Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask about your experience with mirena coil?

53 replies

lasangoles · 22/09/2020 00:08

Sorry for posting in AIBU. My phone crashes when I try to change it for some reason. Very annoying.

Would anyone mind sharing their mirena coil experience with me? Was it painful to insert? Does it take a long time? I haven't let anyone near me intimately since I was sexually assaulted and in worried about having a panic attack. I've been told regardless of this, I can't have anyone with me because of covid. I'm worried I'm going to bleed for a long time afterwards, like I did with the implant. My periods are so heavy at the moment and my iron levels are so low. I'm really hoping it'll help.

Can anyone offer their experiences?

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 22/09/2020 00:16

Mine stopped my periods completely, which was a huge relief. It did take a few weeks to settle down though, with a bit of light bleeding, but after that nothing at all.

I can't comment on insertion because mine went in under general anesthetic as I was having a couple of gynae things done at the same time. I gather it's like having a smear test but can be a bit pinchy. You might be able to take painkillers or a tranquilliser beforehand to help you relax.

Having it out is easy, my GP did one quick, gentle pull and it was out - totally painlessly.

lasangoles · 22/09/2020 00:25

I'm just really nervous because I know it can hurt and the idea of someone else inflicting pain on me in that region is really triggering. I find it hard to talk about in person though. Would have been really helpful if I could've had someone with me

OP posts:
mrsg2019 · 22/09/2020 00:41

Hi - firstly I'm so sorry to hear about your experiences with sexual assault. If you've had children the fitting is apparently relatively painless however when I had it fitted I was child free and I'm not going to lie... it hurt. Think of a severe type period cramp. After it was fitted, I spotted for a day or so and that was it... periods gone. Had a really good experience with it overall and it's my contraception of choice - I had it removed as we wanted to TTC. Would get it fitted again, definitely worth the initial discomfort. You can request a female GP to fit it and if you explain your levels of anxiety, they'll be able to hopefully take steps to reduce it. Good luck ☺️

lasangoles · 22/09/2020 07:12

Bumping for the morning crowd!

OP posts:
TeddyIsaHe · 22/09/2020 07:17

I love mine.

I’ve had a vaginal birth, but the insertion was quite painful. However, the worst of it lasted for 5 mins (severe cramps) and was a bit ouchy for the rest of the day, but not enough to stop me doing anything. I’d have another in a heartbeat.

If you’re worried, your dr will prescribe you a small amount of diazepam which along with pain relief should make the whole thing much more bearable.

Parmavioletmum · 22/09/2020 07:17

I've had one before. It was a bit painful having it inserted (I have an awkward cervix angle though!) And got some period cramps after. They recommend taking painkillers an hour before you go. No periods after that. I'm just about to have another put in after DD, not for contraception but like pp to control heavy periods and pain etc.

I'm sorry to hear you've had a horrible experience. If you can I would recommend trying to speak to the gp before you go so they can help you through it.

lasangoles · 22/09/2020 07:17

Thank you. I thought about diazepam, but I'm driving so not sure it'd be an option to me...

OP posts:
applecatchers36 · 22/09/2020 07:18

Have had 3 kids and didn't find it painful. A bit like a smear , minor discomfort, like period pain afterwards, soon settled. My female GP fitted it, could you request similar given your history?

Would recommend as a form of contraception. Now not aware of it. Still have periods but a lot lighter much better than my previous experience with the copper coil that gave me very heavy periods.

thatsforsure · 22/09/2020 07:22

it was painful to put in
the nurse cut the strings v short and it cant be removed
i have been told to just leave it in as i am menopausal
this feels a bit wierd
That said I didnt have a period for years and save a f-ing fortune on tampons!

ohidoliketobe · 22/09/2020 07:22

Very sorry to hear about your assault Flowers
My mirena coil experience
Fitted 3.5 years ago - was like a slightly longer and more uncomfortable smear test. Some cramping for a few days and little bit of spot bleeding.
My periods were still a bit heavy but they were definetely shorter in duration. When I queried this I was told I was "one of the unlucky ones"

I have fallen pregnant on it. And currently going through a horrific process of trying to date the pregnancy, understand what has happened and the implications/ viability of this pregnancy as the device is still "active".

I understand that I'm the 1 in 200, but as that person I do not recommend.

BendingSpoons · 22/09/2020 07:24

I had one fitted 3 months after giving birth. It wasn't bad for me. Quite uncomfortable briefly but not as bad as a sweep I'd had a few months before. I have just remembered though that I had a different brand, something like Kylena, which is apparently smaller but more expensive. She examined me first and decided that was best. I was probably lucky to be offered it.

I wasn't having periods when it was fitted (breastfeeding), but once they returned they were almost non-existent. Only really when wiping.

Itwasaquarterpast11 · 22/09/2020 07:25

Not been great for me. Painful insertion, although exacerbated by other factors (dodgy body, biopsy just before, no warning!). Bleeding has reduced but not stopped, so I only bleed now maybe 4/7 days a week. However, for friends it has been brilliant.

Landlubber2019 · 22/09/2020 07:29

I've had mine years, I had it replaced a few years ago at the GUM clinic where the team were fantastic. I went alone, took pain relief beforehand and spoke to the nurse about my concerns. I had a very traumatic birth and struggle with clinicians doing anything in that region now! After a few period type pains it settled and it's been no issue.

