To think a Mirena Coil can’t be my only option?

[ThornAmongstRoses]

I’m coming up to 38 years old and I have had heavy periods for as long as I can remember.

When my period arrived (30 days cycle) I am basically flooding for about 48 hours and then it slows down to minimal bleeding for another 3-4 days. Those first 48 hours are horrendous, clots will just fall out of me and I’m frequently soaking through sanitary towels and clothes etc, just really horrific.

I can’t take hormonal contraception due to other medication I am taking - I last used the contraception pill 20 years ago.

10 years ago I had a Mirena coil put in (for contraception purposes, not because of my bad periods) and although it did its job well for about four years (periods almost disappeared) I had an absolute horrendous experience when it came to removing it.

I’d had that Mirena removed for the purpose of TTC and then a year after the baby was born I went back to my GP to have another one inserted where I had a really traumatic experience - I had tears in my eyes because of the pain during the procedure. I only kept that one in for 8 months because I just wouldn’t stop bleeding. It was only light bleeding but enough to have to use sanitary towels every day (I maybe had a few days respite here and there a few times a month) so after 8 months of constantly being told “things will settle down” I had it removed. Thankfully that removal was problem free.

That was about five years ago now and I have since had another child who is coming up four years old.

Over the last year my periods seem to have got even worse to the point where I have to take 3 iron tablets a day to maintain my Hb. This time last year my levels were so low I almost had to have a blood transfusion. I was sent for an USS of the womb to see if there were any obvious reasons as to why my periods were so bad but it came back clear.

Even now, a year after taking iron tablets three times a day my Hb is still only just within acceptable limits: range is 120-150 and I usually sit at 122-125 when I have my bloods checked.

Anyway, my GP said my periods are most likely the cause of my persistent anaemia and so I was put on the waiting list to have another Mirena which I’m due to have done next week.

However, I really don’t feel happy about it as my previous two experiences weren’t particularly joyful ones and it also made me gain weight and lose my sex drive a little - things I already struggle with since having the children.

So I really don’t think I want it done but at the same time I feel I have no other option.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and a different solution was found?

My situation is similar. But my periods have changed to be all over the place as well as heavy. My anaemia was so bad I had iron infusions. In addition my mum died from ovarian cancer and her doctor warned that I should have a full hysterectomy at 40 to stop the risk of getting ovarian as hers was extremely aggressive. So I'm currently discussing things with the hospital to work out risks (I have other medical issues) and to see if we can plan a hysterectomy. I don't want the coil and I'm so fed up of being messed with I just wish they would take it all away and stop the problem.

You could try a Kyleena which is a hormonal coil but it's physically smaller and has a lower dose than the Mirena. Still requires insertion obviously and may have side effects but hopefully fewer (I haven't noticed any).

Have you tried a menstrual cup? Won’t fix anything but they hold more than tampons etc and so gives you more time to find a toilet. I’ve also found taking ibuprofen helps to stem the flow and reduce clots.

I would agree with enid blyton about a cup - also have found period pants useful as a back up - Modibodi extra heavy ones to catch the overflow.

Do you have any other issues with bleeding or bruising?
Have you tried tranexamic acid?

Do you have any other issues with bleeding or bruising? Have you tried tranexamic acid?

I bruise easily.

One GP did mention tranexamic acid but then she realised it’s not compatible with a health condition I have so it was taken off the table.

I had an endometrial ablation and it’s been life changing. I’ve had no bleeding at all for 4 years since I’ve had it done. You can’t conceive after having it done so you need to be sure you don’t want any more dc and you may need to be sterilised to be sure as pregnancy is risky. My doctor was happy for me to continue with the mirena but I’m older than you so pregnancy was a lower risk and I’d had no problems with the mirena.

I can't take the pill due to medication I am taking and have awful periods the same as you OP. I went to have the mirena and they had to stop as it was so painful - I reluctantly had the depo injection and it has miraculously stopped my periods altogether. Not sure if this is an option?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/von-willebrand-disease/
Maybe you need to see a haematologist?

I have just been put on Norethisterone tp take whilst waiting for an endometrial abolution.

It won't be for you if you want more children but my.bleeding is constant and I can't leave the house. After walking my child 5 minutes to school and being soaked through to my ankles we decided enough was enough

I had problems with mirena and went on to have a endometrial ablation however this is only suitable if you don't want any more children.

beachmum - that sounds awful And was the procedure a complete success?

Dongray - I have asked my mom and my sister if they had/have bad periods but they said not. They don’t particularly bruise easily either. I’ve never had anyone pass comments about my bleeding in that I’ve had two caesareans, and another abdominal surgery and also had two wisdom teeth removed without anything being said. I shall still mention it to my GP though.

