Mirena coil

[Lizzer]

Hi all, after my treatment (see smear tests) I am wanting to have the Mirena coil fitted. I've read the blurb but don't actually know anyone who has one. Really I'm interested more in the fact that it often changes / stops periods because of the small amount of progesterone in it, and was wondering how this affected people. Also I was told there is a lot of breakthrough bleeding when first inserted? I was under the impression that you can't feel it at all, but wondering if that's true? I've never had a coil fitted before so hope it is the right decision for me. My GP told me it was as affective a contraception method as man having a vascetomy!! Which sounds great for me at the moment... Any comments welcome.

Yes, it's all good now!

I am very happy with my Mirena - no side effects and already (4 months) v light 'periods' which I think will probably stop almost completely at this rate. It was uncomfortable to have it inserted but not as bad as even one contraction, so I reckon it's worth it!

Satine - thanks for the positive feedback, feel better already.

Any more of you out there?

Hello ladies, I finally got mine takn out yesterday and feel better already. I had mine taken out while I was under general anaesthetic for laparoscopy which I'm glad of because if it was half as painful to have removed as it was to have fitted then I'm glad I was asleep. (I once tried to remove it myself, OUCH) I was given the Mirena to try to alleviate symptoms of endometriosis, mainly painful ovarian cysts. When the doctor did the laparoscopy yesterday she found another two cysts, one of which had ruptured and bled and the other one stuck to my bowel. I can now confirm that the Mirena did not help me in the slightest but it actually made my problems worse, not to mention the mood swings and bloating, constant bleeding, huge boobs and spots, oh and hair thinning!! I'm happy that I tried it though becuse if I had not then I would never have known if it would have helped me or not. Anyway I'm glad that some ladies have found that it is helping them, unfortunately it was not to be for me. Lindsey41 I really feel for you, I really suffered having mine fitted as it was getting stuck in my cervix and a real struggle to get in, apparently my cervix was resisting it and I think my body was trying to reject it from day one, hence why I tried to remove it myself but I found that the pain was much too severe. I think my next step now is hysterectomy which is a bit drastic at 35 but because my ovaries are covered in endometriosis and I probably could not have any more children anyway ( my dd is 11 and my dh and I have never used contraception and we've never managed to conceive again) and I feel that I've tried everything else thats been offered to me and now I'm down to my last option.

I had my mirena taken out in October as was sick of food cravings and mood swings. Lost 4 kilos in a week and continued to lose at steady pace.
However should warn others of slight side effectof removal that I discovered this year....am unexpectedly pg again.
So hello again food cravings and mood swings

congratulations whiffy x

Hello 2 all, just an update to say the Mirena is gone and I feel much better. I am sure it works for some but unfortunately not for me!!! A big hug to all.

Hello 2 all, just an update to say the Mirena is gone and I feel much better. I am sure it works for some but unfortunately not for me!!! A big hug to all.

Hi, I was enlightened to read on another thread that Mirena - progesterone based - is not good for those prone to acne - the thread expired in 2003 so i didn't expect a reply. Had Mirena for two months and it is proving to be hell. I wouldn't call it mood swings - because it doesn't swing to good... I can't handle life. i have acne on my legs, arms chest and back. I have gained 1 stone in weight. I lose things, forget things, i feel about one hundrend years old and all my relationships ( children, boss, colleagues, etc) are suffering. I can't wait to get this thing out of my body. It is driving me insane. I never had peiod problems, just slightly dodgy skin, but this is ridiculous. I only chose it as an option because i'm considered too old for the pill, (42)HHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLPPPPPPPPPPP

Katyrocks that sounds awful

Katyrocks, I really sympathise, if you have read any of my previous posts you will see that I have suffered pretty much the same as you. The problem is getting the medical profession to acknowledge that the Mirena is causing it. When I told my Gynae all about it she just gave me a really strange look but she still removed it for me anyway as I had really had enough of it. All I can suggest to you is get it out and if your GP or gynae is reluctant then put your foot down. I think the real reason they dont like to remove them is that they cost £125 each as opposed to a copper coil at about £1.25 and I suppose they have to justify why they are giving them in the first place then removing them after a few months but if it really not agreeing with you them I see no reason why you should not be given the opportunity to get rid of it. Take care, Louise.

I loved my Mirena. I had my first one in for a year and had it out to conceive and I had my second one in for 4 years. I had spotting for a couple of months and felt a bit hormonal but when it all settled down I was fine.
You can't feel it and I didn't get pmt or much in the way of periods. I got a bit of spotting every 6 or so weeks but my cousin who has it doesn't have periods at all.
GO FOR IT!
Sarah x

Oh I thought it was causing breast tenderness and weight gain but when I had it removed (which was painless) I still had breast tenderness and no significant weight loss so it wasn't the Mirena.

