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

[BagLadyy]

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.

I'm on my second - no periods, no noticeable change in sex drive, no issues at all really. Occasional spotting around when my period would be. No problems during sex. I love it - made my life so much easier.

I checked the strings a couple of times when I first got them in to check they were still in (not to be graphic, I just felt upwards and they were there, nothing difficult). But I've never done it since (oops).

It's funny - for the entire first 5 years I was telling myself insertion was the worst thing ever ever (although worth it), but I had the second in a few months ago and it wasn't nearly as bad as I remember, I think cos I knew what to expect. It's not fun, obviously, but it's over very quickly.

I'm in year 4 of copper coil, so I can't say what more a is like but the insertion wasn't too pleasant, however, a hot water bottle and paracetamol did the trick. Never checked the strings though. I should but I can't reach them.

I'm on my second
First one under GA while having other stuff done
Second one I can only describe as agony as it went in. But it wasn't for long, but I think my body was a bit shocked it almost made me vomit! Bit of cramp for a while then nothing.

I had one to help alleviate heavy periods/fibroids when I started having heavy, painful periods every 3 weeks. It didn't shrink the latter but it was a huge relief not having periods. I had spotting for a few months until it settled down. The one thing that bothered me was just the thought of having a string hanging down and it actually disappeared for a while but came back out months later. It also hurt like hell when it was eventually removed by my gp but I'm a wuss who always finds smear tests painful and have a tilted cervix. I don't have one now but I'm post meno now.

I'm on my third. I am positively evangelical about them - slightly uncomfortable period-like pains just after insertion, but then no periods worth mentioning (yay!)

I have been suffering extreme bleeding and ultrasound showed probable adenomyosis.

Had a coil fitted last year and spot bled continuing for a few weeks and then severe bleed and it came out.

Had another fitted in January. Spot bleed again a lot and then had another really heavy period.

This months so far has been lighter but I still get the cramps. It is possible I'll build up to heavy again as mine get heavier and heavier over 10 days and then lighter for 4.

Checking the strings is fine. That's probably the thing I've found easiest out of all of it!

They can take 3-6 months to settle periods if you are having it for heavy bleeds.

Oh and mine was freaking painful being fitted - both times! But it only for a few seconds and after the first when I passed out we were all prepared for the second time and I managed to stay conscious (barely!).

I didn't get on with it. It gave me stomach cramps and affected my DH's sex drive.

It hurt him during sex. I got the strings cut but, apparently, it made it ten times worse. Barbed wire was how he described it.

Awful things. My DD ended up in A&E with hers. When they did a scan it was in the wrong place and very misshapen.

I had one in and both on insertion and removal, the doctor pinched my skin on my vulva, god it hurt. Whilst it was in, had no problems with the string, never checked it or felt uncomfortable.

When I had it removed, I have to admit that after a few days I felt like a weight had been lifted off me, I was less anxious, nervous, felt less moody, it was really strange as I didn't really think anything was 'wrong' whilst on it.

I've had two, great, no issues, but I had them inserted and removed/replaced under sedation (which was basically an anaesthetic) as they are for endometriosis and so both times I had ablation as well.

I would perhaps ask around to try to get it done by someone with a good amount of experience. I reckon (although they're unlikely to admit it) that some doctors are much better at this stuff.

Had one fitted over a year ago for very heavy periods.

Still get periods, lighter but nearly 2 weeks long! SO have swopped very heavy bleeding for one week for lighter bleeding for double that.

Put on weight, not down to food, just severely bloated all the time. Only since coil. Mood swings worse, not sure if coil, or if I'm just a bitch.

Libido even worse than before, but that could just be as am so tired all the time.

Don't check strings as cervix too far back, can't feel them.

Painful going in. Pain afterwards was horrible, really bad period pain.

Overall though, I have to take all of the rough, with the one smooth that is able to leave the house without bleeding through everything all the time, and the risk of iron levels so low.

Wish it made periods go away though. Sick of them.

Oh and a doctor did mine and she was awesome.

