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.

Why don't you just have the normal coil fitted? I disagree with the pill and hate the thought of external hormones messing about with me and not being in control of things.

I had Mirena fitted to help with painful periods not for contraception. Dh has had snip so safe there. Have tried about every type of medication for painful periods but nothing worked. Pain was so bad that if I took a cramp I literally couldn't walk, I had to stay where I was until it passed and it was getting to the stage where it was interfering with work so when they suggested Mirena I jumped at the chance to try something that would get rid of the pain - and it did - it just brought with it mood swings (it's a wonder I have any pals left and aint in a divorce dourt), weight gain and that horrendous bloated feeling. But it's gone now, maybe that painfull periods will come back but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!!

I've just read back through this entire thread, and am now wondering what I've done having a Mirena fitted!
I was advised to have one because of flooding since DS2 was born earlier this year and the transexamic acid tablets made me feel ill. I have not stopped bleeding yet after 10 weeks.
I've had to have my antidepressant dose increased (PND) and feel no better with that , and as for the hunger, bloatedness and headaches, I hadn't even thought that could all be related.
I'm going back to my GP first thing next week, so thank-you all for your messages. I don't feel quite so mad now!

Oh Petall, you reminded me so much of myslef before I discovered this thread - I thought I was going mad and like you never associated half of what I was experiencing to this coil. It was only after I read through the thread that I made any connection. Other reason I'm glad I did was because my GP laughed at me and told me that my symptoms could not be caused by this coil - but's it's funny that most of my symptoms, especially the mood swings and the bloatedness have gone since I had the blasted thing removed!

I feel I must point out that I am beyond risk of having more children due to being sterilised 20 years ago, but still suffering with very painful periods(at my age!)but the thought of having this thing fitted was a great idea at the time which was dec 03. having been quite 'insane' all year! had it removed in oct and quite frankly have not looked back. I feel normal and have lost almost 10lbs without really trying because Iv not been so hungry. I am now looking forward to having radical surgery in feb...and I cant' wait

I've just skim read this so I apologise if I've missed it but has anyone else suffered nausea and vomiting as a result of having the mirena fitted?

Oh my word

I havne't read all this thread either, but was hoping mirena coil my help with my evil-psycho-witch PMT and heavy periods since DS2 was born, but just reading the last couple of threads it would appear not?

So is it thumbs down for the MC?

I found it worked for the heavy painful periods, I only had two periods within an eight month period and they were very light with no pain. However, the down side was the mood swings, the weight gain that I couldn't shift, the bloated feeling and the constant tiredness. I have heard of it working for some people but to be honest I've heard of more people having problems with it than I have heard success stories.
I'm sure my Dh, kids, friends, colleagues and especially my long suffering (male) boss have all heaved a collective sigh of relief over the past few weeks since I have had mine removed. I know that I am a lot calmer, don't feel so bloated, am not so tired and don't feel so fat. (unsure of weight loss as I have plaster cast on at moment - but clothes feel slacker)

sorry to hear it gave you so many problems, and thanks for filling me in.

I think `i would have to go and live in the outback by myself if my mood swings got any worse, I can just about predict the big diabolic mood once a month at the moment.

So it looks like me and Dh will be keeping to separate bedrooms

Have you tried starflower oil capsules for PMT? Same kind of thing as evening primrose but has a higher concentration of GLA. Evening primrose did nothing for me but the starflower oil did take the edge of my moods and according to dh made me more bearable to live with. He wouldn't be saying that if he was here just now - I am one crabby cow - nothing to do with time of month or coil or anything. Went out yesterday for first time with plaster cast one and think I overdid things a bit - foot really sore today. Imagine what I'd have been like if I'd still have had coil in - No it doesn't bear thinking about

Had Mirena fitted beg Sep 04 - pleased as stopped pain and very heavy bleeding reduced to nothing BUT over last week symtoms of pregnancy - nausea, swollen breasts, emotional, going off food, needing dry food to stop nausea ets. Convinced pregnany (as was dh) but test said not. Anyone else had thesesymptoms on Mirena?

This is going to sound very weird but I hated not getting my period anymore. I kept wondering if the menopause had reared its ugly...

Hi Widdy, didn't have the nausea but had very tender breasts for most of the time I had my coil in. Since having it removed they appear to have reverted back to normal - only tender when I am premenstrual.

hi there
i have just had the coil removed and about to start a family but a lot of people keep saying to me that i might have problems conceiving as i have have not had a period for about a year i was wondering if anyone out there has any words of reasurance or wisdom as i am now a little worried. thanks

Bump - I'm interested in this too bunnykins!

