Mirena coil advice...

[Becaroooo]

Been to see gynae today.

Long story but since birth of ds2 (sept 2008) my periods have been dreadful...irregular, heavy, clots, 2/3 bleeds per month. I am now - perhaps unsurprisingly - anaemic. I feel like roadkill

I have tried several things since his birth...POP pill, depo injection and cerazette and none of them has worked/been suitable (cant take the mini pill as am stroke risk apparently)

He has told me I have 3 options;

1. Mirena coil
2. Ablation
3. Hysterectomy

I definately dont want ablation as at my age, the womb lining would probably grow back and I would need another op in the future.

I am also not keen on the coil - I know so many people who have had problems with it and if other hormonal treatments havent worked why will the mirena???

Hysterectomy is a major op and I have 2 young dc.

Any good stories about the coil to cheer me up? Or bad stories for that matter to help me decide.

I go back to see the gynae next week and need to tell him what I want to do...he favours the coil.

wwyd?

My appt is on weds...I will report back!

I love my Mirena. It has changed my life after suffering with really heavy periods since being about 14. You do need to know that you might get irregular bleeding for the first 6 months, but that is should almost certainly settle after that. As the Mirena is the least invasive of all three (no hospital stay, no GA, no surgery) why not start with that, give it plenty of time to work and then if you arent happy, escalate the medical intervention upwards iyswim?

As others have said, the amount of hormone is tiny. And those who have had problems with it, or perceive that the problems they have are due to it, might tend to be more vocal (understandably). Our office is full of quietly satisfied Mirena mums

"quietly satisfied Mirena mums"
Mine too but more like menopausal middle aged Mirena mums.

Mirena is fab, one of my best mates is a gynae and raves about it. I've had mine for three years with NO side effects at all. I did bleed almost continously for about two months after it was put it but since then have only ever had occasional spotting. Heartily recommend, it's nothing like old-school coils.

I've had the Mirena for 10 months & find it wonderful.

No periods, no side effects at all, easy in (2 months after DD2 was born) and it's wonderful being able to shag DP wherever, whenever without worry about getting PG.

I do think I get a slight "PMT" still - just for a day or 2 a month I feel a bit stressed or cranky (like the old days).

I had it inserted at family planning which I would recommend. She was a total specialist and it took a few seconds - I recall asking her "Is that it???". I have read lots of women on here reporting getting it done at GP a bit of a nightmare.

I'm delighted with it.

I loved my first Mirena, no periods no worries, and recommended it to everyone, but it got dislodged (maybe 'cos I was still breastfeeding) and in the process of removing it and fitting my second one, the GP somehow managed to get it through the wall of the womb and it wrapped itself eventually around my appendix. Removed unproblematically by keyhole once I had convinced them to X-ray me (which took some time as GP didn't believe it had happened - long story) but must admit that has put me off them a bit!

I now have an implant which is wonderful, don't know why your gynae hasn't mentioned that if you can have depo?

But I was just very unlucky as what happened to me is a vanishingly unlikely possibility (1 in 1000 or less I think) and even less likely if you have it fitted by an experienced gynae rather than a GP who does them once a year. The first one which worked was brilliant, and now with a bit of distance I'd probably still recommend it.

oh and I have migraines (focal ones) hence can't take proper pill but implant is OK, and has also stopped periods.

I have already had two for 5 years each and am coming to the end of my 2nd (must make that appointment). They are wonderful. I have saved a fortune in sanitary products as I have had no periods for 10 years! However, your medical problems sound complex and so I wouldn't want to advise you but I love mine. It really is easy and no danger of "slip ups" in taking the pill or using any other form of contraceptive.....

Love Mirena - was clearing out the top shelf of the wardrobe and got rid of the ancient pack of Tampax that was gathering dust! Other than the spotting (about 6 weeks) after insertion when DD1 was 6 months old I have not had a period now for 5 years if you include the pregnancy! (OK, I should probably tidy my wardrobe more often as you are now all thinking I'm an untidy slattern...)

Only possible side effect for me has been that my skin is a little more sensitive - not acne type spots, but little tiny spots/tight skin. That could be pre-menopausal symptoms though as I'm in my mid 40s and my mum had hers at 50.

How do you know you've gone through the menopause with Mirena? for the lady who said she had it removed after 9 years, aren't you supposed to have it replaced after 5 years?

Why not give it a go? If the other options are far more invasive and permanant, if the Mirena doesn't work for you then you can very easily have it out, and tick it off the list.
I had one 6 months after DD1, and had it 3 years, bliss! No periods, no other effects, just forgot all about it. Had it out 6 weeks before falling pg with DD2. Am now expecting DC4 and will be having another as soon as possible after he's born, and that'ull be me.
I'm quite intolerant of most pills now (tried almost all now and am sick of side effects), but the Mirena seems so different somehow. Hope you find a solution soon.

Will def be trying it. The gynae may even put it in on weds I guess?

Am worried about lots of bleeding to begin with as I an anaemic already Could just keep taking the iron tab though I suppose.

Thanks for all the advice, I appreciate it.

It is only guaranteed for contraceptive purposes for 5 years but can be left longer if you don't require it just as a contraceptive.
As to the menopause. I have always had periods even with Mirena, regular as clockwork albeit very, very light.
How do you know you've gone through the menopause with Mirena?
Sadly the lack of bleeding is not the only menopausal symptom. I thought I had flu, then realised I had missed a period and was having hot flushes. Two years later I still have a mix of periods for a while and then hot flushes.

It worked absolutely as a contraceptive for me for 11 years. Know this for absolute certain as two weeks after having it removed I was pregnant with DC4