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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask anyone who has had experience with the mirena coil good or bad to comment?

105 replies

mirenacoilworrier · 29/10/2013 08:30

Due to have an op tomorrow where they are going to also put the mirena coil in. I have done some research and it seems there are a lot of negative stories. I know people are more likely to talk about a bad experience but after reading a thread BASTARD mirena its started me worrying.

Due to have it because of heavy/irregular periods.

Thanks

OP posts:
forumdonkey · 29/10/2013 09:22

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but can I ask those that had a replacement Mirena put in is there any periods/bleeding or does having the old one out and new one fitted does things just continue like the old one - if that makes sense Grin

McFox · 29/10/2013 09:24

I absolutely hated it and had it removed after about 10 months I think. It was agony getting it put in, but that was nothing compared to the pain when I had a period. I was curled up in foetal position unable to move off my bed, I've never felt pain like it, it was just horrific. Getting it taken out wasn't a joy either.

Chlorinella · 29/10/2013 09:25

forumdonkey mine just carried on in the same way , no mess , no fuss

wundawoman · 29/10/2013 09:31

I've had my Mirena for 8 months now. Reason was for excessive menstrual bleeding and cramps, made my life hell for years...

It's taken a while to settle down (4-5months?) but now I have no periods at all, no cramps. Feeling less tired too as the heavy periods made me so tired and moody!!

I think it's definitely a great solution to the heavy period problem. But you do need to persevere for a few months, don't be disheartened if you have irregular bleeding/periods at first. It's worth it in the long run. Good luck.

forumdonkey · 29/10/2013 09:33

Chlorinella thanks. Yay I'm looking forward to my next one lasting 7 years - I'm nearly 44 so shouldn't need it for contraception when I'm 49

Calabria · 29/10/2013 09:37

I had one put in two months post partum. After a couple of months of spotting I haven't had a period since.

Unfortunately for me when the doctor tried to put a new one in it wouldn't stay put. I was obviously a lot less slack than five years previously...

I was booked for it to be done under GA and took Cerazette in the mean time. I had to cancel the GA as I had a cold and then I cancelled the second one as I had no one to take me home afterwards. So I decided to stick with the Cerazette as it's doing what I need it to.

All in all a positive experience of the Mirena coil.

Dumpylump · 29/10/2013 09:40

Am on my 3rd one now...love the whole no periods thing. It was a bit crampy getting it put in (at GPs), but not really painful. Felt a bit crap for an hour or two after, but nothing an afternoon on the sofa couldn't sort out. Same thing when I've had them changed, some light bleeding for a few days, then no periods!
The current one will be taking me into my early 50s - eek - so may be my last.

feetheart · 29/10/2013 09:42

Had mine in for 4 years now (and due to my advanced age can have it in for 7)
I LOVE it and wish I had had it years ago - had Implanon before then and although it was OK I still had lots of spotting and then it seemed to wear off and started to get periods again. With Merina I got v light periods for few months, then a bit of spotting, then NOTHING - brilliant :)
I have had no mood changes, no PMT, feel full of energy most of the time, have run 2 half marathons in past 18 months and, due to supporting DH with his new low fat diet, have lost weight recently. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Hope it works out just as well for you.

HenriettaBrain · 29/10/2013 09:48

I decided to have one put in in March, due to heavy painful periods. It wasn't overly painful to put in, however I had horrific cramps that night. Bleeding started that night also, and I was still bleeding and passing really large clots 8 weeks later at my check up. Doctor put me on tranexamic acid and mefinamic acid to stop bleeding. I had headaches everyday and horrible moodswings but the doctor told me all would settle soon and to try and stick it out. Stuck with it until August, then went to the doctor again and said I wanted it out as the headaches were worse than ever, everyone had commented how snappy I had become, and I had put on loads of weight. She agreed it would be best to remove it, however when she went to remove it, she couldn't find it. She referred me,in August, to gynaecology for them to find and remove it, however the earliest they can see me is January.

So my bleeding has now stopped completely, however I've put on loads of weight, my DH hates me sometimes due to my extreme mood swings, I'm snappy with my kids, friends and family and have horrendous headaches everyday. And I have to put up with this until January.

I would advise anyone to stay well clear of it, however lots of people here seem to love it.

Speckledy · 29/10/2013 09:54

I had a Mirena as the GP would no longer prescribe the combined pill after my BP started rising in my 30's. It didn't suit me. Getting it put in was fine but unfortunately it made my periods longer and heavier and for the first time in my life I also had terrible cramping for up to a week before my period. I stuck with it for over a year as I knew I was going to ttc as soon as it came out so most of the alternative long-lasting options weren't really suitable but it never really settled down. When I'm done having babies I might try the copper coil instead but wouldn't have a Mirena again. Unfortunately I don't think it's really possible to predict how you'll react before having it- plenty of people love it.

honeybeeridiculous · 29/10/2013 11:23

Had mine for a year to stop very heavy periods, had anaemia, had crampy feelings for a day and spotting for a couple of months, then no bleeding at all since march Grin BUT have now started to spot again, which although is hardly anything, dissappoints me as I thought I had stopped altogether Confused but on the whole it's done it's job, not sure about hormonal side cos I'm a miserable cow anyway due to menopause Good luck Flowers

Firsttimer7259 · 29/10/2013 11:44

Generally good - I have fibroids and needed to reduce bleeding - it works. I get a bit pf spotting now and them and find it a bit weird not to have a period but sooo much better than horrible flooding and anemia

Weegiemum · 29/10/2013 11:50

I really, really loved mine. No periods, no migraines, brilliant.

