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.

just been reading through everyones threads cant believe that it has been 6months since i had mine fitted,wrote a while ago because was having problems with my eyes. moods gone worse and feeling really anxious all the time, feel scared about everything,decided to have coil taken out now, spoke to my doc and he says no reported problems with this coil because of the low hormone content, so iam going to give him the address of this web site so he can update himself (typical male response)this site has helped me realise iam not going mad.does anyone no how long it will be till moods lessen and skin becomes clearer ta 4 now

evening all! My first time on Mumsnet - googled mirena coil because my doctor prescribed one for me today and I have an apppointment to have one fitted in 4 weeks. After reading your postings I'm getting cold feet though! I've never had ibs before but do have heavyish long periods though suspect I may be fast approaching menopause as they're 2-3 weeks apart. I'm 44 with 2 children of 9 and 5; long term relationship has ended so perhaps I don't need the contraceptive cover in any case but as a regular runner the lighter or even no bleed appealed. Anyone got anything positive to report about the mirena please?

MopsyPopsy I had mine fitted 1 year ago for heavy periods. Was fiited under GA whilst having D&C for fibroids. I thinks it's great, periods lighter (but not gone completely). No other side effects except recently had v.sore boobs prior to period. Overal a definite thumbs up. (I am also a runner of sorts, as you can see by my nickname).

I got the Mirena in October of 2006 and had it removed yesterday after 4 months. I wanted it to be successful because I only have 1 more option (ablation) before a hysterectomy due to fibroid tumors and heavy bleeding.

The first couple of months were fine with just a bit of cramping near my periods and the bleeding was becoming less and less. But the dry mouth finally got so bad that my mouth hurts all the time making it hard to eat and even to sleep and my gums are now bleeding. I also had heart palpitations and gained 8 pounds the last 2 months.

I am 49 and just starting menopause. My sister is 50 and has had the Mirena for a year and a half with no side effects and no problems. Some people just tolerate hormones better than others my doctor said yesterday. Good luck to everyone.

Hello everyone, I'm new on here and wondered if anyone can give me some advice.

I had Mirena fitted 10 days ago for fibroids and painful periods. Since having it fitted I had cramps for a few days, felt like I had been kicked and mood swings like I've never had. (I was previously on the mini pill). Yesterday and today I have had severe tummy pains (quite high up) and feel absolutely exhausted. I have been bleeding for about a week - started as big clots and now it's bright red.

I've read some of the threads on here saying to persevere for a couple of months - I don't think I can go another couple of days feeling like this.

Can anyone tell me if I am just being a wimp or should I get the darned thing out and go for sterilisation? I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

love Anne

Hi all
I had theMirena coil fitted 12 months ago after the removal of fibroids. I have not had any periods in 12months, have had a heavy discharge throughout and have put on over a stone i weight. I have been informed today by my consultant that my weight gain is not related to the coil at all and I should look to other things. I was alos told that mood swings are a state of mind also not something the mirena coil can cause. In short I am being fobbed off. To cap it all I had been referred to a infertility specialist so that I can conceive???!! Why I asked? I was sterilised 12 years ago and the mirena coil was fitted 12 months ago I am therefor assuming they should know I do no want to conceive. This is a prime example of general incompetancy in the medical profession in the NHS. There must be lots of desparate women out ther wondering why they are having to wait on such long lists maybe this is why!!! I am now so fed up I am going to see a german gyni in Portugal privately!! Will update on his verdict later this month

How are you today, Anniedoodle? It wasn't so bad when mine was put in two months ago, just a loss that has basically persisted constantly since, variable volume but very manageable, unlike the unpredictable nightmare periods of the past couple of years. If you are concerned, make a note of how many pads/tampons you are using (or how many times you are emptying the mooncup in a day, if you are using that)and put the written list in front of your doctor. That will help him/her judge how much it is you are losing. If you are still hurting badly though, as well as a heavy loss, I would follow it up asap in case it is indicative of a problem. Just to reassure.

for your situation Elsababe! Do wish doctors would LISTEN sometimes.........so many MNers have said the same as you. It may well suit many people, but it certainly gives some a major problem with symptoms such as you describe. Last week I felt like you. This week it is nowhere near as bad (though it would be nice if the weight just dropped off as well!) I am going to start keeping a diary to see if a pattern emerges and if it settles down in a couple more months.

