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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask you about having a coil?

69 replies

DirtyDeeds · 18/02/2020 07:52

TLDR: I’m debating getting a coil but with a history of endometriosis and heavy periods plus reacting badly to hormone treatments not sure which could be best
Plus I’m worried about the strings?!

Longer version:
I can’t take the pill and I have a history of endometriosis. Hormone based contraception seems to make me bleed and affects my mental health. I need to review contraception and the coil seems the most sensible option.
However I have concerns
Mirena - I know the hormone dose is low but will it send me loopy given how I react with hormones?
Copper coil - apparently can make periods worse? Mine are already 8 days and heavy!
Both - can you feel the strings?? Can your partner?! I’m worried about this affecting sex

AIBU to ask you for your advice - rather than the sales pitch I get from my GP?

TIA

OP posts:
frogsbreath · 18/02/2020 09:09

I got the Mirena coil after exhausting other measures to reduce period flow. I'm onto my second coil now as it's amazing. Took 2 or 3 periods at the beginning of each coil to get to a short 2 day period with a small flow that I am able to use only a Pantyliner with.

I still get the hormonal acne and a one day headache around period time as I always did. But no cramps and like I said a tiny bit of blood.

Insertion was uncomfortable each time, cramps and period for a week after. But it's worth it for 5 years of low flow and no cramping afterwards.

Reginabambina · 18/02/2020 09:10

I have a copper coil. Periods lighter than before I had it put in (I’d assume it’s due to hormonal changes rather than the coil). The nurse who inserted it said that a lot of the reports of heavier periods cane from women coming off hormonal contraception so it’s not clear to what extent if at all it causes heavier periods. I do have a bit more cramping than before tough but again I can’t be certain it’s coil related but it definitely started the period after I got it in. Re strings, DH has felt them once during sex but that’s it. I’ve never felt them.

Reginabambina · 18/02/2020 09:11

Insertion very similar to pap smear.

OoohTheStatsDontLie · 18/02/2020 09:12

There are support groups for people suffering with effects of merina. For people it works for, they absolutely love it. Others it does make them anxious and depressed or tired. I think about a third of people get it taken back out.

I had it taken out as I had a flare up of an unrelated illness and wanted to rule out any connection. I prefer having one period rather than lots of spotting. It took a fair few weeks for my periods to return to normal (3 months maybe?) and my hair fell out and then re grew similar to post pregnancy hair loss after as well. So I'd say the hormones affected me more than I was told to expect (I was told localised only)

Helpme1010 · 18/02/2020 09:15

I have the Kyleena (new version of Mirena but with lower hormone dose) after years of battling with pms. I love it, best thing I’ve done. Only bad part was having it fitted but that’s it for 5 years so it was worth it.
Everyone is different though so go into with an open mind and just see how you do. Worst case you can remove it

HariboLectar · 18/02/2020 09:21

I have light periods anyway, but the Mirena completely stopped them. I didn't feel any more hormonal than when I didn't have it.
I much preferred it to the pill, I had it removed last April and went onto the mini pill - lasted a few months on that and told husband we're using condoms if he doesn't want a child.

Original poster
DirtyDeeds · 18/02/2020 09:22

I’ve not heard of Kyleena?! Is it not widely used yet in UK?

OP posts:
Gertrudetheadelie · 18/02/2020 09:30

Copper coil here. Love it. I had trouble with migraines so I didn't want to use a hormonal method. Periods are a bit heavier but only really for the first day or two. I love not having to worry about contraception and the spontaneity it allows if the baby ever goes to sleep... Hmm

lisasimpsonssaxophone · 18/02/2020 09:38

I’m lucky to have pretty light periods that only last about 3 days normally. On the copper coil they got much heavier, much more painful, and lasted 7 or 8 days. I also got really awful back pain mid-cycle that would make me cry. Doctors told me there was nothing wrong with it and it was all normal but I had it removed anyway and the pain never came back again. I had had it for 3 years so it wasn’t like it was an adjustment thing and would have calmed down eventually.

Not saying don’t get it, but listen to your body and don’t be afraid to get it taken out if you don’t feel like it’s working for you.

Helpme1010 · 18/02/2020 09:38

@DirtyDeeds it’s new so I’m guessing not many know about it but I’m in the UK and was offered it as the best option as it has lower hormones and it’s smaller :)

shitwithsugaron · 18/02/2020 09:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BigButtons · 18/02/2020 09:54

I had the mirena last year. It was an absolute nightmare. I had it for only a month but bleed properly every single day. I had horrendous aches on my uterus, so bad I was in codeine. Spots all over my face.
When they agreed to take it out the strings had disappeared and I had to go to the humane wars to have it hooked out of me.
After the removal I was in so much pain and bleeding so badly that I couldn’t go to work for a week and was on even stronger codeine.
Awful awful thing. Wish I could have been one of the lucky ones.

BigButtons · 18/02/2020 09:55

Ffs- please excuse bloody auto correct on phone. Hopefully it still makes sort of sense!

MrsToothyBitch · 18/02/2020 10:13

@lisasimpsonssaxophone yep, I have a 7-8 day period & I really do bleed til the end. I only get heavy on day 4 now though.

Echoing what a Pp said, I came off straight off the pill on to an IUD and had some proper floods. It's only really within the last year or so that I feel like I have the "natural" period I should be having, was on the pill 7 years, now been off for approx 6.5. Not saying that's all down to the pill but I'm sure it played a part.

