Mirena Coil or tranexamic acid (AIBU to be hesitant)

[DownTheJohn]

Due to have a mirena coil fitted Thursday. I’m so hesitant as I’m scared it will cause me even more pain (adenomyosis) and effect my mood (already suffer anxiety)

The alternative is to just take tranexamic acid every month.

I don’t need contraception, I just need to stop the heavy bleeding (anaemic)

desperate for advice from people who have made the decision themselves as HCPs just want to push the coil

I’ve recently had the coil fitted, first time ever, aged 45. Actually first time on contraception since I was 22 and fell pregnant on the pill.

Anyway, I digress. I’m not convinced by it so far. Had it fitted 4 weeks ago, had a week of “spotting” aka very heavy spotting. Then had a week of nothing, and now hopefully at the tail end of a 2 week long period. Im just praying that this is it settling in?!

Ive Tried TXA previously and had very little benefit from it, hence finally given in and said yes to a coil

I had anaemia due to heavy periods caused by fibroids. I took tranexamic acid without problems and it did help and didn't lengthen my periods. However, the real game changer was going on the pill.

@Ouuuuccchhhh - came on to say the say as you. Tranaxamic Acid has never touched the sides for me - stage 4 endo and Adeno.

Bled heavily every day for a year in peri. The Mirena which I was also very hesitant about was a GAME CHANGER! Took a while to settle down when it was fitted but then had two blissful period free calm years before I started having light periods again.

I had to have two iron infusions to feel like a human again when I finally stopped bleeding because I was so anaemic.

Good luck whatever you decide.

4th mirena coil for me and had them in for 14 years. No periods and absolutely brilliant.
My sister had one which didn’t agree with her and they took it out after 6 weeks.
In your circumstances it’s probably worth a try. If you experience it like I have it could really help. If not it can be taken out.

Mirena coil totally changed my life. After having 3 week long periods each month after the coil was fitted they dwindled to nothing, it did take up to a year for them to stop completely but then - nothing ! I think I had 3 Mirenas . Bonus was that as I wasn’t having periods I went through the menopause without noticing, until one day my GP said right, you’re done ! Best thing ever.

I had a Mirena (for contraception) a few years ago and suffered the most debilitating pelvic and back pain.

Had it removed. Then my periods got much heavier.

Gps LOVE the mirena and pushed it again but I just couldn’t face it.

I was sterilised to deal with contraception and that has worked well although I’m not having as much sex as I’d like 🤣

My mum suggested tranexamic acid for my periods and I’ve never looked back. Shortened periods, almost no bleeding. No side effects. Genius.

i have such heavy periods i physically throw up, black out, I have to have iron infusions regularly. Very similar. I actually had both, on top of prostap, desogesterol, tibolne and ferric chloride. With the acid and coil, the Prostap started to reduce my bleeding to a “more manageable” level (which meant I could actually do stuff for an hour before I had to get back in the shower again)
however, I hit upon “extremely large” fibroids and cysts in my uterus. Had an endometrial resection to try and remove them (painful AF) and then another one when the first fibroid grew back faster. I have another resection scheduled and they will have to remove the coil because it has “settled” in a dangerous position. Apparently it’s really rare to happen, but I seem to be the 1 in 10 women, every single sodding time.
You are right to be wary, but it can change your life.

I have been taking transonic acid for the last 6 months and my periods are 4 maybe 5 days but never more than 5. I was offered the coil but I refused it. Like you, I need it for heavy periods as I was severely anaemic.
You need to take it everyday of your period. I think I metabolise it quite quickly in my system as I notice if I don’t take the next dose, the bleeding gets heavier. Initially was taking 2x 500mg 3 times a day, I recently switched to 1x500mg 4 times a day and it worked fine.

I have adenomyosis and used to have ridiculously heavy and painful periods. Recently diagnosed with cancer as well as hyperplasia and have the mirena as part of my treatment. Its been life changing. Periods are so easy and painfree now. I have had regular daily spotting but from what I've read that should settle in a few months.

I've had tranexamic for a year or so now and it's been life changing. I used to to have days when I couldn't leave the house but now I don't dread my periods starting anymore.

As you can tell from these replies, it’s very individual.
I had adeno diagnosed over 20 years ago. I’d already tried tranxemic acid which had no effect then the Mirena was fitted. Took a few months to settle (painful boobs 3 mths) but once it did it was great and no periods to speak of. Sadly it failed after 2 years but my periods were already reducing in frequency by then anyway.

