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 haven't read all this thread - far too long! I am sure there will be plenty of negatives, but I have had no negatives with mine, which was fitted nearly 3 years ago. I sometimes have slight pmy, and recently tried 3 pregnancy tests because I had some early symptons of preganancy - all negative thankfully (al;though I felt a little sad when the blue line didn't appear!)

I have had no periods for over 2 years (I am more than happy with this), but you should expect bleeding for first 6 months. Keep checking its in place, and go for your check ups.

Also positive experience of the Mirena and I have had two fitted.

To be fair, this time I had some hassle after it had been fitted as the threads had been left too long but after I asked them to sort that out I have had no problems and a very very light period. I can not take the pill because of focal migraines and I was previously bleeding heavily because of fibroids but this sorted it all out. Definitely get it checked and clearly if you suffer with any mood swings then best to chat to your GP or Family Planning Clinic but it worked for me.

Thanks for the positive posts, makes me feel a bit better.

I think this thread may have made me a bit paranoid.

I felt a little discomfort down below this morning on 1 side and I'm wondering if my mirena has moved! Will see how I go and if I feel it again will pop to get it checked.

How often should you get them checked anyway?

I have had mine in for a year and it has never been checked.

Hi
Had my second coil fitted on tuesday and have felt crap ever sice with headaches,nausea,hot flushes,and a spaced out feeling.
Had none of this with my first coil so am a bit lost in trying to work out if this is a normal reaction.Family planning told me they dont think its related to coil as i have no cramps.
Can anyone help me on this please.
Thanks

Have had the Mirena IUD for 10 months. Can't find the strings, nor can my physician. Had an ultrasound today, the tech said "it's in there" but no more specifics until I see the doc next week. Have have some cramping, no bleeding. How serious is this ?

Has anyone experienced weight gain and bloatedness with the mirena coil. I had one fitted in January and my tummy seams to be getting bigger and bigger.

I had a mirena fitted about 3 months ago. I think it did make me put on a few pounds, as I have never put on weight before, apart from when pregnant obviously. Having said that, I love it. Have only had a few days of spotting, no pms or sore boobs.

I had a mirena fitted about 3 months ago. I think it did make me put on a few pounds, as I have never put on weight before, apart from when pregnant obviously. Having said that, I love it. Have only had a few days of spotting, no pms or sore boobs.

'Family planning told me they dont think its related to coil as i have no cramps. '

How can they tell people that when they know the Mirena has progesten hormone in it - however small a dose?

I'm having mine removed. My moods have been awful after me period and poor dh has had enough. Doctor was very understanding and said she'd take it out before I asked. Just counting down the days till it's out. I'm going to try a brand new mini pill that has a 12 hour 'window' to take it, but doesn't have progesterone in it as I am clearly sensitive to it, almost went mad taking Microgynon.

I wish it had worked as it is very convenient, but enough is enough, back to experimenting with different things again.

Can I ask did anyone's hair stop growing when they had their coil in, I'm losing more than usual too, but I keep having to cancel hair appointments as it hasn't grown enough to cut I usually have very long hair, but had it cut after ds2 was born and it all fell out and am currently struggling to get it past my shoulders I've read it can be a side effect.

Hi kate100. I have been losing quite a bit of hair but it is also growing quite fast as well.

How old is your baby? I think you can lose hair for a while after having a baby so it may not, in your case, be entirely mirena related.

Good luck with the new mini pill.

Hi kate100. I have been losing quite a bit of hair but it is also growing quite fast as well.

How old is your baby? I think you can lose hair for a while after having a baby so it may not, in your case, be entirely mirena related.

Good luck with the new mini pill.

Only had mine fitted about 4 weeks ago and it was really uncomfortable for about the first week and then it settled down. Read this site as I was a bit worried as I've just had my first period which was virtually nothing and I'm usually quite heavy!
As for the mood swings I am pleased to say I've had none which is a HUGE plus as I have bipolar spectrum disorder, am taking quetiapine whichhelps my moods but they've really settled down lately.... but lets see how things go.... fingers crossed. Used to take Depo which was horrendous, can't take the pill as I'm too irresponsible to remember to take them - lol! So I'm hoping the coil agrees with me - I shall keep you posted - so far no weight gain!

bexmck - If you get any signs of mood swings with the coil in go and talk to your doctor. As you are on meds to keep your moods stable you really don't want them upsetting again.

My moods weren't upset for months and months, maybe 8 so it can take time.

Hope I haven't put you off.

I have had the Mirena in since March and had persistant bleeding and mood swings I went to the GP to have it removed only to find that they could not find the threads.I had a vaginal USS but they still couldn't find it and found it on xray in the peritoneal cavity!!I am waiting to find out what happens now....has anyone else had this experience?

oooh just found this thread. Thinking of having one after this Bump as I really don't want anothe accident just yet! I had major (and I should put that in caps MAJOR) mood troubles on the pill (think crazy depressive manically crying violent thing who was once a normal female) and my sister was similar though not nearly as bad.

