:
Auldspinster · 16/08/2018 22:27

I've had one since 2004, it gave me my life back after incredibly heavy periods that lasted for months at a time. Unfortunately I now have a fibroid which displaced it and my heavy periods are back and I'm waiting for an endometrial ablation.

Squeegle · 16/08/2018 22:28

Changed my life in a really positive way. Was experiencing awful flooding periods and now after 6 months or so of spotting no periods at all. Didn’t hurt to be put in either. Can’t recommend enough (and I wasn’t keen to start with)

Slimmingsnake · 16/08/2018 22:28

Fine going in ,but pain that had me curled up on the sofa nearly in tears for hours after.settled down eventually after months of spotting ,frustrating..3 years of no bleeding ,then it started ,so had it removed,dr managed to snap the string trying to remove it,and had to get his fingers in up to the cervix to grab the tiny bit of thread...all the while saying if I can't grab it you will need to go to hospital..I just said I can take the pain,just get it out ..bloody hurt,bloody embarrassing,and never again.

StacksOfBoxes · 16/08/2018 22:28

It has changed my life. I used to have periods so heavy that I could barely get through the half hour school run with a super-size mooncup plus night time towel, and now I can get through a whole day with just a panty liner. It's great!

I did have a lot of spotting for the first few months, but it settled down. I haven't had any of the other side effects.

Dhalandchips · 16/08/2018 22:30

Mine fell out!!

FlourishingMrs · 16/08/2018 22:31

Was a great Choice for me, blamed it for gaining a kilo and changed to copper... wish I had just reduced calorie intake and kept it. Miss it.

RaspberryBeret34 · 16/08/2018 22:31

I had one and insertion/removal was fine, I felt a bit faint after but I think that was because I stood up then the doc kept me talking for another 5 mins standing when I probably would have been OK walking out then sitting.

I did have light spotting fairly constantly for about a year which was annoying then it eased off to no periods (which was great!). After DS, I went on the mini pill and had the same constant spotting so I assume my body doesn't really agree with progesterone only.

Loopytiles · 16/08/2018 22:33

Had for a couple of years. No effect on my weight but terrible for my mental health IME.

suckonthatmaureen · 16/08/2018 22:40

I had mine for 4 years. It was absolutely wonderful for the first 3.5 years, after which I started getting a few side effects (moods, spots etc).
They tried to take it out but the threads had disappeared. In the end I had to have it removed under general anaesthetic.

IsTheRainEverComingBack · 16/08/2018 22:43

Had one for a couple of years, removed not due to any issues. Insertion was painful but I haven’t had any children so my cervix had never been stretched before. A couple of days of discomfort afterwards, like period cramps but not even the worse I’ve had. Irregular periods for a couple of months, but very light. Would happily recommend to others. Taking it out was super easy as well.

BigBairyHollocks · 16/08/2018 22:43

I have had mine for 18 months and want it out,am done with giving it ago.I have he worst mental health I’ve ever had ,never had an issue before.Also weird spots on my upper back,breasts-absolutely horrible.

BigBairyHollocks · 16/08/2018 22:44

Oh yeh and am fatter than I’ve ever been but not eating any more!

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:45

Thanks all, it's really good to hear others opinions on it, like I say only two of my friends have had it, one had hers come out and the other bleed for a year.
Loopy that is one of my main concerns as I am suffering already with my mental health.
Does anyone worry about the risk of breast cancer with it?

OP posts:
Mabelface · 16/08/2018 22:46

I'm on my third one and I love it. Not had periods for donkeys years and it's kept my endometriosis away.

FaithEverPresent · 16/08/2018 22:48

I had a bad experience. Felt uncomfortable going in, felt like I was swollen internally after having it inserted. I had terrible mood swings (think roaring crying one minute, paranoid the next). Begged the GP to remove it after 6 weeks. I don’t think any hormonal contraception is for me really, I’m not any better on the POP and can’t take the combined pill.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:49

suck that's not great, I'm fearful of GA's!
Big that's my main worry tbh!

OP posts:
April241 · 16/08/2018 22:50

I have one, put in 12 weeks after having twins, didn’t feel a thing (unsurprisingly hah!). Has been brilliant for me, 3 months of periods which lessened lessened and have been period and cramp free for about 17/18 months now.

A few days or weeks (I can’t remember) after insertion I had what felt exactly like contractions but a chat with my practice nurse said it’s common and typically only happens while your body adjusts to essentially having a foreign body

I’ve had none of the side effects I had from previous contraceptives (have had various pills and 3 implants over the years). No weight gain/bloatedness, no hormonal spots or headaches and no mood swings.

I love it! Best decision I made. I was a bit worried as my mum had one and ended up with an infection but it cleared quickly. I knew I wouldn’t remember to take the pill, didn’t fancy the injection and the implant didn’t work for me so just tried it.

Original poster
Twoweekcruise · 16/08/2018 22:50

faith I've never had any hormonal contraception and at 43 I'm worried my body will react badly to it.

OP posts:
elliejjtiny · 16/08/2018 22:53

Following because my gp and dh keep trying to persuade me to get one but I'm reluctant. Don't need contraception but have nightmare flooding periods. Worried about periods getting worse and depression getting worse. Also after previous birth trauma I'm scared of anything going anywhere near my womb.