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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To thing my coil is making me fat(ter)

61 replies

LoopyLou1981 · 16/01/2019 22:26

I’m not hugely overweight but could do with losing a stone or two to be comfortable.
I had it inserted about 6 months ago. I think time, I’ve tried repeated to lose weight with no success. I’ve only put on a couple of lbs but I’m now a bloated, wobbly mess where I used to be firmer.
Is it just age (38) or has anyone else had a similar problem?

OP posts:
HeckinHell · 17/01/2019 08:18

Mirena definitely made me gain weight! I was losing steadily on a healthy diet, then had it put in and my weight started to creep up. Made my diet stricter AND increased exercise, but still kept gaining! My doctor said it was impossible...but when I had it out 8 months later I miraculously was able to lose weight again.

Blobby10 · 17/01/2019 08:53

The actual coil can't make you gain weight but the hormones it releases may be making you feel hungrier so you eat more. I've actually lost weight since having a coil fitted but have completely overhauled my diet, accepted that I was eating way too much for my activity level and age and increased my exercise. Yes I'm hungry a lot of the time but I'm not starving. The week before my period is due (this week!) I crave extra carbs and generally give in a small amount in the hope that it will prevent a really big binge. its working so far Grin

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 08:57

I don't eat any more or any different than before Blobby.
I can't due to dietary requirements even if I wanted to.
I'm not disputing what you're saying, I'm just stating that isn't the case for me.

Blobby10 · 17/01/2019 09:04

ifangyow - I wish Mumsnet had an edit button as I realised just after pressing post how wrong (and probably condescending) my post sounded! I've been trained over so many years that weight loss is always due to calories in/out and no one ever explained that the number of calories a person needs decreases quite dramatically as they get older. So my daily calorie requirement now is less than it was even 5 years ago. I've found it very hard (and unfair!) to get my head around and assumed everyone else was the same.

Sorry if I offended you. (and anyone else) Flowers

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 09:10

No Blobby, you didn't offend Smile
Agree about the edit button though.

Blueblueyellow · 17/01/2019 11:38

I'm the same,but at least the bloating had gone but still can't shift any weight that I feel I've put on since I've got it. Anyone else having hairloss?

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 11:50

I don't have any hair loss BlueBlueYellow. My daughter has complained of hair loss though. She has a mirena fitted too.

bluetongue · 17/01/2019 11:55

I believe it.

As someone earlier on the thread the hormones can makes you hungrier. For me going on the pill has me having to eat something at 4am when I’m so hungry I can’t go back to sleep and eat lunch at 11.30am. It’s hunger so intense I literally can’t think about anything else and concentrating on my work is nearly impossible. It’s pretty hard to ignore hinder like that!

Luckily it’s only caused my weight to plateau and I haven’t gained but. At least I have the option of stopping taking pills any time I like,

GrandTheftWalrus · 17/01/2019 11:59

The pill has made me gain about 3 stone after I lost 7 in total before getting pregnant and having DD.

I know it's the not the actual tablet and it's the increased appetite so I've came off it just now

GinaLinetti99 · 17/01/2019 12:03

I've had two mirenas, with a break in between where I had my children. Both times I've gained around 10lbs, which has come off fairly easily once I've had it taken out.

Beerflavourednipples · 17/01/2019 12:08

I have read a lot about weight gain on Mirena, and although I gained a bit of weight whilst on it, hand on heart I can't blame the coil!

Acne - yes definitely
Greasy hair - yes definitely
Hideous moods - yes definitely
Weight gain - no, I don't think so!

MundayCakes85 · 17/01/2019 12:16

I’ve lost 16 lb so far since having the Mirena after DC2 was born. I couldn’t shift the baby weight and my moods were awful so decided it had to come out after a year. Feeling so much better now, might try the copper coil in the future.

icannotremember · 17/01/2019 12:20

Every time I had a Mirena I gained a significant amount of weight.

I really don't need to be told "but it's not the Mirena doing that, it's because your appetite has increased so you're eating more and that's why you're putting on weight". If the Mirena is the cause of the appetite increase, the Mirena is the cause of the behaviour which leads to weight gain.

Crazyladee · 17/01/2019 12:48

I had the same problem with the mirena coil. I permanently felt bloated and about four months pregnant. I literally couldn't hold my stomach in. As someone who is pear shaped and always had a slim waist and flat stomach, I couldn't take it any more. My GP wasn't convinced the mirena was at fault but I insisted on having it taken out. Once I had it removed the problems stopped.

Pulipatchouli · 17/01/2019 14:12

I love my Mirena.
I had hideous early symptoms but now am happy as Larry. No dreadful periods, no hideous PMT, normal weight.
I wish i'd had it ten years ago.

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 15:23

That's what I don't get Pulipachouli.
I had the first one done in 2003, didn't have a problem. Then I had it replaced two years ago and my weight went mad.
I don't need it for contraception, I had it fitted due to horrendous periods, hence the first one was in place for all those years so I'm seriously considering having it removed.
Honestly, who'd be a woman hey!

8dayweek · 17/01/2019 16:38

@Crazyladee That's exactly how I feel. I almost felt like I was having some kind of phantom pregnancy or was majorly in denial when my customers started asking when I was due - huge stomach that I couldn't breathe in, and my rib cage has expanded too. But mine is copper, so can't be that...but I just cannot pin it down to anything else! Should probably stop hijacking this thread now I'm starting to sound like a copper tinfoil hat wearing conspiracy theorist 

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 18:42

Same here 8dayaweek. To the point where for the first time in 37 years I'm actually embarrassed to be naked in front of my husband. I feel like a heffalump! Instead of swinging from the chandeliers I'm hiding under the duvet. ( to be fair if I attempted to swing from the chandeliers with my weight I would probably bring the roof down )

LuluMelons · 17/01/2019 18:44

Switch to copper. Best contraception I've ever had as there's no hormones to mess with my body.

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 18:46

Does it stop bleeding Lulumelons? If it does then I will give it a go.

phlebasconsidered · 17/01/2019 18:48

I had the copper non hormone coil for 4 years. Chose it because I cannot have hormonal contraception. Piled it on. Lost it all for the 4 years off it. Piled it on after. Had it in for 7 now. Getting it out next week. I have a fully medicated thyroid disorder. Copper is known to interact with thyroid so I wonder what will happen pnce it's out.

LuluMelons · 17/01/2019 18:49

Ifangyow

My periods haven't stopped but I always get a light flow. Think it's different for everyone.

LuluMelons · 17/01/2019 18:50

Copper is known to interact with thyroid so I wonder what will happen pnce it's out

Really? I'm at my slimmest on copper

Ifangyow · 17/01/2019 18:52

Thanks Lulu. I will give it a go I think, before I get harpooned on my next holiday.

mumontherun14 · 17/01/2019 18:58

I've had 2 Mirenas over 10 years so interested to read this. I've put on at least 3 stone in that time and my tummy is always bloated feeling. I had never though of it being the Mirena - just thought I was gaining weight due to lack of exercise etc. Am doing slimming world now and losing weight but maybe should get it out and see if it helps. Problem is I dont know what I would switch to - was always forgetting the pill and tried the implant but didnt feel great with it. Is the copper coil the best alternative option??