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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be uncomfortable by the thought of a Mirena Coil

71 replies

lozzylizzy · 23/01/2017 17:16

I went to the doctors a few months ago due to very heavy periods which are gradually getting closer together. At times I am changing a night pad and super plus tampon every 20-30 mins. I once got as far as the bathroom door. It is particularly annoying on school run and travelling to work. I had a blood test and I was anaemic and was sent for a scan of my uterus at the hospital a couple of weeks later where it was found I had fibroids.

The doctor that referred me basically told me to see the lady doctor about having a Mirena coil. I am not comfortable with the sound of some of the side effects and I have booked in to see the lady doctor. Has anyone had any experiences with any of the above and what procedures etc did you have to put an end (or at least alleviate the pain and loss at that time of the month)

I would rather sort the root of the cause rather than masking it with hormonal contraception when I don't need contraception!

OP posts:
LooseAtTheSeams · 23/01/2017 19:08

You can try Cerazette instead. That worked after I ended up in hospital for blood transfusions thanks to a pesky fibroid! They were going to remove the fibroid and insert the coil but neither was possible (awkward cervix!) but the Cerazette meant no bleeding at all so might work for you.

Doolallylally · 23/01/2017 19:09

I had one and had no side effects, apart from lighter periods.

Original poster
lozzylizzy · 23/01/2017 19:15

That's another thing I remember when I last went for a smear the nurse said she need her long speculum. I must have a long vagina hahaha!

OP posts:
Pixel · 23/01/2017 19:19

I'm in the same boat as you and never wanted the coil either, but after having heavy bleeding non-stop for a year I was desperate. I had to have surgery as the fibroids were in the way of the Mirena being inserted so they put it in while I was still under GA which I was glad about. That was in November and so far so good. Have still got some bleeding but at least I don't have to keep getting up in the night any more, and I can go back to cycling and horseriding which had been really difficult. I can't say I'm bothered about sex which I'm hoping isn't permanent but then I wasn't getting any with the situation before anyway!

One point from something I've seen on reading the thread. Someone mentioned norithisterone tablets. I was given these to stop the bleeding so that I could have an initial examination to rule out things like infection or cervical cancer. However I was told that I could only take these for a short while as it could be dangerous otherwise. I don't know if that's to do with my age though as I am only allowed the mini pill now.

ConfessorKahlan · 23/01/2017 19:22

Another vote for Mirena here! It was my only option to control my ridiculously heavy, painful periods. All the other options, rather than total hysterectomy, were unsuitable for various medical reasons and I was at the end of my thether so I would have agreed to anything.

No proper period to speak of for nearly 5 years now. Also no PMS or awful pain.

AMomentaryLapseOfReason · 23/01/2017 19:22

I had bleeding like you describe. Went through the whole treatment pathway, including the Mirena (on which I bled every day for 6 months) before eventually getting a referral to gynae for the impossible bleeding and anaemia.

I had the fibroids removed and an ablation. I now have what I assume are normal periods (4 days, only heavy for one day). My uterus is fantastic at bleeding.

Anyway, the point of all this is that the gynaecologist surgeon told me the Mirena was useless in my case, as the mega fibroid was stopping my uterus contracting down properly at the end of a period, leading to 10 day flood-fests.

Might be worth you asking for referral before going through what I had to?

MotherofPearl · 23/01/2017 19:30

I had a Mirena fitted in 2012, for contraception not heavy periods. However, when I wanted it removed in 2015 so that DP and I could TTC for DC3, the GP could not find it! She said it was 'lost' inside! Confused
I had to go for a scan so its position in my uterus could be established, and then had to see a specialist in hospital to have it removed! Since having DC3 i have sworn I'll never get another Mirena, even though I don't want more children. I think they are not worth the risks, so YANBU.

Manijo · 23/01/2017 20:18

I had a Mirena fitted for heavy periods...best decision for me. Periods almost obsolete after a couple of months.

Original poster
lozzylizzy · 23/01/2017 20:20

I am going to get a pad and paper and write down everything that I can relate to or ask from this thread so I don't forget anything and see what the GP says on Wednesday.

I really want to get this sorted but don't want any other complications.

OP posts:
PurpleWithRed · 23/01/2017 20:26

I’ve had a mirena since dd was 6 months old. She’s now 23. 6 weeks to settle down then fabulous since then. My BMI is 21.5, no periods at all, and if I’m crabby it’s because someone is being an arse, not because of my lady hormones.

