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Original poster

Mirena Coil or mini pill

22 replies

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/12/2022 18:37

I need to come off the combined pill soon and I'm considering asking for the mirena. The problem is it contains levonorgestrel and when I tried a pill containing that I didn't get on with it so I'm not sure if it's worth trying or not. The only hormone I've got on with is norithisterone so the other option would be the mini pill containing that, Noriday. Basically I want whatever is most likely to stop my periods!

My other worry about the mirena is the insertion. I've found smears to be so painful I've been crying in pain as my cervix is high and over to one side. I'm worried about how painful it'll be.

Does anyone have any experience if any of this? My GP isn't really approachable so I'm trying to do my own research before speaking to her (if I can!).

OP posts:
astralpiano · 27/12/2022 18:40

Try one of the other coils, they have less hormone in that's why they get changed sooner.

astralpiano · 27/12/2022 18:41

The hormones are more localised in the coil. But I found mirena gave me cysts. The jaydess hasn't so far

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/12/2022 18:42

Thanks, I thought the only other option was the copper coil. I don't need it for contraception, just to control my periods, so I'll look into that.

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PepsiMaxandPringleStacks · 27/12/2022 18:44

If you have a high cervix ask for a long speculum during smears, they improve it so much!

With regards to coils I can't comment on the mirena, but I had the copper and it resulted in really bad anemia as it made my already heavy periods extremely heavy. I had it for 3 years and got it out 2 weeks ago and I'm now on mini pill!

PepsiMaxandPringleStacks · 27/12/2022 18:45

Just seeing it's for period control, copper coil deffo out as you will still have normal cycles on it.

CaramelizedNuts · 27/12/2022 18:47

I'd go with mirena but it's a long game waiting for it to settle but worth waiting for.

Have you had children ? That makes a difference to your fitting experience for sure.

Haggisfish3 · 27/12/2022 18:49

I had the same issue but the hormone level is much much smaller than pill and much more localised to uterus only. I’m having it in under general anaesthetic because I have high cervix that’s difficult to reach.

Syppox2000 · 27/12/2022 18:50

I was so scared about the mirena coil as I also had seriously painful smears .
I’ve taken ibuprofen both times I have had it inserted and not felt a thing. Now I have no periods or very occasional drop of blood at tiMe of month !

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/12/2022 18:50

I haven't had children, another reason I'm worried!

Unfortunately the long speculum didn't help as my cervix is apparently very hard to find as it's off to one side! The only thing that made a difference was the colposcopy chair. I felt quite deformed when the consultant explained, although it was good to know why it was so painful.

The more I think about it the more I might try the mini pill first...

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/12/2022 18:52

@Haggisfish3 is that on the NHS if you don't mind me asking? My GP doesn't even offer coil fitting any more so I don't know if they'd refer me

OP posts:
Afterfire · 27/12/2022 18:52

I would definitely try the mini pill first. No harm done in giving it a go! And then try the coil if that doesn’t work for you. I have been on the mini pill for 9 years now and it’s amazing. I did have spotting and bleeding for the first few months but kept with it and now have no bleeding at all, ever. I am actually menopausal now and have continued to take it as part of my HRT and I won’t ever come off of it unless I absolutely have to.. I am on Cezarette.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/12/2022 18:56

My previous GP took me off Cerezette after 4 days - I had crippling stomach pains and could barely string a sentence together. She took one look at me a put me back on the combined pill. This is another reason I'm so worried about changing

OP posts:
CaramelizedNuts · 27/12/2022 18:57

Haggisfish3 · 27/12/2022 18:49

I had the same issue but the hormone level is much much smaller than pill and much more localised to uterus only. I’m having it in under general anaesthetic because I have high cervix that’s difficult to reach.

I had my first copper coil pre kids under general. Was NHS but the reasoning was that I was taking meds that harmed unborn babies and couldn't tolerate artificial hormones then.

I did have one attempt at getting it fitted 'normally' before the GA but it wasn't successful as I have some weird geography going on there too 😀

astralpiano · 27/12/2022 19:03

I had my first one pre children it did hurt but not for long. I would find somewhere used to fitting lots. Maybe a sexual health clinic?

Haggisfish3 · 27/12/2022 22:06

@PinkSparklyPussyCat Yes it is on nhs. I was referred to gynae for heavy bleeding. They discovered a polyp on ultrasound. Had an internal and tried to access cervix but couldn’t so I was offered choice of general or no anaesthetic.

gogohmm · 27/12/2022 22:08

I have a mirena, it was mildly uncomfortable to insert not painful, I have a tilted cervix. I get infrequent light periods

candleadvent · 27/12/2022 22:14

I had Mirena out after 7 months of spotting, it
Definitely didn't agree with me. Mini pill was a bit hellish for up to 3 months - I had terrible headaches and greasy hair etc but after that it's been a dream...Fewer headaches than before being on the pill and no real periods.

PinkPlantCase · 28/12/2022 06:28

I would go with the mini pill atleast to start with.

I know the coil is good for a lot of people but I like how the pill gives you more choice. Eg. You can just decide not to take it, you don’t have to wait for an appointment or convince a healthcare professional to take it out of it isn’t working for you.

There are a few different types of mini pills, I think it was the 4th one I tried that worked well for me. Though it had a very small window each day in which I could take it and it would still work as contraceptive. I can see why that wouldn’t work for some people.

KangarooKenny · 28/12/2022 06:41

The mini pill is easier to stop if it doesn’t agree. A coil you would have to wait to get it out.

Original poster
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/12/2022 08:01

Thanks for all your replies. When the time comes I'll try the mini pill first, providing they'll prescribe Noriday as I'm not trying the others when I've had problems with same hormones on the combined pill.

I'm gutted that I'll have to come off the combined pill as I back to back it so only have 4 periods a year. They could whip the whole lot out for all I care!

OP posts:
Haggisfish3 · 21/01/2023 23:34

Just to update. I had my procedure done under general and I can wholeheartedly recommend it! I wouldn’t have known I had anything done. I had polypectomy, hysteroscopy, biopsy and coil insertion. Had my first period and it’s a revelation-manageable. Not like I’m bleeding to death.

CeriB82 · 22/01/2023 06:20

Ive heard do many terrible stories about the coil. I will never have it.

mini-pill all the way. Zero periods.

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