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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To consider a Mirena (even though I'm scared and kind of freaked out by it?)

79 replies

BagLadyy · 19/04/2021 11:30

YABU = Don't get Mirena
YANBU = Do get it

Recently had my implant removed after 8 years of hormonal contraception.

Ovulation is always painful for me, and heavy periods, and the implant lessened both (although still had ovulation pain and periods but lighter.

I wanted a break from the hormones though, as I don't have a clue what my cycle would be like after so long. But got to say - I'm not enjoying natures way very much!

When I was having the implant removed (took a while!) the Doctor was singing the praises of the Mirena, and I have friends who do the same.

I'm not a squeamish person with my own body, happily use a menstrual cup, fully comfortable with my own anatomy etc etc. But something about "checking the strings" gives me the heeby jeebies.

And I've heard a few insertion horror stories (again, smear tests are fine for me, have given birth vaginally without painkiller)

just wanted to get a wider opinion if possible please?

(it's not really about contraception as DH is getting a vasectomy, more about me wanting the easiest life cycle wise)

I could always go back to the implant/pill also as other options.

OP posts:

Wannabegreenfingers · 19/04/2021 11:35

Love mine, on my second. Almost no periods here, just occasional very light bloody discharge. They did take 6 months to settle down after first having it though.

Original poster

BagLadyy · 19/04/2021 11:37

@Wannabegreenfingers - thanks

How was the insertion/pain afterwards?

How's sex? or smears?

OP posts:

MatildaTheCat · 19/04/2021 12:03

On on my 5th Mirena so it’s fair to say I’m a fan. Cant say I ever check the strings. Since the first one went in 25 years ago I never had a period. Joy.

Nobody can say if it will suit you or not. Only way to find out is to give it a go.

ThatOtherPoster · 19/04/2021 12:06

I love mine. It’s the only hormonal contraceptive that hasn’t given me any side effects.

I still get periods, though. But I had it because my periods were super heavy and it has reduced them.

nancydrewsupersleuth · 19/04/2021 12:07

It's one of the best life decisions I've made. It was pretty miserable before I had it and I was bleeding daily for months on end. No pain on insertion and no ongoing pain since.

AryaStarkWolf · 19/04/2021 12:08

I'm on my second, the first time I was under general anesthetic (not for the insertion, it was for something else and they inserted it at the same time), second time I was under local plus gas and air (again not just for the insertion for other things) I have to say like you, I'm dreading having to get it removed without any of those things.

Unluckily for me I still get a period on it, a lot of people's stop completely though, i was hoping that would be me :(

Hardbackwriter · 19/04/2021 12:11

Had one before I had DS1 (3 years ago) and loved it. The insertion was really painful but that was before I had had children and that's supposed to be much worse - I'm having one put in tomorrow morning now that I've had my second child and am sure I don't want more, so if you want I can report back on whether or not is it better if you've given birth! Having the first one removed was, to my surprise, painless.

museumum · 19/04/2021 12:13

I’m on my second and happy.
The hormones are released directly into the womb rather than circulating your whole body so they are far lower dose.
Insertion is a little sore but quick. Then pmt type cramps for a day or so then nothing. I still get ovulation pain but no periods.

MissMooMoo · 19/04/2021 12:13

I just got one 3 weeks ago. So far it's great, no spotting or mood swings like I had on the implant.
I had it put in on CD 3, they told me it's easiest to insert during your period. The doctor doing it used some numbing gel first and I didn't feel anything at all.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 19/04/2021 12:13

I had mine removed in February after 2 years. I understand why no one gets pregnant using one as it completely killed my sex drive!

I have had my tubes tied and only had it fitted due to extremely painful periods, I would pick the painful periods any day over the mirena.

Insert1x20p · 19/04/2021 12:14

Also on my second - had my youngest DC 9 years ago and had it in right after. No periods and basically no cycle (occasionally get sore boobs/ bit of water retention for a few days but that could be peri-menopause now). I probably should check the strings more than I do but if you're using a moon cup, definitely no worse than that.

What I would say is they are a bit marmite- people either seem to love them or cannot get on with them at all and get them taken out within weeks. I feel its definitely worth the risk though. For me it's been WAY better than the pill (used that pre-DC) as I still had quite heavy periods with that.

SandrasAnnoyingFriend · 19/04/2021 12:17

Love mine. No periods and no side effects.
Didn't mind having the first one put in, found the second time worse because it's removal and insertion. But an evening on the sofa with a hot water bottle is not exactly a hardship when I think of all the horrible periods I've avoided.

