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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:

Mummyme87 · 19/04/2021 13:02

I have had two kids, always been on the combined pill, changed to POP after second but hated it all, the hormones etc. Had an unplanned pregnancy in summer which ended up ectopic and recommended mirena. Had the absolute heeby jeebies about it but went for it anyway. It was fine, and is fine. Don’t even think about it.
Had periods for 6months and now just brown discharge. Absolutely recommend it.

And you don’t need to check the strings as much as you may hear otherwise

SavannahLands · 19/04/2021 13:03

Emma the dilemma, l had a Mirena fitted for similar reasons to yourself and l lost it down the toilet during a really heavy period. I was lucky that l was not relying on it for contraception, it was fitted in theatre after a hystoscopy that diagnosed the Fibroids and a polyp, whilst l was a awaiting an Endometrial Ablasion proceedure, which was the best thing that l ever did.
If I had not heard the slight clink sound as it hit the toilet pan, l would not have realised that l had lost it, especially as it was quite normal for me to loose large clots capable of containing it! For someone who desperately relied on it for contraception, this could have been a problem, but like others have said, many women have used them without a problem for many years, and my last Daughter was the result of a failed, but still in place old Copper T coil!

Purplewithred · 19/04/2021 13:04

Like Matilda above, I'm on my 5th or 6th now, this one is art of my hrt

I know some people have problems but if they were mostly bad they'd have disappeared by now. Mine have transformed my life for the better.

oneglassandpuzzled · 19/04/2021 13:06

Mine was inserted as a revision to my HRT when I was 56. Insertion was a bit tricky because of equipment breaking. I took cocodamal before hand and managed it.

A little sore afterwards and some discharge on and off. But it's been brilliant after the first few weeks, when it settled in. Wish I had had it put in about a decade ago.

SheldonesqueHasGotTheWeevils · 19/04/2021 13:11

It changed my life. I’ve had a few now. This will be my last one (age/menopause).

I’ll not lie, it was bloody nippy getting them in but the pain is fleeting.

I couldn’t check the strings ever. It caused no problems.

It took a while to settle but for me it was absolutely worth it.

YellowTwinklyStar · 19/04/2021 13:11

There's another one with fewer hormones in that only lasts 3 years but I forget what it's called. Might be worth looking into if you aren't keen on hormones.

emmathedilemma · 19/04/2021 13:19

@SavannahLands

Emma the dilemma, l had a Mirena fitted for similar reasons to yourself and l lost it down the toilet during a really heavy period. I was lucky that l was not relying on it for contraception, it was fitted in theatre after a hystoscopy that diagnosed the Fibroids and a polyp, whilst l was a awaiting an Endometrial Ablasion proceedure, which was the best thing that l ever did. If I had not heard the slight clink sound as it hit the toilet pan, l would not have realised that l had lost it, especially as it was quite normal for me to loose large clots capable of containing it! For someone who desperately relied on it for contraception, this could have been a problem, but like others have said, many women have used them without a problem for many years, and my last Daughter was the result of a failed, but still in place old Copper T coil!

I wasn;t even aware of mine coming out! I was passing huge clots and it was only a week or so afterwards that I thought I should check the strings. Couldn't find them and then had an MRI as part of the investigations into fibroids which thought it was still there but a hysteroscopy and x-ray to double check it hadn't left my womb confirmed it had gone. So I can only assume that i came out with the clots and heavy bleeding. Luckily I wasn't using it for contraception and I was really cross that I got sent to A&E when I rang the NHS 24hr number and they never even told me to check for it or mentioned that it could have been expelled.

marriednotdead · 19/04/2021 13:20

My sister and I both have severe endometriosis and it has been totally life changing for her.
I'm really squeamish about it though and can't get my head round the strings and the whole positioning of it. I've been sterilised and have the clips in place so it's not a foreign body issue. My gynaecologist has finally accepted that they will never be able to talk me round!

Zealois · 19/04/2021 13:29

I'm having a coil called Kyleena put in next week. It's smaller than Mirena and has a lower dose of hormones. I was assuming I'd get Mirena but my doctor had both and Kyleena sounded good. I obviously can't offer any advice since I don't have it yet, but I'm looking forward to it after years of struggling with various pills.

Most of my friends have switched to the coil over the last few years, so I'm guessing it can't be that strange! I'm just not going to overthink it!

Northernlass99 · 19/04/2021 13:30

Best invention ever. NO PERIODS for eight years, after horrendous flooding previously. No more carrying around a kit of tampons and wipes. Wish I had gone for it years ago and not been put off by the thought of it. Erm, never checked the strings either. No problem with sex. Getting it changed was easy, bit like having a smear. GP got hold of it, said cough and it came out. Go for it, if you don’t like it you can easily get it removed. But for me the benefits have been brilliant.

Happycat1212 · 19/04/2021 13:41

It says strings should be checked monthly so that’s what people are basing that on not like we just made it up 😂

Does it always stop periods or is it just for some people? I know I would be one of the unlucky ones

SheldonesqueHasGotTheWeevils · 19/04/2021 13:50

Yes strings should be checked.

Partners could do it. Folk with long enough arms could do it.

Born again spinsters and those short of limb struggle...

