Has anyone had a Mirena coil which solved the problem of frequent heavy periods?

[Feenie]

Clutching at straws here. Since having 4 year old ds, I have suffered from prolonged, very heavy periods which occur every two weeks. I would bleed for 8 days, would get a break for 7 days, then start again.

Have tried the mini pill, which made me bleed continuously (although not quite as heavily), and am coming to the end of a trial of the Depo injection. I loved the Depo before I had ds, it eradicated my periods completely, but now it just makes me bleed continuously(last one was 17 days) and for at least 50% of the time.

I had a scan, in case it was a reoccurence of a dermoid ovarian cyst I had years ago, but the scan was fine.

I have asked to be referred to a gynaecologist, but my GP insists they would just try the Mirena first, and that I should try it before she refers me. In answer to my question - why am I bleeding so frequently/heavily since ds, she says 'some women just do.'

She is convinced the Mirena will sort it, I am less convinced but will have it fitted later this week. Am not looking forward to weight gain, as I still struggle with a spare stone of baby weight as it is.

So, has it worked on this kind of problem for anyone, and is my GP right, that some women just do bleed more frequently and heavily?

The Mirena didn't work for me. I managed to keep it in for six months as any bleeding it causes is supposed to settle down about then. Unfortunately for me I had continuous spotting on it which ironically made it quite a good contraceptive as didn't have sex anyway! I also had bloating, sore breasts and low mood.

I really wanted to like the Mirena as I also was starting to get very heavy periods more frequently. I know for some people it works very well, but I think in general my body doesn't seem to like artificial hormones. I have never been able to get on with either the combined/mini pill for the same reason.
I was sold on the idea of the Mirena because I thought the hormone it contained didn't get round your system, like the Pills, but found this not to be the case.

I have now been sterilised and had endometrial ablation to treat my heavy periods.

I would take time to think before having the Mirena. The copper coil is an alternative as it doesn't contain hormones.

The copper coil, unfortunately, is not recommended as a treatment for heavy periods as one common side effect of it is heavier, longer periods.

Push for the referral and if she doesn't give it to you, see another GP.

You need to find out why you are bleeding so heavily.

I have always had heavy periods, but since having my DC I have had heavier and longer ones. Not as frequent as yours though but definitely going through a super plus tampon in 30 mins for the first two days.

I had the mirenia coil fitted last Oct after DC3. It is wonderful for me. I occasionally get a 'period'. This seems to entail a bit of spotting for a few days - anything from 4-8 days and then it stops again. They are unpredictable as to when they come but as they are so easy to cope with I don't mind iyswim.

My dniece is another side effect of the copper coil - she is 4 now!

GP is the gynae 'expert' at our surgery - was referred to her by other GP. She insists that the first thing a gynaecologist would try is the Mirena, and that there is no point in a refrral until I've tried that first.

Had Mirena for two and a half years - hardly any periods at all after the first month. Very occasional spotting. Highly recommend.

That's good to hear, cece. Did you get any weight gain?

Or sodacrystal?

Sorry about my comment about copper coil (blush) As expat says try to get a referral. With the Mirena you would actually only be masking the problem for a while.

Seeing a gynaecologist is a good idea. When I eventually saw one it turned out I had endo and an ovarian cyst which was causing my heavy bleeding.

I had the mirena for 2 and half years, after spotting for 6 months I still had a period every month that last 7/8 days - was much much lighter but the threads irritated me so it was like have constant mild thrush. Dr denied it could be causing the problem but it disappeared never to return within days of having it out.

It's worth trying especially if you would like more dc in the future. I'm going down the sterilisation and ablation route too.

No lost weight actually (though intentionally as went on major diet as am greedy, needless to say put most of it back on now!).

I do struggle with my wieght anyway and initially I did put on weight but tbh I think it was more to do with the fact that I was bf and being very greedy. After xmas I went on a diet and lost stone and half fairly easily. So I don't think the weight was anything to do with it!

Feenie beware of being heavily persuaded to try the Mirena, I was told by my gynae that the Mirena is low cost to the NHS so they would rather you tried it than higher cost options such as further investigations for your heavy bleeding. Also where I live sterilisation is not done on the NHS so it is much easier for GPs to push the Mirena and hope you will go away for a while.