Doesn't seem fair to swap one problem for another, does it!

Hi twinklingstar - thanks for asking, I'm feeling much better last day or so. Bleeding has all but stopped (that'll be the kiss of death!) and the cramps ahve gone. I had been on the pill previous to having the coil fitted and only had a handful of periods in all that time so I am not liking this bleeding nonesense! It'll be 3 weeks tomorrow since it was put in - I had a TVT at the same time. Here's hoping that I am one of the lucky ones who can get on well with it. I just wondered how much info others were given on the possible side effects? I was totally unprepared.
Anyway nite nite all x

Are you still online, Anniedoodle? What is a TVT?

hi all
i had the merina coil fitted about 2 years ago,and the last 2 years have been a nightmare!!! i am 37 with 2 children and did suffer with heavy periods so my doctor suggested the coil,this is wear it all went wrong.
after about 6months i started to get discharge that was a brown reddish colour on and off every month (i really only get a break about a week and half every month when it stops)then i started putting on weight around my tummy,im normally a size 8 but look about 3 month pregnant,my mood has changed to, i get really irratable which never happend before i had the coil!!! and for the last year and half have had a pain in my lower right back which travels in to my leg (its that bad i cant tie my sons shoe in the morning)my sex life has sufferd due to pain during intercourse and the bleeding!
i have flu like symtoms evey month(constant sneezing and runny nose)
i started out when having the coil fitted as an healthy 35yr old and now feel like a decreped 37yr old, so due to a lot of research im booked in 2mos to have it removed
will let you no how i get on
I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!!!

Oh Drebs, that sounds awful

Do hope you get back to feeling normal - two years is a long time to be unhappy with the situation. Keep in touch on this thread and let us know what happens next..........we'll be watchin'

I have been suffering from the worst acne ever. Big boil like spots on my neck, arms, chest and back. They have now developed on my jawline, along with 'normal' spots on my cheeks, forehead and chin. I look hideous. I was trying to think the other day when I started to get spots, as I've always had fairly good skin. I pinpointed it to around the time I had my mirena put it 2 and a half years ago. I started to think there could be a link, so I googled it, and was horrified by the forums & threads that I've found. I have been suffering from almost all the symptoms that people have mentioned, and not related it to the mirena, simply because I never thought about it. I have had antibiotics previously for the acne which didn't work. My legs have been itchy constantly and I can't stop scratching them, which has created ulcer-type lesions on my legs. I was prescribed antihistamines to stop the itching & guess what? Didn't work. I have been going to slimming world for 2 years and am 1.5 stone heavier than when I first started going. I am constantly hungry from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep. I have terrible chocolate cravings where I have to have it, even if it means going out in the middle of the night to get it (that is not normal!). I am always tired and have no energy and quite often feel 'detatched'. Lately I have been suffering with pains in where I imagine my ovaries to be, and severe backache. I snap at the kids for no reason all the time, and always wonder afterwards why I behave that way when I always used to be so placid.
Finding all these threads has made me realise that most of this is probably down to the mirena. I was on the verge of asking the doctor for appetite suppresants because I can't stop eating. Now I am going to have the mirena removed instead. I'm not expecting a miracle cure, but I hope at least some of my symptoms improve.

I'm sure this method of contraception is great for some people but definately not for me. And I didn't even have the benefit of my periods stopping. In fact they last 2-3 weeks, although they are very light. I used to have a period for 3-5 days. Also, when it was first put in, I was bleeding heavily for weeks on end and was lucky to have 7 days break between periods. It took about 10 months for that to 'settle' for what it is now.

I apologise for the long post, but people should be aware of the effects of this coil, so they can make an educated decision whether or not to have it fitted.

The mini-pill broke me out in acne like that, greenmile.

