Page 3 | Really pushing the Mirena coil

KatieBenz · 2022-08-18T21:05:39+00:00

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?

Afterfire · 19/08/2022 13:42

FancyFelix · 19/08/2022 13:40

There is a lot of info on these FB groups and I would suggest everyone does their own research before making their minds up.

Perhaps not on Facebook though

Facebook groups are really good in terms of reading actual peoples experiences. There’s nothing wrong with that but of course yes you should also do your own research in terms of reading fact based medical stuff as well. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

mooshypooshy · 19/08/2022 13:48

I had polyps several years ago and super heavy periods. When they removed the last of them they suggested the mirena coil. I was a bit unsure like you but decided to go for it and oh my goodness I never looked back. My periods have practically stopped, no more polyps and I feel so much better. I highly recommend it. I'm never letting them take it out 😂

ridemesideway · 19/08/2022 14:02

Remainiac · 19/08/2022 10:48

The problem is that they aren’t tolerated well by everyone and if you’re one of the people who doesn’t tolerate it, they will make you keep it for at least six months to “see if it settles down” 🙄. After six months you will still find it almost impossible to get an appointment to have it removed, not because of access issues but because they just don’t want to remove them once in place. It’s this that makes people suspect a financial incentive.

Yep.

It also means fewer visits/less work for GPs.

Lovaduck74 · 19/08/2022 14:20

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.

As I understand it they have to fit so many in a certain time frame in order to maintain their qualification to fit the darn things. I was pushed to have one. I am not good with hormonal contraception and was assured the amounts were so tiny that it would not effect me. Not the case. Felt absolutely awful, so had the thing out. Now have copper coil, which has been absolutely wonderful so far.

MindatWork · 19/08/2022 14:32

I’m encouraged to see lots of women in here saying it’s helped their heavy periods - I’m due to have a hysteroscopy/polyp removal next month and my consultant recommended having a mirena fitted at the same time.

i have endometriosis and suspected adenomyosis so my periods have been even more horrific since having my DD 3 years ago - I’ve not found a pill that suits me so thought I’d give it a try. I’ve always avoided it before as I don’t like the idea of having something that I can’t take out but it can’t be much worse than what I’m dealing with now 😩.

Hankunamatata · 19/08/2022 14:37

Iv started menopause early and been on couple types hrt. Was getting to end of tether with periods all over the place and really heavy and friend had had mirena put in after nightmare hrt time with loads different types.

Honestly it's been amazing so far and it's only been 2 months. Period first month then slight staining. No side effects of progestrone iv had with other pills and hrt. Wish I'd had it fitted years ago, working brilliantly with estrogen gel

Twizbe · 19/08/2022 14:38

MindatWork · 19/08/2022 14:32

I’m encouraged to see lots of women in here saying it’s helped their heavy periods - I’m due to have a hysteroscopy/polyp removal next month and my consultant recommended having a mirena fitted at the same time.

i have endometriosis and suspected adenomyosis so my periods have been even more horrific since having my DD 3 years ago - I’ve not found a pill that suits me so thought I’d give it a try. I’ve always avoided it before as I don’t like the idea of having something that I can’t take out but it can’t be much worse than what I’m dealing with now 😩.

I was offered it for horrific periods too.

I have completed my family and am over 35 so I went for an ablation instead.

The pill never really helped with the heaviness of my periods so I didn't think a coil would be any better.

SheeWeee · 19/08/2022 14:42

Twizbe · 19/08/2022 14:38

I was offered it for horrific periods too.

I have completed my family and am over 35 so I went for an ablation instead.

The pill never really helped with the heaviness of my periods so I didn't think a coil would be any better.

Show quote history

The pill never helped mine but the Mirena stopped them entirely. MAny people can't get ablation, its not widely offered.

Beowulfa · 19/08/2022 15:06

Here is a press release from 2014 describing the results of a scheme incentivising GPs by linking their income to healthcare targets, specifically implants, injections and the coil: www.imperial.ac.uk/news/146546/gp-incentive-scheme-increases-long-term-reversible/

Putonyourshoes · 19/08/2022 16:10

MarieInternette · 19/08/2022 12:56

@scissorsandsellotape

Just look for Mirena on FB. various groups on there of women who have taken it with good and bad results.

A poster has suggested confirmation bias on these groups. Maybe, and no one is denying the fact that the Mirena does work for a lot of women. But it doesn’t work for everyone and these fb groups are women telling of their first hand experiences in a way that no dr will advise.

Apparently the coil supplies the body with Progestin which is a synthetic hormone unlike Progesterone, which is body identical and causes less side effects. There is a lot of info on these FB groups and I would suggest everyone does their own research before making their minds up.

You have to think about why someone might choose to join these FB groups. I had the contraceptive implant and because it worked well for me it would never have crossed my mind to join a FB group about it. If I’d however had horrible side effects and really struggled with it I would be more inclined to share my experiences and ask others about their’s. Therefore I wouldn’t suggest these social media groups would be a good place to do “research”.

Meseekslookatme · 19/08/2022 16:15

Beowulfa · 19/08/2022 15:06

Here is a press release from 2014 describing the results of a scheme incentivising GPs by linking their income to healthcare targets, specifically implants, injections and the coil: www.imperial.ac.uk/news/146546/gp-incentive-scheme-increases-long-term-reversible/

That's rather interesting 🤔
Especially the bit about "The rise in LARC prescribing is a huge success story and reflects all the work GPs have put into counselling women towards choosing best options for their contraceptive needs"
Whose needs?
If by counselling they mean pushing towards something unwanted then sure, great success.

ticktickticktickBOOM · 19/08/2022 17:25

I was recommended the mirena when it was time to change my copper coil. I had been getting very, very prolongued bleeding due to perimenopause (5-6 weeks on /1 week off for about a year - I developed anaemia) and was having a polyp removed via hysteroscopy so they did the mirena coil swop at the same time. It all took about 2 minutes.

It's 6 months on now and the bleeding has reduced to a light, regular period. I've had no side effects. I'm also now on oestrogen patches plus the mirena for HRT and all seems very good. I feel calm, healthy and the anaemia from the blood loss is gradually reducing. I have saved an absolute fortune in sanitary products and washing!

I can understand the reluctance of women to not want a foreign body inside permanently. However, I have Ulcerative Colitis so I don't absorb tablets very well, tablets also have a whole load of chemical additives just to create a white, smooth tablet you can swallow. The hormones and additives in pills must travel through your digestive system - this is not ideal for anyone with digestive issues. I was won over to know that the mirena releases the hormone exactly where you need it and so can't negatively affect your digestive organs.

Willowkins · 20/08/2022 01:10

Just for information, you don't have to swallow Uterogestan. There are (ahem) other methods of getting it to where it needs to go.
My concern is not whether the Mirena works. It's the lack of aftercare for women that bothers me.

Abra1d1 · 20/08/2022 13:05

Sadly that delivery method didn’t work for me. Mirena is the only trying that controls my endometrial lining on HRT.