I had the Mirena fitted due to long heavy nad ver very painful periods. The good news is after 6 months I had no periods at all. However it has come at a price. I have put on weight pretty much all of it around my tummy so I look pregnant some days. I suffer extreme headaches, dizzy spells, mood swings and thats just the tip of the ice berg.

I've had my Mirena in for 7 years .... (they like to take them out/replace after 5) and am booked in for August 17th to have it taken out under general anaesthetic.

Have had two previous attempts to have it removed, but strings have disappeared and after half an hour of them digging around trying to locate it, the pain was indescribable and I couldn't continue. Had another attempt with a stronger local anaesthetic injected in to
the cervix, but that didn't work either.

The first couple of months after insertion was horrible, constant spotting and dull stomach ache. I felt awful but it did settle down eventually. On the plus side I have definitely had lighter periods for all the years it's been in - hardly a bleed at all (just a bit of a show some months) but unfortunately it didn't help with PMT symptoms which still occur - sore breasts, bloating, fluid retention, headaches, mood swings etc.

I have had a mirena for about four years and it has totally sorted the very heavy periods I was getting after having 2 DCs. I couldn't get on a train for any journey longer than half an hour - now I have no periods at all.

Put on a bit of weight but would put that down to being greedy!

Saw a specialist obstetrician a few years ago for a different problem and asked about the heavy periods - he very sweetly and gently said they were down to 'having babies ... and age.'

I would suggest giving it a go as it can be a very straightforward answer to the problem. If not, think again. Good luck!

I am on my second mirena coil and due to have a third one fitted. So that's over ten years and no periods at all

I have had no problems at all and it probably saved my marriage as I used to get horrendous PMT. My periods weren't heavy before though.

I am a little heavier now but that's probably more to age, chocolate and red wine!

I'm having ablation too - October I think as I have really heavy periods which have caused me to be anaemic. I have a copper coil in at the moment which has made them heavier.

Had a mirena coil in for 18 months and it helped my periods alot but I didnt get on with the hormone side of it.

I would push to be referred.

I've had one for about 2 years because of heavy periods following DC2 and very happy with it, took about 6 months of near continual spotting to settle down, but have had next to nothing in the way of periods since and no side effects that I have noticed.

I had mirena fitted for heavy periods and overall it has helped. Periods are now light, short and no pmt. However, it took at least 6 months of spotting to settle down. It decreased my sex drive overnight. Poor dh has put up with this for over two years and tbh, I'm fed up of it too so I'm off to docs tomorrow to discuss options.
One good thing was no weight gain!

I have the Mirena for heavy periods and for me its been a wonder cure! Had them since I was 16, been on the pill, iron tablets, ponstan, had a D & C, nothing worked. Had the Mirena fitted and after a few months of spotting, I settled down to no periods at all ever.

I lost a stone and a half too! Remember that the people who have problems with something tend to be more vocal than those who are perfectly happy with something (not aimed at anyone on here, just at other forums which might might make you wonder why anyone would ever have one fitted). I can honestly say its changed my life for the better.

PS I didnt get on with the minipill either (constant bleeding)

I got mine in about 4 months ago. I have always struggled to put on weight through out my life and here I am after four months of having this in and even my belly is a bit wobbly now!! I am still sportting all the time but it has taken away problem of clotting and pain :)

Thanks everyone. I guess I will go ahead and have the Mirena on Thursday - I don't feel like I have much of a choice, but hopefully I will be like some of the posters here and things will be better (ideally like Follyfoot, sounds brilliant!)

Fingers crossed!

Yep, fingers crossed for you. Dont lose heart if things are a bit wayward for a few months - I think they call it 'chaotic bleeding' - hopefully it will settle and all this will be a thing of the past

it really sorted mine - it is absolutely fantastic. very very heavy, and periods every three weeks. Scan showed my endometrium was three times thicker than it should be, and all sorts of polyp things. They sorted the whole lot in one go and fitted a mirena. I have my life back :)