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Original poster

Mirena misery

39 replies

Arcadia · 08/04/2023 11:48

On day 7 of a fairly painful heavy period that started a few days after my Mirena was put in nearly two weeks ago. I was really hoping for lighter or no periods, less pain, more sex, none of this is happening and it feels never ending. The stuff I've read is so vague as 'everyone is different'!
Anyone had this then things have improved?! I don't feel like there is anything seriously wrong just a very long period.

OP posts:
Lovepeaceunderstanding · 08/04/2023 11:53

After my first Mirena was fitted I bled more or less constantly for six months but I’m very glad I persevered because from then until I was post menopausal I didn’t bleed at all.

Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 11:58

@Lovepeaceunderstanding wow you have more patience than I do! I honestly couldn't cope with six months of this !! We're going on a big trip in august and I was hoping to be period free by then 😫

OP posts:
MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 08/04/2023 11:59

Hated it. Hated. Couldn't get it removed due to COVID, was ready to remove it myself. Begged for a hysterectomy, best thing ever. Mirena was awful from start to finish. Sorry!

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newtb · 08/04/2023 12:00

I bled for nearly a year. More than spotting, not really enough for a tampon. Eventually my gp agreed to remove it. She said it was probably an infection.

DustyLee123 · 08/04/2023 12:00

The progesterone is clearing your womb out, give it time.
I also spotted for 6 months and still had lighter periods. I asked for it out, but by the time I got the appointment it had stopped, and I’m so glad I persevered.
I just wish I’d had it years ago.

Cv8 · 08/04/2023 12:03

I have mine 6 months now and for the first five I bled a lot, erratically. This last month it's returned to my normal 28-day cycle, albeit a lighter period, but I'm hoping it's finally settling. My gynae told me it can take 6 months to a year to settle.

Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 12:03

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 08/04/2023 11:59

Hated it. Hated. Couldn't get it removed due to COVID, was ready to remove it myself. Begged for a hysterectomy, best thing ever. Mirena was awful from start to finish. Sorry!

Surely there are downsides to a hysterectomy?

OP posts:
Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 12:04

Cv8 · 08/04/2023 12:03

I have mine 6 months now and for the first five I bled a lot, erratically. This last month it's returned to my normal 28-day cycle, albeit a lighter period, but I'm hoping it's finally settling. My gynae told me it can take 6 months to a year to settle.

I hoped I'd be one if the lucky ones. I don't want to wait a year, or even six months, I'll probably look to get to removed in July if it hasn't settled down.

OP posts:
Cv8 · 08/04/2023 12:05

I also had shooting cramps for the first few months and these have also settled down

Wintersunrise · 08/04/2023 12:06

You need to try and wait this out if possible - it's very early days and the bleeding settles in most cases. If it's really troublesome, you could get some tranexamic acid, (or even noresthisterone) from the GP to settle things down. Be sure to check your threads regularly - if you're bleeding very heavily sometimes the coil comes out.

The vast majority settle to very light or no periods by 3 months, so plenty of time before your big holiday. If things haven't settled by 6 months then the mirena is not going to suit you and you'll need to try something else.

It's usually worst with the first mirena - I'm on my 4th now, having started due to very heavy periods and a short cycle well before I had kids. Had it removed I could have DS and a new one fitted when he was 6 weeks old. The past two, I've only have a little cramping and spotting for a couple of days after a removal/refit, but otherwise have been period-free for almost 14 years!

Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 12:09

Wintersunrise · 08/04/2023 12:06

You need to try and wait this out if possible - it's very early days and the bleeding settles in most cases. If it's really troublesome, you could get some tranexamic acid, (or even noresthisterone) from the GP to settle things down. Be sure to check your threads regularly - if you're bleeding very heavily sometimes the coil comes out.

The vast majority settle to very light or no periods by 3 months, so plenty of time before your big holiday. If things haven't settled by 6 months then the mirena is not going to suit you and you'll need to try something else.

