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Original poster

To change my mind last minute re Mirena?

63 replies

Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 13:57

Due to have Mirena fitted in a few hours and I’m so frightened I feel sick. I’ve read far too many horror stories online and I’m now convinced this will be the most painful experience of my life! The reason for getting Mirena is to reduce/eliminate my painful and heavy periods, but after speaking to a few friends they had the implant which completely stopped their periods anyway (plus they didn’t have to go through the horror of having the coil fitted).

My GP was adamant that Mirena was the best way to go as the implant is much less likely to have any effect on my periods, but I’m not so sure now. How many of you have the implant and it has stopped your periods? Seriously considering phoning the GP surgery to see if I can change to the implant instead but worried that it may be too late.

And please, I don’t want any bad stories regarding Mirena. I’ve already read far too many!

OP posts:
Outnumbered99 · 27/02/2018 14:00

I had Mirena, took about 30 seconds to be fitted and didn't have a period or any other symptom for over 4 years (spotting came back towards the 5 year point although I had it in for nearly 6 years in the end).

For every horror story theres probably 100 like this ^^

KochabRising · 27/02/2018 14:00

Implant is looking like it’s linked to bone thinning...

Anyway, I had a mirena. It wasn’t terribly pleasant to be installed but then having someone rummaging around in your nethers never is. It was all over and done with pretty fast, no issues other than cramps for a bit and a few drops of blood. All fine. It certainly wasn’t a horror and I had mine fitted before I had kids (and will have another one after this one is born.)

Tell the person fitting it your worries, have some otc painkillers beforehand and ask for an injection to numb the cervix if you want

MickHucknallspinkpancakes · 27/02/2018 14:05

I have a mirena op and it's saved my soul versus the heavy hideous periods and clotting that I had.

Honestly it's a short procedure and then just a bit of period pain for a day or two, you'll have had much worse with heavy periods honestly.

People don't tend to flock to the internet with happy reviews of these things. But we are out there.

I don't know how I used to cope before it, I really don't.

Topseyt · 27/02/2018 14:06

I know GPs often tout the mirena coil as the panacea to everything, but I have never had it fitted because I have similar reservations to you and have very heavy periods (perimenopausal).

Can you give the surgery a call and say that you would prefer to try the implant first? I think that might be my approach. If that means a further consultation with the GP then cancel the mirena appointment until you have had that consultation.

You don't have to consent to the mirena at all.

stevie69 · 27/02/2018 14:07

I have the Mirena too. I have a serious issue with fibroids—which made it a bit tricky to fit—but it was still a perfectly quick and pain free process; no cramping, no bleeding Smile

And the benefits? Can't sing its praises enough; wish I'd had it put in years ago.

Don't be put off. Read the positives as well as the (occasional) negs.

Snowysky20009 · 27/02/2018 14:09

It's fine, uncomfortable yes, painful no.

beguilingeyes · 27/02/2018 14:10

The Mirena was one of the best things I ever did. No more periods and mine were horrendous.

Mine was in for six years.

LaCerbiatta · 27/02/2018 14:10

I've had 2 mirenas put in with only minor discomfort. To be honest I would have done it even if the procedure was very painful! The joy of not having periods outweighs any discomfort of having the coil fitted

exexpat · 27/02/2018 14:11

I've had one for more than three years. Fitting was virtually painless (took some paracetamol beforehand just in case), and my periods immediately started tailing off to (now) virtually non-existent, and no side effects that I have noticed. I should have done it years earlier to deal with my frequent, heavy periods.

fluffyowlagain · 27/02/2018 14:12

My first implant stopped my periods, when I had it replaced my periods came back - my nurse said this sometimes happens. I had the Mirena fitted over a year ago and I had a (light) period for nearly a month. But since then, I have a period for about a day every eight weeks or so, it hasn't hurt and I highly recommend it. Yes, getting it fitted was uncomfortable, but it was soon over and done with and was less of an inconvenience than getting the implant fitted and having to have a bandage on my arm. I'm sure there are people who have horror stories, but in my circle of friends, good stories significantly outweigh the bad.

ElsieMumofOne · 27/02/2018 14:12

You can absolutely change your mind about it, even if you are sat in the room moments before fitting.

I had my second mirena coil fitted two weeks ago. It was perhaps 2-3 minutes on the bed. A dull and uncomfortable one minute of that.

Afterwards I had cramps for the evening. Bled lightly for 2 days

I've barely had more than the very lightest period for 5 years and it's been life changing and I'd never use anything else.

