To cancel my mirena fitting?

[WittgensteinsBunny]

I'm getting cold feet after reading some of the risks this week. The GP didn't go through them with me, instead saying that it's a great contraceptive, effective, reliable and basically the best option all-round.

It's possible that I'll be on my period on Mon and I wanted to see if it could still be fitted. I then stumbled across the warnings on the front page of the Mirena website.

It seemed like such a good idea to start with: not having to remember a pill everyday, lighter periods, no risk of condoms breaking, reliable, no (or virtually no) risk of getting pregnant etc

But all I've read about this week is spotting / bleeding for months; ectopic pregnancy; no knowns re: cancer; moodiness; excess hair. As someone who suffers with anxiety this is all terrifying. There is no pressure from DH who thinks if it's causing me so much worry I should cancel and not give it any more thought. But then I know I can't cope with another baby. There is 21 months between my DDs and I've been through terrible PND / anxiety, which has only lifted in the past couple of months. Dd2 has just turned 1 and things are getting easier all-round.

I'm still bf'ing my 1 yo so the combined pill is out for now. This would be my go to choice.

The Pop pill is less effective than condoms. So I've ruled that out.

We are pretty sure we won't be having any more children but the snip seems too final.

Obviously it's an individual thing and everyone will respond differently. I just don't know what to do.

[AngryAnnie]

I had one for 5 years - worked brilliantly. No pain, side effects or periods.

Had a second one fitted - complete nightmare. I nearly passed out during the fitting from pain. A few weeks later developed joint pain and swelling to the point I could hardly move my legs when I got up in the morning. Found some stuff on line that made me think it was the mirena but the rheumatologist I was referred to said it was arthritis and nothing to do with mirena. Was prescribed arthritis medication and told I would be on it for life. Went to see another GP who believed the mirena link and removed it straight away.

After that I gradually reduced arthritis meds (against advice of rheumatologist) and am now 100% fit and running regularly.

[Pingu1989]

Hey, I had a merina coil fitted in May after a laprocopsy and I had all cells lasared away from my cervix. Since May, I have bleed every day with cramping (varying from nothing - to soaking through pads) I currently am at breaking point and not sure what to do, I'm unable to leave the house as i am in so much pain, IBS is another level and I constantly feel the need to go to the toilet but yet can't. I'm exhausted, whenever I'm standing up or even just walking to the shop can leave me tired and feeling dizzy and just making me feel scared I will pass out or need the toilet at any moment. I really dont know what to do, is the coil causing all these problems or the IBS? I literally only have 4 more days until I have to go back to work and I am petrified I can't cope. Can anyone help?

[kali110]

leedy i can'tdo menstrual hormones

[FreeSpirit89]

I'm on my second Mirena, and I've had no problems. Bleeding can be a little sporadic for the first 3-4 weeks until it calms down.

I've had it six months now, and nothing bad. I don't have periods anymore. I love it.

It was the cooper coil I couldn't get along with I had it after an accident. And I was constantly bleeding.

[leedy]

Another copper coil fan here - I can't do hormones at all. Insertion wasn't bad at all (my GP sent me to the woman who trained him in coil fitting), had some random spotting/cramping for a bit afterwards and the first couple of periods were definitely heavier than normal. Now no side effects at all, other than I think my period might be a day longer than it used to be, and I'm sorted for contraception for ten years.

[JoanWatsonsWardrobe]

I'm getting mine removed next week and can't wait. I've developed rosacea and I think it's related. It was painful getting it inserted and I'm anxious about the removal.

[Blink1982]

I've read nightmares about the mirena too. Anything with hormones in sends me loopy, can't you just get the copper coil??

[ChickensRideWest]

On my second Mirena. Will be either on my 3rd or TTCing later in the year. Best thing that could have ever happened. I don't have periods, I don't have side effects. Insertion wasn't great pre DD but Mirena 2 after DD was a breeze. I love love love it and they would have to pry it out of my cold dead uterus before I gave it up.

[HubbaBubbaMum]

By the way - although its called a 'coil' it isn't what you envisage! I asked my GP before mine was fitted and he showed me - it was tiny! Looked a bit like a matchstick with some thin wire at the bottom.

[HubbaBubbaMum]

I'm on my third myrena (one before DC and just had my third one fitted after DC). They've been great for me. Dramatically less blood, dramatically fewer cramps, fitting in and out was a bit uncomfortable but no worse than having a smear test and its only once in 5 years. I just took some pain killers in advance. Not noticed any other side effects. My best friend is also on her 2nd one and similarly raves about them.

