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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:
25os · 03/11/2002 22:28

Hello I'm q new to mumsnet, interested to read all these messages. Mirena has been brilliant for me, in that I have practically no periods, have only needed pant linersfor a day or 2 per month rather than tampax for three yrs since my son (3rd and last child!) was born. But reading the comments I am wondering about the libido thing. Mine is zero, but whether its connected, hard to say. Any other thoughts on that?

nobubbles · 03/11/2002 22:30

Dont worry. After giving birth, a few cramps is a doddle. The benefits far outway the disadvantages. At least you know you cant get pregnant!!!

nobubbles · 03/11/2002 22:35

Whilst adding the message for sofiaAmes, 25os asked again about libido. I would like to reassure her that this has nothing to do with the Mirena coil and alot to do with the three children!! The dose is so small that it is highly unlikely to cause any loss of libido. You are just at the stage,when a good nights sleep is preferable to sex! I know, because I have four children and have been there!

sb34 · 03/11/2002 23:37

Message withdrawn

susanmt · 04/11/2002 10:21

You can take ibuprofen while bf, and it was great for the cramps - my cramps were like a moderate period, with a bit of spotting. They only lasted about 2 days. And now, 7 months on, have still not had a period! Hoooooray!

SofiaAmes · 07/11/2002 17:40

Just had mine fitted this morning at my 6 week check. I hardly felt anything. I would say that taking out the rubbish is more painful than that. No more condoms...hooray! I only wish I'd done it years ago! Thank you all at mumsnet because I would have never heard of the Mirena coil otherwise.

susanmt · 07/11/2002 22:34

Good for you SofiaAmes! Now go and enjoy yourself!!!

cassie26 · 27/05/2003 15:17

hi to all, i have min fitted about 2 years, and now want to have another baby. my son is 28mths. did anyone have it taken out and how quickly after my new baby can i get re fitted????

pie · 17/06/2003 18:33

I'm thinking of having the Mirena after DD2 is born.

What I would like to know is if anyone has had the Mirena and been effected depression wise? As you know I have a long turbulant history with my brain and really don't want to upset it. I tried the combined pill many many years ago and it really helped push me over the edge.

Never tried the mini pill as I was too scared after that. But I know that the hormones released by the Mirena are about 1/7th that of the mini pill...

So anyone think that the Mirena makes depression/moods worse?

morocco · 17/06/2003 19:58

sorry I haven't read all this thread properly so I might be repeating points others have made

someone was asking about b/feeding and using the mirena coil - it's not recommended as 1st choice but if you are happy to use progesterone pill then this is something similar. When I asked about it though my doc warned me that there is a slightly higher risk of perforation of the uterus if you are b/f and using a coil (I thought at the time she was talking about the coil and also mirena coil but someone out there might know more)

morocco · 17/06/2003 20:08

didn't notice the dates these were posted on last - sorry pie and cassie26t his obviously is in no way helpful for your queries! Hope someone knows the answers though.

pie · 17/06/2003 20:11

I hadn't even thought of the b/f issue!!!!

Does the worry ever stop?

The manufacturers site say there is no problem, and I found this:

Progestin-only contraceptives are the preferred choice for breastfeeding mothers when something hormonal is desired or necessary. Some moms have noticed that even these type of birth control pills adversely affect their milk supplies, so if you choose this method you still need to proceed with some caution. Keep in mind that progestin-only contraceptives come in several different forms; ie. the Progestin-Only Pill (POP) also called the "mini-pill" (Micronor, NOR-QD, Ovrette, Microval, etc), the Depo Provera shot, the progesterone-releasing IUD (Mirena, Progestasert) and the Norplant implant.

For MOST moms progestin-only forms of contraception do not cause problems with milk supply if started after the 6th-8th week postpartum and if given at normal doses. However, there are many reports (most anecdotal but nevertheless worth paying attention to) that some women do experience supply problems with these pills. Only at higher doses than normal can this type of pill affect the content of breastmilk. At these higher doses it has been shown to decrease the protein/nitrogen and lactose content of the milk. At higher doses it may also suppress milk supply, perhaps causing slow weight gain in the infant. At regular doses, this does not seem to be as likely.

