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?

@fufulina - which, ironically, is what one sympathetic GP told me would have happened 50-60 years ago! Women got to their late 30s/early 40s, had the problems we’re all experiencing and went for hysterectomies. Now - these clearly weren’t without risk - but they were life changing for those women they worked for!

I'd be asking for a gynae referral for endometrial ablation.

I’ve read some many positive stories about hysterectomy. Why don’t they do them so regularly now? Although I did read that 1 in 3 women in the uk will have had a hysterectomy by 60. And I can’t find it now, but I was shocked and wondered if I’m not quite at the age that it starts happening. My (very dismissive) GP said to me “it’s a coil or a hysterectomy”, and at first I thought that sounded extreme, but actually the testimonials I read suggest it is positively life changing.

Hysterectomy isn’t as common as it used to be. We know that it can cause issues with continence, menopause, prolapse. It’s big surgery.

Ablations etc tend to be much better in managing bleeding disorders, as well as using some other medications.

My SIL had similar problems to you. She did not want another coil fitted and opted for a hysterectomy. She told me that it was the best decision that she had ever made! She did have to fund this privately though.