She has had a Mirena and it shouldn't affect moods as is local homones only. The great part is that it is statistically as good as sterilisation and you can't forget to take it! She has had a few problems though with cramping but then she had it fitted at the same time as an op on endometriosis and has not had any children which apparantly makes a difference. Now though its great, she doesn't even have periods anymore!

Anyway I will certainly be discussing it after the baby although a little worried now by the m=number of people who have had mood problems with it on theis thread!

to sears1972

I have had a similar experience. I had been taking the depo provera for 9 months. After I was told that the coil must of fell out by two doctors. As they couldnt find the threads. I also went for an ultrasound, that was reported back as having a large cyst. After another three months of thinking It would be hard for me to get pregnant. For having this cyst. I went for an ultarsound which confirmed I dont have
a cyst, it was the mirena coil that they thought had fallen out. I was meant to go in hospital, but my appointment got cancelled as I wasnt fit for day surgery. Now I am in hospital on the 25th September having it out under GA. Do u get any pain with it. I go for a few days without any pain, then i will be in sheer agony for 2 days. I am neva having this coil again. ive had enough. When is ur next appointment, hop u dont have to wait too long.

Q for those of you with one. How do you time your smears ? Theoretically they're supposed to be midcycle but how can you tell ? I only have the subtlest amount of occasional spotting, if any, so am chancing an appointment anyway .

I HAD MY COIL FITTED A MONTH AGO AND ON READING ALL THESE MESSAGES I AM BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL PROBLEM . I HAVE GOT SORE BOOBS AND A DISCHARGE WHICH IS GETTING A LITTLE HEAVIER BY THE DAY ( NOT ICHY BUT A LITTLE SMELLY, SORT OF STALE POTATOES) SORRY BIT YUCKY. NO MOODS SWINGS, ALTHOUGH AS MY PMT WAS DREADFUL PREHAPS I HAVNT NOTICED. HAS ANYONE HAD REALLY POSITIVE RESULTS. MY PERIODS HAD BEEN DREADFUL BEFORE AND SO I WAS WILLING TO GIVE SOMETHING A GO , NOTHING MENTION TO ME ABOUT CHECKING FOR STRINGS EITHER(WHAT STRINGS) , FITTED IN THE UK, ARE THE DOCTORS NOT SO ON THE BALL HERE.

I've had brilliant results - have had it for 3.5 years. I have put on weight - about a stone - but apart from that and sore boobs occasionally have been fine with it. The weight is annoying but less traumatic than an unwanted pg.

Had Mirena coil fitted one year ago and find it great. Slight weight gain but benefits far outweigh this. Had a bad experience while it was being fitted in that I blacked out - this after two babies. Am thinking of baby number three and am worried about having coil removed. Is it as painful as when it goes in? Will I need an epidural ??

Hi Ladys,
I had a mirena coil fitted a year ago as I did not want anymore childen, I have two a teenager who is driving me mad, and a lovley toddler (both boys). I was promised no periods or very light ones and that there would be no side effects, I agreed as no periods sounded great whilst I stayed on the waiting list for a sterlization op.
1st of all hubby said he could feel the coil and although my hubby is large, the doctor said this was not possiable, I felt pain everytime we had sex, bleed non stop, and felt faint for weeks, went back to hospital and they checked it and said it was fine and that it would settle down!.
Guess what the bleeding never stopped, in fact in the end I went off having sex with hubby becuase it was painful.
Then my operation date came though to be sterlization and I told the surgon that they would have to take coil out as well.
I woke up on a drip and stayed in hospital for two days and a sterlization op is day surgery WHY?, you guessed it the coil had become emmbeded within my womb the surgon had to spend half an hour to even find it, this caused major trama to my womb and becuase it was'nt in place I am lucky that I had not fallen pregnant.
Good News I am sterlizated now and have no pain and sex is back on the menu big time!, COILS DON'T GO THERE.............

I had a mirena fitted 2.1 yrs ago and I have had no periods since it was fitted. Dh also says he can feel it when we have sex but it doesn't actually hurt him or me. Well having it took ou tomorrow and will report how crap I feel.

I had a mirena fitted 6 days ago, in the hope it will help with painful heavy periods and let me get on with my job etc. I don't need it for contraception as I was sterilised 10 yrs ago after 4 children. The only thing is; it was probably the most painful thing I've ever undergone (including childbirth without any-thing for pain) and the cramps are dreadful. I can't even contemplate having it taken out (or even changed in 5 years), will someone let me know when it's likely to settle, I know the advice is bleeding will likely be erratic for 3-6 months, but what about pain?