I definitely won’t be having any more children so that’s not anything I need to factor into any decisions I make.

If you don't want any more children I'd talk to your GP about an ablation. I had one and a sterilisation at the same time and it's been life changing. You will need to prepare yourself for saying "no, we definitely don't want any more children" every time you talk to someone about it.

I had a coil because of really heavy long periods with clots of blood the first few days. I was also had anaemia. I had the coil inserted under general as I can’t tolerate a smear without extreme pain and anxiety, i have had no problems. I’ve since had that coil removed and another inserted. My periods didn’t stop after the first coil but got a lot lighter, probably like other women’s periods and then after the second coil they pretty much stopped.

Hi: Ive had a mirena coil fitted in Dec 2021 for post memopausal reasons. Im still going through the side effects of spotting and occasional tummy cramps. Spoke with GP and was told because Im still in the 'settling in' period.

However, since 5 days ago I started to have severe lower back pain, which unfortunately coincided with a light period and tummy cramps. I put the back pain down to a pulled muscle, as Ive been picking up plant pots after the storm. I saw an Osteopath and he did some soft tissue work, and although I feel some relief I am still uncomfortable, especially when I try to bend forward and also lifting my leg to put on underwear.

Osteopath said he had never seen me in such a bad state and booked me in for a follow up 4 days later. It crossed my mind that perhaps this back pain might be connected to the mirena coil, rather than me moving plant pots. I keep myself very fit and have good muscle strength, so am somewhat surprised.

5 days later my back is still uncomfortable and whatever I do doesnt seem to offer much relief - ice packs, heat pads, ibuprofen, ibuleve gel, resting it. I find when Im in bed lying on my back it's ok. When I stand up, sit down or try to get up it really hurts.

Question is: has any of you ladies with a mirena coil ever experienced lower back pain similar to mine? Your comments would be much appreciated

What about depo injection? That made my periods stop completely.

If you can have the mirena then would the mini pill not be an option as it has the same sort of hormone as the coil?

In the same boat here. It’s horrendous. Iron tablets due to anemia and their latest suggestion was the mini pill. Scans showed nothing ‘wrong’. So that’s six weeks of full on bleeding then and I’ve just taken myself off it.
Mirena gave me non-stop bleeding, the ring fell out(!), they won’t give the combined pill because of my age… Apparently the mini-pill is my only hope and that clearly hasn’t worked. If these were men’s problems, they’d have been solved years ago!

Yes coil doesnt suit all. I had arm implant. Tried pills including Dianette. Coil now. Not sure op but I had to trial a few things. Coil is effective my bleeding is lighter

I was exactly the same in that I couldn't walk or leave the house without major flooding. I've not got kids and don't want them. I'm now 42 and have been taking norethisterone for 14-15 years and haven't had a period in all that time. I call it my miracle drug and it changed my life. A few years ago my doctor retired and the new one tried to make me have a coil and I refused. They couldn't guarantee it would work and said it would take 6 months to stop my periods so I asked them how I was meant to live and work during that time. In the end I had further investigations at the hospital and the doctor I saw sent a very firm letter to my doctor saying he saw no reason to take me off the medication. I think it terrified my doctor and I've had no objections since.

if you're family is complete why not go for more permanent options like pushing for an endometrial ablation? have you been referred to a gynecologist?

I had the same problem with awful flooding periods and the resulting anaemia. GP wanted me to have a coil but I refused, tried the mini pill which gave me awful mood swings and tranexamic acid which did nothing. GP then said they had no other options so I ordered norethisterone over the internet and took that continuously for about 18 months. Have fortunately now reached the menopause and things have improved but it was a rotten few years of my life.

@AnotherEmma

You could try a Kyleena which is a hormonal coil but it's physically smaller and has a lower dose than the Mirena. Still requires insertion obviously and may have side effects but hopefully fewer (I haven't noticed any).

I was going to suggest a Jaydess coil.

I found norethisterone horrendous - it affected my mood terribly. Mini pill also. Cannot take combined pill. Also on iron, and tranexamic acid. Don’t want a coil - too many terrible stories about not being able to have it removed. Yesterday had hysteroscopy to see if there is any reason for ridiculous periods. All seemed fine. To be honest, at this point I’d quite like the whole dysfunctional lot removed.

Cimmy that does not sound right at all. I got my coil in Oct 21 and never had pain like that. Did you get your strings checked a month after having coil inserted, to make sure it's in correct position?