Had mine in for four years now and until reading on here I thought I was losing it. PMT and depression from hell so I went to see my GP who was quite insistent that it couldnt possibly be the coil. At the time I bowed down to his medical knowledge but since then I have become convinced that it must be causing at least some of my issues. Am due for a coil check on Weds and am going to ask the nurse for her opinion and will get it removed as soon as I am sorted for alternative contraception. Can anyone suggest a good pill. Since (I assume) the progesterone has had such a dire effect on me should I be avoiding progesterone based pills and is there an alternative? Would be tempted to go for a copper coil but I have always suffered with heavy periods anyway so I think that would make things worse. Any advice would be appreciated. I am 35 by the way so I know from reading other comments that my age rules out some pills. Just would like to be 'fully armed' so to speak when I go back to my GP. TIA.

I'm on Cezarette, arfur and so far, so good. I'm also 35 and have a strong paternal family history of heart disease and hypertension, so I can't take combined pills, either.

bump

Just a quick update, my weight has dropped by about 8lb since having the Mirena out and my boobs dont seem as big. My energy is coming back and my permanent PMT seems to have lifted. I think I'm finally getting back to normal. I must admit though my endometriosis symptoms have started to come back but I'm prepared to put up with it, I'd rather suffer just twice a month than all month long. Sarah I'm glad to hear that you are getting on with your coil you lucy thing, I was really optimistic when I had mine put in but it just wasn't meant to be for me. Its interesting to read the range of opinions on the Mirena, it either really helps or makes things worse, it just shows that its not for everyone but I do agree that its worth giving it a try as you never know how its going to be until you atually try it. Take care, Louise.

Just a quick update, my weight has dropped by about 8lb since having the Mirena out and my boobs dont seem as big. My energy is coming back and my permanent PMT seems to have lifted. I think I'm finally getting back to normal. I must admit though my endometriosis symptoms have started to come back but I'm prepared to put up with it, I'd rather suffer just twice a month than all month long. Sarah I'm glad to hear that you are getting on with your coil you lucky thing, I was really optimistic when I had mine put in but it just wasn't meant to be for me. Its interesting to read the range of opinions on the Mirena, it either really helps or makes things worse, it just shows that its not for everyone but I do agree that its worth giving it a try as you never know how its going to be until you atually try it. Take care, Louise.

I had mine out a wek ago and feel so much better. I had a period emmediately, but much lighter than normal. I was hoping they wouldn't come back, we'll see. My tummy has gone down a lot in size and my clothes are looser!

I had a Mirena coil fitted last Sat (along with a D&C). So far very little bleeding at all and I feel great (no pain to speak of after D&C as well). I'm optimistic about Mirena, particularly as I never had problems with the pill re moods, weight gain etc.

Early days but I'm in the pro Mirena camp if it can provide 5 years of contraception plus reduced periods .

I had it fitted in Feb 04, 4 months after I had ds. I'd had the other non-hormonal coil before and bled every few months but no-one warned me that mirena is designed to stop bleeding altogether, hence it's wide useage in menopausal women.

I had it removed in Nov last year and I don't regret it one bit! Periods are back, but they were never a problem anyway. I feel less bloated and am losing weight, moods don't seem to be as up and down as much and my complexion has also improved greatly!

It's a 'fit and forget for 5 years' but not for everyone.

Went to see the lovely nurse at my surgery this morning and talked over my issues with her - she said that a lot of women have complained to her about mood swings/PMT with the mirena. I asked her to take it out and she did and has put me back on the pill. Will be interested to see if there is any noticable change and will keep you posted!

LOUISE35 can I just ask how long from starting tests etc, was it before you were diagnosed the endometriosis, also what procedures did you have to have before it was diagnosed?

thanks for the support folks. it seems that Mirena is a wonderful solution for the few who can tolerate it. (if you're already spotty and hormonal like me, you've had it ). what i don't understand is why docs don't tell you what you to expect before its fitted. When I mentioned to another doctor what I was experiencing she said it would last for at least 6 months. think i'll pass thanks... going on friday to (hopefully) have it removed.

good luck everyone

Hi all, prob a bit late in joining the thread on the Mirena coil, but I am at the end of my five years of having it in..I am 29 and have two children and got the Mirena inserted after my six week check up after having my second baby. Now I wont lie and say it was fun getting it in but I had a fantastic lady doctor. I had to go in two hours previous to the procedure and was given valium and 'muscle' relaxers which calmed my 'area' down. I was quite chilled out about the whole thing by the time I was back in the docs chair!! The only thing I can compare it to is the sensation you have if you ever had to have stitches after childbirth, it was quite painful for a week or so, even when you sit down you can get the sensation of it. Cramps are a problem in the beginning but I promise you all it is SO worth it if you stick it out... I think that it is the best method ever, after initial problems with the strings having to be cut, it was all hunky dory for me...to be honest I forgot it was even there, it does take time. :)