Hi there, I am a new member, and am asking for help, i sit here in tears as I had the mirena fitted oct 30th 2004, I am falling apart, mood swings are awful, with 5 kids they are suffering too, the bleeding has not stopped for two months, the nurse says persevere, I am having alot of pain, tiredness, and am so not coping, would vit B6 be useful, please help me.

I had mine fitted on the 11th oct and suffered horrible cramps - really bad, and got into a really strange headspace. The bleeding has stopped now and my last period only lasted a day with minimum pain. The mood swings have eased off and i just get a little bit down in the afternoons which is predictable and maneagable. I nearly gave up, but persevered and now it all seems to have settled down. I am waiting till after christmas to see if there are any other effects.

i got my mirena fitted in august... it's now december. I have gained weight, up to 10-15 lbs. I have been very depressed, having mood swings. The doctor says it sin't the coil. I'm thinking he is wrong. If i get it removed will i feel better and lose the weight i have gained???
PLEASE HELP!!!
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I feel fine with the mirena now. I havent put on weight as i havent eaten any more than i usually do and i exercise the same amount. I think that the sadness and downess i had was a reaction to the barbaric invasion of my body, but now i have just forgotten it and am getting on with my life, enjoying the fact that i dont have to think and worry about being pregnant which would be devestating.

This is for special...I had the mirena fitted in November 2001. Since then I became a complete psycho bitch (sorry for being so blunt, but it's the truth). I seemed to have one long everlasting period and as for the bloating...well it was horrendous. I ended up on antidepressants and going to counselling. The counselling was fab, has helped me with confidence, but the mood swings were definitely down to the mirena. So, after 3 years of hell, I got it removed a month ago. I have not looked back. Mood swings eliminated, bloatedness gone, and weight gain declinig rapidly. I am sane, happy and feel much more natural. No hormones messing with my body. Periods are back to normal and I think I may have just saved my relationship. Normality does return. Trust me . Now just have to not get pregnant!!

This is for silverivyraven...I had the mirena fitted in November 2001. Since then I became a complete psycho bitch (sorry for being so blunt, but it's the truth). I seemed to have one long everlasting period and as for the bloating...well it was horrendous. I ended up on antidepressants and going to counselling. The counselling was fab, has helped me with confidence, but the mood swings were definitely down to the mirena. So, after 3 years of hell, I got it removed a month ago. I have not looked back. Mood swings eliminated, bloatedness gone, and weight gain declining rapidly. I am sane, happy and feel much more natural. No hormones messing with my body. Periods are back to normal and I think I may have just saved my relationship. Normality does return. Trust me . Now just have to not get pregnant!!

Just skimming this thread - for anyone thinking they may have problems with the Mirena coil, just get it taken out pronto, IMO. I have had a "normal" copper old-type coil twice - from 24-28 years old (pre-children) and for about five months between dd and ds pregnancies. Periods a tiny bit heavier but I'd rather that than have hormones released into my system. The non-hormonal IUD worked for me. Will probably have another put in soon.

since my last message, i have been back to hospital with excruciating pain and bits of my womb coming away, sorry to be graphic, I have begged for it to be removed, but still they say persevere, my psycho side is gettin worse and i am fearful as to what comes next, could mumsnet ask a gynae for input to the site? my doctor seems to think women can cope, because we always have coped, I nearly slugged him!

5boyzsue, it's your body, if you have had enough tell them firmly that you want it removed. My gp laughed at me when I first went to her about the mood swings and the weight - I came out the surgery in tears but I went back had it removed and I haven't looked back. No more mood swings and no bloating. Weight is probably still the same but that's basically cos I've been off work for the past five weeks with a broken foot and I have just been a pig. I sometimes think that the medical profession forget that they are not right all of the time - just slug the doctor next time!!!

Loobz, sorry to hear about your foot, I have ggod news though, I had the "magic wand" removed half an hour ago, I feel 10 times better already, the nurse told me something that may be of interest, I had not stopped bleeding since the fitting in october, the nurse said that this was not right and obviously the mirena was not for me. in short, if a woman bleeds for longer than six weeks, the coil needs removing, and in future, I will be asking lots of questions, the mirena is NOT the miracle cure the doctors seem to think it is. bring on the hysterectomy!!!!!