It's usually worst with the first mirena - I'm on my 4th now, having started due to very heavy periods and a short cycle well before I had kids. Had it removed I could have DS and a new one fitted when he was 6 weeks old. The past two, I've only have a little cramping and spotting for a couple of days after a removal/refit, but otherwise have been period-free for almost 14 years!

Thanks that is good advice.

OP posts:
uggmum · 08/04/2023 12:13

I am on my second. I have not had any bleeding since the first one went in.

So that's 7 years now.

I had endometriosis and very heavy painful periods and I feel like I got my life back straight away.

So it is worth persevering for a while yet.

Nothingfree · 08/04/2023 12:15

Give it time and patience, I nearly had mine out too as bleeding was bad but it was a postive outcome after 2 months and no periods since, I know its unpleasant but stick with it and it will work even when you need a replacement your body is already used to it so you don't go through this trauma again, you only need to do it once so get your mind set to sit it out and you won't look back, honestly it's the best! x

Ostryga · 08/04/2023 12:16

I’ve had mine for 2.5 years. I love it! Haven’t had a period apart from maybe 1 day of very light spotting a month in that time.

Mine took about 6-8 weeks to settle, but I haven’t had any issues since then. Will be having another one when this one needs replacing.

Frith2013 · 08/04/2023 12:42

I bled and had cramps continuously for the 9 months that it took for me to make the GP take it out.

Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 13:02

If I get desperate I'll get my friend who is a sexual health doctor to take it out for me! 🤣

OP posts:
PissTakeSubstitution · 08/04/2023 13:04

I had a very similar experience to @Lovepeaceunderstanding I bled pretty much constantly for 6 months and then nothing ever again.
I also agree that for me it was totally worth it but appreciate at the time it doesn’t feel that way.

Mary46 · 08/04/2023 13:07

Op it does take time. I had alot bleeding for few wks then it settled. Mine cant be too bad Im on 3rd coil now.

Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 14:04

I've read that ibuprofen can lessen the bleeding but am worried about irritating my stomach, does anyone know about this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Arcadia · 08/04/2023 14:04

Thanks for all of the replies 👍

OP posts:
MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 08/04/2023 23:50

Arcadia · 08/04/2023 12:03

Surely there are downsides to a hysterectomy?

Show quote history

Not for me.

Original poster
Arcadia · 13/04/2023 10:36

Quick update - on day 12 of bleeding but no longer bothering me as there is no period pain, just going to spend a fortune ion tampons! Willing to sit it out for at least 3 months

OP posts:
Boomboom22 · 13/04/2023 10:40

I'm on my second and bled for maybe 1 week max, not heavy. Last time I had no periods at all so expecting the same again. I found the depo injection was killing my sex drive and would rather go every 6 years than 12 weeks!

emmathedilemma · 13/04/2023 10:47

I had mine fitted to supposedly help with heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. It didn't help at all, in fact, it made things worse! I had bleeding and cramps so bad that I ended up taking days off work on more than one occasion. My GP kept telling me that it would take time to settle down. My mood was awful (maybe have been because of the bleeding or may have been the hormones, or both) and I definitely gained weight on it. Thankfully it bled itself out after nearly a year of hell, in a particularly spectacular episode that involved passing massive clots and a trip to A&E......or at least that's what we assumed happened to it as it hasn't been seen since!

Smallfry79 · 13/04/2023 11:34

Interesting reading. I had mirena fitted two weeks ago just days before my period was due. Had a bit of discharge/bleeding and mild cramps for first few days then a light period lasting maybe 3 days.
Since then, daily spotting I think. No red blood but (tmi sorry) a pink streaked gooey discharge mostly when I wipe or a little in my pants. Def not enough for a tampon.
I had one coil previously 10 years ago and dont remember this.
I know it could be a lot worse but Im in a newish relationship and very conscious of this and hope it doesn't last much longer. I loved it last time and never had any issues.

Just Interesting to hear others stories as googling mentions bleeding, spotting, periods etc but Im not entirely sure that is what Im experiencing