Cherrysoup · 18/02/2020 10:16

@FeatheredThing had mine out yesterday and apart from the slight discomfort/weirdness of having the speculum open, I didn’t feel a thing. I had it removed because my DH could feel the strings and they left mini lacerations on the top of his penis. It’s just totally stopped our sex life. 😢

@Dilbertian can I ask why you didn’t get on with the progesterone only pill? I was given it yesterday.

tiutinkerbell · 18/02/2020 11:58

I have the hormonal coil - literally the best thing I ever did.

No more remembering to take a pill, no more mood swings & no more periods (which were heavy & painful on the pill). I have had it for around 7 months and no issues at all. Partner can't feel a thing, would never have known I had it in if I hadn't told him. I have the three year one and will deffo be continuing with it. Insertion isn't the most fun thing in the world but well worth it for all the other benefits.

Bringmethesunshine · 18/02/2020 12:02

Had a copper coil for several years with no issue and then I got an infection from it which led to a total hysterectomy

Squidgoals · 18/02/2020 12:17

I'm on my fifth Mirena - I love it. First one was fitted when my DD2 was 6 weeks old and she's now 17! the first four were for contraception and this fifth one is an element of my HRT treatment. As the first one was fitted so soon after I'd given birth I had no uterine lining - therefore no periods for 17 years.
String - ask the doc to leave it long. The very tip of the string is sharp end-on, but if it's left long it loops over and can't be felt during sex. Saying that, the strings on mine have been known to disappear altogether then reappear, I just don't think about it.
I did very badly on the mini pill years ago, it affected my mood a lot. the hormones in the mirena are the same as mini pill but a vv low dose and localised, so it's less likely to cause a negative effect.
I've had zero issues with mine, however in the 70s my mum had a coil fitted and it triggered very strong contractions so it had to come out ASAP - I was worried this would happen to me, it obviously didn't. All you can do is suck it and see - if it works for you it'll make your life a lot easier. If not, it can just come out again

chwmn · 18/02/2020 12:27

First ever reply on MN - so sorry if it's badly written/has a bit too much detail!
I had terribly heavy periods all through my teens. At school I had to change before lessons and half way through the lesson, it still haunts me!
The mirena coil has been a godsend for me, it stops my periods completely, which I was not expecting at all. I had my first one removed and replaced with another one last year - not a particularly pleasant experience but worth it! I had previously taken the pill, but it was having an affect on my mental health and was giving me awful stomach cramps for most of the month, whereas the Mirena doesn't seem to give me any side effects!
Now for the only negative I have, which is based on who did it rather than the thing itself - the strings on the first Mirena i had inserted were left too long, so they felt uncomfortable to me. I went for a check up and asked them to cut the strings down... she proceeded to cut me right on the clitoris with the scissors Sad

cavabiensepasser · 18/02/2020 12:32

If there's one thing I would never be without, it's my beloved Mirena.

I had normal periods before, nothing major, but I still fucking hate them. Smelly, messy, bloody, inconvenient, and I hate being inconvenienced. The coil reduced my periods to pathetic little spotting for a few days, I'll roll with that.

No side effects to speak of.

Insertion was decidedly unpleasant. I hated it. It HURT. So worth it though.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 18/02/2020 12:49

I can only speak for me. After having heavy periods for years, I had my Mirena put in on 1 April 2016 at the age of 49.

I've not had a period since and I friggin love it. Best thing I ever did. Only regret? That I didn't discover it years earlier Blush

Ninkanink · 18/02/2020 13:03

I’m on my third cycle with the copper coil - have had it in continuously for 21+ years now, and have had a very positive experience.

Like previous pp my periods and cramping have got lighter over the years but I think that’s hormonal and due to low carbing.

I can feel the threads when I check for them but I tend to forget to do so. My OH can’t feel them during sex.

Littleninja1 · 18/02/2020 13:10

I've had the copper coil for four years. It hurt on insertion and I had awful shooting pains down my hips and legs for a few weeks. I also find having sex can cause minor cramping afterwards.

Other than that my periods are lighter than they were before and period pain varies as it always did. My partner has never had a problem with the strings.

I'm also very sensitive to hormones and coming off the pill was life changing for me. I was adamant I didn't want hormones and I don't regret my decision. I also like that when we start TTC soon I will be able to start immediately after it's removed instead of waiting for my cycle to adjust.

halcyondays · 18/02/2020 13:31

Have you been referred to gynaecology for your endometriosis and heavy periods? If not your GP should refer you.

I got a Mirena in a few weeks ago for heavy periods, first had an ultrasound, then another appointment for a hysteroscopy and got it in at the same time. They used a local anaesthetic before putting the coil in.

I’m now having my first period since having it fitted. I had spotting the day before yesterday , then yesterday moderate bleeding, today just spotting really. I don’t know if the bleeding will get any heavier as my periods can be quite stop/startish. But if this is it, I will be amazed and delighted.

So far I’ve not had any side effects really. I was worried at first as I had headaches, but I have CFS and get a lot of headaches anyway. Have had headaches with my period but again I often get this and I think it’s less than I usually get.

Bagofoldbones · 18/02/2020 13:35

I have endo and heavy periods and struggled with mine. Was much better when I had it taken out