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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:
liquidrevolution · 27/02/2018 14:37

I literally have just had it inserted. I nearly cancelled as I had started heavily bleeding over the weekend and thought it would be embarrassing, plus the insertion is done by a very brusque female Dr.

But I didnt and it all went fine. Some discomfort and a few cramps for about 1/2 hr afterwards. I bled during the insertion but it wasnt embarrassing and they had seen it all before.

Am now curled up on sofa watching a film as I had some holiday to use up Grin

Rhinosaur · 27/02/2018 14:37

I had it fitted and had a sample of womb lining taken and didn’t find it unbearable. Maybe taking some earphones and listening to something to help you relax will help?
It’s the best thing I have had done to help with my periods. I was at the point of barely leaving the house when on my period and now they are so light and very infrequent.

Winegumaddict · 27/02/2018 14:37

Ok it's a bit uncomfortable and then I had cramps for about a day but I'd have another on a heartbeat. 1 day of discomfort vs 5 years of no bleeding and no pain was a no brainer for me. I had it out to have my DC but I'll have another one when we've finished having children.

Sanderz · 27/02/2018 14:38

I bled constantly for three months when I had the implant put in Sad I'd gone in for a coil but the doctor convinced me to try the implant during the appointment. Wish I hadn't!

Just had a coil and it really wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Could you try and distract yourself until the appointment? Tea and biscuits?

Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:38

Bakedbeeen - I’ve got £20 on the side for DH to pay for a takeaway when we get home! And I’ve told him this excuses me from the housework for the next few days! Grin

OP posts:
BakedBeeeen · 27/02/2018 14:41

Good idea rhinosaur about taking earphones even if it is just for the waiting room.

TheJoyOfSox · 27/02/2018 14:43

I love my mirina. I’m on my third. I used to have to get up in the night to change my tampon and night pad, now it’s no periods, no cramps, no bloating and it was uncomfortable to have fitted, but that was momentary.
I recommend a mirina to anyone who suffers with her periods.

mojito55 · 27/02/2018 14:43

Have you given birth? If you have then you will honestly barely feel it. It's only when its going through your cervix that it pinches, but only for 10 seconds. Take a pad with you for after too, I bled for a few hours after mine.

Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:45

Thank you again everyone, I feel quite a bit calmer than I did an hour ago. I think I’d gotten myself worked up after reading so many bad things online (my GP specifically told me to only read the NHS website - which was excellent advice in retrospect!). Good idea about the earphones too, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:47

Mojito - I had a caesarean so I don’t think it counts!

OP posts:
Thistlebelle · 27/02/2018 14:52

Glad you are feeling better President.

I had cramps for the first day afterwards (but not very badly) and bled on and off for a couple of months and then nothing since.

Original poster
Presidentpoopants · 27/02/2018 14:59

Did anyone have heavy bleeding after insertion? GP said to expect period-like bleeding for a few days, and I’m a bit worried by this as I have an event to go to on Thursday and don’t want to be running to the toilet every 5 minutes like I would normally be with a regular period!

OP posts:
loubielou31 · 27/02/2018 14:59

I love mine. I had a bit of a drama getting mine replaced but I still wanted a second. I don't get any periods! And they were frequent, painful and heavy so that is such a bonus. My skin is fine and I haven't gained weight.
The procedure is quite ouchy. It really hard but you have to try and relax those muscles. I was given buscopan and diclofenac after I had mine fitted (in Germany) to help with cramping and an anti-inflammatory pain relief.
You hear so many awful tales and I'm sure many people suffer with side effects but I have found mine very easy.

IpreferFrieda · 27/02/2018 15:01

It gave me my life back after months of literally flooding op.

Didn’t hurt and go for it

DramaAlpaca · 27/02/2018 15:04

The Mirena stopped my perimenopausal heavy periods completely. It's been life changing for me. Can't fault it at all, actually.

MumW · 27/02/2018 15:07

Take pain killers 3/4 hour before, if it's not too late now. I took paracetamol, codiene and ibroprofen. 1st time, no more than a slight discomfort. 2nd time a bit more painful but not unbearable and 5 mins pain for every month free is definitely worth it.
I was like you and really didn't want to go through with it. Kept putting it off but wondered why I'd left it so long. Makes life so much easier.

loubielou31 · 27/02/2018 15:07

I don't remember heavy bleeding after it was fitted. Yes bleeding but not lots. It had stopped by the third day as well. Tell the nurse you're really nervous and they will be kind. And as someone said upthread take ibuprofen about half an hour before you go. Good luck (although you won't really need it)

Thistlebelle · 27/02/2018 15:09

Spotting, not heavy bleeding.

SoftKittyWarmKitty11 · 27/02/2018 15:10

I actually had the coil fitted this morning! I found it to be a tiny bit uncomfortable for a few moments but mostly fine! So far I've only had a little bit of spotting and some cramps, they feel just like period pains!

SeaToSki · 27/02/2018 15:10

If you find smear tests painful, ask the doctor to support the speculum and not let it hang off you while he reaches for the next item. It made a huge difference to the amount of pain I had during smears.

I also just had a mirena fitted (but under general as I had a laproscopy too) and when they say expect period bleading afterwards, they mean regular normal periods, not the horror show most of us have got used to when we start using the mirena to control things.

Averyyounggrandmaofsix · 27/02/2018 16:04

Changed my life and I wish I had got it earlier. Insertion similar to and no worse than a smear test.

Turquoisesea · 27/02/2018 16:21

I’m thinking of having the Mirena I’m not too worried about having it fitted (have given birth twice so hoping that helps). I’m more concerned about my skin as suffer from hormonal spots and have heard it can make it worse. Really not sure but am peri menopausal I think & sick of having 2 week periods with only 2 weeks before the next one!

mojito55 · 27/02/2018 18:07

Let us know how it goes OP!

PurpleWithRed · 27/02/2018 18:13

I had my first mirena fitted in early 1994 and had my last one fitted yesterday. I haven't had a period for 24 years. Not one. My new Mirena will be my last and is part of my HRT. I find it mildly uncomfortable for a couple of seconds and it's not exactly dignified but it's so well worth it.

You might want to consider taking a couple of ibuprofen and/or paracetamol half an hour before you go if you think you'll need it.

AuditAngel · 27/02/2018 18:44

I love mine. Had to leave one of my o levels due to period pain. Years on the pill to deal with that, but mirena has changed my life. Removal fir replacement was uncomfortable but still worth it.