Mirena coil regret. WIBU to have removed this early?

[earthtopluto]

Would it be unreasonable of me to have the mirena coil removed after only three weeks?

I don't feel like I fully understood the side effects before I had it put in. The doctor told me I might have a week or so of spotting then irregular periods. So far I've been bleeding enough to be changing my pad every 2-4 hours and feel really tired and shitty. My iron levels were already really low and I feel like I had just got back on track with my iron tablets.

I'm in a fairly new relationship and we haven't had sex yet. As much as I would like to, and he's said the blood doesn't bother him, it makes me uncomfortable and I won't put myself in that position.

I've read up on this and looked at a couple of groups online and see that a lot of women bleed for months on end.

My doc has given me tranexamic acid to help with the bleeding but so far it hasn't worked.

Had anyone experienced similar? Would it be too hasty to have it removed this early when it could be life changing if I persevere?

Feeling a bit shit...

There are two types of mirena. The copper which makes periods heavier and the plastic t shaped one which makes them lighter. Which ones have you got? There is an IUS and an IUD.

I wanted mine out after a few weeks but was persuaded to persevere and after about 6-8 weeks it kicked in. Periods stopped completely for me. That was in 1994, and I still have one in now at 62 as part of my hrt.

I bled every day for six months with Mirena. I begged GP to take it out and cried with relief when they did. Worse thing ever, my body just completely rejected it. If it feels wrong then listen to your instincts.

Reading this is just awful. I react badly to combined pill so coil should be an option but hearing stories of doctors refusing to remove them makes me scared to try it. In the 21st century we should have better care.

I have a copper one which I've found great if it helps at all. No hormones so no really change to my period, they last a day longer. No in between bleeding either
I had the same with microgynon I think it was, bled constantly

I had mine removed after 6 weeks. Absolutely horrendous thing.

It’s your choice whether to keep it in or not, though it might not be presented like that to you by the GP.

If you want it out, and get any shit, say very clearly something along the lines of “I no longer give consent for this device to be in my body and would like it removed ASAP.’ If they go for a fob-off, ask ‘are you refusing to remove it? I will reiterate: I withdraw my consent to this medical treatment, or having this medical device in my body, and request its swift removal”. And if it’s not removed, and you’re not given an appointment within 2 weeks, go straight to complaint.

It’s outrageous that women are refused removal. It is the PATIENT who gives consent for medical treatment, the Dr doesn’t give consent on a patient’s behalf

There are two types of mirena
There are two types of COIL- the mirena and the copper
I guess you also have the option of going on the pill for a couple of months to cover the settling in period and then try off it and see if it is all good then?

My doctor told me she doesn't put them in as they are under strict instructions not to take them out again. She said in the majority of cases they cause significant problems and she doesn't agree with them!

I’m glad you’re leaving it a bit longer. Mine took around 6 months to fully settle, although the constant bleeding/spotting slowed and stopped within 2 months. It’s been 9 months now and I’ve settled into a regular four week pattern and still have periods but they are nothing like I had before - so light I barely know I have them - it’s such a relief after struggling with ridiculously heavy ones for years. The better news is my iron level is the best it has been since I was 19! No matter what I did before the coil, I couldn’t get into the normal range, but now I am. It is hard at the start but I’d say give it at least 3 months because if it works for you, it does for the majority of women, it’s just people are more likely to tell the horror stories, it will change your life.

I never stopped having heavy periods with mine, but persevered and even had a second one put in. The second one fell off. It was butchery - I passed enormous clots everywhere - office, bus home, dinner with my ILs 😳. All very traumatic and felt like my innards were coming out.

I didn’t try for a third one.

I had mine taken out within days of having one fitted, I honestly don't get how any woman can actually put up with them, The wires got caught in my knickers, if I went to the loo and wiped without thinking I nearly pulled the thing out myself, omg the pain. I couldn't have sex without nearly garrotting my partners penis, it was an utterly miserable time. I went back, explained it wasn't for me and it was taken out without a murmur.

If you're not happy get it removed

I can't believe GPs refuse to remove it, how is that ethical?! Why do they get to override your bodily autonomy on this?

If you want it removed OP, stand your ground and kick up a fuss

The mirena coil and the copper are two different coils the mirena has progesterone will slowly reduces the lining of the womb hence the bleeding. The copper coil is entirely different.

I bled quite heavily for 6 weeks but then it just stopped and I didn't bleed again for 6 years...it was AMAZING! I was close to having it out but I am so glad I persevered!

I had mine out after 6 months, it was hellish! I gained nearly a stone, and felt weepy and anxious all the time. Also had bad period like cramp constantly.

I got an infection as soon as I had mine in and I got it took out again not long after! I'm thinking of trying to again now though to help with peri symptoms and heavy painful periods. HRT isn't working for me.

Just to add a counterpoint, I had awful pain with mine, went on for weeks, went to the sexual health clinic after about a month and asked for it to be taken out, which they did no bother as soon as I asked. So if it’s not agreeing with you it’s worth asking!

I had light bleeding for 6-8 weeks with my first.

I had lots of abdominal pain with my second.

A friend had lots of pain to start e we org so has hers out quickly.

Is read before I had mine that gps can be disinclined to remove them so be strong and ask for a another GP if you want it out.

Yours sounds like a lot of blood rather than mine which was just like the two end of a period for weeks - I'm having the same issue now. Just started on the Nuvaring and am in week 3 of light bleeding.

I bled lightly but continuously for first few months with mine but then my periods stopped which was great. I did however get a lot of ovarian cysts when I had it which caused quite a lot of abdominal pain. On balance I decided not to have a second one and am on mini pill to manage periods.

I am on my third.
My first, I bled solidly for 6 weeks, like a big full-on period. Then it eased and I spotted progressively less for another 6 or so weeks. By about 4 months all bleeding including spotting had stopped. And I have never had a period since.

I have had mild spotting a cramping for a day or two on the two occasions I have had it replaced after the 5 year time period is up but that’s it. Did I mention no periods now coming up to nearly 15 years . For me it was an incredibly small price to pay initially but we are all different. Did I mention the no period for 15 year thing, can you tell how happy that makes me.

@DimplesToadfoot it sounds like your Mirena wasn't fitted properly. The strings should be trimmed so that they are just able to be felt if you put your finger right up (sorry TMI).

I love mine. I'm on my third. The first was fitted a few months after DD was born. I had a few short periods then nothing. I've been period free for nearly 17 years.

I had mine just a few weeks.. it caused an infection and the dr refused to remove it because he hadn't inserted it (it was done following a termination at a hospital). My youngest dd was 6mths old and I almost dropped her due to getting sharp pains.

I had to pay for it to be done at a woman's sexual health clinic. Best thing I did. But ended up on three different antibiotics (taken all together) to clear the infection.

@whiteroseredrose

Ooh no my strings were hanging out by a good 6 inches or more. Maybe that's why she took it out without question, then never told me ... over... that actually doesn't sound good :-(

If you're bleeding that much for so long I would expect them to send you for an ultrasound to check it's been fitted properly and hasn't ruptured your uterus or anything (although I think that would give you pain). I bled on a range of spotting when wiping to couldn't leave the house for about a year until it eventually bled itself out (or at least that's what we assume happened to it!). Mine was fitted to help with heavy bleeding caused by fibroids so I think the underlying issue of those didn't help. That said, i hated it and was on the point of asking for it to be removed on a number of occasions.