I am now 15 years post meno and have a Mirena again to deal with HRT bleeding (no doubt exacerbated by adenovirus) and it’s working fine.

sorry this isn’t hugely helpful. It’s more to demonstrate that all women react individually to hormonal intervention, and their reactions will even differ at different times.

as you’ve already got the appointment booked I’d just go and get it done. I’m not gonna pretend it’s pleasant but it’s over quite quickly. Take some painkillers an hour beforehand - usually helps. Good luck.

I also had positive experience with Mirena.
Have to diagnosis but periods caused me to regularly pass out in pain despite strong painkillers. I didn’t want Mirena as a friend had prolonged bleeding for several months after fitting
I was conscious I would be TTC in 6 months so didn’t see point of having it fitted. I got it whilst I gas investigative surgery
Life changing
just had ‘normal’ manageable period pains for few months

I have adenomyosis with horrific flooding periods. I ruined so many things during this period. I got the mirena and honestly it was a life changer. I still have periods but a pantyliner is enough to deal with it rather than the doubling up protection I had before that would still leak. I’ve also managed to get on top of the anemia and the crushing tiredness it caused. Tranxenemic acid did not do enough for me - I still flooded with it. The mirena was a little painful on insertion but nothing since. Mood is fine, I’m maybe a little more PMS-y than I was previously.

For me it reduced the pain and flow but then took longer to come out iyswim. I might try the coil - out of options!

interested to know those with heavy flows was it always like this? Mine only started to be a problem after I was pregnant

I have adenomyosis and a fibroid. My problem is prolonged periods rather than very heavy, plus pain. Mirena stopped them for 18 months then they came back. I also take utrogestan for sleep and mood. We tried upping the utrogestan, then switching to duphaston, but they continued. A scan showed that the lining had been thickening but it had been controlling the adenomyosis as it hadn't worsened. The doctor explained that the coil has a higher dose at the start that tails off, and so it may be that I need to replace it more frequently for the purpose of the bleeding control.
She wants me to take it out, have a "clean out" bleed and then do another.
I'm going to do it but I don't love it as I'm sure the coil made me put on weight.
I was also hopeful for a hysterectomy but then learnt it can impact the pelvic floor so I'll try to avoid that as much as possible.

I had an eblation which worked really well for me but I had finished having dc as it impacts fertility. Nothing else compared and it sounds dramatics but it changed my life.

Tranexamic acid has made my 7 day flooding periods into three day light manageable periods.

I’m sticking with this instead of contraceptives.

I’ve had both and for me the mirena was a game changer re how heavy my periods were to how they are now. I also had far less period pain with coil. Mood wise I still get mood swings but not as severe with coil.

i was nervous re fitting as I struggle with smear but i waited until appointment with specialist and it was over quickly. I did bleed on and off for about6 weeks until it settled.

I refused the coil and ended up being put on a drug called Ryeqo. I’ve heard nothing but horror stories about the mirena coil, and the consultant pushed and pushed it and in the end I had to sign something to say I’d refused it. I have widespread endometriosis and denim sis and was seriously anaemic for years. The consultant told me my only options left were Ryeqo which stops your periods altogether and basically puts you in chemical menopause, or full hysterectomy. I didn’t even want the hormone but he asked me to humour him and just try it and it’s been life changing. No pain, no bleeding, no more anaemia. He said it’s a miracle drug but it’s very expensive so the nhs don’t like it being pushed.

I have adenomyosis and I use tranaxemic acid and Boots period pain reliever tablets which are naproxen I think. I’m also anaemic. The combination works ok for me

I was put on tranexamic for years with no investigation as to why my periods were so heavy and turns out I had fibroids. Since then I’ve had the coil and wish I’d had it sooner to be honest as it stopped the bleeding for me which was great. Annoys me so much what us women have to go through!!!

Is uterine ablation an option?

I've tried both. Transexamic acid did make my periods lighter, but not shorter and still not "light". I could get the bus to work without flooding on the way, but still wouldn't e.g. go swimming or wear light colours.

I'm on my 2nd mirena now, and it has been life changing. My periods have completely stopped.

It took a long time to settle in when I got the first one. I had 6 months of constant spotting, and I felt disgusting. It didn't help my endometriosis pain much at the start either. But I am so glad I stuck with it, as I am completely symptom free now.

Please be careful that’s know to cause long term bone damage.

Dd 17 and I both take Tranexamic acid, for me it definitely shorterns my period and lightens the bleeding quite a lot after the first 2 doses. Dd17 gets less bleeding but period is usual length.