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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Really pushing the Mirena coil

64 replies

KatieBenz · 18/08/2022 22:05

I had a hysterospcy today. Not a pleasant experience as my surgeon took a large polyp out.
I found it strange that my consultant, when talking through the procedure, was really promoting a mirena coil. I’m in my 50’s and have never had one. Why would I consider it now?

OP posts:
Woolftown · 18/08/2022 22:10

Probably because they stop polyps from reoccurring.

tellyiscrap · 18/08/2022 22:13

And help considerably with menopause

Original poster
KatieBenz · 18/08/2022 22:14

Woolftown Thank you. All they said, was if you wanted to go back on hrt, you would need something else. Not really helpful!

OP posts:
WhackingPhoenix · 18/08/2022 22:17

They’re excellent in combination with HRT for management of menopause, and they can stop polyps from coming back. Didn’t you ask why they suggested it?

ticktickticktickBOOM · 18/08/2022 22:21

And also they can do it very easily as part of the hysteroscopy so you don't have to do the procedure again at a later date - saves NHS time and resources: 'While we're in here . . .' kind of thing

Original poster
KatieBenz · 18/08/2022 22:21

Really! I’m so naffed off that I didn’t do this. My consultant was lovely and said that if I ever went back on hrt, a coil would be the best bet. Would have liked to have had a bit of time to think about it

OP posts:
FancyFelix · 18/08/2022 22:36

Woolftown · 18/08/2022 22:10

Probably because they stop polyps from reoccurring.

This. I had one inserted when I had fibroids removed because the doctor said it would help keep them from coming back. It's amazing, I'll have one now until I'm through the menopause.

Twizbe · 18/08/2022 22:37

Doctors do love that coil, I wonder if there is any commission on them.

I've lost count of the number of doctors who tried to get me to have one - flatly refused every time.

MarieInternette · 18/08/2022 22:37

I have had something similar. It seems GP’s are very keen to push the Mirena coil onto menopausal women. (The cynic in me wonders if there is a financial incentive for this?) However, after having done my own research I’ve decided against it. Too many horror stories from women who have had awful side effects from it ( inc cysts, bloating, weight gain, depression, migraine etc). GP did not advise of any side effects.

Look at some of the FB groups for Mirena coil users. People discussing their experiences with Mirena and then make your mind up.

monkeysox · 18/08/2022 22:40

They really pushed them over the past ten years but then my local GP no longer removes or fits them. Outsourced to virgin healthcare and can't get appointments. It's a scandal.

Caneparrot · 18/08/2022 22:49

I’m a GP and also have a gynae background - zero financial incentive to fit them, they just work really well when they work (appreciate they don’t work for all, but the vast majority). Really great as part of HRT (makes it much more straightforward/titratable) and can really be life altering for women with heavy bleeds/fibroids.

Caneparrot · 18/08/2022 22:50

Also I have had 2, so don’t feel like I am pushing a random treatment I have never tried myself :)

bloodyplanes · 19/08/2022 00:14

Ive had one fitted and use it alongside HRT patches for peri menopause! It's been fantastic, no more heavy bleeding and hot flushes!

scissorsandsellotape · 19/08/2022 00:33

MarieInternette · 18/08/2022 22:37

I have had something similar. It seems GP’s are very keen to push the Mirena coil onto menopausal women. (The cynic in me wonders if there is a financial incentive for this?) However, after having done my own research I’ve decided against it. Too many horror stories from women who have had awful side effects from it ( inc cysts, bloating, weight gain, depression, migraine etc). GP did not advise of any side effects.

Look at some of the FB groups for Mirena coil users. People discussing their experiences with Mirena and then make your mind up.

I would love to hear more about the Fb groups
I have this and have had depression weight gain and migraines

FancyFelix · 19/08/2022 06:36

Caneparrot · 18/08/2022 22:49

I’m a GP and also have a gynae background - zero financial incentive to fit them, they just work really well when they work (appreciate they don’t work for all, but the vast majority). Really great as part of HRT (makes it much more straightforward/titratable) and can really be life altering for women with heavy bleeds/fibroids.

It has been life changing for me. I don't understand why people are so opposed to even considering it.

Ylvamoon · 19/08/2022 06:50

I'm on my 3rd. I prefer the Mirena to other types of contraception.

