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.

I had painful moderate-to-heavy periods; used to alternate doses of different painkillers three or four days every month, would often have to set an alarm for the middle of the night to empty my mooncup in order to prevent leakage when it got full. I had a mirena fitted three years ago and found it fab - after a few months of irregular settling down my periods have now basically stopped. I get a little bit of pinkish discharge for a day or two and the odd little grumble of discomfort but it's 99% better than it was. Haven't particularly noticed any side effects.

I agree with a previous suggestion of still going to the appointment but making it clear you're not sure and would like to use it to discuss your concerns, and you'll make another appointment if you do decide to go ahead, so time isn't pressured

Many GPs will refer you to FP clinic to have it fitted anyway - nobody in my GP practice is trained in Mirena fitting as most of their patients seem to be 80+ and so they may want to refer you whatever you decide.

On my second mirena, also have retroverted uterus. First fitting was awful but got through it. Painful for about two weeks, spotted for a few months then maybe one very light period every year or so. Marvellous. No weight gain, moods or hairiness. Lasted about 7 years. Not as birth control really - had it fitted when I divorced in readiness for the wild sex life I was anticipating never materialised as a back up to condoms too.
Second fitting a dream, ached for a couple of days. Spotted for a month or so. Now settled and everything fine and dandy. Occasional v light period.

I don't have personal experience of it but have heard three people I know experiences of it.

#1 hated it. Stopped her periods all together which you'd think would be a good thing but she still got the PMS symptoms, the dragging pains etc without the release and she said she just felt blocked up. Also it ended up becoming dislodged and they couldn't remove it. She went through A LOT of pain whilst they were attempting and failing to remove it. she had to have it surgically removed.
#2 similar story. It got lost somewhere and she got pregnant, with twins!
#3 loves it, says its the best thing she ever did. Also doesn't have periods with it but thinks that's great, no nasty symptoms. Said it hurt going in but only for a few minutes and was well worth it.

Not every contraception will fit every person. I hear a lot of mixed reviews about the implant also, most people seem to bleed for months with that but some people think it's brilliant. It's a risk you've got to take I guess.

Mighty

Yes!

That's why I chose it (I'm now on my third one). Always had very bad period pain, which did not ease rafter having 2 children. After the initial settling phase, I have had no periods and only very slight twinges of pain.

It has been so worth it.

I'm on my third, i used to have periods that lasted for months and mirena gave me my life back - i'd pass massive clots and the largest pad would last about an hour max. After a few weeks of spotting my periods almost disappeared. Fitting is uncomfortable rather than painful (i have a retroverted uterus), kind of like an extended period cramp. I know it doesn't suit everyone but i wouldn't be without mine.

there's no risk-free anything - you've recently done something quite risky, pregnancy, and survived with no ill-effects.

progesterone only pill 99% effective when used correctly. Condoms 98% ditto.

you may get side effects with the coil, you may not. Call the surgery if unsure and ask to change the appointment to a discussion, or for someone to call you back to talk about it.

Have you considered the original IUD with no hormones? I found that a very good form of contraception for many years.

Get the Copper coil with no hormones. Best thing ever!

Please don't believe all the horror stories about insertion, mine was absolutely fine.

Mine's been great. On my 3rd one now.

Tiny amount of spotting when first put in but no periods or period pain since.

Possible side effects which might be due to the coil:
Hair thinner, slightly fluffier chin, moodiness.

When my last one needed removing I opted to have the new one put in at the same time. My GP did warn me that doing that can send the cervix into spasm, it did hurt like a bitch but not for too long. A normal insertion isn't that bad.

DH is getting a vasectomy soon so I'll remove mine at some point but I won't rush as it's nice living period free.

I managed to get Toxic Shock which led to Sepsis when my mirena was removed and replaced.
A month in hospital, 10 days in intensive care, pulmonary embolism, severe heart failure... I am incredibly lucky to be here today!

