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Original poster

Mirena, do I do it

88 replies

Changeee1546789 · 31/03/2022 04:56

Had some awful birth injuries after DD1 (3b tear, levator ani avulsion, nerve damage, spasm in my vagina that was treated with Botox). Settled down after DD2 and some great physio/gynae.

Fast forward and my periods have been HORRIFIC. Floods overnight etc. I just thought it was normal until my iron dropped so low that I had to have iron infusion. I am now on Tranexamic Acid but GP recommended Mirena.

After a lot of thinking decided to go for it, took the pills, the jelly, happy pill etc. GP could not get cervix to open anywhere near enough, gave up and said I would need to go to specialist.

Question is - is it worth it? I am conscious of not wanting to mess with my poor vagina too much plus I do worry about the side effects but my periods aren't exactly light (and TA seems to make them last longer) so always worrying about iron. Are there any other good effects of the mirena that could persuade me?

YABU: Leave things as they are, keep taking TA
YANBU: go to specialist and get the mirena for period free heaven

OP posts:
Original poster
Changeee1546789 · 31/03/2022 06:16

Bump

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 31/03/2022 07:44

You won't necessarily be period free I wasn't, but went from flooding to just needing a pantry liner. It definitely changed my life.

Drbrowns · 31/03/2022 07:48

When I got it on I was given a muscle relaxer and local anesthetic on my cervix and was in within a few minutes. Had two months of very long periods and haven’t had a period since January 2020. Odd bit of spotting every now and then but that’s it.

MorrisOxford · 31/03/2022 07:53

I was in a similar situation to you, passing big meaty clots, and became mildly anaemic.
(No birth injuries though - so that's a factor for you).
The first Mirena took quite a while to settle down (had aches / pains and a lot of spotting) but I now haven't had a period for ten years which has been life changing.

Twizbe · 31/03/2022 07:56

I refused to have it. I don't react well to hormones and I have a cervical ectropion which would likely be irritated by it. I've also heard horror stories about getting it removed and I didn't like the idea of being stuck with it.

Instead I had an endometrial ablation done a month ago. I had it done privately at around £4k. Basically they burn off the lining of the womb. It was a very easy procedure and about a week or so recover (mostly getting over the general) for some women it stops periods totally. I've only had one cycle since and my period has been dramatically reduced. I've gone from floods and super plus tampons to barely anything and half the length. Really pleased by it.

It's not suitable if you want more children in the future and you have to be over 35 as well. I'm quite young to have it done at just 38.

PetTiger · 31/03/2022 08:01

I assume that the Mirena releases progesterone throughout the monthly cycle, doesn't that really mess with your overall hormones? I am tempted as having periods from hell. I'd be really scared of cervical ectropion and haven't got the cash to pay privately. Mirena does sound tempting but I wonder what a constant release of progesterone does to the body, mood etc

GimmeSleep · 31/03/2022 08:03

I loved mine, although my periods were usually pretty light anyway so they stopped completely after 1 month.

Will you face problems from your GP if after a few months you find it's not working for you and want to have it removed.

Onlyhuman123 · 31/03/2022 08:03

I've gone from flooding to nothing. Brilliant for me

Itloggedmeoutagain · 31/03/2022 08:06

I'm on my second.
Bit of occasional spotting with the first
Nothing at all with the second
I've never looked back

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 31/03/2022 08:08

I had my first Mirena in 1994 and have only just had my last removed where it was working as part of my HRT. It transformed my life. It stopped my periods and my PMS.

Clearly it’s a hardworking hormonal medication so while it works fantastically for many it’s not going to be right for everyone. But from my experience I’d say it’s well worth a try.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 31/03/2022 08:09

@PetTiger

I assume that the Mirena releases progesterone throughout the monthly cycle, doesn't that really mess with your overall hormones? I am tempted as having periods from hell. I'd be really scared of cervical ectropion and haven't got the cash to pay privately. Mirena does sound tempting but I wonder what a constant release of progesterone does to the body, mood etc
Personally I feel no side effects at all from the mirena. No hormonal ups and downs, and no periods. It's bliss. Also no babies, which is another bonus.
StScholastica · 31/03/2022 08:13

Be prepared that it might be uncomfortable while it settles down, for the first couple of months I had cramping every day and would gladly have had it removed. 2 years down the line I'd say it was the best thing I've ever had done.
The installation bit was horrible though, I wish I'd asked for a local anaesthetic but I wasn't offerredx one. I have a high pain threshold usually, (3 births, no pain relief at all) but it was like having a tooth out without anaesthetic (which I've also sadly experienced).

