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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:
MsBionic · 04/10/2006 20:23

Lushaddict please keep me posted of your progress..

Lushaddict · 04/10/2006 21:06

MsBionic..I will do. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. He did manage to make me laugh though when he asked if I'd had sex in the last week (apparantly they dont like to remove them if so as sperm can survive for a week).With my sex drive at the mo I found this highly amusing, all thoughts of that kind of malarky went right out of the window weeks ago!

MsBionic · 05/10/2006 11:50

Went the doctors today just to confirm my feelings about the coil and she agreed that taking out would be a good thing (she's good my Doctor!) I have also decided not to go on the pill so for the first time (apart from the short time when concieving my 2 kids) in 20 years I will be chemical free..

..what sort of person will emerge?? Will I like her??

lisaw37 · 05/10/2006 22:27

I have started with IBS and look as though I am five months pregnant. I am bloated, tired all the time and achy (might be my age!!) does anyone else feel achy? I have an appointment with my doctor to discuss possibly removing it, I would appreciate any advice?

Ronniebaby · 05/10/2006 23:22

Hi there I'm new to this thread.

I've just had my Mirena removed,

Had it for 2 years, but I was having bad mood swings, shouting/snapping at my kids for no reason, itchy skin, spots, backache, low all the time, NO sex drive what so ever, I didnt even feel sexy in myself anymore, lack of self confidence & low esteem which is unsually for me.

I have now had the non-hormonal one put back in and we'll see if this make a difference.

People had started to notice a change in me and I didnt like what I was seeing. Yet speaking to the doctor today, she said the hormone is that small that it shouldnt really have that much effect. Well I'm sorry but mine was.

MsBionic · 06/10/2006 07:58

Ronniebaby - word of advice watch out for heavy periods on the non-hormone coil...

Ronniebaby · 06/10/2006 13:51

MsB - thanks, I've had the non-hormonal one before and touch wood, it was only a little heavier than normal (fngers crossed).

I am happy I found this thread about this as I have spoken to loads of people who have had experience of the Mirena and most dont have a good word to say about it.

Sheraz · 08/10/2006 12:06

Gosh was so interested to read all this.Been on the Mirena for a year, despite starting a new fitness/ healthy eating regime in January have not lost a pound. Thought it was my age, now wonder if I have found the answer. I have also been sweatier/ hairier/ grumpier, NO interest in sex at all. Thought it was me. I really would like Dh to get the snip, I have been on the Pill for nearly 20 yrs on and off before the Mirena, would love a chemicla free system. How is MSbionic getting on without it?

MsBionic · 08/10/2006 20:40

It comes out on Wednesday Sheraz so I'll keep you posted.

Funny you should mention sweatier. I wondered what was happening!!

Sheraz · 12/10/2006 13:31

How did the removal go MSBionic? Did it hurt as much coming out as it did going in? Lost any weight yet ?!!!!!!!!I jest.

MsBionic · 12/10/2006 18:00

Didnt hurt a bit!! phew! I didn't realise how relieved I would be though but a tad apprehensive as I now have to rely on the dreaded condom...argh!!

2ndtime · 12/10/2006 21:35

Lisaw37, I had one in for over 5 years and during that time had very severe joint pains and was investigated for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus as I had classic symptoms. To the extent that my consultant used me as a teaching aid to junior doctors learning to recognise the wide range of symptoms for lupus. ( joint pain, skin rashes, hair loss, facial rashes etc.)However, all the tests came back negative! I pulled the bloody thing out myself after researching side effects on the net and can honestly say I feel like a different person.
No joint pain at all, when before I couldn't walk, climb stairs, ride my horses, pick up the kids without extreme pain.I felt I was prematurely an old lady. Now I am rampant(ish) in the bedroom, lost almost a stone without dieting, hair grew back, no rashes. A miracle! How dare they put these things in us and lie about the side effects.
I'm still furious 6 month after i flushed it down the loo.It robbed me of years of care free living.

2ndtime · 12/10/2006 22:01

Should add that during the time it was in I had 2 biopsies of "growths" in my mouth, and one of the skin behind my ear to try and prove the lupus link. These were very painful proceedures (particularly the ones on the roof of my mouth).I also had investigations of a breast lump and the terror of possibly having breast cancer. Again all these symptoms including my painful breast lump have mysteriously gone since the coil came out.
My advice is
NEVER EVER HAVE A MIRENA.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2ndtime · 13/10/2006 13:37

.

MsBionic · 13/10/2006 14:18

how strange it is to have to use tampons again!!!