I mean, so bad, I've got SCARS.

I'm SOOOO glad I never let them put that coil in me.

At least, w/the mini pill, I could just stop taking them and throw the bloody pack away.

Progesten does horrible things to my body.

So bad, I'd rather be pregnant. And that's saying much for me.

I've had the mini pill before, but it used to make me feel really sick so I stopped taking it. I only had it for a couple of weeks, so I didn't get the terrible acne then. I still put weight on with it though.

I've just spent a couple of hours reading all the posts in this thread. It's awful. Worst of it is the doctors denying it all. When I asked to have mine out because it's caused my acne they said 'never heard of that before'. Yet, the actual manufacturer states it as a side effect!

I think perhaps a certain number of people would have to report the symptoms (and then for the doctors to report that to whoever) before it is recognised that it is actually the mirena causing it.

Yes, they all deny it.

Must be getting kickbacks for it.

At this stage in my life I should be looking like Jennifer Aniston (or someone equally slim with good skin & hair) and instead I resemble Grotbags!!

Jennifer Aniston has never borne children.

Have just come across this site and can't believe that so many people are having these side effects and the doctors are just denying any links with the coil! I had the mirena coil fitted in August 2005 just after my second child was born. At first there was continuous light bleeding but this gradually stopped and now I have no periods at all. So far so good. However.... I do have an almost constant dragging achy feeling 'down below', stabbing pains around my right ovary, lower backache, shooting sensations down the insides of my thighs, anxiety attacks that are DOING MY HEAD IN, very little sex drive, thinning hair, and spots! I've seen my GP and a gynaecologist who say it's nothing to do with the coil. I've also had a scan which showed that the coil was where it should be and that my ovaries are fine etc. I can only now assume from reading all these messages that it IS the bloody coil that's responsible for the side-effects and am determined to get the damn thing removed asap!! Thank you to all of you for making me feel sane again. Louise xx

I know, I can't believe it either. I've had mine 2.5 years and it's coming out tomorrow. Boyfriend not happy, but tough! I have recently been getting sciatica type pain in my butt and leg, and think maybe that's connected too. I've written out a whole list of things wrong with me that I didn't have before I had the Mirena. I'm not saying they are all caused by it, but I think at least some of them are. If you google it and actually go onto the Mirena website, it tells you that acne is one of the side effects, even though the doctors deny it - it's ridiculous!

Expat - I know she hasn't. Maybe she will turn into a humungous fat lump when/if she has any!!! LOL

i have had this coil foe nearly 3 years now and have never had a problem with it until a few weeks ago, when i started getting stabbing pains down there all the doctor was to say was it will go away don't worry bout it. see some doctors just don't care

I am getting it taken out next week. Hurrah!! I was toying with the idea of getting a copper coil instead but have since found another site which talks about the suspected link between the copper coil and cervical cancer!!! I'm just fed up with it all!! I think I may just become celibate! Or perhaps not. Anyway... will keep you posted as to whether or not the side effects clear up once the dreaded thing is out. xx

I have had mine out today. I don't know if it's psychological, but I have felt less hungry and not been craving sweet stuff all the time. Usually the chocolate cravings are so bad that I have to have some no matter what.
Hopefully the skin will clear up soon. Had a huge argument with the nurse taking it out because she didn't want to do it without me seeing a doctor and getting the pill. I stood my ground and insisted and now it's finally gone. Hooray!

'Had a huge argument with the nurse taking it out because she didn't want to do it without me seeing a doctor and getting the pill. '

Make sure you write a letter of complaint about this person's unprofessionalism. It's NONE OF HER BUSINESS what birth control you choose to use following the removal, if any at all.

Extremely unprofessional.

Ooh, I was gonna say, I had the copper coil a few years back and used to get really really heavy periods that lasted 10 - 14 days. I won't be getting another one of those either.

I am having mine removed next week due to continual acne, facial hair, sweating, weight gain.
My friend who had hers removed awhile back, received a letter from the health authority asking her to complete a survey. Do you think they arae catching on that we don't like it!