Mirena coil hell

[Jbrown76]

There isn't that much information on here or many threads about this . So I'll start this one. I've had the coil for a number of years, and in hindsight, it's caused weight gain, anxiety depression, no sex drive and just been awful. I slowly became a different person, unrecognisable, went on antidepressants ect.. literally going insane, crazy, suicidal

My symptoms were disregarded and minimised.

I was told at the time of insertion that the hormones were localised, but now I know that they can enter the bloodsteam

I understand that for some women iuds work, they have no problems and they are a treatment for pcos or endometriosis ect But for some women, it's a nightmare, and difficult to try and get the coil removed as you are told to wait for it to settle down.

Insertion is excruciating, no pain relief was offered, and it's just so sad that women have to go through so much suffering, when medical people don't listen.

There's also something called Mirena crash, where after removal your mental health is frankly awful because the body isn't making its own progesterone due to the coil, so when it is removed you crash.

I found lots of similar experiences on Reddit:

www.reddit.com/r/TwoXChromosomes/s/V8nr4uxwSI

www.reddit.com/r/Mirena/s/wK4L5bkPRF

www.reddit.com/r/birthcontrol/s/5qsuiS0uHw

https://www.reddit.com/r/
Mirena/s/zfTbyjEO5P

My gp offers to remove it when ever you want even if it's the next day

That sounds very tough and frustrating.

My experience has been different, I’ve had 3 mirenas over 12 years, one took a few months to settle down, but then was well worth it for the complete lack of periods.

Also never had a problem getting one removed.

I don't recognise any of that.

I had one a few years ago and had really bad anxiety on it. And spots!
I have one again now and I’m on setraline and Sandrena and it’s great.
I’ll only have it put in under GA, but removal isn’t painful.

Sorry to hear that. Mirena coil has changed my life (for the better!). Wouldn't be without it now.

Though I agree lack of pain relief on insertion is an issue. My nurse told me they can do it with a numbing injection now at certain clinics.

I had mine removed 2 years ago and replaced with the copper coil. I was pretty depressed on the Mirena, though I was in a bad relationship at the time so not really sure whether the coil was the cause.

Insertion was, as you said, excruciating. I was told beforehand it would not hurt. Equally as excruciating having it removed. i am having my copper coil removed later this year as partner has had a vasectomy but i am absolutely dreading it.

I also had an awful experience with the mirena coil after being convinced to have it by the GP. I can only think they were being pressured to get people to use them by the pharmaceutical company because I’d spent years using a copper coil and was perfectly fine with it - except heavy periods.
I was a raging hormonal mess, and bled non stop for 8 weeks. HP kept saying give it more time so I gave it a year and then had copper coil put back in and all is fine again.

I hear you!! I had one fitted to supposedly solve heavy bleeding caused by fibroids.
spoiler alert: it didn’t help. It actually made things worse. Much worse and cramps like I’d never had in my life before. Not sure if I gained weight from the hormones or from being able to do less exercise or comfort eating and wine drinking, or probably all of the above!
mine eventually bled itself out, or at least that’s what we assume happened to it as it’s not been seen since a particularly spectacular episode of bleeding which resulted in a trip to A&E!

I had one for heavy periods and it solved that problem but in return I bled a little every day for 11 months, then it fell out!

I contacted my surgery in August and it took until November for me to get an appointment

Gosh what a limited imagination you must have.

Our local drop in sexual health clinic takes
them out.

I turned up, took a ticket & waited & they took it out no questions asked

Might be worth looking into your local service for anyone struggling for a removal appointment

Have had them for decades, even now when I don’t need to worry about birth control (given my age I’ve got to be post menopausal). Never had an issue with them and absolutely loved the no period aspect once the initial constant bleeding/spotting that went for around 8 weeks occurred on insertion of my first.

I vaguely remember reading about a doctor who would always ask if a woman had a mirena coil if they presented with symptoms of anxiety. It seems to be a thing, but it’s difficult to spread warnings about it because they’ll be a million and one people insisting that there is no evidence and can everyone just stop talking about it.

I don't recognise it in relation to my own experience. Did I say I don't believe it?

