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.

[ILikeUranus]

I've had one for a year. It is fab just not thinking about contraception anymore. I had bleeding/spotting on and off for maybe 2 months at the start. Now I don't have proper periods anymore, more like a couple of days of spotting. I'd wear a tampon for swimming if I'm having spotting, or a panty liner if not swimming. Much lighter and lasts much shorter than a normal period though. It hurt to put in but not that much - probably a bit worse than a smear, then that's it for 5 years. I'd go for it tbh.

[jellybeans]

I have had 4 including one failed fitting/cervical shock. I love it. It's not perfect but the side effects don't affect everyone. For me it has taken away flooding and horrible period pains. I get random spotting but that's nothing compared to the benefits of long term protection and lesser periods.

The hormone is equivalent to 1 to 2 mini pills a week so depends how sensitive you are. I haven't had any effects apart from sore bigger boobs at first. There is a new coil out soon called Skylar which is smaller and has less hormone.

I too suffer anxiety so know what it can do. I am terrified of taking new meds etc. I booked into a consultant hospital gynae clinic to avoid bad fittings again.

I would go for it there is far more chance of it going great and working well.

[FuriousFate]

I thought the Mirena would be the answer to my prayers. In the end, I had 9 months of two weeks of bleeding, two weeks off and horrendous migraines. They literally started the day after I had it inserted (which was fine, actually) and stopped asap it came out (again, easy and painless). I'm disappointed it didn't work as we don't want more children but like you, the snip for DH seems rather final. So - back to condoms for us. I've tried a few other things and it seems that since having children, hormonal contraception and me don't mix. I have heavy periods anyway so the Dr won't prescribe the copper coil. It's so frustrating!

[PurpleWithRed]

I've had a mirena since the very early days. My first went in in 1994 and after 6 irritating weeks of a bit of panty-liner level spotting I wouldn't consider an alternative - I'd previously used the pill, condoms, caps (Dutch and a weird one that kind of sucked on over my cervix), and great clunky old fashioned coils that probably were made of pig iron.

The Mirena has been miraculous for me. I am now almost post menopause so the last one will come out when I stop my HRT and I will be having it gilded and mounted in a presentation box so I can thank it for 20+ period and pregnancy free years.

[Lucy180]

I felt like this but actually ended up having it fitted when the dr had a cancellation so didn't have much time to think about it once appointment was booked. My GP was much the same and was very positive about it being a cure all for my heavy periods and pain. She didn't tell me anything negative about it but I scared myself reading too much on the Internet.
Having it fitted was painful ( I should have taken some pain relief beforehand ). After it felt like heavy period pain and I had booked the day off work the next day which is am glad I did.
I ended up bleeding heavily after a few days which went on for a month. I went back to the Dr who fitted it who prescribed some Medication to stop the bleeding which I took for a month. Once I finished the meds I bled heavily again so back to the dr for more medication. After another month I stopped the meds and the bleeding began again and I was on the verge of having it removed when the bleeding stopped and I haven't had anything for about 4 months. Was ready to have it out but so so glad I persevered. I wish I had had it put in years ago.

[museumum]

Mine has been fine. I've had it about a month and no bleeding yet.
I was in cerazette pop before and bled almost continuously on that so this is blessed relief.

[Feeches]

Everyone is different but for me it was terrible: Migraines, depression and libido was non existent. The only upside was the lack of periods. Insertion was ok but I bled quite heavily for a few hours. Removal was a bit painful but not dreadfully so.

[ElviraCondomine]

On my 3rd
Fabulous things.

[WildwestWind]

Im pleased I had a Mirena fitted. After suffering heavy periods when perimenopausal Id have tried anything. The Mirena improved my life considerably - no more pain, no more flooding and no more fiddling with condoms. Clearly it suited me but several of my friends have not been so fortunate and had theirs taken out very quickly. Its worth a go I think. BTW my doctor told me to take a couple of paracetamol before it was put in and I didn't have any pain or trouble.

[cleopatraseyebrows]

It's impossible to know how any one individual will react. It is a fact though that many doctors are ignorant to the severity of some side effects and will write them off as being caused by anything except Mirena.
In my sister's case, she was handed antidepressants. She got the Mirena out and the depression and anxiety was gone. Just like that.

[livewyre]

The POP isn't less effective than condoms!!!

WTF have you got that from?

The newer POP is pretty much the same as the COCP, so if you're happy with that level of efficacy, then perhaps the POP would suit?

www.contraceptivetechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/LB-13-Handout-Unintended-Pregancies-7-Approaches-9-4-14.pdf Gives typical use, which is far more useful than 'perfect' use. Withdrawral (that notoriously unreliable method) has reasonable stats with 'perfect' use- how many kids a year are born because no one's perfect?

[BillyDaveysDaughter]

I'm on my second one - so I've had one for 6 years. I'm 43, no children, always had average periods.

I won't lie to you, fitting and removal is uncomfortable, maybe a little worse than a smear but certainly bearable and only takes a few seconds.

I had excruciating, almost unbearable twisting pain and light bleeding for 5 days after it was fitted. I've never been in labour but when I described it my GP said I was describing labour pain and shot me off to the hospital for tests.

There was nothing wrong, I just think my body was trying to eject it. Eventually the pain reduced, then vanished altogether apart from occasional period type pain and some very, very light spotting.

I now have no periods at all and barely know it's there.

It works for some, not for others.

[OlivesTree]

I had one fitted on Saturday, then had it removed again on Tuesday. I couldn't cope with the anxiety it brought on. Also had a headache the whole time I had it and freaky nightmares.
Fitting and removal was fine though. I had very minor twingy pains and a tiny bit of bleeding immediately afterwards, but that was all.

[Adarajames]

Mine has been like a miricle cure! Gone from gripping pain from head to foot for about 3 out of every 4 weeks, (curl in ball sobbing level of pain for at least a week of those, even on prescribed meds); stupidly heavy periods so biggest tampon AND pad bled through in moments so couldn't go anywhere on heaviest days, and feeling like death, to such minor spotting that I often don't notice my period has arrived until it already has, and only very occasional twinge of pain that barely notices! Had issues having inserted and had to be done in hospital as clinic specialist couldn't do it, so was painful, but amazed from almost the first how much better it made things! I did try implant but it turned me into a psychopathic psychotic bitch from hell!!

[yetanotherdeskmove]

Another suggestion for a copper coil here. I'm happy with it. My periods are slightly heavier but they were pretty light before so that's not an issue for me. Fitting wasn't too painful and it'll last me till the menopause

[GreatFuckability]

Most people i know with mirena rave abouts its brilliance. I had an awful time with it personally, but that doesn't mean you would.

[AHobbyaweek]

I work in pharma and the problem with those warnings, especially with frequency not known ones is that one, two or three people have had it happen while on the contraception. For instance one person was diagnosed with cancer while on the drug, doesn't mean it is related but the company has to report it.
Talk to your doctor as they will have real life experience with many women who have had it and their experience of how many people have issues.

[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

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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 :)

[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.