If you're interested in one of the longer lasting progesterone-only forms of birth control (the Depo-Provera shot lasts at least 12 weeks (but effects may be seen up to a year); the Mirena/Progestasert IUD and the Norplant implant can last up to 5 years), it is a good idea to do a trial of progesterone-only pills (mini-pill) for a month or more before deciding on the longer-term form of birth control. If you find that you are among the women whose supply drops significantly due to progesterone-only birth control, you can simply discontinue the pills - rather than struggling with low milk supply for several months until the shot wears off or you get the implant or IUD removed. Do note that the Mirena/Progestasert IUD delivers its hormone directly to the lining of the uterus, which only leads to a slight increase in progesterone levels in the blood stream (much lower than that found with the progesterone-only pill). As a result, there is much less chance of side effects from the progesterone than from the Depo-Provera shot or mini-pill.

I guess if there is no extra risk from the hormone, then the perforation risk must be the same either way.

codswallop · 17/06/2003 21:03

I am very pleased with mine

soyabean · 17/06/2003 21:09

V pleased with mine too. No periods and only as much pain as having a smear when it was put in.

Twink · 17/06/2003 22:10

No periods now (had heavy, for me, bleeding for about 4 months which gradually tapered to nothing)

I do still get PMT though and dh knows within 2 days if I've forgotten my starflower oil. I don't think it's any worse than it was before Mirena but we both have fond memories of how stable I was while pregnant !

susanmt · 21/06/2003 11:35

I breastfed for 14 months with mirena in, with no problems, the amount of hormone is so low and released 'locally' so there are few systemic effects.
Pie, I suffered from PND after both babies, and it wasn't as severe after ds, when I had the mirena. It was much worse first time round, so I don't think the mirena made it worse.
Of course, mine fell out. But that is exceedingly rare. In fact I liked mine sooooo much that I hope to have another one after this baby is born (I liked having no periods, migraines or ovulation pain) but dh is going to have the snip as well!

pepsbuffs · 25/06/2003 21:52

Hi everyone!
I have had a mirena fitted for over a year to begin with it was great but now im bothered with abdominal pain and backache doc says might have been cyst and it will settle down on its own 2 months on still hurting doc says take pain killers this cant be right is it?

jane33 · 26/06/2003 18:52

Can you feel a coil during sex - or the strings?

Sorry - is that a silly q?

Furball · 26/06/2003 20:06

I've never felt my actually coil, but you can feel the strings if you 'have a rummage' so to speak. Some partners also claim to (mine hasn't, you'd have to have sex for that!!! lol) which isn't a problem as you can go back to the doctors and they can trim them.

aloha · 26/06/2003 20:31

Hi Pepsbuff - I had ovarian cysts some years ago and your symptoms sound just like mine. I had agonising but sporadic abdominal pain (falling on all fours like I'd been stabbed) and prolonged, very painful backache. Your gp should refer to hospital for a scan, because not all cysts disappear by themselves. Mine were getting bigger and I had to have them out surgically which was a very straighforward procedure and cured the problem. Ask him for a referral to a hospital for a scan and to see a gynaecologist. If it is a cyst - and that's a bit IF - it almost certainly won't have been due to the Mirena. It usually reduces the chance of cysts, I think.

pepsbuffs · 26/06/2003 21:23

Thanks aloha will take your advice and see doc in next couple of days

ks · 17/07/2003 18:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

codswallop · 17/07/2003 18:45

Its not pain - just uncomfy

SofiaAmes · 17/07/2003 23:00

Uncomfy is the worst it gets. I found it less uncomfortable than a smear. Go for it!!!

tilba · 18/07/2003 00:29

ks, I am a bit of a wuss too and I went for a general anaesthetic!!!!! I had heavy periods since dd2 and my obgyn said the best solution was have a d&c and pop the mirena in at the same time. It is fantastic. @ years of no periods so far. Never felt so good...no anaemia etc.

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