Mirena or snip?

[Woofsaidtheladybird]

Ok so we have 2 options.

I'm 40. Stupidly heavy periods, especially on day 1, ever since ds born by planned cs 16 months ago. We also have a dd aged nearly 4. Plan to have no more children. Anyway, I have these crap periods,terrible pmt (cramps, aching, very tired, and moody as well). I also have a little 'pocket' on my c section scar which means that (tmi here Soz) period blood collects in it and I then bleed heavily again for a day about 3 or so days after my period has finished. It's a complete pita.

So. I went to my GP and he said I can't have an endometrial ablation because of this pocket thingy and is very pro Mirena. Other drastic option he said is a hysterectomy! I'm seeing the lead partner at the GP practice next Mon to chat about the Mirena more but to be honest after reading some of these threads it sounds bloody awful. Plus I really do NOT like the thought of something in me all the time.

Any thoughts, pearls of wisdom? Dh happy to have the snip. Do people have the Mirena purely to control their periods? I think I need a gynae referral to sort the pocket thingy out. Can't go on the normal pill as I get migraines.

Help!

I've had a mirena since my twins were born 15 years ago. I have heard horror stories but honestly I've never had any trouble at all, and no periods either. To be honest, having it fitted/changed is not the most pleasant experience but it is quick and definitely better than having a hysterectomy.

I think you should push for a gynae referral to sort out the 'pocket' problem. If I were you I would give the mirena a try, for me it's been brilliant.

Another vote for Mirena. I had 2 and periods were much much lighter and PMS significantly improved. I had it removed last May when started TTC and was shocked how heavy periods were and how bad PMS was in comparison to past 10 years. Will be getting my next one ASAP after DD arrives in July.
Good luck.

I had a 3 different Mirenas for about 13 years and loved them. With the first one I stopped ovulating entirely, so no PMS; latter ones I was still ovulating but 'periods' were so light I never used tampons or anything. You do get light extended spotting to begin with, and I got spots on my back with the first one for some months, but I'd still choose them over anything else.

I just had my Mirena changed this week - it's brilliant! My gynaecologist says she has one too (to regulate her very heavy periods). I've had no negative effects at all, and with this second one only bled for a few hours after insertion, but it was longer first time around.

Oh, my previous gynae (different country) also used the Mirena herself, for birth control. Yes, I do ask them!

I would push for a gynae referral for the 'pocket thing' as it would worry me with the mirena.

Not such a good experience for me!
I've had the mirena coil for 8 weeks - am just about to post about it myself!! - but had to reply to this first.
Since having it in, I've had no end of problems. To start with all was fine. Insertion wasnt horrendous (my pain threshold is high anyway so although it wasnt nice I couldnt complain) and like I expected i spotted the rest of the day and following day.
Nearly a week later it all changed. I bled solidly for over a week, and I mean BLED! Massive clots, all day, with no let up. Couldnt use tampax as I'd have to change them every 20 minutes if i did. When that was over I was happy but felt rough...tired, lethargic...i put it down to the blood loss and thought no more. But its not gone away...its just gotten worse, and the symptoms have accumulated. I'm so depressed, crying all the time, so cold all the time, run down, sleeping 4 hours more a night and never want to get out of bed. Looking after my 2 kids has been soooo hard, and I literally hate my hubby...but I'm sure I dont really......
I thought this was all down to personal circumstances...but having googled Mirena and Depression there are thousands of woman complaining about the same thing!!!! One woman on a thread on here even said her Doc surgery do not put them in any more due to the side effects.
Regardless of what I am saying here, think carefully before you have it. Its not for everyone, and dont suffer afterwards like I have. The conclusion I have drawn from all the surfing I've done on this today is that if you have any form of past depression/anxiety issues this coil is not for you!!
My hubby will be coming home from work tonight to discover he will most definitely be getting the snip!!!!!
Good luck whatever you decide. xx

Goodness, thanks for all your replies! Not sure what's happening now really. Saw the lead GP who definitely wants a gynae referral to sort the pocket thingy out before anything else. We have private insurance through my DH's work but annoyingly they won't cover a gynae referral as the thing being investigated is as a result of a c section, and c sections are only covered if there was a danger to maternal health. Bugger the thought that I couldn't go through a 42 hour labour again because it made my arthritic hip worse (from perthes disease when I was little). Ggrr. Still. NHS it is.

Jeez. I'm falling apart

mumto2 aargh you poor thing. I didn't realise there were links to depression. I've had PND in the past so maybe not a good idea.

FFS. What we as women go through.... Wish there was a simple answer...

the way it was sold to me when having the coil/snip debate was the effect on periods and that i know women who said there was no need to get the snip to their dp as it suited them more to have no period. but horses for courses. dont know till you try but im 6 weeks in after having it done and still bleeding :( and been advised to expect another 6 weeks :(

If DH is happy to have the snip, then go for that (to sort out contraception long term - though you'll still need a method to cover the 16 weeks or so post-op until all clear).

And in your shoes, I'd ask for a gynae referral to sort out your uterus. I think you need an expert, not a GP, to assess if you should have something in there when you have a 'pouch' like that, and indeed if there is anything else that could/should be done.