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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared of getting mirena coil?

84 replies

LittleRedRuth · 08/09/2023 10:42

GP wants me to have one put in due to blood clotting periods and worsening anaemia.

I’ve done a search on here and I’m terrified! My cousin also had a terrible experience and ended up in A&E after it moved out of place causing agonising pain

Surely there must be an easier way to stop periods??

OP posts:
ThreeLittleDots · 08/09/2023 14:58

I hated Mirena; insertion relatively painless, but gave me awful awful restless legs. I pulled it out myself after two days.

I take the mini pill which stops my cycles completely

QueenBitch666 · 08/09/2023 14:59

After years of heavy bleeding and dysmenorrhea it was a game changer for me. I did however have it inserted under GA as I'm really squeamish down there 👀 🤦‍♀️

Mrsworried1 · 08/09/2023 15:57

Did it stop your issues straight away? Or did it need time to settle? X

Hadjab · 08/09/2023 16:00

I’m on my third and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done!

Soubriquet · 08/09/2023 16:07

Some people get on well with them, some people don’t.

I unfortunately was one of those who didn’t. It caused a lot pain internally for me and dh could feel the strings whenever we were intimate.

But then, I’ve known people who get on really well and don’t even notice

WessexPrincess · 08/09/2023 22:15

I'm another one saying it's a game changer, on my 2nd one now. Bit crampy on insertion but well worth it for no periods. Wish I'd got one earlier

Shouldbedoing · 08/09/2023 22:19

I had 3 mirenas, several of my friends did too. Not one had anything but improved or no periods and freedom, including the 15 minute flooder who could barely survive the school run on Day 1 every month.

mrsmillertron · 08/09/2023 22:23

Horrendous going in, 2 months of constant heavy bleeding and begged then to take it out. I did it against my better judgement, wish I’d listened to my gut!

Hankunamatata · 08/09/2023 22:25

I put it off becuase of all horror stories. Ended up getting mirena in my 40s as part of hrt as my periods become even worse. Had it well over a year now and really wish I'd done it sooner. No periods at all. Took 6 months to settle down and it's been awesome

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 21:50

This is an old thread, but I'm having one fitted in a fortnight and getting anxious. But I managed to take the pill for over 10 years (three different brands in that time) so not sure what I'm so worried about. I think it's the risk of real horror stories like perforation

Can I ask, for those who have it, how often do you check the location of your strings and how easy is it to do that?

schmeler · 21/09/2024 21:52

Ask for sedation. No one should have something like that done without it being an option. They never would do something like that to men without there being that option.

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:06

I'm actually having it under a GA as I'm also having fibroids removed.

So it's not the procedure I'm anxious about but the side effects and (minor) risks

I need to do something though as my periods are every 22 days and 5 days of flooding. I have to wear tena pants rather than sanitary protection to be safe to leave the house. It's miserable and I'm very anemic,

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:06

Hankunamatata · 08/09/2023 22:25

I put it off becuase of all horror stories. Ended up getting mirena in my 40s as part of hrt as my periods become even worse. Had it well over a year now and really wish I'd done it sooner. No periods at all. Took 6 months to settle down and it's been awesome

If you're still here... what were those six months like?

WhereAreWeNow · 21/09/2024 22:10

I was really scared too. Put it off for years. I finally took the plunge a few years ago and I'm so glad I did. It stopped my periods entirely. No negative effects for me other than the pain of getting it fitted.

Clementine22 · 21/09/2024 22:10

I wouldn’t be scared but I would say expect to spot / bleed for a long time. It’s have to go on the mini pill to settle mine.

I didn’t find the fitting of the coil itself too bad, but I had biopsies taken at the same time and that was painful tbh.

Ive heard once it settles it’s great so I would go for it if it’s what they’ve suggested.

SpringleDingle · 21/09/2024 22:10

I’m 47 and have had a Mirena since my 20s with only a few years gap to conceive and have my DD. The first one was uncomfortable to be fitted and gave my period like pains and bleeding for a few weeks (but I’d not given birth prior which really helps open the cervix). The 3 I’ve had fitted since DD have been great. I’d happily have more but no need after this one. I’ve most of my life period free and I’m a fan!

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:29

SpringleDingle · 21/09/2024 22:10

I’m 47 and have had a Mirena since my 20s with only a few years gap to conceive and have my DD. The first one was uncomfortable to be fitted and gave my period like pains and bleeding for a few weeks (but I’d not given birth prior which really helps open the cervix). The 3 I’ve had fitted since DD have been great. I’d happily have more but no need after this one. I’ve most of my life period free and I’m a fan!

This sounds amazing!

I have a few friends with similar stories. I'm not sure what's putting me off, given that I really must try something to tackle my flooding and to ease me through perimenopause (I'm 42, flooding and v regular periods plus some other minor symptoms)

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:33

Clementine22 · 21/09/2024 22:10

I wouldn’t be scared but I would say expect to spot / bleed for a long time. It’s have to go on the mini pill to settle mine.

I didn’t find the fitting of the coil itself too bad, but I had biopsies taken at the same time and that was painful tbh.

Ive heard once it settles it’s great so I would go for it if it’s what they’ve suggested.

This is useful to know. Are you still waiting for it to settle?

schmeler · 21/09/2024 22:35

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:06

I'm actually having it under a GA as I'm also having fibroids removed.

So it's not the procedure I'm anxious about but the side effects and (minor) risks

I need to do something though as my periods are every 22 days and 5 days of flooding. I have to wear tena pants rather than sanitary protection to be safe to leave the house. It's miserable and I'm very anemic,

I would say that is advisable. I watched it being done before and it isn't something that should be done without anything like that.

As for strings, check regularly as if they move then you risk a pregnancy.

emmylousings · 21/09/2024 22:37

Had copper and mirena coils, they are both great in my experience.

Growlybear83 · 21/09/2024 22:39

I had a Mirena for about seven years. I could never find my strings so couldn't check it. I didn't have any of the awful side effects thst some people get, and I didn't have a period during all the time it was in place. I had the coil changed once, and although it was excruciating, it was done very quickly and the pain stopped immediately. However, it didn't cross my mind to check if there was any suggestion of a link between using a Mirena coil and breast cancer, and when I received my cancer diagnosis a couple of years after the coil was removed, my surgeon and oncologist both told me that it was likely to have been a contributory factor.

Clementine22 · 21/09/2024 22:55

LostittoBostik · 21/09/2024 22:33

This is useful to know. Are you still waiting for it to settle?

Show quote history

No but I’ve had it 9 months and been on the mini pill for the last 4 months, before then it didn’t settle at all and basically spotted / bled every day. I need to try coming off the mini pill soon to see if it’s okay on its own … hope so 🤞

Chillilounger · 21/09/2024 23:17

I am on my second. No problems getting either put in. I hardly felt it. First was a dream. No period for 4 years. Second annoyingly took about a year to fully settle but is now great.

Ilikeviognier · 21/09/2024 23:50

Mines a horror story I’m afraid. It perforated and ended up near my abdomen and I had to have it removed via keyhole surgery. Never again.

Pigeonqueen · 22/09/2024 00:04

I haven’t read the whole thread but I don’t want one and have been on the mini pill to control heavy bleeding and clots associated with lupus and find that works really well for me - yes it did take about 6 months for the bleeding to completely stop but now I have no bleeding whatsoever (I’m 43 and have been on it about 8 years now). I’m now menopausal due to autoimmune issues and take HRT alongside the mini pill with no issues.