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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be thinking about changing my mind over my mirena coil reinsertion :(

31 replies

boringnickname · 26/04/2012 18:26

I have had a mirena coil for 5.5 years now and it is due to come out next month, this is having to be done under sedation (they wanted GA i said fuck right off) in hospital because they can't seem to be able to get it out Hmm.

The original plan was to have another coil, but when the doc couldnt remove it he said that he probably could get it out but wouldnt be able to get anotehr back in, so i was referred to FP clinic where i thought a more experienced doctor would put anotehr in. Cue much vascillating on my part - do i REALLY want to go through all of this?

I am now booked to have this done in a private hospital (at the NHS expense! Shock) but i think i want to change my mind, i dont want another coil. Or at least im not sure.

I am not sure it ever agreed with me - i have had really bad depression since DD born, and anxiety - i am worried after many threads linking mirena with depression and spoke to my doctor about this who would not accept the link was any more than accecdotal. I put on 4 stone since it was put in - but this coincides with being on ADs and finishing breast feeding, ive always been a big girl.

So the other day i started having doubts and said to DP, "i dont want anotehr coil" to which he of course said, tahts fine, we will find another contraceptive. Then after some time looked at me and said "but what about PMT, you can be homicidal" this is only a slight exaggeration Blush I haven't had a period for the whole time i have had this coil, although now it is late out i have noticed some spotting and some definate mood swings. Im 41 so im also thinking about menopause.

I just don't know what to do - on paper, i think i should have another coil, but there is something niggling the back of my head saying that "are you sure it was PND and a nervous breakdown and not the coil"

Does anyone have any thoughts, i suspect i wont have the option to have another coil if i don't have it put in next month as my cervix seems to have lost itself so insertion is not going to be straightforward.

I do feel rather pushed into having another by the FP clinic and im sure its not because they think i can't manage contraception at the age of 41!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 18:42

anyone?

OP posts:
foreverondiet · 26/04/2012 18:42

Why not have a non hormonal coil?

Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 18:47

I had one before forever and bled like a stuck pig for about 7 weeks, was in agony and had to have it removed

OP posts:
FlangelinaBallerina · 26/04/2012 18:48

Yeah that was my first thought. Obviously there's the pill, you may still be able to take it at 41, but if you're not sure about another IUS then maybe these concerns also extend to other hormonal contraception. Presumably you and DP have discussed vasectomy and sterilisation too?

Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 18:54

We have discussed it - he is too much of a wuss and i wouldnt consider sterilisation so i can't expect him to have the chop either.

I think its not just the contraception, its more the PMT that scares me - but what if the coil IS the reason i have anxiety (i never had it before, but it coincides with a breakdown and PND)

OP posts:
FlangelinaBallerina · 26/04/2012 18:57

Well, if you're worried about what hormonal contraception may be doing to you, I guess the logical thing is to spend some time not using it.

foreverondiet · 26/04/2012 19:01

My friend who is GP said combined pill not an option after 40, and not after 35 if overweight which the OP is. The POP is the same hormones as the mirena but at a higher dose so any side effects are likely to be worse.

So of the OP decides not to have a coil, and neither will consider sterilisation options are v v limited - basically diaphragm or condoms.

007alert · 26/04/2012 19:04

Marking place as I could have written your post. Love the fact I never have to worry about being pregnant again, ever, but hate the acne, weight gain and depression. Again, not sure how much I can attribute to the mirena, but I was never like this before...

Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 19:04

Yes, is absolutely logical not to have it for a while, but i am guessing they wont be too happy to insert another if i decide to have a break because it will be a major hassle to put it in, i am leanin towards having another one put in.

OP posts:
007alert · 26/04/2012 19:05

The mini pill didn't give me the same effects on mood etc. but I kept forgetting to take it which caused rather more anxiety!

Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 19:06

Yes, thats exactly where im at 007, arggghhhh

OP posts:
Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 19:07

yes, waaaay too forgetful for mini pill and i could never really find a pill that didn't make me feel like i had permanent morning sickness :(

OP posts:
FlangelinaBallerina · 26/04/2012 19:09

If you want another one straight in then fair enough, but don't make your contraceptive choices based on how happy the clinic will be! You have a totally valid reason for not wanting a Mirena for a while, and if you later decide that the coil didn't cause any of the problems, a totally valid reason for wanting another one.

saintlyjimjams · 26/04/2012 19:14

My friend had a complete nervous breakdown, suicidal, on the coil. If you link it don't have another.

Original poster
boringnickname · 26/04/2012 19:15

I agree flangelina, i think i am going to talk to my doctor as that would be my perfect scenario to have some time without it - using condoms will make me feel 18 again!!!

OP posts:
fengirl1 · 26/04/2012 19:22

Completely agree with Flangelina. And can they refuse if you change your mind later? Don't think so.

hairytale · 26/04/2012 19:26

Try the pill - I never had pmt when I was on the pill but am dragon when I'm not

MrsKittyFane · 26/04/2012 19:26

I have merina coil and love the fact I have no periods and didn't realise that my bad bad lows, irritation and irrational anger once a month could be triggered by this coil :o I thought it was just PMT.
I've also gained weight :(

MrsKittyFane · 26/04/2012 19:28

MIrina

SocialButterfly · 26/04/2012 19:29

I had a coil, fantastic loved it, had it taken out and a new one put in. I'm now in agony and seriously considering having it taken out. After having one for 5 years with no problems I just presumed my body would react the same this time bu it doesn't seem to be the case. I'm going to see the nurse next week but am seriously thinking about sterilization.

RandomMess · 26/04/2012 19:33

I was going to suggest sterlisation.

MrsKittyFane · 26/04/2012 19:37

Last go Mirena!

007alert · 26/04/2012 19:37

I've wondered about sterilisation too. Sounds quite a drastic measure when there are very reliable contraceptives around, but I'm 40 and have proven myself to be rather fertile so I guess it's possible I may have a decade more of needing to consider contraception.

Do you get all menopausal when you get sterilised? What do they actually do?

Also, like op, dh will not consider a vasectomy (but he's a very serious cyclist and it could scupper all that - he's looked into it)

RandomMess · 26/04/2012 19:43

They clip or block your tubes your ovaries are unaffected so you still have your normal hormones and still have periods.

FrillyMilly · 26/04/2012 19:45

When you are sterilised they clip your tubes so the egg can't get to the womb. It has a higher failure rate than a vasectomy. You don't start the menopause as your menstrual cycle remains the same. I've seriously considered it but as I'm 25 I've gone for a coil instea then I'll revisit it in 5 years.

How does having a vasectomy affect cycling?