Reluctant to try the Mirena coil, what are the alternatives?

[Pannacotta]

I have had problems with my periods for a long time but it seems no endo or fibroids (have had two scans in the past 2 years). I am 43. As well as heavy bleeding I also suffer from bad PMT.

I had to see my GP last week as I'd had a heavy period then one week later another heavy period with flooding, which left me quite exhausted. She gave me tablets to stop the bleeding.

I have seen other GPS in my practice about this and they have all said I should try a Mirena coil.
Having looked at many threads on here I am rather reluctant, I also panic when I think about the procedure of having one inserted - I've had loop treatment for CIN1 cells and think my cervix was quite damaged in the process.

I was on the pill when younger and didn't get on well with it. I use Tranexamic acid every period but realise this isn't a long term solution. I need to sort out some form of contraception at some point (recently separated).

Is ablation the only other option for me? One GP said they wouldn't do this on the NHS if I hadn't tried the Mirena first!

Sorry this is so long! Any advice would be much appreciated.

TIA

I'm a mirena fan. Had it fitted about 4 months ago. It's sorted out heavy periods with no nasty side-effects, though I did have on-off light bleeding for about eight weeks when it settled down? I've read the scary mirena threads but guess that people generally are unlikely to bother posting / looking at threads if they've had no trouble.

I agree with Philomena. I love my mirena and wouldn't be without it. I haven't had a period in years.

I know they don't work for everyone, but the only way you are going to know is if you try. Having them fitted is not much worse than a smear test.

Yes, the fitting was no more uncomfortable than a smear test. I had taken some pain killers before as a precaution but it really was fine.

Hated!
Bled for 7 weeks when it was put in, then 2-week periods every month.
Had it taken out after 7 months

The main reason I'm not keen on the Mirena is that taking hormones just doesn't agree with me, I know this from past experience with the pill.
But the GPs at my surgery don't seem too interested in my view which I find very frustrating.
I suppose I could try it given I will need contraception too (I hope anyway!).

I wasn't keen on hormonal contraception as the pill for me led to weight gain and general "bleurchiness" but I've not noticed any mood issues apart from the loss of PMT on the Mirena. I fully accept that it might not suit everyone, but my point is that we're far more likely to moan about something that doesn't work than find every opportunity to praise it as on fit works, once it's done, then you just forget about it..

I know what you mean Philomena.
How have you found the coil in terms of affecting libido/weight gain/mood swings etc?

Google NICE guidelines on heavy menstrual bleeding which will give you the information the doctors have and systems they follow. I sympathise with you re the hormones, I am just the same

My mum went down this route. Bled irregularly, flooded, had a mirena, then ablation 2x then finally a hysterectomy. The mirena made her way worse.

If you don't want it do NOT get it & ask for the next treatment along.

Hi OP. No moodiness, or rather no more than normal . Libido has improved actually. No weight gain that I can't blame on Christmas. I've not found it hard to lose it again.

I've had 3 mirenas over the last 9yrs. I was so anaemic from very painful and heavy periods I had to have iron infusion to restore levels. So I would have put up with just about anything. However apart from a few weeks of light spotting and then unpredictable very light periods it has been pretty side effect free. The only thing I have noticed is that I get a headache for a couple of days when I'm due on. I probably always have done but pre-mirena I would have been so dosed up with painkillers i probably never noticed.

Thanks everyone for all your comments.
I have a strong instinct that I should avoid the Mirena but not sure that will hold sway with my GP. They seem very keen to try that as a first resort rather than do down the ablation route.

I think I am anaemic so sorting that would probably help but I don't think it will be enough on its own and I will need to decide what treatment to go for. I would pay for private treatment if needed as I need to sort it out but presume it is best not to say this to my GP?

Are there any valid reasons I can give for not wanting to have a Mirena, other than a bad gut feeling and lots of negative press on Mumset?!

which pill did you take? could it have had the same progestin as used in the Mirena? Mirena uses levonorgestrel which is the protestin part of microgynon. if that was the pill you used to take and you didn't get on with it, then clearly there could be a link. that one worked for me with my GP, she stopped her sales pitch straight away when I came out with that!

I took microgynon (it was a long time ago but that was the one)!
How strange, I didn't think to make the connection.
Thanks, will mention it to her as I know I will be hit by a sales pitch if the test results are ok.
Were you offered an alternative to the Mirena PP?

I asked for and got tranexamic acid from them, but not really sure it does much. things have moved on a bit for me and have started trying to treat other issues I have with improved diet and supplementing vitamins and minerals, a welcome side effect has been dramatic improvement in my periods. I had a hysteroscopy yesterday and it was done by the consultant who offered to insert one of the damn Mirena things at the same time. I politely refused stating reasons above, and he said that generally the less intervention the better during peri menopause.

have they done any investigations into why your periods are so heavy? checked for polyps/fibroids, that sort of thing? maybe you could ask to be referred to consultant if it is not offered by GP.

Yes I take "tranny acid" as my GP calls it too, but have been taking it for 4 years and still having problems.
I also use supplements (Magnesium, Agnus castus, Evening primrose oil, fish oil and general multi vit) as well as taking Floradix but am still having heavy periods and this past month was awful. What do you take which has helped?

I've had two scans and they showed nothing but I do have a smear and blood tests booked in so will wait and see. There is some cervical erosion but not sure this affects periods but has caused random bleeding. Will ask for a referral if the tests are inconclusive but I haven't found the Gynae dept at my local hospital that great/sympathetic.