However, there may be better solutions which you can explore with your ‘lady doctor’ (jeez!).

Soubriquet · 23/01/2017 20:29

I've had a mirena

It hurts when it goes in. Really uncomfortable, but after 24 hours the pain is pretty much gone.

But be prepared to not agree with it.

I gave mine 18 months and still didn't get on with it

It was great birth control...because I had no libido!

Also sent my anxiety through the roof

Dh has had the snip now so I don't have to worry

lapsedorienteerer · 23/01/2017 20:31

I'm on my second one, fantastic....no periods for 10 years Grin, it's due out for good this year.

Cherrysoup · 23/01/2017 20:31

Can I ask how much weight people have put on with the Mirena? It's slowly dawning on me that this may be an issue with me!

Saying that, I had mine put in about 18 months ago for very painful periods, which it has stopped, although I still get bleeding 3 days a month and the occasional wowser of a cramp, extremely brief, thank god. I wish my periods would stop completely, no idea wh mine have carried on, I was hoping they'd just disappear.

I found I have to go onto the GP armed with my own ideas/research.

luckylavender · 23/01/2017 20:33

I had one. The same symptoms as you. It's been the making of me.

MuchasSmoochas · 23/01/2017 20:35

The mirena has been amazing for me, I haven't had a period in 10 years. Just wonderful, I wish I had done it when I was younger. Not nice putting it in or out! I am quite squeamish so last time I had a large g and t before appointment and it went better.

Crowdblundering · 23/01/2017 20:37

I love mine and it's really not bad having it put in.

No periods Grin

LtGreggs · 23/01/2017 20:41

I have a mirena - purely for contraception, not for any heavy period issue. Am on my second, about 7 years in in total. It's been great - uncomfortable to put in, but never noticed it after a couple of days each time. No periods. No weight problem (have lost weight since I had first coil). Don't have massively high libido, but difficult to say that's down to the coil - more likely just life I think. (Sex life is fine & enjoyable actually - just mostly initiated by DH)

Based on my experience, I'd definitely say go for it.

ByronBaby · 23/01/2017 20:42

I had a Mirena for horrendous periods. Did not work out for me. Hideous back ache and constant bleeding. So then I tried an ablation. The surgeon couldn't get a seal and so I eventually had a hysterectomy. What a relief. I felt as if I had been pretty much constantly bleeding for four years - sometimes lightly and sometimes a tsunami of blood. I am sure that how this made me feel contributed to the breakdown of my marriage (oh, and being married to an unempathetic twat!)

2ndSopranos · 23/01/2017 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MatildaTheCat · 23/01/2017 20:45

Ive had one continuously since 1993 so I guess you could say I love it. Most of my friends have them too now and other than one, all love theirs.

I have no bleeding at all. Ever. And no weight gain unless I've been a greedy pig and deserve it. Possibly a bit more spotty after each new one.

All of mine have been fitted by different doctors/ nurses and the discomfort has ranged from very uncomfortable to virtually nothing. In your case is want a gynae to fit it due to your fibroids.

I would try it without hesitation if recommended. If it helps you will have so much better quality of life. If it doesn't help up you will have tried.

LavenderRains · 23/01/2017 20:51

I don't think I put on any weight with mine, I was already fatGrin
I can honestly say it didn't hurt when it was put in but I had some cramping for the rest of the day.

PinkCrystal · 23/01/2017 21:19

I have mirena. This is my 3rd. I also couldn't work with the flooding and pain I used to get from extreme heavy periods.

I highly recommend it.

Bufferingkisses · 23/01/2017 21:27

2ndsopranos challenge that. They can't refuse medical treatment or force unwanted intervention on you. Write to pals explaining what was said, by whoffering, what you want and why your request is reasonable. Tell them you do koto want to make a complaint but that you feel you may be left with no choice.

In my hospital they will pull your file and ask the person to explain why you cannot have one without the other and they will expect a good, medical, justification.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 23/01/2017 21:36

I'm a big fan of the mirena. It was life changing for me. I used to flood all the time and be in agony. I don't have periods now and I've had no nasty side effects at all. I'm on my third one. I've never given birth so had mine put in under general aneathestc.

museumum · 23/01/2017 21:43

I have mirena. No issues for me.

TBH if I had the flow you describe I'd be trying ANYTHING that might give me my life back. You describe it as inconvenient but bloody hell - that's no way to live!

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