I also suffer from migraine but found out that they are actually worse without the coil.

Mine "run out" just after covid hid so couldn't change it until nearly 2 years later! 18 months of these 2 years were horrendous with migraine.

I think what one really has to consider is that everyone is different. What works for one doesn't work for others...
I actually got pregnant on the pill -I know MN thiks it's impossible.but here we are!

Afterfire · 19/08/2022 06:59

They can form part of the progesterone part of HRT. So if you have a mirena that’s the progesterone bit and then you can have oestrogel for the oestrogen. However, you can take the mini pill and utrogestan or just double the utrogestan with instead - these are alternative options to the coil. I would never have a coil - too many horror stories for me and don’t like anything invasive so I take the mini pill, then take 100mg utrogestan every day and then 2 pumps of oestrogel as HRT. It means I never have any periods or bleeding and it works well for me (I’m 41 and I’m early menopause).

soupmaker · 19/08/2022 07:03

I'm on my second and it's been absolutely life changing. I suffered from PMDD after DD1 was born. Was on medication but stopped taking it when pregnant with DD2. Despite EBF her my period and the PMDD came back, couldn't use medication and continue BFing so GP suggested the mirena coil. I've had no PMDD symptoms since it was fitted. Am early 50s and haven't had much trouble with menopause symptoms thanks to it. If it works for you it's brilliant.

Putonyourshoes · 19/08/2022 07:10

MarieInternette · 18/08/2022 22:37

I have had something similar. It seems GP’s are very keen to push the Mirena coil onto menopausal women. (The cynic in me wonders if there is a financial incentive for this?) However, after having done my own research I’ve decided against it. Too many horror stories from women who have had awful side effects from it ( inc cysts, bloating, weight gain, depression, migraine etc). GP did not advise of any side effects.

Look at some of the FB groups for Mirena coil users. People discussing their experiences with Mirena and then make your mind up.

I think there’s a bit of confirmation bias with this. If you go looking for negative experiences with a certain contraceptive you’ll find them. And there’s also the element of how much an anecdote stands out if it’s a paragraph long about negative side effects, compared to a quick “it’s always worked well for me”.
There will always be people who have a bad experience with any kind of contraception. GPs are “keen to push” the Mirena coil because research shows it’s very effective, especially for menopausal women.

InChocolateWeTrust · 19/08/2022 07:17

Drs get kickbacks for mirenas which is why they push them over the similarly effective cheap old fashioned copper coil.

Original poster
KatieBenz · 19/08/2022 07:21

Thanks for all of your input. I was a little taken aback as I haven’t taken hrt for a year. Perhaps they should mention it in the leaflet they give you. It would have been nice to look into it beforehand and not make an on the spot decision.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 19/08/2022 07:39

@InChocolateWeTrust this isn't true.
The fitting of mirenas , copper coils and implants get some small reimbursement because it is a service which costs money in terms of training and manpower.
They're use isn't pushed because of this , as you can see from numerous posts insufficient doctors and hcps are trained in their use and hence the long waits .
They are 'pushed' because they work really well for contraception and in the case of mirena as a treatment for heavy periods, as a way of stabilising the uterine lining and as a way of administering progesterone for HRT.in the latter case with the smallest dose of progesterone and thus less side effects.They are very well tolerated but of course don't suit everyone.

Kittyshopping · 19/08/2022 07:46

Would highly recommend. Don’t go looking for negative reviews as it’s not a balanced cohort. Those of us happy "Mirenas" don’t tend to comment or post on it. Mine stopped horrible flooding every month and saw me through the menopause.

Galarunner · 19/08/2022 07:51

My really good friend is a GP , she has one as part of her HRT ( same as me works brilliantly) I think it's a bit of a myth that doctors make individual profit out of fitting them. I always get mine replaced at a sexual health clinic rather than the GP these days anyway ( I am on my 4th) as the doctors there seem to be make it a bit less painful than the GP, probably because they do a lot more. HRT and mirena is a very good combination for me.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 19/08/2022 07:52

monkeysox · 18/08/2022 22:40

They really pushed them over the past ten years but then my local GP no longer removes or fits them. Outsourced to virgin healthcare and can't get appointments. It's a scandal.

I wouldn't have anything fitted that couldn't be easily removed if I wanted it. I also think there's financial incentive as they really push it.