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.

Well I originally posted on 21st November with a huge list of all my symptoms, and I had Mirena removed on 13th December. I have given it 4 months, and now have booked to have it back in. Nothing cleared up for me, all my health issues remained, the swelling, rosacea, lupus like symptoms, the bloating, fatness, low libido etc all remained. Added to that horrendous mix were periods. I hadn't had any properly for 5 blissful years, now they come every 3 weeks and drain me of everything bar pain. I suffer from endometriosis and am very aware of it stirring inside. To be frank, whilst I am dreading having the mirena inserted (it was excruciating 1st time round) I am looking forward to 5 more years hopefully with barely there periods.
Just a word of caution, not everyones problems are down to the Mirena. I don't know what to do now.

Hi. Since having my Mirena fitted on December 12th last year. I had a very heavy period that lasted over 3 months with horrendous back and ovary pains!! I have been taking 8 cocodomol a day to try and control the pain but it's still dreadful. I've been to my GP but they don't seem to want to do anything about it, I've had time off work and Uni and it's affecting my relationship. Sex is painful and on top of all that in the last 3 or 4 months I've started getting really bad IBS which I have been prescibed Colofac. I've been given hormone tablets to try and stop the ovary pain but I'm taking so many pills that I feel like I'd rattle!! I finally got to have an internal ultrasound last week and am awaiting the results, but I only managed to get this by going private. I was giveb this Mirena to try and stop my painful periods due to my endometriosis and PCOS but the pain I was in before was nowhere near as bad a s what I am experiencing since I had the coil fitted. Obviously it has very different side effects in people but I have experienced - 3month long periods, back cramping, ovary pain, tender boobs, lack of sex drive, pain during sex, depression, mood swings,vaginal infections, excess hair growth, aggression, irregular bleeding and severe IBS!! I would not recommend anyone to try the Mirena based on my experience of it!

Sounds horrid but I don't understand why you don't just have it removed ? A nurse at fpc could do so it doesn't have to be a gp or gyn . It doesn't suit everyone but equally is easy to blame for symptoms which may or may not be related, however you'll only find that out if it is removed. Good luck

this is terrible i got a coil fitted on wedensday after a D&C and today i am soo uncomfy the pains are terrrible its like ibs aarrghh i so wanted this to work

Hi everybody, im guessing you are all mostly fom america, well i came across your website through a search engine, as i have been a bit concerned about my coil, i had it fitted 6 years ago in england and after a couple of months the pain settled and everying was fine, i moved to spain last october and went to my doctors before i moved to ask about having it removed, he informed me that it lasts for 7 years, so i was happy that i did not need it removed before i moved.

What a shock when i find out that it only lasts for 5 years and does anybody know the side effects of having it in longer.

I now realise why i have put weight on and why i always feel bloated, after reading ALL
your threads, i now know that i am not on my own here, i am now trying to find a doctor to remove it or can you remove it yourself ??

Any information would be lovely.

Hi VJC - this is actually a UK website, but don't let that worry you! There have been so many stories on here... my GP was strongly advising me to use it, in the same consultation that we discussed whether I need to be admitted to a psychiatric ward to monitor the dramatic depressive effects of the pill I had started taking a week earlier.
He was determined that there was "no scientific evidence" that the hormones were anything more than localised...
anyway I searched and searched, and found that in the Canada patient information sheet for Mirena (why Canada I don't know) it said that it should not be given to patients with any previous problems with depression!!??

don't worry about the 7 year thing - the problem would be with the hormones being used up, not, with having hte hormones in you for too long iyswim - although it sounds as if it needs to come out pronto. Don't take it out yourself, but maybe if you simply can't find another health professional (do they have family planning clinics etc in Spain?), then maybe say to your doctor that you can feel it, and that maybe it's slipped? Ridiculous that you have to lie, but if it's slipped it won't be working properly as a contraceptive.
good luck, and hope that helps,

My GP corrected me when I said I'd heard they were lasting well over 5 years . You still get the coil effect but the hormones will expire , so if you have started to bleed more and get more pms type symptoms it is time to change regardless of the timing.