The consumer medication information lists these and other known side effects. Including everything on OPs list. Some doctors are more on top of medication side effects, some aren't, pharmacists tend to be more knowledgeable but its also easy to google Consumer medicine information + name of drug. The pill has a very similar list, but not recommended if over 40, overweight and having migraines like I was. My GP recommended moving to the Mirena and its worked very well for me. For other its a horrible experience, most drugs are similar in that some tolerate them well and others just suffer a heap of side effects. Mental health side effects from the pill were another reason my GP suggested the change as the Mirena tends in her experience to be less problematic than the pil, that doctor should be asking about any hormonal contraceptives.

Common side effects of Mirena
• genital tract infection
• ovarian cyst
• nervousness
• depressed mood, mood swings
lower abdominal/pelvic pain or back
pain
• bleeding changes including increased or
decreased menstrual bleeding, spotting,
infrequent or light periods, absence of
bleeding
• headache, migraine
• nausea
• acne
• excessive hairiness
• tender or painful breasts
• period pain
• itching, redness and/or swelling of the
vagina
• vaginal discharge
• weight gain
• decreased libido
• expulsion of Mirena

Yeah i felt pressured to have mine and any pitentual side effects were very much played down, it was 'sold' to me as a panacea! It was agony from the moment it went in and constant heavy bleeding. I was just told to give it 6 months. I did, then gratefully ripped it out and never looked back!

I don't need to worry about birth control for a different reason, single following an abusive marriage and have no intention of ever going near another man. Still love my Mirena and no periods. Except when TTC Ive been on some form of hormonal birth control since 18 because it gives me relief from the hell that my periods are.

Not specifically about the Mirena but i know too many women who have had major gynaecological issues and weren't listened to to huge personal detriment. I think this is probably part of that greater issue of gender bias and women not being listened to. There is gender bias in both trialing new medicines and whether medication or other treatments like CTB are given. Women are more likely to effectively be told to suck it up or ignored as OP was. There's lots of studies out their showing this bias.

I didn't get on with a Mirena at all, mood wise. Within a few days of fitting it turned me into an anxious, angry, crying wreck.
I never actually wanted one, but was told falsely, by a gynaecologist in hospital that it was the only treatment for the postmenopausal bleeding and thickened endometrium that I had. Only afterwards did a GP tell me that I could have had oral progesterone but it had been fitted by then. ( part of a wider complaint I am making) I went back to the gynae clinic emergency clinic to get it removed after about a week, and within a few days I was back to my normal self. I've been fine on the oral progesterone since then.

Marina IUDs undoubtedly suit some people, but definitely not everyone. Doctors always seem to be encouraging their use, but rarely mention any side effects or risks.
I understand that Drs are financially incentived to promote them. GP surgeries get a payment for reaching a target the number of times a Mirena has been suggested, and I have heard unconfirmed reports that hospitals receive funded training based on number of Mirena fittings, so it seems to me that recommendation of a Mirena coil by medic is not unbiased.

Mine has been amazing and almost opposite to the OP. It was excruciating for a week after they put it in but stopped my periods without affecting sex drive and stopped me feeling like I was completely losing my mind for a couple of days every month and mo more crippling period pains. I love it and wish I had been offered it before I had my children.

I had an awful experience with Mirena. I can't definitively say that it affected my MH, because there were things happening in my life at the time that could have caused severe depression and anxiety. I suspect the Mirena didn't help in that regard. But what did happen is that it triggered severe psoriasis. I had never had psoriasis before, or any skin condition. After I had the coil removed the symptoms reduced dramatically, but it has left me with permanent scarring and now mild chronic psoriasis. My GP was dismissive and refused to consider the possibility that Mirena was causing any side effects. He did in the end agree to remove it.

OP, I also had a lot of trouble with Mirena (not hormonal, but it tore thought my womb and I required abdominal surgery under general anesthetic to get it out).

the hormonal side effects are well known though, particularly in the US where there are a lot of law suits against the manufacturer.

from personal experience, I would highly recommend going to a private gynecologist to have it removed—they are much more gentle and attentive and have hacks to make removal less painful. They will also listen to you properly.

There's a difference between I don't recognise any of that, i.e that's not my experience, and I can't imagine that i.e I don't believe your experience

I love mine and it has improved my life beyond measure. So it’s obviously powerful and if it isn’t working for you then have it taken out - a nurse should be able to do it.