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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

how long is reasonable/unreasonable to put up with constant mirena bleeding?

53 replies

CameliousHumph · 16/01/2015 20:43

With a new bastard mirena?

I'm also thinking that the mirena's contraceptive effectiveness is due to not wanting any sex at all because of the constant bastard bleeding.

I am not enjoying it at all.

OP posts:
Callaird · 16/01/2015 23:51

I spotted for the first two months, it alternated between very light and heavier. I haven't bled for 1 1/2 years.

I am however, planning on joining the circus as the amazing beardy lady!
It is one of the main reasons I miss my deceased boyfriend no-one to pluck for me now! only half joking

pieceofpurplesky · 16/01/2015 23:52

About 8 months to settle down. Horrendous mood swings and constant bleeding

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 09:36

Give it a bit more time op. I completely empathise I had to stop awful bleeding (couldn't leave the house!) and it took 5 months of bleeding every day! Hmm

Now it is fab though, rarely a period and when I do it is,v v light and only for a day or two, so was completely worth the initial hell for me.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 17/01/2015 09:45

I loathed my mirena, I too continued to bleed, terrible anxiety attacks started and having my hysterectomy was a bloody godsend!

5 weeks in though, I'd give it a little more time tbh.

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 11:01

Diego my mother swears as soon as she had her hysterectomy ALL her symptoms she'd lived with since she was 16 vanished. She said she'd never felt better! After dc 2 I was like, where do I sign??? But my gp persuaded me to try and persist with the merina but it sure doesn't seem to work for everyone.

planesick · 17/01/2015 11:13

I had it put in at the end of july 2014 to combat fibroids that were causing extreme labour like period pains (plus nausea and vomiting). I had bled every day since! I am sure it is causing pmt which I never used to have... GP and hospital wont even consider removal...I have no good news for you only lots and lots of sympathy.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 17/01/2015 11:29

Whistling I had mine due to endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

I had everything removed and went straight into menopause but I've never felt better.

Yes it's major surgery and quite a long recovery but it's been fantastic for me, I was 43 when I had it done.

Queenofknickers · 17/01/2015 11:33

I bled/spotted for 18 months with mine but then nothing for 5 years. However I do think it badly affected my mental health and I heard a gynaecologist saying she wouldn't fit one in a woman with any history of MH issues because of this. BUT the GP gets paid a bonus for fitting these so they keep going.....

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 11:38

Sounds v similar to my mum. I am almost jealous and looking forward to menopause!

Enjoyingmycoffee1981 · 17/01/2015 11:40

Had mine removed two months ago.

Hallelujah!!!

I'm back to being a happy, sporty, fun mother and wife. I hated it.

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 11:40

Shock at gps getting bonus,for fitting them!

Enjoyingmycoffee1981 · 17/01/2015 11:41

Queen, don't be ridiculous.

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 11:44

Is it a bonus or do they just save on cost of surgery?

WhistlingPot · 17/01/2015 11:48

With the obv benefits to patients for not having to go through major surgery?

FannyFanakapan · 17/01/2015 12:01

I bled for 9 months. Spoke to GP after 6 months, who referred to GYN, who booked me in for a removal and an ablation.

The ablation cauterises the entire womb, so no more bleeding. Obviously its only something to consider if you have finished having babies.

After having the mirena removed, I lost 18lbs. I was also no longer depressed and started feeling better after 3 weeks....possibly because I wasnt bleeding all the time.

The ablation was done under general anaesthetic, and I had a light discharge for a week and that was it, no more periods for 5 years.

I have been told that the ablation may trigger early menopause, but I am near that age anyway, so not bothered. Its something to consider instead of a hysterectomy.

Runningupthathill82 · 17/01/2015 12:16

Sorry to derail the thread, but what QueenifKnickers said has touched a nerve. I've been suffering with anxiety and panic attacks for the past couple of years - exactly the same amount of time I've had the Mirena.

Stupidly, had never connected the two before. Just hope they find it soon and get it out (it's currently "lost", started another thread on that one...)

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 17/01/2015 12:39

I don't have mire a - I have a "stick" in my arm. 6 weeks in I just wanted the bloody thing out as I kept bleeding. Now 3.5 months in and I think it's great - bleeding stopped and no periods either. Yay!!!!!

I think they generally advise giving it 3 months to see if it settles down.....

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 17/01/2015 14:30

I don't understand why people keep being told they can't have it removed?! That's crazy. I'm British but in the US and my doctor here always stresses that if you're at all unhappy, she'll remove it straight away.

Thereshegoesagain · 17/01/2015 14:52

It took 18 months for things to finally settle down for me. First few months were not great.
Once it settled down, my periods all but stopped completely.
I'm coming up to 5 years now and have had a few more noticeable ( v light)periods for the last few months.

Queenofknickers · 17/01/2015 17:55

I'm not being ridiculous. I heard a consultant gynaecologist say that to the woman in the next bed whilst in hospital. It has also been well-documented that GP surgeries receive incentives for long term contraceptives.

Theboodythatrocked · 17/01/2015 18:09

9 months of bleeding and spotting and then absolutly nothing.

Never thought it would stop but it did.

No bleeding at all now. Fab. No side effects either.

fairbalance · 17/01/2015 18:33

Yes Queen is correct under QOF GP's do indeed get financial incentives for recommending Mirena's/LARC's. I am afraid Queen is absolutely correct and its very shocking.

I refuse to register with a GP due to these QOF incentives and the generally hounding GP's do to reach their QOF targets. I am an ex GP Practice Manager.

makeminea6x · 17/01/2015 18:43

I have a mirena, hated it for 4 months but persisted and now love it.

With regards to QOF, it's not a bribe, it's part of their wages. They get paid for OFFERING long acting contraception. This is because they reduce the rates if unwanted pregnancies.
GPs that fit coils get paid for the time and skill that represents.
That said, if you ask to have it removed, a discussion of your options is reasonable (not everyone knows how long symptoms commonly last, for example) but it is your body and you must be allowed to have it removed if you want to. See another GP if someone refuses.

greenfolder · 17/01/2015 18:52

i had a mirena for 3 months of constant low level bleeding with the usual heavy bleeding every 3 weeks. then i expelled it.

then i had a scan and a hysterectomy very shortly after

best thing i have ever done.

chosenone · 17/01/2015 18:54

I had spotting for the first 4-6 weeks that was then replaced by a mucousy brown gunk (attractive) whuch I had on and off for approx 6 months. I then had a really light normal period and thought 'great' ....it took me another 18 months to realise that the low mood, lethargy, lack of energy and monthly face boil were caused by it. Removed sept....feel lile me again.