Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Mirena coil

1000 replies

Lizzer · 07/01/2002 12:41

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.

OP posts:
jasper · 14/08/2006 23:02

Very good question Reece.
I got my mirena a few months ago.

I feel tired most of the time and have gained weight . Is this down to the mirena or just life with wee kiddies?
Who knows

Reece · 15/08/2006 08:22

Jasper do you remember if you were as tired before the Mirena was fitted? Iv'e had it in for a year so really can't remember.

jasper · 15/08/2006 08:27

Reece I am not certain but think I am even more tired since having it fitted. It might be coincidence.
Will post more later

19752004 · 15/08/2006 09:23

im really having second thoughts of having this. dont know if i can put up with spotting for 6 months especially as i was fine b4 the coil. im having such bad lower pain i feel like just telling the doc to take it out. do ya think im just rushing thins as its only been 5 days?
Liz

Reece · 15/08/2006 09:28

19752004 Go and get it checked out as I don't think it should be giving you pain aftr 5 days.
Even though the settling in period took ages for me its great for serving its purpose iykwim!

I did have spotting for a long time and went through a lot of pants but once it settled it was fine.

19752004 · 15/08/2006 09:34

reece just on the phone 2 docs gonna go get checked out this morn.

Reece · 15/08/2006 13:24

Let us know how you get on 19752004. Hope all is ok.

19752004 · 15/08/2006 16:58

reece, been docs had to have the coil removed and have now ended up on antibiotics and i dunno somethin else. all in all it hasnt been a very good experience for me but glad i went docs today. anyone reading this thred and thinking about having the mirena really really think about it sometimes its better the devil u know.

Reece · 15/08/2006 23:04

You poor thing 19752004. Glad you got yourself sorted though. Hope your pains have gone.

What an awful experience for you.

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:10

'im really having second thoughts of having this. dont know if i can put up with spotting for 6 months especially as i was fine b4 the coil'

I found that a completely unacceptable side effect.

Glad you are on the road to recovery!

They really hard sell the Mirena here, but I decided to try the mini-pill beore that and I'm so glad I did, b/c I found out that progesten intensifies my PND.

klempers11 · 15/08/2006 23:10

Hi, my first input too so bear with me. I tried the mirena coil last year with two children under two and had horrid experiences of it. Despite the doctor telling me that the hormone content was so small it couldn't possibly affect my moods I had huge mood swings, felt depressed & sad the whole time & didn't stop spotting for around 8 months. Insisted it came out and was back to normal within a month. I think it is rare for people to get these symptoms but there are significant numbers of women who do feel this way.

Medulla · 15/08/2006 23:12

Oh blimey I thoguht the mirena would be he answer and now I'm not so sure, don't know what to do, appointment is next friday!

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:13

I cancelled mine, Medulla.

Ended up on the diaphragm and can't take combined pill for medical reasons and don't fancy the copper coil.

The LAST thing I needed was for something to make my PND worse.

klempers11 · 15/08/2006 23:14

I'd give it a try. I didn't find it at all painful or hard to put in but just keep an eye out for the symptoms & if you feel you want it out don't be talked into keeping it in for any longer than you're comfortable with. My doctor told me it would settle down & to try another couple of months. I wish I'd had it out the first time I asked. Good luck.

Medulla · 15/08/2006 23:16

I can't take the pill either, don't want the depot because of delayed return to fertility, don't fancy the implants, condoms just spoil the moment for us....help!! How are you getting on with the diaphragm?

suejonez · 15/08/2006 23:16

I loved the Mirena - best contraception I ever had and solved a hormone imbalance which had been dangerous for me. It works for more people than it doesn't work for and of my huge scientifc sample of three (me, sister and friend) all of us have been happy with it.

Don;t know if thats helps you make up your mind, but just thought I'd put a positive view forward.

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:16

Yeah, I got told 'it'll all settle'. But no one can tell me when.

That pretty much clenched it for me.

At least w/the Pill, you can just stop taking it.

When you have something inside you that you can't pull out yourself, it's a different story.

Reece · 15/08/2006 23:16

klemper11 - That is exactly how I am feeling a lot these days. My mood swings are incredible at times. I really don't like the way I can react to stuff that I normally wouldn't bat an eyelid about. I also get tearful over the slightest thing.

My problem is that I have hypertension so cannot take any form of contraceptive pill. My only other option is condoms and look where they got me - DS2 16 mths after DS1.

Reece · 15/08/2006 23:19

Whats the diaphragm like?

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:21

I like the diaphragm.

Some people don't b/c they think it has a high failure rate, but we're not a very fertile couple as it is and I am very careful about using it correctly.

You need to be a steady weight, though.

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:23

Used correctly and if you also use a condom, the failure rate is only about 2% w/diaphragm.

I have higher than normal BP, am 35, and my father and ALL his siblings struggle w/hypertension and heart attacks - including two deaths in the family.

So combined pill or similar is totally out for me.

I'm very comfortable and familiar w/my body, so diaphragm suits me.

It is faffy to have fitted, but certainly better than having a baby!

Medulla · 15/08/2006 23:23

Think I might give the Mirena a go! I was really all for it when I came away from my appointment with the gynaecologist last week so I will try it.

Reece · 15/08/2006 23:24

Think it would be too risky for us!! We are very fertile!!!! Oh well, looks like I am just going to have to bear with it and keep driving myself and everyone else around the twist until we are ready for another baby

expatinscotland · 15/08/2006 23:25

It's worth a try, Medulla, especially if you don't suffer from depression and if you're okay w/progesten.

I'm not.

Medulla · 15/08/2006 23:27

I let you know how it goes, fingers crossed!

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In
This thread is not accepting new messages.
Swipe left for the next trending thread