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.

I had a Norplant when they first came out and had no problems with it whatsoever until I wanted to have it removed - apparently some Doctors have been sued by patients who have had permanent scarring after heavy handed removal and therefore others are not keen to do it. I did eventually find a doctor who would remove it via my LHA and was left with a very tiny and virtually invisible scar.

Thanks star, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow one bit (treatment day) but will be pleased when its all over...Definitely going to go for mirena after its all settled down, but my GP asked me to ask at the hospital how long I have to wait to get it fitted, it might be a while apparently...

Me too, Lizzer.

All the best for tomorrow, Lizzer.
J

Best of luck. Hope all goes well.

Hope all goes well today, Lizzer.

Oh thanks you lot! I'll give gory details on smear tests thread...

More help needed - having smugly said a couple of weeks ago that I had no problems with the pill, I saw my doctor yesterday and he quite firmly told me that due to my age (44) I need to seriously consider stopping the pill within the next couple of years.

He strongly recommends the mirena coil, I feel a bit squeamish about it, so comments and advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Or you could do what I have done - give up sex !

I wish.

Star my dear, can I borrow you again?!

Just wondering if the mirena is effective as contraception immediately after insertion, or do you have to use anything else for a while? And do the doctor's say, how can I put it, that you have to wait for it to settle down or anything before you can, well, jump into bed!!!

BTW I'm about to book appt. for next month so was just curious...thanks x

Lizzer, I've had mine in for three years now. If I remember correctly, you are advised to use alternative contraception for the first month, as there is a very slight chance you may have already released an egg which could implant (I think). As regards any after effects, none whatsoever as far as I was concerned, had far mor after effects when I had to take the morning-after pill after the condom broke (hence the coil fitting!)

I was advised to use alternative contraception until I'd had my mirena checked (6 weeks after it was put in.) I was told that this was because if it's going to come out (which apparently they sometimes do) it would be likely to be within the first month or so.I believe they actually start working immediately, so as long as you are sure that it's still there (by checking the strings) then you should be OK.

Thanks for the info, girls, am still not relishing the thought of the 'fitting' but can't wait to be pregnancy risk free for 5 yrs, yay!

I met the person who fitted my coil on the bus the other day. Spent ages staring at her and kind of half smiling in the way that you do when you know you know someone but can't think where from. Was just about to risk saying hello when I remembered and felt myself go red as a beetroot as I busied myself with my bag...

LOL Scummy! That's incredible, like when I was working as a barmaid and my doctor came in for a drink with a colleague, as I served him I kept thinking, 'you did my smear test this afternoon - urgh!'

Star - cheers, once again, for info (I'll try and make it the last time I ask!!)

I had a Mirena fitted about a year ago and I would recommend them to anyone who has finished their family. I was advised that the coil could come adrift during the first period after it was inserted and that the 6 week check would determine whether it was still there. My nurse at the doctor's practice showed me how to check it was still there. I did find it was a bit uncomfortable when it was put in and I bled for a day or two afterwards, I had to remain laying down for approx 30 mins after it was put in - thankfully as my legs got the shakes!! I suffered some pains like strong period pains for a few hours after insertion. Periods reduced each month for about four months and now I get nothing - wonderful considering I was exceptionally heavy prior to having it.
While I was making up my mind whether to go ahead with this type of coil I was given some excellent fact sheets from the doctor (on various contraception types), it would be well worth trying to get hold of these before making up your mind.

This advice thread has been really interesting as my obstetrician has just recommended the mirena to me at my 6 week checkup after the birth of my son - 2nd and last baby hopefully but we don't want to do anything permanent quite yet. The no periods thing seems almost too good to be true! How do they actually fit it, if you don't mind me asking - is it a feet in stirrups sort of a thing (not that I'm embarrased, heck, I've had two kids, I'd practically drop my pants in the street for a stranger!).
Its good to hear there is such a good option out there. Apparantly they cost about £300, so at least we are getting value for money!

I,ve also read this thread with interest as my husband and I have decided that we do not want anymore children. I have also decided that I do not want to stay on the pill for much longer, but I don't want to send my husband for a vasectomy-just yet. The Mirena coil is a hormone releasing coil, so what's the difference between it and actually taking the pill? I am on the combined pill at the moment. Does it get rid of the health risks that are associated with the pill?

Susanmt - it is inserted in a similar way to a smear test being done - no stirrups!!

Daffy - the reasons you are looking into this are exactly the same as mine were a year ago - two kids no plans for any more and I feel that dh is still too young to do anything as permanent as a vasectomy and I am just too forgetful to remember to take the pill every day!!!! - the hormones are much less than the pill but this is discussed further down the thread.

How very interesting! DD is now 7 months. I was pathetic at taking the mini pill prescribed after having her so had a coil fitted in Nov at my FPC. At the time I wasn't told of any alternatives to usual coil (maybe becos dd is my 1st and they assume I'll have another baby within 3 years thus "wasting" money?!) Anyway, coil was a mare - ended up with periods 14 days long so had it out this morning and resigned myself to going back on the pill. However, the doc I saw today was really lovely and suggested the Mirena and I must say. it sounds ideal. She's suggested I take the pill of couple of months whilst I make up my mind, but now I've read this thread (no pun intended!) mirena is sounding good.
Incidently, I was on the depo injections for 2 years (prior to meeting dh) & it seemed OK but when I came off it took me a YEAR to get my periods back!!! And when they did come, I had pregnancy symptoms (sickness, sore boobs, etc) which made me a nervous wreck. Several people have since told me their GPs hate depo and don't reccommend it if you're ever considering having a baby again as it can really mess up your cycle. My friends was also at the FPC this morning having her implant thingy out as well - she hated it! Guess that everyone is different and certain things are going to suit some people and be a disaster for others...