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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

How bad is getting the Mirena coil in

78 replies

Cazz10 · 31/01/2018 17:21

Iv given birth 3 months ago and had my first period last week it was so bad I ended up in hospital for two days they said the linning of my womb is so thick. I'm now on tranexamic acid to calm it down and postin..it has lightened down and hopefully it'll soon be over but now I'm being advised to get a Mirena coil in because of heavy periods but iv heard its really sore and the clamping feeling is bad just wondering has anyone had it done and how bad is it just so I can be prepared.. My doctor reckons mine should be no problem as iv had six children and my cervix is easy to find

OP posts:

shouldnthavesaid · 31/01/2018 20:07

I think having a GA or sedation or something is really common , my gynaecologist said they have specific theatre lists for it. When I had mine I got option of spinal, general, cervical block, pudendal block or local gel... I had a horrendous night though, got morphine in recovery and dihydrocodeine/diclofenac all night. Bed changed twice due to bleeding, blacked out in shower and several times in the two years I had it. Eventually diagnosed with cervical shock and gynae said arms of it were causing contractions as womb was too small. Hellish. Jaydess is meant to be smaller though.

NewBrian · 31/01/2018 20:11

Was quick and painless for me and I’ve never given birth and have needed G&A for internals before!

Trinity66 · 31/01/2018 20:15

I got mine in under General anaesthetic because I was getting a hysteroscopy at the same time, I wish I could do that when I'm getting out aswell and the new one in but I doubt I'll be able to, I'm dreading it already and it won't even be for another 3 years :/

roses2 · 31/01/2018 20:17

I had mine fitted after 2 kids. I took paracetamol and they used numbing cream at my request when they put it in. No more uncomfortable than a smear test. I was very nauseous straight after and had to lie down for 2 hours after, felt like vomiting.

15 months later I still have light bleeds lasting 3-4 days. Light enough to only need 1 panty liner per day.

UmmKultum · 31/01/2018 20:31

Ive had them fitted twice, both after having kids. Both times i found it really painful and also lots of cramping the rest of the day. It was really unpleasant but thats it for 5 years

Flabbermingo · 31/01/2018 20:34

I actually feel sick reading this. I want s copper coil but I'm too traumatised after a tricky labour.

I'm happy to pay to get it done privately under a general anaesthetic, do places do this?

Fibbertigibbet · 31/01/2018 20:45

I put off having a Mirena for years because I used to have a job in sexual health and once was in family planning when they were short staffed, and I assisted with a woman who was getting a coil change, had had three kids, and was in absolute agony. I have no children and a retroverted uterus (which means my cervix is in a slightly funny position and also fitting can be a little more difficult), so was absolutely convinced it would be horrendous.

In the end, I wouldn't even have described it as painful, more uncomfortable. I had a few cramps that evening, and a bit of lightheadedness, but that was it. I now recommend them to everyone- you simply don't know until you try, and now I don't have to think about contraception for 5 years.

MozzchopsThirty · 31/01/2018 21:22

I have mine under GA on the NHS

PleaseDontGoadTheToad · 31/01/2018 21:51

If I find smear tests painful then chances are, getting a coil fitting will be excruciating, won't it?

Sorry for hijacking btw

PleaseDontGoadTheToad · 31/01/2018 21:52

I can't take the pill. I hated the implant. I got pregnant on the mini pill.

So that leaves the injection or a coil and I'm not keen on either tbh.

shouldnthavesaid · 31/01/2018 23:14

The NHS do GAs if you've reason enough. Consultant wouldnt even try as I've too many other issues there already. Second shot the very pleasant 'doctor' said they were clamping down on silly behaviour (!) and I had to have one attempt at normal fitting, before complaining at me for not relaxing enough - hx of sexual assault, traumatic surgery, assault in a medical setting and vaginisimus/PTSD. No bloody way was the speculum going in never mind anything else.

GP called her a twisted cow (to me, not her).. very glad of that!

Hogtini · 31/01/2018 23:20

I took painkillers before hand. I got mine done at GUM clinic as practice nurse said they were more skilled than she was. They were lovely and 1 held my hand. It is uncomfortable but over in a minute and I did get cramps. No regrets here.

Gide · 31/01/2018 23:25

I have a small womb and the doctor (Women’s clinic) was experienced. She put one Mirena almost in, destroyed it, used a second one. I went backwards, a lot! It was weird, it’s a very weird feeling, but so worth it! It’s at a funny angle, if I lean left I can feel it, so I don’t lean left! It’s mostly resolved the period pain, although I still have a lot of bleeding sometimes. Bloody wish it would all stop!