[chocdonutyy]

Hated it! Im not great at remembering pills, plus i constantly bled on cerazette so thought I'd give the mirena a go,
It was very pokey and painful to put in, followed by six weeks of aches, bleeding and constant stabbing feeling like the coil was prodding me every time I bent over or twisted!
So I removed it myself after consulting Dr google got it removed by the professionals which was painless and felt so much better, its not for me I'm afraid

[Nan0second]

On my third. Best thing that ever happened to me. Period a couple of times a year, very light. No pmt.
Hurt when put in the first two times, but I hadn't had a child then. No problem third time. I did take paracetamol and ibuprofen before though. My first I spotted on and off for 6 months. Didn't stop me having sex / swimming or anything though as it was very light.

In my gynaecologist experience, at least 90% of women are very very happy with them (but they don't bother going on the Internet to tell everyone!)

[WittgensteinsBunny]

Thanks everyone. I've completely chickened out. Back to condoms for us until DD2 is weaned and then I'm going to think about it all again. I just feel like I've got my body back after 2 pg's and I've just had 2 horrific nights of lots of suckling due to low milk / period arriving. I hate the idea of any more hormones at the moment.

Thanks for all of the comments / experiences. It feels like a much more balanced picture now. Lots to mull over next year.

[Dixiebell]

Argh, Gloating, then floating!

[Dixiebell]

Floating around - yes, the little bastard! Floating!

[Dixiebell]

I had one fitted about two years ago. Fitting wasn't particularly painful. At 6 week check, nurse and GP couldn't find the strings. Sent for ultrasound, couldn't be seen in uterus. GP insisted it must have fallen out. I insisted it hadn't and asked for an X-Ray. It was found gloating around in my abdominal cavity. It had perforated my uterus during insertion. Had to have a laparoscopy under GA to remove it, recovery from which is quite painful for a couple of weeks due to the gas they pump into you to blow your tummy up to make room to grab it. The surgeon offered to insert another Mirena while he was in there. I declined . No long term issues, although when I got pregnant last year with dc3, I did have a consultant review the photos of my uterus to make sure the risk of the scar causing probs during pregnancy/labour wasn't big. It was fine. And of course, as the thing wasn't in the right place for 6 weeks at the start, I could have ended up pregnant at that point unknowingly! Rare for this to happen I think, but not that rare 1:1000 I think they said.

[ItsMeTheMummy]

I'd second what notanotherdeskmove said. Talk to your GP about the copper coil. Most of the side affects people are talking about are related to the hormones in the coil, the copper one is hormone free.

Don't have it fitted if you're this unsure, I think that you'll only worry yourself and want it removing.

If you're not bothered about having hormones involved then certazette (sp) is a really good option, if it doesn't agree with you then just stop taking it (obviously count the days so you don't get pregnant by just not taking it!) and then look into other methods such as the copper coil.

[flingingmelon]

Just wanted to come on and say that I had my coil fitted a few months ago and it's been fantastic. No periods, no spots, no weight gain, no mood swings. In fact I think it might have improved my libido slightly.

Be brave :)

[TweeterandtheMonkeyman]

It's a cautious yes from me. Plus points: feel safe from pregnancy, my heavy periods have become very occasional & very light.Minus points: my hair has definitely thinned although I doubt anyone except me has noticed, random sore boobs from time to time.
Putting it in was absolutely fine.

[Moomum123]

I had the mirena coil and had terrible side effects, but my friend has had two and loves it- no side effects and no periods, each person is different. I didn't find the fitting awful, had it done in less than 10 minutes in the doctors surgery, likewise when I had it removed it was done very quickly. I've had it replaced with a plain coil - so no hormones, I still get periods, but no terrible mood swings. I would suggest you discuss your concerns with the Doctor, and give it a go - if it doesn't agree with you, you can have it removed and replaced with a plain one. Good luck with whatever option you choose.

[kali110]

I love cerrezette. Bled few months whwn i first started then i stopped! Great having no periods.
Only thing that interupts are some antibiotics.
Odd, i've always suffered with migraines but my doc is fibe with me being on it.

[Unicow]

Anyone had a good experience after a shitty one on the pop? Cerazette made me bleed from day I started until the day I stopped (4 months, only reducing to spotting then ramping up again within days) Micronor gave me lighter periods then just decided to give up and made everything heavier and worse. Currently on condoms but periods are getting worse. Moon cup has helped a little but the pain is still awful. Doc keeps talking about mire a but I'm scared.

[kali110]

What works for one won't work for others.
My friend had it fitted and after 8 months removed as she constantly bled, but for others it worked fine.
I was on the combined And got a clot, my friend didn't
It certainly doesn't put me off the pill, i just can only take the pop, which i love.
Sorry but who told you it was less effective than comdoms?
It is more effective than condoms if taken correctly.
Pop is more than 99% effective whereas condoms are 98%....
Been 10 years for me