mirena coil - good or bad?

[Twinkie84]

Please can you share your experiences of the mirena? I'm seriously considering getting one fitted?

I have been on the pill for years and having 2 young boys; won't be having any more children any time soon. I am thinking of getting a long term contraceptive but not sure what?

Been to the GP this morning and been given a leaflet but my mind is boggled!!

Can you all share your experiences - good and bad? And if you suggest any other long term methods?

Thanks

Anyone?

I'd be interested to hear anyone's experience too! My gp is so desperate to get me on this she gave me one to take home with me. I'm not sure quite what she wants me to do with it

I think it differs for each woman, I personally had a terrible experience with mine, cramps and repeated B.V and thrush, but no periods at all- it's only redeeming feature, so had to have it removed. But I know many people who swear by them and have had 5 years of no worries about unwanted pregnancy and little to no periods.

I love mine virtually no periods less pmt and no side effects but it doesn't suit everyone. I'm 4 years in and will be getting it replaced next year. I had a copper coil before and this suits me more.

I've had the Mirena for 6 years, changed after 5 and apart from some pain and cramping during the initial fitting, it has been an absolute godsend. I've had no pregnancy scares, very light to none bleeding around my time of the month and no hormonal side effects. I know it is different for anyone but I suffered exceptionally painful periods and I'm waiting to finish my degree before having children, and the long-term contraception was a bonus.

I had mine fitted at a family planning clinic so I had more time to talk through my options with a GP dedicated to sexual health and family planning, and was given plenty of information and follow up appointments.

I had a copper coil for a year after changing from the pill, but it made me bleed A LOT. I bled heavily for two months after it was put in then settled in to periods of 10 days of heavy bleeding and 10 days off!

Switches to mirena last month and it seems better already, bit of spotting for a day or two then light period so far, so I'm pleased so far.

Putting it in wasn't much fun, but was brief, and cramping for a day.

I hate mine. Advised by my specialist to have one due to 3 week periods every 2 weeks. Not made any difference in fact out of 31 days this month I bled for 23. I have awful mood swings around ovulation and terrible ovary pain. Add to that the awful spots on my face (never before had spots I'm 36) I'm seeing my specialist in a few weeks and will be begging for it to be removed. I realize this is not usual for everyone but thought I would share the flip side.

Mild cramps for approx 6 hours post insertion.

No period. No babies.

Best. Invention. EVER

I have a copper cool as due to PCOS didn't want any artificial hormones. Never had any problems either time and know fairly well how regular my cycle is as no other hormones are controlling it. I love it and don't need to remember to take my pill!

I love mine. Had my first five years ago, periods stopped about three years ago, had it replaced a few weeks back and still love it

I've had two although did have mine removed recently as I'm totally convinced it had moved. It was so uncomfortable.
I found the insertion incredibly painful first time and much better for the second one. I had a bit of spotting and then no periods at all. It was great.

I'm on my second, and the only bad thing is having it inserted/changed. It's not painful, but uncomfortable.

I had to fight to get mine So if it's being offered easily I would grab it!

And the best bit is that it's worked.

I'm onto my third. I've had no side effects and love the fact that after a few weeks I am period free for years. I also didn't have any problems with fitting which might be a bit unusual. Now starting menopause though, so not sure if it'll still be ok !

I had one. I hated it. I had horrific mood swings, I became incredibly paranoid and had horrible stinky spotting. I stuck it out for 7 weeks.

I would say if you're generally stable in mood, it's probably fine. I was way too sensitive for it.

When I was researching it I could only find negative reports online, but I decided to give it a try (although as I didn't have children the Dr was reluctant to let me have one) but I got along really well with it. I loved the fact that I didn't have periods for the 4 years that I had it although actually I wasn't having sex for most of that time either up until the point when I decided that artificial hormones suppressing something that's biologically normal wasn't ideal in the long term (given that I didn't need contraceptive protection at that point) so I had it take out. The insertion and removal is a bit uncomfortable but otherwise it was never on my mind, and after having it removed I got a regular cycle back immediately (unlike the pill where it took 18 months to go back to normal!).

Absolutely love mine. I'm getting my third put in next month. I've been freed from period/pms and it changed my life. I finally lost weight, improved confidence and life has been much more level.

I got pregnant about a year after mirena coil was fitted! It was an ectopic and ruptured. The coil was still in the right place and everything. I'd never have another.

I had mine for 6 months and it was horrendous. I bled every day and had full on floods during any form of exercise. I was also in pain and in a hormonal fog constantly. Sorry probably not what you want to hear

I love mine. It took about three months to settle down, and since then no periods and no problems.

I love mine. About 9 months in now, and have very light periods (almost nothing). No mood swings etc (I found the injection terrible for this - couldn't get on with it at all). I almost didn't get it owing to all the negative stuff I read about the Mirena on here - so glad I went ahead despite my fears - it's brilliant. I don't want any more children, and the fear of pregnancy was the ultimate passion killer. So DH is thrilled with my Mirena too! Go for it - the worst that can happen is that you don't like it and get it removed!

Quite how bad is the "fitting"?

I hate a smear test, and strugle to relax enough (strong pelvic floor brag ), is it much worse than that?

Giving birth was always fine for me, but I find our local nurse has hard hands and hate hate hte my smear because of that. Also hate the scraping scratching of my cervix

Am I too chicken to do this?

You know what, I found it easier than any smear test I've ever had! What that says about the state of my bits after 3 children I'm not sure.....

I had two sections and have scar tissue on my cervix.

My GP is amazing at fitting though. I took two fairly good codeine an hour before, and they had me a nurse as well to help talk to me. The GP removed the old one (and told me to say thank you to it for five years of no pregnancy! ) and then numbed my cervix with cream. I laid for ten minutes relaxed, chatting, and then she fitted - was slightly painful, and took me 3-4 days of cramps and feeling bruised, but was really straight forward.

I even had no bleeding second time. A little spotting but that was all.

Baby you don't have to use your surgery. The GUM clinics and family planning clinics can fit themZ

I've had the Mirena before and had no periods or bleeding at all. I was however a hormonal wreck and slightly unstable!

I've now got the copper coil, and it's great as no added hormones in my body. I get regular periods which are light and no pain, haven't had any problems with it at all.