Mirena put in at 41, does it last 'forever'?

[MollyMaDurga]

I'm now 46, and in the last year there has been some spotting. I took that as a sign that the progesterone was running low. But, it should still work, unofficially it is good for 7 years? Especially since I'm over 40 and should not be at my most fertile any more anyway.
I've been looking into replacing it but am I right in thinking that I might as well leave this one in until I'm done with menopause?
The fp advice seems to be that if placed at or over 45 you're covered. Am I playing with fire if I don't get a new one? Mine would last until age 48 then it seems. I guess I could wait another 2 years and see where I'm at then.

[TattyCatty]

You need a new one. I had my last one fitted at 40, and GP was very clear that I would need another one after 5 years, even though I needed IUI to conceive my DD.

[MollyMaDurga]

Not what I wanted to hear, but thanks! I'll have a chat with gp then.. Not looking forward to it but there we go.

[DayLillie]

It may well be fine for contraception. However, a lot of women use them for perimenopause problems, as well as contraception.
I would think the hormones in it would be running out so it would not stop heavy bleeding which is one of the things it is good for in perimenopause.

Also, if you want to use it for the progestogen part of hrt (which you may well do if you are happy with it, rather than faff about with other sorts of progestogen), if you start having other symptoms, it needs to be up to date as it needs to be changed every 4 years for this.

Have a look at this site www.menopausematters.co.uk/at_menopause.php to learn about menopause.

[MollyMaDurga]

Thanks, I'll have a look. I'm not (afaik) menopausal at the moment and am mostly worried about birth control. I haven't got any children and it's definitely too late now. If heavy bleeding starts or other symptoms show up it would make sense to think about changing the coil then possibly.
.. Ah, that website also says after 40 it does not need to be changed, unless for hrt and bleeding issues.

[DayLillie]

It is a very useful website.

If you stick with mirena and are happy with it, you might never know if you are menopausal or not .

I stayed on the pill until I was 49, was perfectly ok, then had 5 months with no periods, followed by constant 'periods' every 2/3weeks.