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

Mine has been life-changing in the best way - after decades of agonising periods I now have none, but with none of the side effects from the mini-pill. I love it. But if it’s not working for you, it’s awful that you had such a struggle to have it taken out.

I was also really worried about the process of getting it in, but I had mine done at the GUM clinic and it was fine. I did take naproxen an hour beforehand so that helped I expect.

I endured painful bleeding, cramps for years with the Mirena coil.
Eventually even the removal wasn’t straightforward. The GP just couldn’t do it despite using all manner of medieval looking implements. Excruciatingly painful. Had to have it surgically removed under GA.
It was a reliable form of contraception though as my BP was too high for the pill.

I had my sixth one fitted recently.
I've always had them removed and fitted with an epidural at my local hospital.
I've never had any problems with them in the twenty odd years of using them, however that's not to say that they suit everyone.
Could those who find the removal / fitting painful, ask your GP about an epidural?

I had them for 10 years and at the same time had chronic acne ( in my 30s and 40s), was put on Roacuttane twice during that period. One day other negative symptoms ( mood, terribly sore boobs and awful PMS) made me have it removed and switched to a copper IUD. Acne went and never returned! I realised that I do not get on with progesterone so would rather have periods than chronic acne and feeling awful. I will be trying to avoid HRT for this very reason ( now early 50s and regular periods still)!

That’s your experience OP, not one I can relate to.

I love my Mirena and it gives me no side effects whatsoever. I was so busy chatting, I didn’t even notice its insertion, that’s how pain-free it was. And no periods has been life-changing for me.

I hated it. It made me homicidal and suicidal, I was a shadow of my normal self. And it was at a time when I needed to be 'me' not an angry hormonal mess. It didn't help my painful and heavy periods at all. I gained no benefit from it. Not a jot.

I always says it worked because it made me so fucking nasty my husband didn't want to come near me. I honestly don't know how my marriage survived it.

After many months I got it taken out and the relief - possibly placebo - was instant.

And the kicker? We had to commit to contraception for the adoption process. And we were adopting BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE KIDS. Savage irony.

Yeah, I've experimented with different types of birth control like the coil, but unfortunately nothing has helped with my PMDD (main reason for taking it). It's weird, some people I know feel way better mentally on birth control, but my sister and I just can't seem to handle it. It might just be our genetics, because we both struggle with headaches, weight gain, and feeling depressed. We've got friends that are thriving on it though! at least you know it isn't for you hey.

Having suffered from endometriosis from my late teens the Mirena coil probably saved my life. After DS was born I couldn’t envisage endo and mother hood.
The added bonus was that I could have one well into menopause because it doubles as HRT.

I think from previous threads on MN over the years it is the younger women that seem to have problems with anxiety and depression. There is evidence that it does improve perimenopause symptoms and it’s easy to add oestrogen supplements when required.

You don’t mention your age, if you are in your 40d your symptoms may be peri menopausal and it’s worth looking at oestrogen gel/patches to balance the progesterone.

I had to come off oestrogen and have coil removed when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I also had to take hormone blockers.
I experienced no side effects apart from the return of mild hot flushes. If anything the flat lining of my hormones had a positive effect on my mood and mental health.

Post menopausal your hormones return the same levels as an average 8YR old. Fluctuating hormones are the root cause of mood swings and anxiety. Low but stable levels seem to be fine.

I was really dreading giving up HRT but it has been fine.

If you feel that the hormones in your coil are not for you then it’s easy to remove.