HelpMeHiveMind · 31/03/2022 08:14

I had one which was horrifically painful to put in, and later went AWOL so had to be surgically removed. But - it did completely stop my periods for 4 years.

dizzydizzydizzy · 31/03/2022 08:16

Changed my life. I went from flooding to no periods. Although there was quite a long settling in period when I did bleed.

My GP a couldn't get mine in either. She did warn me before attempting it that sometimes the body just says no. Anyway, she sent me to a specialist and she got it in easily.

I've had several Mirena's.

And yes they do release progesterone but it is a tiny amount compared with what you have if you take a pill.

justanotherremainer · 31/03/2022 08:48

I’ve had a mirena for almost a year but am having it taken out next week be located of chronic and debilitating back pain which started shortly after mirena was put in.

I’m gutted because I don’t have many other contraceptive options!

I had no prob getting Gp to agree to remove it. Chat to make sure I understood consequences but otherwise they were ok with my decision. I’m in Scotland though and we have much better health provision than some other areas of the UK.

justanotherremainer · 31/03/2022 08:48

*because of chronic back pain!**

Original poster
Changeee1546789 · 31/03/2022 09:05

@LadyGardenersQuestionTime stopped your PMS 😱 oh my god is that a thing?! I NEED THAT! Been taking primrose oil for 15 years. Maybe I’ll just go for it

OP posts:
Chely · 31/03/2022 09:14

Hormonal contraception doesn't stop periods for me. It causes horrendous thrush, irregular bleeds and extremely heavy flow. I'd rather have dozens of babies than use them. I had a copper coil... I found it uncomfortable during sex, it stopped being uncomfortable after several months but then found out I was pregnant (with twins!) and they couldn't find it on scans. I have a retroverted uterus so not the best for the coil really.

VeryMuchFlaggingMinty · 31/03/2022 09:19

I had two Mirenas over a ten year period after having DD.

Bloody marvellous. I had no periods or cramping for the entire duration.

Only had it removed as I had the opportunity to be sterilised whilst having an ovarian cyst removed.

Am having a new one in a fortnight's time as the progesterone element of my HRT. It's the equivalent of taking two mini pills a week I believe and I'm much happier with that than taking hormones orally.

Flippityjibbits · 31/03/2022 09:23

I would say give it a try because you won't know if it works for you until you do. I have a couple of friends who have it and love it, no periods. I tried it for heavy and increasingly frequent periods. It did reduce the heaviness but I bled daily the whole time I had it in for a year. It was mostly only light bleeding or spotting but still wasn't worth it for me, lots of cramping throughout as well.

Tomeeornottomee · 31/03/2022 09:29

I’ve had the mirena fitted 3 times now. Before I had it my periods and pmt were awful. I was in pain for 2 weeks a month. Afterwards it took a while to settle, constant light flow, very little pain and bloating. The second time it was fitted I had a period once every 2 or 3 months that lasted 2-3 days max. I’m now peri-menopausal and because if this my periods are a bit more messed up. Getting a light bleed one day every 3 weeks but no pain. It’s not for everyone. Some people get on with it really well others have issues but it’s worth a try as you seem to be suffering so much. Hope you find a solution that suits you and brings you some relief x

RosieRoww · 31/03/2022 09:33

Tbh not sure, even with Mireya coil your period could be very heavy.

Stripyhoglets1 · 31/03/2022 09:56

I avoided one for years due to not wanting to mess around in that areas after some birth injury issues. Which were fairly minor compared to yours.
But heavy painful bleeding in perimenopause that made me anemic eventually persuaded me and I've never regretted it.
Was painful to insert and I will ask for it to be removed by a specialist as I nearly passed out.
But I'd do it again if it wasn't likely my last one as I'm hoping to be in menopause when its removed.

Stripyhoglets1 · 31/03/2022 09:58

I have no periods now. Just minor spotting.

grey12 · 31/03/2022 10:11

I haven't had periods in ages. It's been great!

But do you want it just to regulate your periods a little or to not have more children? I personally wouldn't put it on to remove it after a few months Confused a PP said that she had local anaesthetic, but still it is very uncomfortable to put on, be aware

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