2ndtime · 13/10/2006 20:27

I'd rather have a period that lasted the rest of my life than use a mirena coil again. The absolute only benefit was the lack of periods but it also robbed me of every ounce of sex drive so there was no need to put it into practice! It stopped my periods but also left me a stone heavier, bald patches on my head, major skin problems (ulcers on my face and chest) crippled with joint pain, severe back pain, depression, the list is endless. Give me period pains any time!

MrsWaggsnapps · 13/10/2006 21:21

have you ever taken the progestron (sp?) only pill (mini pill), if so, how did you react to it? I have just had mine out as after two years of no periods (apart from the first 2 mths, which was intermitent bleeding and various aches and pains), they came back along with the worst PMT I've had in 16 yrs - I also found got the spots round the chin, sore breast... which I also got taking POP.

So I'd say, if you react badly to one, you may well react badly to the other.

castaway · 14/10/2006 04:00

Hi everyone

Just reading all the messsages begs the question: why is contraception always seem to fall to a woman. I have together with my partner for 13 years, sexually active since 16 and I have always looked after it. The two times I took a break from pill and we used condoms I got pregnant, two beautiful children. I then decided on the coil which was a dreadful experience going in and reading all the horror stories was never comfortable with having alien object inside me. My point is my husband, who I love dearly will not consider other options. Any suggestions? Will withdrawl of privileges work?? Anyone else have similar experience??

whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 14/10/2006 06:11

I have the mirena coil and have been having hair loss - was told this could happen after having a baby & hairdresser told me that a normal person loses about 100 hairs per day!
I have put on weight put this down to having a baby and not doing much to lose it!
I can be really short tempered - put this down to being busy etc with working fulltime, 2 kids & running a house!
I have spoken to a couple of dotors who said that it couldn't possibly be the coil but after reading this I am pretty sure it is.
I feel like printing this off and showing my doctor if when I see him/her again they tell me that it couldn't be!
I have one problem though my coil threads have gone missing and can anyone shed any light on how they would take it out?

2ndtime · 14/10/2006 07:56

Could be a general anaesthetic to get the sod out. Don't let that put you off. It's your bodys way of telling you somethings not right by producing all these symptoms.
It took me 5 years to connect all my problems with the mirena. I still havent told my GP I pulled it out! Do you think it's a coincidence that my first trip to the GP with joint pain and hairloss was about 6 months after it went in (I had put up with it for some time before I went)
and ALL my symptoms (including a stone in weight) went within 2 weeks of it coming out!

2ndtime · 14/10/2006 08:08

Castaway, show this thread to your DH, tell him to grow up, and book him in for the snip! My DH had a vasectomy in August after I told him I'd removed my own coil and had no intention of having it put back in. We concieved 2 beautiful daughters whilst I was on the pill, so that wasnt an option, and we used condoms and still are to he gets a clear sperm count, but I dont particularly like them. If you dont want any more kids why should you have to continue pumping hormones and foreign bodies into yourself? Nothing comes without risk or side effect. Appart, perhaps, from the good old vasectomy! You have done your bit, borne him beautiful babies and all the pain and gore that involves, the least he can do is have a minor operation under local anaesthetic. It takes about 20 minutes from start to finnish.
Sorry to rant on but I cant bear this selfish attitude from blokes happy to leave it all up to us girls regardless of the effect on our health.

merlotmama · 14/10/2006 17:16

Just wanted to say, after all the bad press Mirena is getting here, I have had one for 4 1/2 years and it's been brilliant. I got it because of very heavy periods and it has worked a treat.

I have put on some weight - gone up a dress size -but as I'm no spring chicken, could be age. Ditto lack of libido. I'll be interested to see if anything changes when it is removed next year, but until then, it's staying right where it is. Its been a complete lifesaver for me.

I just needed to give the other side of the coin, in case anyone was considering a Mirena and was being put off by this thread.

2ndtime · 14/10/2006 19:21

How good is it though if even those who consider it a success list loss of libido and weight gain as side effects!

whooOOOoooOOOpsfallenoveragain · 14/10/2006 19:26

I have to say that I didn't have a problem (or was aware of one!) until the last few months. Maybe my body needs to have a break from the extra hormones?
Maybe if the take it out under general they can put a copper one in so I don't have to go through the pain I did having the mirena put in!!

2ndtime · 14/10/2006 19:40

As I've said before, I wasn't aware that I had a problem for 5 years, until I came across mumsnet and a mirena thread. I then realised that the whole range of illnesses I had suffered from and been told I had (one of them potentially life threatening)were listed by dozens of other women with mirena coils. I then googled it an spent literally days looking at american web sites slagging them off. There are pressure groups forming in America who are planning to sue the company who make mirena coils.

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