Chocolateteabag · 22/09/2020 07:31

Mine took about 6 months to calm down - periods were much lighter but never ending - but then nothing

I agree with PP - was painful inserting and cramps afterwards but I had had 2 VB's

Maybe the Depo injection might suit you better OP?

movingonup20 · 22/09/2020 07:31

Was simple to insert, no pain took seconds, I had no pain relief. Did get cramps after 3-4 days then bled for 2 weeks, since barely any bleeding and no issues

mellowgreenspring · 22/09/2020 07:49

@thatsforsure you need to get a second opinion on that advice, which is simply awful btw.

Roselilly36 · 22/09/2020 07:49

I am on my third and final mirena, as this one will take me through the menopause.

I had the mirena due to really heavy periods, the best thing I did to be honest, periods stopped, sometimes have a very brief one but hardly anything at all.

If I am honest the insertion for me has been really painful each time, but it’s over quickly and then you have nothing to worry about for a few years. My GP fitted mine, she is really lovely, gentle & caring, she recommended Feminax ultra to be taken an hour before the appointment, she also used some anaesthetic to numb my cervix. It still hurt but it was bearable, I had cramping for a day or so after, but no problems since.

Good luck OP with whatever you decide, personally I think the mirena is a great option to alleviate heavy periods.

ShanghaiDiva · 22/09/2020 07:54

I had the same problem with heavy bleeding and very low iron levels and mirena has sorted this as no more periods.
Insertion was uncomfortable rather than painful.

lasangoles · 22/09/2020 07:57

I really need it as my periods are ruining my life at the moment. They're unbearable. But I'm just so worried that I will freak out at someone causing me pain in that region. I'm actually feeling sick even thinking about it. Very close to backing out.

OP posts:
luckystarmaking · 22/09/2020 08:11

@ohidoliketobe

I have fallen pregnant on it. And currently going through a horrific process of trying to date the pregnancy, understand what has happened and the implications/ viability of this pregnancy as the device is still "active"

I'm on the coil too and going through the same thing. Found out yesterday that I'm pregnant and will have the coil removed today. I don't want to keep the baby and I've had a termination before which was traumatic.

hanahsaunt · 22/09/2020 08:16

I'm on my fourth. I have always taken paracetamol and ibuprofen the hour before but it's still uncomfortable and can be quite sore on insertion but it doesn't last. Stopped my periods completely which is a joy. It's quite a long appointment time for mirena insertion so do talk to the person doing the procedure - take the time you need to talk through it so that they can help as much as possible.

BigKnickers87 · 22/09/2020 08:21

I have an awkward cervix and mine took about half an hour to fit. It wasn’t pleasant but not that painful at all. I’ve had two kids though. Pure hell after that. I bled heavily for the entire time I had it fitted. The doctor gave me tablets to lighten the flow which helped but it didn’t stop the bleeding. It was also really uncomfortable and I could feel it inside me. After 6 weeks I gave up and had it out. I got lucky with a cancellation to have it out though, initially they said it could be waiting weeks. I was so miserable I tried to get it out myself. On the plus side it’s been out a few weeks and I feel much better. Just waiting for all the spots it gave me to disappear now. Some people love it but absolutely never again for me!!!

Catiopea · 22/09/2020 08:22

I understand the fear Iasa, I don’t know how great your GP is but it is best to tell them your fears and expectations (e.g. only females attending) and you may need to repeat that to booking and to whoever is fitting it on the day. Unfortunately most gynae type places will have treated assault survivors before, they will be sensitive to your feelings.

PP have given the pros/cons of the mirena itself and suggested practical things like diazepam or painkillers, so from an emotional angle:

Prepare yourself by remembering that it is a medical procedure and not the same situation as the assault(s). The doctor and nurse are coming from a place of care for you.

Having a small ‘mantra’ can help during the procedure to repeat to yourself, or a stress ball (since handholding will be out) and the assisting nurse may also try to chat with you to distract you, and importantly, if you say ‘Stop’ they will. You have choices, you are in control of your own body.

Clear the rest of your day if you can, have easy, tasty food in the house and maybe hot water bottle, blanket, film, because you may feel upset/tearful after its all over and you’ve gotten through it.

Or you may feel uplifted as its one more ‘first’ after the attack(s) survived and dealt with (first time leaving house, first day back at work, first conversation with a male etc) and one more step in your life that leaves the attacker further behind you and you further forward in your recovery and life.

Flowers I hope it goes well for you Iasa it isn’t easy, but it is probably worth it for your physical & mental health once its done.

BigKnickers87 · 22/09/2020 08:22

Oh and I took painkillers before the insertion so I didn’t even feel any cramps or anything. The most painful thing afterwards was my thighs having been open for so long!!

TOFO1965 · 22/09/2020 08:23

I had one for four years, it was great. It stopped my periods completely (though I did have spotting for about 6 weeks). The insertion was fine too, not dissimilar to a smear. A bit of cramping, absolutely nothing I couldn’t handle. I have a tilted cervix so I expected it to be dreadful, but it really wasn’t. I even went and did the weekly shop afterwards.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.