To wonder about the Mirena...or is it just me...

[TattyDevine]

Sorry to post this in AIBU, I know its not really, but I want high traffic to get a better (and quicker) idea of whether I need to do something about this

Had a Mirena fitted last January, about the 4th so it really is nearly a year - which is why I am reviewing it.

Bled a fair bit for the first few months but have noticed very little bleeding lately, which is a bonus.

But I think its giving me mood swings - I have a "bad week" once a month (I think its once a month, I should keep a better diary of it) not necessarily right before I bleed but during this bad week I am absolutely vile. Everything annoys me. I manage not to take it out on my children, JUST about, anyway, though I am aware that a fair bit of the time I might have a bit of an arsey tone or be talking through slightly gritted teeth. Everything is an effort, everything was designed specifically to piss me off during this week!

I had it last week then the mood just lifts...suddenly things are fine, dont seem bad, I'm chilled and pleasant. I have a pretty easy life at the mo, so in theory little to stress me apart from kids (yeah I know!) so really - its odd.

I never suffered from PMT before which makes me think if I had it removed then I wouldn't have this problem anymore. But then I think, I've done a year, should I just wait a while longer and see if it gets any better?

I think it used to be worse - I think I used to get sad too and sort of flat - but now I'm just a seething festering ball of bile - I've never been depressed in my life.

Has anyone experienced the mood swings side effect of the Mirena but persevered to the extent that they found it did eventually fade away sometime in the second year?

I either have to keep it in and put up with it for a while longer, or have it taken out and get on with my life but I think I need to know its not all about to get better to justify doing this and somehow find different contraception (groan - abstinence is sounding pretty good at the moment - which is possibly another side effect - lack of libido!)

Sorry to post in here, I hope I''ve not pissed anyone off. (If so, I dare you to take me on in about 3 weeks time )

You wouldn't say that if you were with her tonight . Headstrong doesn't go half way there.

Nothing new to add, although a friend is getting one put in next wk and I've recommended she takes pain killers and has time to go to bed with a hot bottle afterwards as I found it worse than labour (maybe they should provide a TENS machine)! I've had mine for 2 years and some months have a few blood spots but usually nothing (took a year to get this way). I do become a witch and I'm gonna do the same thing and keep a mood diary because I'm sure it's not just before the "period". I also get a bigger appetite and sweet tooth for a week - linked with mood. Taking myself to buy some herbal remedies tomorrow - thanks for advice!

TheFowlAndThePussycat -I'm so with you on the moods re. not realising until the mood has lifted! I used to get that with the Mirena and still do to some degree now with my 'normal' PMT.

..and I have not had a single bout of thrush since I had the coil removed, nor the other nasty infection, thankfully.

Nonetheless, I can see that it works wonders for some, especially those who have problematic periods. Mine aren't too bad so, for me, the side effects weren't worth the benefits.

We're in a similar conundrum to others re. contraception- not quite ready for OH to have the vasectomy just yet so we're using the 'Fertility Awareness Method', and condoms during fertile times. It's not completely ideal but it does give you a sense of control of your body and a freedom from artificial hormones if you're the sort of person whose body doesn't respond positively to them. For me and the OH, it's the best option at the mo.

Skin is awful, am moody beyond my norm, I bleed a little bit most of the time. I wanted the copper coil but was talked into Mirena by nurse. Libido is also non-existent.

Thank god Olfin, I really can't carry on like this (re thrush). Contraception is a massive conundrum, dh is more than happy to have the snip, but I can't face him doing something so permanent. In fact it is me that definitely cannot have anymore babies for health reasons, so he is doing it to protect his own choice (2 dcs is plenty for him!) and my health. I recognize that this makes me very lucky, but still I regret the end of our fertility enormously. Sorry, slight hijack there...

Oops sorry, I mean Olifin of course...

I love mine. No more periods HURRAY. No side effects at all, its been a miracle cure for my heavy periods.

I lasted a year - constant spotting, discharge & bleeding! No libido and very stressed cos OH kept going on about it - constantly!!! Got rid of mirena & got rid of OH - problems all solved!!!!! lol :)

Has anyone experienced this: first Mirena fantastic, trouble free, no periods, no PMT wonderful. Second coil gone completely bonkers within a month. I had mild anxiety before but now have raging anxiety and beginning to hit a bit of depression as well. Doc says nothing to do with coil but having it out on Friday in case there is the slightest chance it is making things worse. Also came of overactive thyroid meds at same time but bloods normal. Must be coil.