BettysHotpot1 · 19/04/2021 14:04

Got mine almost 3 years ago at age 48 after years of flooding periods, various GPs had recommended it but I was always nervous. Insertion was fine, but I did have a lot of painful cramping for a few days afterwards. Mine took much longer to settle compared to others, was bleeding more often than not for 8-10 months, but it was light discharge compared to what I'd experienced for years.

I did put on a stone in 6 months with no other changes. But otherwise its changed my life, I no longer have to plan my life around periods, GP said at my age as I don't need it for contraception, I could keep it in for up to 7 years. She also told me she'd tucked the strings behind my cervix so I've never ventured that far to look for them!

Pasqual · 19/04/2021 14:33

Best thing I ever done!

mindutopia · 19/04/2021 14:37

I think there is no reason not to try. You can always have it removed.

I had a copper coil (so not quite the same) and I didn't like it - horrible, heavy, irregular periods. But I'm glad I tried it and it was easy to have it removed, even during the pandemic. I called the clinic and they had me booked in a few days later to have it out.

The actual IUD itself, insertion, checking the strings, is no big deal at all. I didn't get on with it day to day because of the effect on my period. But that was the only downside.

I opted to go the mini pill and that's worked well for me.

YumYumApplePie · 19/04/2021 14:39

I'll be having my second put in shortly, just waiting for my 6 week check after having DD.

MrsPatrickDempsey · 19/04/2021 14:41

Total life changer for me. I am on my 4th (or 5th maybe??)
No periods, no side effects. Insertion and removal not a problem for me. I am 50 now and I am using it as part of my hrt too.

Bells3032 · 19/04/2021 14:48

Honestly loved my coil. best thing i ever did. removed recently to TTC and i was so sad. went from having awful painful periods to one very light one about every six months. 6 months off now and periods are heavy but no where near as painful as they were precoil.

I never really checked my strings tbh...my doctor cut them really short. My sister had one fall out and believe me she could tell so i never really worried about it.

Just make sure you have someone experienced insert it and you'll be fine :)

ILoveWillSmith · 19/04/2021 14:50

I'm on my second, can't remember the last time I had a period. Before the Mirena my periods were a nightmare so I'm really happy with it.
When I had my first put in I was on my period, the Dr said this was good because the womb is more open etc. It took ages and it hurt like hell! She admitted afterwards that she couldn't see what she was doing as I was on my period!
Second time was no problem at all, my GP did it. She's very experienced and it was practically painless.
I've never checked the strings in 10 years of using them, I just can't reach.

Soontobe60 · 19/04/2021 14:58

No issues with insertion, it’s just like a smear test. Never checked the strings, sex life better because not bothered by long, heavy, painful periods.

AryaStarkWolf · 19/04/2021 15:02

@Happycat1212

It says strings should be checked monthly so that’s what people are basing that on not like we just made it up 😂

Does it always stop periods or is it just for some people? I know I would be one of the unlucky ones

Oh I know you're suppose to, I just never have :p

It didn't stop mine but they're less heavy and painful.

AC12reject · 19/04/2021 15:06

I had the ( rare) horrendous experience where my uterus ended up in spasm and there was a question whether it had been ruptured or not. I have not had any full term pregnancies and had spent about 25 years with crippling period pain. Apparently insertion etc is likely to be more painful for those who haven't given birth.

Absolute awful experience. Was painful getting it in, went home, vomited then worked the next day.
The supreme pain that landed me in hospital came 2 days later.
In saying that my periods are infinitely lighter but now unpredictable and most of the period pain has resolved.
I am a medical professional but I get the strings checked at my yearly smears. Not a mission am I letting anyone touch that coil without shooting me or knocking me out first.

I accept this is clearly not the norm compared to the more positive replies you have received so obviously not a regular occurrence.
Would I get it again? Not a mission.

ohidoliketobe · 19/04/2021 15:18

I understand why no one gets pregnant using one as it completely killed my sex drive

Erm... Hi 🙋🏼‍♀️... 39 weeks pregnant with mirena "miracle" DC3...

For me, insertion was slightly worse than a smear, uncomfortable, a bit painful, but over and done with in minutes. My periods tapered off and I had no issues with it for 2 years. Then started vomiting and felt like I was pregnant (hyperemesis gravidarum sufferer) took a test to rule it out and lond story short - it had migrated and I was 10 weeks pregnant.

So if you aren't relying on it for contraception, I'd recommend it.
If you have it and are relying on it for contraception - check your strings.

Coldilox · 19/04/2021 15:54

I have one purely for my periods (am gay, no need for contraception) and it’s the best thing I ever did. Having it out in was easy, my periods stopped completely working 3 months, and no issues since.

zebrarobot · 19/04/2021 16:04

Yabu. I only had mine for 9 months, sex was sore my dh could feel the strings and they are sharp like fishing line at first (but do soften over time supposedly). I bled for 9 months straight apart from the odd day here or there, totalling 13 days out of the 9 months without bleeding/spotting. I did have heavy-ish periods before getting it so never expected to have none but it was constant from about day 3 of insertion. They gave me the pill on top of it to stop the bleeding but it didnt work. It eventually came out by itself while I was in the shower one day. It wasnt until it was out i realised it had effected me mentally as I felt so much happier and calmer once it was out. Would never get another. After it was out I took the mini pill for a year and this stopped my periods completely so I dont know whether the problems I had with the mirena were down to insertion maybe? It was all checked and seemed fine when I went back after 6 months then 9 months then a week later was out. I also had hair loss while having it.

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