Anyone with a Mirena coil?

[Afternooninthepark]

I have been advised to have a Mirena fitted because I have uterine polyps and have regular but awful, awful heavy periods. I’ve been putting it off for over 3 years because I am 46 and to date have never had any form of hormonal contraceptives (and was hoping never to have to tbh) and also because of the awful stories I have read online of side effects such as exacerbated anxiety and depression (something I already suffer from and just can not afford to have made worse), swollen breasts, weight gain (absolutely DO NOT want this as I have issues with my weight), acne and headaches (already suffer from hormonal aura migraines and do not want those made worse) etc.
My friend has recently started in the mini pill and her weight has ballooned and she now has issues with awful acne having had beautiful clear skin before taking it, so this has also put me off as the mini pill has progestin in also (although I’m told at a higher dose than the Mirena).
I have yet another gynae appointment soon to discuss my heavy periods and I know they will push the Mirena as they always do. My number one choice would be an ablation and a couple of years ago I asked for an ablation under a local, the gynaecologist agreed but on the day of the surgery the anaesthetist refused saying he would only do it under a general which I didn’t want, so I was left upset and back to square one unless I save up for an ablation under a local at a private hospital which will take some time if I’m honest, so it looks like the Mirena is my only current option which I really am not sure about.
Has anyone had or have the Mirena and what side effects did you suffer from?

In answer to the question re having it taken out - it took me a year to get the NHS to agree to do it, and it ruined my life for that year. It took a couple of months to level out afterwards and very very hard to lose the weight, but it did settle eventually.

I'm so happy for everyone on here that it works for, there seem to be more positives than negatives. But those of us who it affects badly seem to have a really bad time with it.

I have one. My third actually. I love love love them.

I bled heavily with my first for a few weeks, then lightly for several weeks then ...... drumroll ..... nothing ever again.

Have depression and anxiety, but had these before Mirena so i don’t blame Mirena for it! Am medicated for these.

Did I mention I haven’t had a period for over a decade.

Hurt like fuck being put in and was uncomfortable for a week or two. Had one light bleed in a year. No killer boobs like on mini pill and no skin problems or weight gain ( contributable to the mirena at least 😫)

Have you asked for a referral to the hospital trust where they will do local anaesthetic? Have you costed it privately?

I hated mine, and had it removed after 6 months. Really painful going in, periods were lighter but still painful, could literally feel it inside me a lot of the time. Acne was worse.

Most of my friends have been fine on it though.

I had one for 3 years (Pill before that), for both heavy periods and contraception . I had zero side effects from it , and didn’t have a period for three years. It didn’t hurt me to have it fitted either but I then went for my smear test in September to be told my coil had gone walk about . I ended up having to have it surgically removed in October - and now it’s put me off having another .

I tried the Mirena on the recommendation of a friend after my GP refused to carry on with the depo. I really didn't get on with it. It made me feel generally unwell. It also didn't stop my periods which was bad news after years period free on the depo. Another, unexpected, problem was that it made sex very uncomfortable for my husband to the point where, despite having a high sex drive, he was reluctant to do it at all.

I ended up having it removed and getting an implant instead. Still not ideal compared to the depo, but the best compromise overall.

I know the only way I’ll know if it would be suitable for me is to try but I am so apprehensive as I just can not afford for it to exacerbate my anxiety/depression which is really at an all time high atm but I can’t get the gynaecologists to fully appreciate that, I’m sure they think I just say this for the sake of it! I certainly ly wouldn’t want to wait any length of time to have it removed should I need it and those stories of people having to wait a long time really concerns me.
Tolleshunt there really doesn’t appear to be many options to treat uterine polyps, it’s removal which I’ve had and they have grown back, hormonal treatment, ablation or hysterectomy.
Nanna50 It would be several thousand privately which I can not afford atm, I could look to see which nearby trusts would perform it under a local.

I had mine fitted for this reason 2 years ago. best thing ever I've lost 4 stone in weight, have no pain and periods are hardly there. It can be removed so I would at least try it.