SandrasAnnoyingFriend · 19/04/2021 12:18

Definitely no issue with sex drive here

emmathedilemma · 19/04/2021 12:21

I hated it! Had one fitted to try and resolve very heavy bleeding caused by fibroids. Fitting was nippy but I haven't had a vaginal birth but nothing too unbearable. However, it did nothing for the bleeding and if anything it made it worse. I had period pains like I've never had in my life and spotting / bleeding for more days in the month than I didn't. Once it fell out I realised it had also been affecting my mood and I had absolutely no sex drive.

Cabernetto · 19/04/2021 12:23

I've had mine in 2 and a half years and it's been great. I've also had a copper coil before and Mirena is much better. I asked for the Mirena because my periods were gradually getting so bad that I couldn't move for the pain.

I've never given birth but found insertion fine both times. It does hurt but it's over very quickly (a minute or two at most). I cannot imagine that it could be worse than childbirth. Afterwards I had strong period-type pains for a few hours, but nowhere near as bad as an actual pre-coil period.

As for checking the threads, it's a bit like checking that a tampon is in the right position. It's just a quick sweep of your finger to make sure there's something there. If you really can't face it then I'm not sure it's 100% necessary because an incorrectly-sited coil will have other symptoms than missing threads, but more medically-inclined types might disagree. I do check mine, it's easy.

Don't notice it during sex or smears. DP has never said he can feel it.

You say you use a menstrual cup; I'm sure I've read that it isn't recommended if you have a coil, but my periods are now so light I wouldn't need one anyway.

mouldygrapes · 19/04/2021 12:24

Huge fan. Had them back to back for about 13yrs, nothing more than light spotting infrequently.
No issue with sex (or sex drive) or smears.
Took it out in May last year to TTC and periods came back within 6ish weeks.
Now pregnant, I’m fairly sure I’ll get one back in after baby is here

rosesinmygarden · 19/04/2021 12:26

I've had two.

Mirena one was in my late 20s/early 30s. I still bled every month and spotted permanently with just a few days break each month. I had it removed after a year due to the bleeding/spotting. The periods were far lighter though so I suppose it did work to an extent.

Mirena two expelled by itself about 3 weeks ago. I'm now early 40s. I had it fitted in November to help with horrible heavy periods. It hasn't helped at all and I've had horrific pain and even heavier bleeding each month while it constantly tried to make its escape. The GP wouldn't believe me and refused to even check it so I was left with pain and bleeding until it worked its way out.

I think it just doesn't suit me as friends swear by it and have had no problems.

Just bear in mind that you'll have to live with it and any side effects for months on end as it can take that long for it to 'settle' and many GPs won't remove it at your request.

Mrbob · 19/04/2021 12:30

Bloody amazing. Haven’t had a period in over a decade. Not the most pleasant going in when you have never had kids, cramping afterwards for a day then forget it’s there and can shag away.

Givemecoffeeplease · 19/04/2021 12:30

I love mine. Insertion isn’t fun but it isn’t awful (and my doctor gives me diazepam if I request it for insertion) and no bleeding. My husband can’t feel it. I’ve never bothered to check the strings.

Happycat1212 · 19/04/2021 12:35

Having to check the strings is something that put me off but my sister said she never checks the strings and said no one does 🤷‍♀️ I haven’t got one as I’m still freaked out at the thought

AryaStarkWolf · 19/04/2021 12:36

@SandrasAnnoyingFriend

Definitely no issue with sex drive here

Yeah me neither

By the looks of this thread, everyone's experiences are very different, I don't think we're helping the OP at all, only making her more confused

AryaStarkWolf · 19/04/2021 12:38

@Happycat1212

I'm on my second and have never checked the strings :p

JudgeRindersMinder · 19/04/2021 12:39

Another non string checker here. I’ve had it for 20 odd years and no issues, or periods.
I’ve just had a new one to help me through the menopause

hellcatspangle · 19/04/2021 12:42

I've not had any problems with mine, and it made my horrific periods disappear, so it's a win for me.

StarCourt · 19/04/2021 12:57

I had 2 and my periods stopped completely which after a lifetime of really heavy painful ones was heaven. However the 2nd Mirena started to expel itself out of my body and became embedded in the neck of my womb. It was very painful and put me off having another

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