Cath2907 · 27/02/2018 14:13

I am due to change my Mirena. It has been in 5 years and needs replacing. BEST THING EVER! Fitting it wasn't particularly painful - perhaps a bit of cramping like a period. Then spotting for a few weeks then.... NOTHING! Not a period in sight for the last 5 years. Lovely! This is my second. Will now go and book an appointment to have my third in now you've reminded me.

ElsieMumofOne · 27/02/2018 14:13

Oh, forgot to say take two ibuprofen at least an hour before you go. I was asked if I'd taken anything last time and said yes, although I wasn't told to at booking I'd just remembered from first time.

Thistlebelle · 27/02/2018 14:14

I’m on my second Mirena. It wasn’t painful, just uncomfortable.

TheLastMermaid · 27/02/2018 14:14

I'm another Mirena disaster case but if you can face it, I'd give it a try. Like another pp said, most women have no problems and great relief from it. If you don't try, you won't know - but get them to promise to remove it the minute you decide enough is enough, so you can go ahead with that reassurance. I gave mine 6 months then they took it out within days when I couldn't keep going wirh it any longer. Good luck, I hope it's a brilliant solution for you.

Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:15

Thank you all, these replies have helped alot. I really do want the Mirena and I know it’ll be worth it. I’m just so scared of the procedure, I even find smear tests traumatic. My GP knows about this and has prescribed me diazepam, but I took one last night and didn’t feel much calmer to be honest. Sad

OP posts:
SciFiFan2015 · 27/02/2018 14:15

Uncomfortable to put it in. Maybe even a bit sore. Life changing though. Used to bleed every three weeks for about 10-14 days and very, very heavy. No I get a smear of blood and that's it! Sorry TMI.
Pain gone, periods gone. It's bliss

Did lose my libido for a while but on its way back I think. Will definitely have it replaced.

InteriorLulu · 27/02/2018 14:20

I had a Mirena for 3 years. It was a little uncomfortable to fit, but no more so than the copper coil that it replaced. After the three years it wasn't agreeing with me and I had it changed for another copper coil. I loved it though and would recommend it for reducing heavy periods - which is why I had it...they faded away to almost nothing.

They used a local anaesthetic spray which made insertion much easier. I don't know whether this is standard across the NHS, but it did make things much more comfortable.

MrsFinkelstein · 27/02/2018 14:21

If you want something to help with periods PLEASE don't get the Implant! I work in sexual health and contraception is a major part of my role. Out of all the methods available, the Implant is the one most people have issues with unscheduled bleeding with. Approx 50% of users will have unscheduled bleeding. It's an excellent method, but problematic bleeding is a common side effect unfortunately. It has no impact on bone density.

The Mirena is the only method of contraception licensed to treat heavy painful periods, and it is the most effective. It's a straightforward procedure to insert that will take less than 5 min. Take some analgesia beforehand and this helps.

dayakie · 27/02/2018 14:26

I had one and didn't have a period the whole time it was fitted - best thing I ever did was having it put back in after leaving it out for a while. Procedure was no worse (and quicker) than a smear and well worth it. Good luck!!

MrsFinkelstein · 27/02/2018 14:29

Just to reassure you, the vast vast majority of women I see that use the Mirena are really happy with it. If you really didn't want it fitted you could try something else first (assuming you've not already tried, and are medically suitable), maybe the POP or injection. They can help reduce period bleeding but aren't as effective as the Mirena is.

Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:31

MrsFinkelstein - thanks for your comment, it’s very helpful. I’ll probably give the implant a miss then, I really do need these periods to stop and Mirena does sound like the most effective method. I find smears incredibly painful (maybe I’m extra sensitive or have a low pain threshold, I don’t know) so I’m really worried that this will be even worse for me.

OP posts:
Ollivander84 · 27/02/2018 14:33

I have a copper coil and no DC. They used instilligel which is like an anaesthetic gel they just squirt on
Measuring the womb was like a single period cramp, it hurt but v v brief and made me go "ow". Not leaping off the bed or swearing level!
The actual fitting was fine. It was over in minutes and I've been back for a second (and I'm a wimp!)

BakedBeeeen · 27/02/2018 14:35

I'm really happy with my mirena, very very light periods now. It will be a slightly uncomfortable but very quick procedure and then it will be all done. Good luck OP, It will be over very quickly. Treat yourself this evening when it's done, and then you won't have to think about contraception for years!

LucreziaBoredYa · 27/02/2018 14:36

Do you have the option of a full anaesthetic when getting it fitted OP, if you're that worried? I had mine when I was under at the same time as having a massive ovarian cyst removed. Just a thought.