Gynae question - anyone knowledgeable??

[roaringwater]

3 years ago I had a salpingo-oophorectomy on one side, which - for the blissfully uninitiated - is the removal of one ovary & fallopian tube. I also had a Mirena coil put in at the same time.

After a little bit of irregular bleeding and spotting to start with, it settled down and I rarely had anything you could describe as a period - maybe one day of bleeding every few months. Game changer.

For the last 2 months, I seem to be back to having 'proper' periods. Questions:

1. Does the hormonal element of the Mirena just wear off over time so the periods come back? I'm very confident the Mirena hasn't come out.

1. Physically how can l have a period every month with only one ovary? Didn't GCSE biology say that ovaries take it in turns to release an egg? Can the remaining ovary just be compensating like an over-achieving little fucker?

If you are well-versed in gynae medicine, please explain.

If one ovary is removed the other compensates by releasing an egg each month. goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/what-health-effects-will-woman-one-ovary-experience

1. Not 100% sure but I doubt the hormone effect wears off over time as otherwise this could cause issues with the contraceptive side of things?

1. Definitely. That remaining ovary can release an egg every month.

When I had Mirena btw I always had periods.

Good point about the contraceptive effect - I always overlook that element because it's not why I got it.

Bugger. I loved not having periods. I don't want them back. 🤬

Mirena coils have a lifespan. Does it need changing?

Mirenas should be changed every 3 years

The Mirena usually lasts for 5 years before the hormones run out but if could be that you need a higher level to prevent periods

And yes as @DrNo007 said, the remaining ovary will be compensating

It’s very simplistic to say that ovaries take it in turns anyway…

Usually, both ovaries will produce a number of follicles at the start of each cycle and one of those - the lead follicle- will eventually mature and be released as an egg
It’s not totally understood what makes the lead follicle become the lead as the hormones released act on all of the potential eggs, but it tends to be that the lead follicle comes from a different ovary each month
But that doesn’t mean that the non-lead-follicle ovary is inactive.
But if there is only one ovary, the lead follicle is always going to come from it

Q1 - yes, I had a mirena due to heave periods (rather than for contraception). I'd have nothing for 2 years, then periods would return and get heavier over a few months. My gynaecologist recommended I had a replacement every 3 years (because by 3 years the periods were getting very difficult cope with).

Similar experience to my eldest using the implant. First one lasted for the full 3 or is 5 years. Each subsequent has not stopped her periods for as long and has had to be replaced increasingly earlier. She has one for severe endometriosis so it's for the pain and bleeding.

I always had monthly bleeds for a week on the Mirena after I'd endured the initial 6 months of daily bleeding 🤬