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.

Mine is fine, lighter, less frequent periods and no side effects.

I've posted before on this but just to say again that my experience has been very positive. You tend to only hear the negative comments, those who are happy probably would'nt think to look at a Mirena thread?

I;ve had mine in about 3 weeks now, and although early days I seem to be OK. Having a bit of spotting, but can cope with that, and it should settle in a few months. slight breast tenderness but other that no problems! Sex drive still OK!

thank you all for the positive comments about the mirena coil. i showed my husband some of the lit. that i've found on the internet regarding the coil and i think his more nervous than me!! i think the low sex drive and mood swings frightened him the most. anyway still thinking and still re-visiting this site to hear your comments, so thanks again all!!

My Mirena has been in for 15mths. It took 9 mths to settle in!!!! Was spotting all that time!!!! I stuck with it though and it is serving its purpose!

My period last month was pretty much non-existent and I have not sufferred period pains for ovr a year Before Mirena my periods were heavy and painful.

I have been suffering from huge mood swings and cannot for the life of me lose the baby weight.

Maybe the moodiness is because I am always tired looking after 2 small boys and maybe I can't lose the weight because I can't lay off the chocolate!

I have had the Merina Coil removed for about four months now due to problems with hair loss. However it wasn't until I went to see a friend (who I haven't seen since I had the coil removed)who remarked at how slim I looked now, and I haven't been dieting. I must of lost a good three quarters of a stone relatviely easily and I put it down to the coil.
I have had nothing but problems with the coil and do not recommend it to anyone. However it was so easy to come out

hi, just joined and cant believe the stories i'm reading.i wasnt aware the mirena could cause all these problems, until my sister mentioned it yesterday, and i've arrived here.i've been depressed for years, been on prozac, now on sertaline, had councilling, you name it! i had the copper coil before, and had the mirena a couple of years, but after reading this i want it out.i cant remember what caused so much pain though, having the copper one removed, or the mirena fitted.the pain put me off so much, i havnt had it checked, or had a smear since, & now i'm worried about the pain of having it removed.help!

so have finally plucked up the courage and am getting my mirena taken out after suffering symptoms such as depression, loss of libido, enormous sugar cravings, horrendous weight gain..(hey, do you think those two may be related?? just a thought... and maybe being a big fat pig may be affecting my sex drive.. )

i spoke to the nurse and she said the earliest i could have it removed would be next week as you had to have 5 days without unprotected sex prior to removal.
i gave a hollow laugh and said, "well i have not had sex for AGES!!" and so i am having it taken out tomorrow am...
am currently in lengthy negotiations with dh about vasectomies...

Good on you Bobs.
Tell DH if he doesn't agree to the snip I'll do it for him over Christmas dinner.
A little slip with the carving knife and job done!
Bobs is my sister by the way, I don't randomly eat Christmas dinner with strangers then cut their husbands ball off.

Make sure you get weighed in the morning and then watch as the pounds melt away.XX You'll be a size 8 by tea time.xx

pmsl, snorted tea down my nose!

I don't know if it is psychological (sp?) but I have felt a whole lot better since having it removed!
have got my sex drive back although how much of that is trying for a baby I'm not sure!!
My hair is still falling out but didn't expect that to change straight away either

how long you had yours out now whoops?

Had it out just over 3 weeks ago!!
had af a few days later which I was really surprised at!

and already got your sex drive back?? ooh, i hope so, its rubbish not wanting to jump my dh cos he's lovely!! (sorry 2ndtime if TMI!)

I had the Mirena coil fitted just over 6 months ago to reduce the pain I get from Endiometriosis. Since then I've out on 6 1bs, have permanently sore boobs, have permanent spotting (bleed after sex) and have the most horrific mood swings - have gone into at least 3 real rages and lashed out at dh.

I went to ask for it to be removed yesterday and the gynae consultant persuaded me to try for another 6 months with it in as she assured me it would get better as my ovaries "went to sleep". Alternative was the copper coil but she put me off that by talking about infections and eptopic preganancies. It also wouldn't help my endio symptoms. For that she offered a lapioscopy but quoted 4 in 1000 patients have problems with surgery including a young woman who has had to have her bowel removed as they damaged it.

Really comforting all round really

bobobobs - I did say I wasn't sure if it was something to do with dh saying we could have another baby though!!

Since having mine removed, have not mood swings, my skin has cleared up and back ache has gone, except for period back ache.

My sex drive is slowly coming back

I am so glad I had mine removed, and I can honestly say that the slightly heavier period is worth it.

Hey, Whoops! Are you actually trying for a baby now? How did you persuade DH?
Glad you are feeling better.
Bobs, I know your DH is lovely. You are allowed to say that to your Sister if you can say it to all the strangers here on MN!!!
I would imagine you and him will feel a massive benefit from the loss of your mirena.

Hi everyone,
Well went ahead and had it fitted on tuesday. feel ok so far, but psychologically feel a bit weird, legs are aching alittle too other than that all else is good. still not sure if i made the right decision (hoping i did)but we'll find out soon. Going to try and keep a diary on mumsnet, just in case it all goes wrong!! So watch this space, and you can all tell me if i go mad!

I, like ROSE3, am in two minds now about having this fitted. I had an appointment booked for fitting next Tuesday but have cancelled it as I still haven't had a period yet since having DS 8 wks ago.

I was Depoprovera for 5 years (came off to have DD who is 3)and although my periods stopped completely I was v moody and put on loads of weight. GP has advised that after 10 years of the pill and five on Depo, I shouldn't use a hormonal contraceptive. My HV told me about Mirena and I discussed this with GP at 6wk check, she said she was going to recommend it to me anyway as she remembers my previous problems.

After reading both the positive and negative I am really unsure what to do.

Any advice???

FB x

not really any advice, it's such a personal thing, isn't it, and all women's bodies react differently to different contraceptive choices.
(can you tell that i have been talking to the family planning nurse at my gp this am??)
had my mirena coil out this morning, was no pain, just a weird feeling high up. the nurse asked me what i was going to use as an alternative to the mirena and suggested the pill or implant. i said no thanks and she respected my decision to be hormone free after 10 years on the pill, 2 babies in 14 mths and then 2 years of the coil.
so i have been given a humungous bag of condoms to be getting along with!
hopefully i will feel better now and may even lose some weight..will have to stop eating like a demon though too i guess..

2nd time - dh wouldn't say we were trying more that if it happens it happens!!
He doesn't need to know that I have been working out the best time s watch this space

Hi everyone, well its been 3days now all aching has gone and i feel great, prob eaten a bit more than i normally do but i enjoyed that!
i think flumpybumpy that whatever you do just makesure its your decision and you and your partner are happy with it. my hubby read up all about the mirena then came with me to have it fitted and had his own set of questions which as really nice because i felt he knew just as much as me and what i was getting to so he could support me and pick up on things that maybe i would'nt if it was'nt right for me. Hope thats makes sense!!

have had the mirena out 36 hrs now and still have a heavy period type thing. how long can i expect this to last then??!! its a shock after ages with no real period..

Dont worry bobs. I bled a bit after it came out but it soon stopped. I think, like you say, after years of no bleeding it's quite a shock. I hope you were prepared!!
Got weighed yet? You must. I'm sure you will be amazed. I was losing a couple of pounds a day for the first few days, and weeing for England!!