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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To delay Mirena Coil fitting - because of upcoming event?

45 replies

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 08:21

I’m due to get a Mirena fitting next week. 10 days later I have a big family wedding to attend for a weekend.

Reading lots about spotting, and heavier bleeding for weeks after insertion, I’m wondering whether to delay a month as I really could do without that over that weekend as I can be a really heavy bleeder and my dresses are all very pale!

Currently, wedding should fall mid cycle - all being regular.

OP posts:
SunnyRedSnail · 29/05/2026 12:21

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 11:59

Sounds perfect..!
did you have heavy periods before?

Sometimes they were heavy but short and sometimes light but went on forever. Sometimes 5 weeks and sometimes 3 weeks apart. So sporadic it made planning impossible.

This is my second Mirena fitted. It is so worth the uncomfortable feeling of having it fitted!

FiloPasty · 29/05/2026 12:26

I had mine fitted last year when I was 44 mainly for the progesterone part of HRT, I’d started to have changes in my periods, much heavier but shorter periods and flooding. I had some spotting and wore a pad but I don’t think for very long and I’ve not had any bleeding since 16 months in now.
HRT in general has been life changing for me. I was a bit wary of getting the mirena and when the nurse called to see if she could fit me in for a cancellation I told her I was a bit worried and she was amazing taking me through it all and how brilliant it is for the vast majority of women. So glad I had it done.

ScullyD · 29/05/2026 12:27

Delay it OP. I’m on week 2 post fitting and having heavy bleeds and generally struggling to do all my normal tasks. I have a party tomorrow and realise I’ll have to stay for a shorter time than intended.

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:31

FiloPasty · 29/05/2026 12:26

I had mine fitted last year when I was 44 mainly for the progesterone part of HRT, I’d started to have changes in my periods, much heavier but shorter periods and flooding. I had some spotting and wore a pad but I don’t think for very long and I’ve not had any bleeding since 16 months in now.
HRT in general has been life changing for me. I was a bit wary of getting the mirena and when the nurse called to see if she could fit me in for a cancellation I told her I was a bit worried and she was amazing taking me through it all and how brilliant it is for the vast majority of women. So glad I had it done.

Thank you. That sounds so positive ! I’m
already on HRT and it has made a big difference for me on many other levels, but still need to tackle these horrendous periods!
do you remember at what stage of cycle you had it fitted?

OP posts:
mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:32

ScullyD · 29/05/2026 12:27

Delay it OP. I’m on week 2 post fitting and having heavy bleeds and generally struggling to do all my normal tasks. I have a party tomorrow and realise I’ll have to stay for a shorter time than intended.

This is exactly my worry.. thank you for sharing. Next month I also have some major work projects but at least I can wear black..!

OP posts:
FiloPasty · 29/05/2026 12:34

I think it was the week after my period that I had it fitted. Good luck x

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:39

FiloPasty · 29/05/2026 12:34

I think it was the week after my period that I had it fitted. Good luck x

That’s good to know. i wonder if it helps to have it then so there hasnt been much of a build up of lining etc.

OP posts:
mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:41

thanks all, whilst I feel more confident in getting one overall, i have changed the appointment for post wedding as I dont want to spend it worried about leaking.. which can happen even with tampon, period pants etc!

OP posts:
mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:51

Also, sorry to hear you’re suffering to the extent of having to plan life around it! @ScullyD

OP posts:
WoolerOwl · 29/05/2026 13:00

Pinkflamingo10 · 29/05/2026 11:52

Had a mirena, bleeding stopped after 3 days (inserted on day 1 of cycle) and then I had zero periods for 5 years it was awesome.

Edited

Same for me. Five or six times over - I’ve had a Mirena since I was in my twenties, and I’m now in my 50s. They’re great and have totally sorted out my heavy periods.

Lindtnotlint · 29/05/2026 13:04

I know you have already decided and in any case this isn’t relevant, but I just had to come and sign the “I love my Mirena” petition. No periods, no pain, no problems. I LOVE it.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/05/2026 13:25

Are you having it done at the GP or hospital?

I had one done aged 25 that was an absolute doddle - as in on the table, frog legs, bit of pulling, done and off to do the shopping and pick the kids up from school - but I had another specifically for adenomyosis a week ago.