Crikey. My copper coil insertion and the subsequent cramps were the worst pain I've ever felt, and I've had major surgery three times for two conditions that cause chronic pain. Had it taken out after 8 months of unbearable (rolling around on the floor sweating and puking, leaking through super plus tampons and pads within an hour) periods.

Dear god, you poor thing! That sounds like me at my worst before the coil :(

Original poster

Cazz10 · 31/01/2018 23:45

Thanks ladies for all your replies.. The hospital wants to put mine in sp surely they'll know what there doing.
And I had all my six kids vaginally so surely that should help

OP posts:

OutToGetYou · 01/02/2018 00:00

I'm on my third. Fitting is excruciating for me (no kids) and I insisted on a general anaesthetic last time. So, last time was fine.
But the first time I passed out.
The second time after they removed the first one I was very close to not going ahead due to the pain. They used a spray anaesthetic but I don't think it made much difference really.

OutToGetYou · 01/02/2018 00:04

Yes, you can pay to have it done privately under GA, I was quoted c£3k. Seemed a lot to me.
I made a case to my NHS CCG and they agreed and did it under GA.

But I have literally no other contraception options.

mojito55 · 01/02/2018 00:07

Worst 20!seconds of my life when she was opening my cervix, but after that absolutely no pain, no cramps or anything.

Flabbermingo · 01/02/2018 00:22

@OutToGetYou thats interesting, I think DH would be happy to pay if it meant we didn't have to use condoms but I may pursue the GA route on the NHS first. I refuse to use hormonal contraception anymore as 3 different kinds have given me what I can only describe as rage issues and I refuse to go through trial and error whilst incharge of two young children. The last pill I tried terrified me, I thought I had PND but it vanished about 36 hours after stopping the pill.

OutToGetYou · 01/02/2018 00:30

You may well be lucky and have no pain. If you've had children I gather it is easier.
It might be worth just trying first but maybe ask if they can prescribe something to reduce anxiety? Valium or something. I tried to suggest that in my letter, but they agreed to the GA.

I'd had such a bad time with the other two insertions and am allergic to progesterone so can't take it and can't risk implants or injections (as you can't get it out easily if it does trigger the allergy, the progesterone in the Merina is a different type plus it gets into your body a different way so was worth the risk the first time and it didn't trigger the allergy).

OutToGetYou · 01/02/2018 00:33

Oh, what I did, by the way, was ask my NHS GP to refer me to a private gynae, which he did, and I paid for one consultation (£150) where I talked through the options, including GA, going private etc. It was her who told me the NHS will do it in some circs and to approach the CCG.
Best £150 ever spent - wrote to CCG, got letter back a week later, all agreed, referred in NHS......yes, back to same woman, but free this time :)

CheeseFlavouredDiscs · 01/02/2018 00:35

If you have ever had a smear test, I think the pain you feel with that is a good indicator of how uncomfortable you will find the procedure.
It will very probably hurt more than the smear test, however if you find a smear test Very painful then you will probably find the Mirena insertion to be a very painful experience. Based on what you have said, i doubt you will find the experience exceptionally painful. Of course, there are no guarantees and everyone experiences pain differently in different situations. Very much like labour, going into the room calm and focusing on remaining relaxed should help reduce any pain or discomfort you might experience.

Personally smear tests don't cause me any pain and only the mildest of discomfort. My Mirena insertion wasn't painful, but was a quite uncomfortable. I had mine inserted about 9 months after a horrifically painful labour, so I don't think labour pain and Mirena insertion pain are related.

bananaramama · 01/02/2018 00:49

I had a copper IUD fitted. Fitting was fine but my body was not happy with it one bit. My periods took about 12 months to normalise. I had recurrent thrush which would not go away despite diet and lifestyle changes. In the end I took it out and my body was so so much happier.

Original poster

Cazz10 · 01/02/2018 09:33

I am fine with the smear test don't find them bad at all.. But I do tend to tense up when getting anything insert down there it's just nerves.. Will this make it harder? Also wondering what would happen if I moved during it?

OP posts:

problembottom · 01/02/2018 10:27

Mine was excruciating, I passed out on the GP’s bed. The worst pain I’ve ever experienced, which took a few days to fully subside. I haven’t had kids tho, it’s supposed to be much better if you have.

I now want it taken out to start a family and both my GP and a private gynaecologist have failed to find it so I’m about to have an operation.

It’s fair to say I hate the coil!

mojito55 · 01/02/2018 12:42

problembottom they failed to find it? Can you feel the strings?

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