Can I ask a really simple question about periods that I should probably already know the answer to?

[furrytoebean]

I have a mirena coil and I don't get any bleeding.

However I swear I get PMS still. I have about 5 days of the month where I am FLAT OUT, like can't even get dressed after a shower, just sitting on my towel on the bed for an hour kind of tired.

I also get really irritable.

I haven't had normal periods for years because I was on the implant before this and it stopped my periods too.
When I wasn't on anything I had horrendous PMS which has always made me nervous to come off long term contraception.

Sorry this is a bit rambly but my question is do you still get a monthly hormonal cycle with the mirena???
I keep getting mixed messages when I google it.

You do kind of get a cycle on the Mirena. That's because the hormonal component in it is progestogen, and your oestrogen levels will be unaffected, still rising and falling with your monthly cycle.

Also, the progestogen in the coil is a synthetic progestogen which some women don't react well to.

I get so ratty and weepy in line with a "normal" cycle on the Mirena... It was the longest term option my GP would offer so when hubby gets the all clear with his snip I'm having it out. My hormones seem worse on this than without x

I didn't get any kind of a cycle at all with the Mirena, but I was perimenopausal when I had it put in. I loved mine, had no periods & once it settled down, no side effects at all.

I get around 3 days of light bleeding during which and a few days before, I get period symptoms. Tears, sore boobs, cramps. I used to bleed for 9 days and have symptoms a week before so the Mirena has been a total life changer for me. I guess everyone reacts differently to it though.

Don’t get me wrong, I like my Mirena. I’ve had it a year and I love the fact I have no periods.

But I was told when I got it that I wouldn’t get any cycles and so I’ve believed that, but then someone said on another thread that you still ovulate and suddenly loads of things made sense.
I’ve been getting pms like symptoms but just writing them off as something else.

I want to keep track of my cycle but I have no idea how to do it if I don’t bleed, I’ve downloaded some apps but obviously they want me to put in the days I bleed.

I think you'd have to do it manually if you don't bleed, I'm not sure any of the apps are sophisticated enough yet. Just start recording how you feel in a notes app/notebook and you'll soon start to see the pattern emerging, I'd imagine!