Thank you all for replying, i think the time has come to have it removed.

I've just found this site tonight and was looking for problems concerning having the mirena coil fitted. I've had mine fitted since September last year I think (if I've got the dates right) and just the last month I've been getting some really bad period type cramps. I don't get them all the time but when I do get them they make me feel ill. I'm also constantly tired and feel worn out. I was having periods bang on every four weeks until my last period where it was nothing to speak of, a little disconcerting when you're used to getting them. My boobs are extremely tender, my facial complextion is terrible and I've been getting dark hairs growing on my top lip, something I've never had a problem with before at all. My moods are very up and down at the mo as well. I'm also keeping a large amount of weight on as well. I've always battled with my weight but I'm at my heaviest at the mo.

Can anyone else tell me if they've suffered with these before. I was thinking I might go get myself checked out. I was beginning to think I felt pregnant as it generally feels like that but without the positive result.

Any suggestions greatly received.
Thanks
x

I had a Mirena coil fitted in September last year. By the end of November my skin was worse than a spotty 14 year olds, I'd put on a stone and I was very moody, snappy, shouting at my DD (who was then 8 months ). I waited until Feb before I had it taken out and although I didn't feel better overnight, within a couple of months I felt like a different woman. My skin has cleared, I'm happier and thinner too!

It doesn't suit everyone, we're now back with condoms () until we start TTC number 2.

HTH x

Thanks for that, it just confirms what I suspect after looking back at other conversations down the list. Think I might go back on the pill. I used to hate taking it as it's a pain in the bum but suits me well.
You never know I might even lose some weight!
Good luck with number 2. I was terrible when we tried for both, I'm so impatient but fell straight away. Just one of the lucky ones I guess.
Thanks
Nicky

Hi, im new new this site....Spent hours reading posts on mirena coil....Cant believe u all feel like me.....I had mine fitted april06,due to constant heavy bleeding,since then i have still bled constantly,gp says it will settle down.lol...biggest joke ever that was....my only other option is to have a hysterectomy but as im 41 he wasnt to happy to go there....after reading all your messages i actually thinking about having it removed and going back to the heavy bleeding.....it cant be much worse then what im like now...constant bleeding,moods,weight gain,hair thining,spots need i go on....gp said doesnt cause weight gain,ive been on a strict diet and havent lost a pound...in the past if i dieted like this i would of lost a stone by now...its a joke....any advice would be great....i really dont know what to do for the best....its starting to affect my marriage now....who wants a wife who never has sex.lol

Hi I've had my Mirena now since November 06 and its been absolutley brilliant, havent had any periods, until now, red bleeding and slight cramp. Have had it checked and its still in place apparantly. Can anybody tell me if this has happened to them.

sue x

Can happen from time to time.

LORRAINE1 i also have the same symptoms as you , i have gained weight and my moods have become impossible. my sex life is a no no because i,m always bleeding or very moody(who wants to make love to a bitch)My concultant said that as my peroids are coming heavier again and just painful then prehaps the coil should be removed and i should have a H. I'm 45 and dont need all my childmaking kit so this might be an option. Has any one else gone down this road. Sorry really grumpy and tearful again this morning. These mood swings are really making me miserable.

I know someone who has, jam. She was 43 and tried the Mirena for heavy bleeding, but the side effects were just too severe and so she had a hysterectomy.

She is THRILLED with the result! So is her husband and children, who feel they've got their ol' Mum back.

thanks liz for taking the time to reply.

Sue x

hi, ihave just found this website and how glad am i! i had my coil fitted for the second tmie in feb this year, i have experienced most symptoms posted, tiredness,bad complexion, weight gain,moodyness however my gp says wait six months for it to settle! im not too sure my husband would stick around that long lol! i was declined a sterilisation due to my age(28) but i have 3 chidren aged 6 months to 7 yrs and my partner and i have decided that enough is enough we would like to to save for later life! what am i supposed to do apart from refrain from sex altogether and regain my own sanity by having it removed!