Just make sure you know the risks and warning signs.

No side effects.
No spotting/bleeding.
Fitting was uncomfortable but nothing to write home about.
I didn't now it was there!

Everyone is different, and for every person who says it was the best thing ever, you will find someone who suffered awful side effect.

Personally I would be inclined to give it a go. You can always get it removed after a few months if it isn't working. Removal was by the practice nurse and took approx 10 seconds!

Until

Yes, the spasm thing happened to me. the GP didn't seem to have experienced that before.

I've had mine for 10 months. Had periods for the first 6 months albeit much lighter, now just a day of light spitting once s month. No side effects, and have actually lost several stone in weight since it was fitted. Everyone's different!

My experience first time round: The insertion took about 20 minutes, was uncomfortable but not painful. I maybe bled on and off for about 4-6 weeks and then it stopped. I went for the routine "post insertion check up" at about 8 weeks and my strings weren't visible. I was sent off for an ultrasound scan which confirmed it was in the right and it would still work fine. I had no side effects at all whilst I had it in. When I wanted it removed in order to TTC, as my strings weren't there it couldn't be removed in the conventional way and so I had to be seen by various GPs who tried some methods to get it out but when they failed I was referred to an Obstetrician and having it removed was not pleasant!

Second experience: The insertion took about two minutes and it was the worst pain I've ever had, I was actually crying. God knows what that doctor for differently to the doctor who put my first one in but it was awful! After it was inserted I bled constantly for about 8 months. Some days the bleeding was light, other times it was heavy, it was stop, start, stop, start and it was a nightmare. I would have two days respite, think things were hopefully improving and then I would just randomly start bleeding again. I was still breast feeding when I had this Mirena in place and I'm guessing the hormones were what was causing all the irregular bleeding because with my first Coil I hadn't experienced it all. Anyway, after 8 months the bleeding started to dwindle until it eventually stopped altogether. I had it out about 3 months after the bleeding stopped in order to TTC again. Thankfully that time round my strings were visible and it came out no problems.

I have a copper one. No DC. And I've had two now (complete wimp) so the fitting wasn't that bad! It wasn't comfy but I would happily have it done again
Slightly longer periods is my only side effect. I don't cope with hormones which is why I have the copper one

I've had one since Nov. It was a big decision for me as I desperately wanted a third child but after 2 miscarriages, exploratory operation and years of fertility drugs I felt I had to permanently close the door emotionally.
The fitting was more painful than I expected. I was offered a local anaesthetic and I declined it thinking I was a super hero.
My cervix went into spasm and it was sore.
I was expecting pain afterwards but I didn't get any.
I had spotting for a few days a month and a panty liner was sufficient.
Now that has settled down. No periods. Mine were very very heavy before.
I was in a bad hormonal mood for the first 2 weeks but now my pmt has totally disappeared and I feel in a level mood all the time.
I have no regrets.

I felt psychotic, gained weight and waved goodbye to my sex drive. Had it out and felt like a new woman.

It's not the magic pill everyone thinks it is!

Can you not get he copper coil?
Same risks in turns of bleeding and pain, but no hormones.
I have copper coil, and my periods are heavier and hurt more, but I have no hormonal side effects what so ever. No fat, no moods, no anger...
My periods are shorter hour, which is a plus. Love my copper coil.

I'm on my second, love it

PMT is better too

you won't know till you try - we are all different

The combined pill is ok once baby is over six months and eating solids too. I've taken it at that point myself on the advice of the family planning GP

Personally I think condoms are great, nothing to mess your body up.

I have the same reservations, OP.

I have heard it touted as the great panacea to all female problems. The cure all. All the reviews I have actually read though are much more mixed than that and I am reluctant.

I am almost 50 and definitely perimenopausal. I considered using it to try and control my heavy (flooding style) periods, for which I currently use tranexamic acid.

I haven't taken the plunge as I haven't managed to get my head around it.