I’m a Gp and I fit/remove them. I also have one.
Professional opinion:
Generally easy to fit in women who have laboured, crappy period type pain during fit and usually for a few days later. Bit more painful than a smear but not much. Irregular bleeding in the first 6 months is fairly common but within that time a lot of women find their periods lighter or stop altogether. Risks are initially pain, bleeding and infection. There is around a 1 in 1000 risk of making a hole in the womb during fit. We advise checking threads around once a month. After a period of you have then, if not then try to do monthly. It’s no more difficult for most women than using a tampon without an applicator. Some male partners can feel threads (which are like a nylon texture) in which case using a finger to move them, changing position or trimming the threads shorter can help.
There are 2 others available, Jaydess and Kyleena. These have lower dose of hormone so can be in for shorter time and in my experience of Jaydess irregular bleeding seems to happen more.
Personally:
I’m on my 3rd one. First pre-DS was painful, other 2 after DS totally fine. I still sometimes feel pain on ovulating but have no periods. Never had a problem with DH feeling it and try and practice what I preach and check threads monthly but often forget!

www.fpa.org.uk/sites/default/files/ius-your-guide.pdf

This is a good source of info.

Sorry crampy not crappy!
Also if bleeding is problematic we sometimes top up the hormone with a contraceptive pill for a few months which tends to solve the issue.

I've had the Mirena for a decade, am on my second one. Got prescribed a strong painkiller to take before insertion, didn't feel a thing.

No periods for a decade. Bliss!

I was that rare 1 who had it perforate my uterus and needed it surgically removing some 18 months or so after having it

TBH I've had issues ever since - but I know the majority of people who have them really love them

Absolutely life changing for me, no side effects, my periods stopped immediately, and I had menopause without noticing.
It was inserted under general anaesthetic though (at the same time as a hysteroscopy). I found the first attempt too painful.

awful experience for me. Was put in after a hysteroscopy under GA and straight away it gave me anxiety and stressed feeling that i used to get before my period started. Also i bleed very heavily from the time it was put in until it came out during a large heamarage about 3 months later i never felt the strings althought the gp could. I asked for it to be removed but was not allowed too. Think very carefully before doing this as once it is in if you don't like it you are stuck

I had one fitted 6 months ago for heavy, painful periods and as part of HRT. I've bled/ spotted almost every day since and am considering getting it removed. Periods are almost pain free however and as part of HRT it has improved my life significantly, I just need to weigh up the pros and cons of the daily bleeding......

I'm on my third, first two were painful to either get in or out but still totally worth it, third one (post baby) was fine.
I rarely check the strings tbh.
Don't have periods.
I recommend them 100 percent.

Surely a GP cannot actually refuse to remove it?

We have a right to choose if we have one in and should have the same right to have it out.

My GP was amazing. I was dead against it and got degesterol at first but when my periods just got heavier and constant she talked to me about it again.

Cannot fault her care and patience.

Interesting though that the female GPS seem a lot more "give these things time" and a watch and wait.
Saw a young male GP last week as my usual one on leave and needed to have review as very low ferritin. He said if my blood test is still low he wants to go straight to liking at other solutions as I shouldn't have to live my life trying to teach a lesson whilst also needing toilet every 20 minutes because I've flooded through 3 layers of sanpro.

Thought I'd report back as promised since I've just (as in 10 mins ago) had mine fitted - it hurt astonishingly less than it did when I had one fitted before I'd given birth; I thought she was still faffing about getting ready when she said all done! Whereas my first one, eight years ago, made me vomit.

I’m glad it didn’t hurt! Thanks for the update.

I’ve had kids but only through C-sections. I didn’t go into labour so my cervix has never “opened”. Not even a bit.

I’m guessing that means it’ll hurt when I have my current Mirena removed, and replaced? 😱 It was put in when I was under GA.

Hi, sorry, bit late to the party. I'm having a mirena fitted tomorrow and am a bit nervous. My period is due imminently. Will the coil stop it in its tracks? Is it likely to arrive but be lighter? Or will it be full on flooding as per normal? I have to work Friday and concerned that I wont be able to use tampons....any reassurance gratefully received!!