The second was a world away from the simple GP visit (local anaesthesia is not a walk in the park, but they said it was necessary due to the adeno/it would have been far harder without it) and all I wanted to do afterwards was crawl into the corner of the sofa and feel sorry for myself for 24 hours.

I think it's definitely having a positive effect now after a week as I feel less swollen, but they also told me to keep taking oral progesterone as well for a month to minimise the chance of bleeding. You should also be told no tampons (or anything else) up there for a week afterwards. Also - take painkillers before, make sure you're well hydrated/have a sugary drink with you and bring an old fashioned, thick, supersoft pad to wear with period pants, whether they're fabric or a disposable pair; there may be some bleeding, especially with everything being so inflamed in adeno and you may feel sore.

I'd also say if possible, get a lift home - public transport was not fun and I can't imagine driving immediately afterwards is a good idea if you have the cramping and tenderness I had.

The best thing about it was the sheer fluke in timing the appointment that it wasn't right at the point of another heavy bleed - and of course, if it does the job it's intended to do.

Basically, a Mirena insertion when you have a healthy uterus, cervix and lining is a lot different to when you've got adenomyosis. That's not a reason to avoid it, but it's just not as simple.

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 13:26

Lindtnotlint · 29/05/2026 13:04

I know you have already decided and in any case this isn’t relevant, but I just had to come and sign the “I love my Mirena” petition. No periods, no pain, no problems. I LOVE it.

Still here for all the positive stories! So glad you have found it so helpful - thank you!

OP posts:
FiloPasty · 29/05/2026 13:43

Do come back and let us know how you get on :) I really hope it works well for you x

Verdantview · 29/05/2026 13:52

Had one fitted for heavy, regular periods. Had it fitted near the beginning of my cycle and bled constantly for three months from insertion. 9 months in and still have periods with it.

WhereAreWeNow · 29/05/2026 13:55

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 11:34

Very interesting and hopeful!

Would you mind sharing at what point in your cycle you had insertion and also roughly how old you are? Or if you’re in peri/menopause etc?

Sorry, I can't remember where I was in my cycle. I was 44 when I got my first one. Perimenopausal. Got 2nd one recently. Still perimenopausal.

BridgetJonesV2 · 29/05/2026 13:55

I had mine fitted mid cycle as that's when they request you to. I had a few days of spotting but didn't get a bleed until 2 weeks later which was my period. I've had 6 Mirena's now over 25 years (had 1st one as a medical trial from local hospital to avoid hysterectomy aged 28 from surgical scar tissue).... and they do work. I used to be housebound the 1st 2 days of a period whereas once the hormones kicked in (usually around 8 to 12 weeks) they just got less and less to almost nothing. They are a lifeline. Also adding that GP said they can stay in for 7 years if it's for menopause treatment (I'm 55) and had my last one fitted 2 years ago.

CocoaTea · 29/05/2026 14:00

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 10:57

Sorry to drip feed but i was trying to keep my OP simple and short. But to add, I am getting a mirena more for the (hopefully) benefits of managing painful & heavy periods (I have Adenomyosis) and as the progesterone part of HRT (Peri) - rather than for the contraception side. Lets just say the risk of me getting pregnant is null.

Edited

As a long time heavy bleeding girlie (I have fibroids) - I would delay it.

I got mine fitted and it took over 6 months for the bleeding to actually stop.

Insertion was ok-ish.

First few periods were hellish.

The spotting ….. nightmare. 6 months of “just in case” panty liners / pads.

DELAY IT - use something else for the wedding and get it done as soon as possible afterwards. Hopefully it will be better for you but I absolutely would not risk it with big event / light coloured dresses.

Edited as I see its for HRT not contraception (like mine) so again I say DELAY it. Yes I am shouting 😂.

LittleGreenDuck · 29/05/2026 14:08

I’m 18 months down the line and still spotting most days. It’s preferable to the flooding and clotting I had before, but not the miracle cure I was hoping for!

ScullyD · 29/05/2026 14:41

mumandmumber · 29/05/2026 12:51

Also, sorry to hear you’re suffering to the extent of having to plan life around it! @ScullyD

Thank you, appreciate that. It’s meant to treat my endo and when I had it in before it transformed my life.

so, hoping this is short term pain for long term gain. admittedly a bit worried as I don’t remember this kind of pain and bleeding after insertion first time.

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