Cam
Find your nearest Family Planning Clinic and make an appointment to speak to someone there if you are not finding your GP helpful.

I declined a Mirena due to months of possible side effects. I just don't find that acceptable, tbh, to bleed for months, mood swings, spots, etc. for 6-10 months?

I mean, the whole point of birth control is contraception, which means you're having sex.

I didn't want sex on progesten-based birth control, so contraception was pointless.

There ARE other options out there.

Had mine fitted in Feb 06 and I think it's great. I still get periods but much lighter than before. No Weight gain (but no weight loss).

What a thread, I have come to it but doing a find on Mirena coil.
I am meant to be having one fitted soon, but will have to think hard about it now. Hoping for lighter periods.
I went to family planning clinic I wonder if they have more experience than GP's who don't perform this so often.
So fitting and advice maybe better at FPC. She told me to take some painkillers before and have someone attend with me as some women feel unwell after the procedure.

I had a copper coil taken out about 2 years ago because I was experiencing abdominal pain, this was fitted by a GP.

Now what do I do!!!???!! Go to bed for one and have a think!

This thread is so interesting. I had no idea there were this many side effects, the gps certainly don't tell you this. I had mine fitted about a month ago now, had v heavy bleeding for nearly 3 wks with horrible cramps, then nothing, now started bleeding again yesterday. Knew there would be some bleeding but wasn't expecting all this, not great for sex life huh!! also have been on a diet for 3 wks for summer, only a stone to lose and usually I lose quite easily but I have not lost a pound, now can't help associating it with the coil as this has never happened before. pretty depressing.
Also mood swings, bloating, sore boobs, in fact lots of the early pg signs, nice!! aaagh, went on this to stop heavy/painful periods and guess will need to wait out a few more months to see how it goes. Pretty annoying for now tho.

well i am still bleeding although not all day just sometimes and when it starts u get no warning, on saying that i do get cramp which is very sore, so for 6 weeks i have bled so much for lighter or little periods haha, weight gain dont think so, moody I am always moody, complexion is fine, apart from that we will see as i am geting a check next week.. i would like it out though as man is going for snip ( his turn )

Hi just though would tell everyone about my ongoing saga with this coil. It was very painful when was fitted two years ago and took six months to calm down i.e cramps and bleeding,

I had just lost a lot of weight after birth of my second son and though I have been following the same if not a better healthy eating and excercise plan I have gained at least half of that weight back. I also have dark hairs on my neck and chin, mood swings etc.

Then 2 month ago I started having bad pains, I was admitted to hospital with suspected gall stones as the pain was situated on my right hand side under my rib cage. Because of this I never suspected it could have anything to do with my coil. However, I was admitted back for an x ray which showed it is indeed my coil and that it has migrated and is now situated under my rib cage!!! The consultant has not seen a migration which has occured this far into the torso and I am booked in for the 20th of jul to have keyhole surgery to remove it and to see what damage it may have caused. If the coil is stuck near an organ, or any lasting damage has occured I will be having open surgery to repair/remove there and then.

All this for some contraception!!! I think maybe I ll stick to the pill next time eh.

Has anyone else had a migration like this and if so how did the removal go?? thanks jill

I had my first mirena coil fitted after my last child was born 5 years ago. Everything was fine except my sex drive disappeared completely but I put it down to having 3 children under 3 yrs old. I recently had it replaced with another but this one was very difficult to insert and is now giving me srong period-like aches and really bad backaches. I have had several sessions with an osteopath, but my friend suggested the coil may be the cause as it was to her. However, on a route smear check last week, the threads seem to have disappeared and I have booked a scan to see where it is. Too late for the sex drive tho - hubby left home a few weeks ago into the arms of someone else! Will keep you posted!