But I had it put in (at postnatal clinic after an infection) while I still had lochia after ds was born. Was called back for a smear a year later, it pulled the mirena into my cervix (I knew things weren't right, but took time to get to GP).

Dd2 was born 22 months after ds. Mirena failure!!

WillowKnicks · 29/10/2013 12:03

I've had mine for about 2 1/2 months. I had mine done in hospital under a GA, as I was having polyps removed at same time. I felt a bit crampy that day but didn't even need paracaetamol the following day.

I still bleed erratically but nothing compared to before & have had no problems since & I could never take the pill, as none ever agreed with me.

The only problem that I have is, that when I went for a string check after 6 weeks, they had disappeared, so I was referred for a scan to see if it had become dislodged or dropped out Shock

I had the scan yesterday & the coil is still in place but I'll probably have to have it removed under GA...but I'll worry about that in 5 years!

Good Luck, hope it goes well for you.

SkiSchoolRun · 29/10/2013 12:10

Mine Is fine most of the time. I sometimes feel it which is weird and I just had a horrific migraine out of the blue so in am hoping that mirena wasn't the cause!

Fannydabbydozey · 29/10/2013 12:17

Love it. On my 2nd. The first one was lost when it was time to change it for a new one but a quick visit to hospital and it was whipped out and another one put in.

I have no cramps, no periods, very little pms, no unwanted pregnancy. I find it ideal and would recommend giving it a try. I honestly can't think of any bad side effects that I've experienced.

mummytowillow · 29/10/2013 13:24

Bad experience for me to.

Insertion ok, spotting for 6 months then no periods at all.

But terrible PMT, spots around jaw line, weight gain, greasy skin and hair. Hair loss and a general feeling of can't be arsed to do anything! Sad

Went to have it taken out and strings were missing. Gynaecologist couldn't find it so had to have hysteroscopy to remove it, which was awful.

Only positive for me was no periods as now I'm back to horrendous ovulation pain mid month, then heavy painful periods. Sad Sad

Catinthebed · 29/10/2013 13:57

It seriously lowers your desire for sex. Not good for your relationship.

elspethmcgillicuddy · 29/10/2013 14:02

Love it!

ClockWatchingLady · 29/10/2013 14:06

Both good and bad for me, but overall I'd say good. Still get a fair amount of bleeding (had it 2.5 years), but it's never as heavy as a the periods I used to have, and it's kept my endometriosis at bay really well.

Writerwannabe83 · 29/10/2013 14:17

I loved mine! It was a bit uncomfortable when I had it inserted but nothing that I couldn't cope with. I continued to have periods but whereas before they were heavy and prolonged, they changed to being extremely light and only lasting 2-3 days. They were so 'barely there' they almost didn't justify the use of tampons.

I had it in for 3 years and never had a problem with it. Taking it out was a bit of a palaver but no real problems. I had it removed to have a baby and I fell pregnant 5 weeks later.

As soon as my baby is out I'm having another Mirena put back in Grin

fluffyraggies · 29/10/2013 14:18

Bad here.

Through my 20s i had a copper coils. In and out around the conception of 3 DCs. All totally fine. Normal periods, no side effects.

When it was time for a new coil to be fitted a few years ago in my 30s GP said he'd put in a Mirena. I was a bit Hmm as the thing i liked about copper coil is the no hormones.

Gave it a go and i bled, spotted and cramped for 8 weeks. I went back and said i wanted it out and an old style copper one put in and he agreed.

Copper one went in - no spotting, bleeding or cramping.

Copper coils are slightly smaller than the Mirena and have no 'hormone' aspect to them.

RichManPoorManBeggarmanThief · 29/10/2013 14:22

I love it and I was looking for reasons not to like it as I wanted to be sterilised but the doc said I was too young so suggested mirena as an alternative. Had a few days of cramping and then maybe 1 day of light bleeding every 4 wks or so.no weight gain or skin problems.

jellybeans · 29/10/2013 14:27

Love it. I had one removed twice as I though t mirena was causing issues but it turned out is wasn't. So I had another one. Fab for heavy periods and pains. Life changing. def worth a try.

Idratherbeknitting · 29/10/2013 14:33

I seriously can't decide.

I had one after DD1, brilliant, no bleeding, had it out after 3 years and fell pg 6 weeks later.

Now I've had DS (my 4th - and last) I was going to have another, but have read so many horror stories on here, I don't know what to do.

As my periods are back, and much heavier than ever before, I guess I'll have to decide soon or it'll be another baby for me (we're winging it at the moment, how mature am I? I mean being SUPER careful). Just dragging my heels about going to the GP and asking.

I've had 3 natural deliveries since my last coil. Do you think this will make a difference to it staying put? I had a CS with DD1, and no dilation, so it went through an untouched cervix (ouch!), things are not the same now. Can't decide...