Issues with hormones - would the mirena work?

[Reastie]

I am literally at my wits end with contraception options.

Wondering about people's experiences of the mirena.

I have issues with hormones. Got migraines on combined pill, terrible headaches with contraceptive patch, my body didn't like POP and had months of symptoms when I stopped taking it whilst my body readjusted. I didn't do pg very well at all with the change in my hormones. Pretty much, my body doesn't do hormones well! I swore when I stopped taking the pill I would never EVER take hormones again.

Cap isn't an option as it's not effective enough (I'm very anxious not to get pg) and I'm allergic to latex and my FP clinic can't fit non latex caps. DH doesn't get on with condoms at all (to the point where he'd rather not DTD than use them), and again the non latex ones are statistically less effective.

I've had a copper coil for 3 years but the painful periods (and ovulation pain) mean I'm taking painkillers regularly. Have had this investigated and told there's no medical reason or problem for the pain, it's just it disagrees with me and have been advised to have it taken out.

Other than sterilisation (I'm 32 and DH and I would love another child but I had an awful pg and am too scared to go through it again. So, whilst I never want to go through pg again, part of me can't accept having the option permanently taken away yet).

FP clinic have suggested mirena coil. Pretty much because it's the only option out there I haven't tried. I'm worried about the hormones given my history with reactions from them. I don't want to have another period of months of dizziness/nausea/headaches/PMT symptoms whilst my body adjusts to having it out like it did from the pill, let alone the side effects whilst it's in. I'm also worried about the pain after insertion. After having the copper coil put in I couldn't do anything more than gently walk for months afterwards as it set off terrible period pain as it felt like my body was being irritated by it and trying to expel it with the movement. I've been told this is very rare but I can't see why this wouldn't happen with the mierna too?

I has the Mirena for 3 months & hated every minute. I had constant bleeding & clots, headaches, greasy skin & hair, spots & permanent PMT. Also it made my depression worse.. If you are sensitive to hormones this will make it worse. I have heard so many bad reviews on the Mirena. You can always try it & get it removed but they like you to stick it out for at least 6 months to settle down. I couldn't handle that & just wanted it out. I felt so better immediately it was out.

With your history I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, sorry.

I think you need to make a difficult decision about whether you are ever prepared to go through pregnancy again or not.

Sorry

"I've had a copper coil for 3 years but the painful periods (and ovulation pain) mean I'm taking painkillers regularly. Have had this investigated and told there's no medical reason or problem for the pain, it's just it disagrees with me and have been advised to have it taken out".

How have you had this problem re the painful periods investigated?.

I would be requesting the GP to refer you to a gynaecologist and do not take no for an answer. Taking painkillers over time can cause you yet more problems and give you more pain.

A common cause of ongoing painful periods is endometriosis; something that is simply not picked up through either blood tests or ultrasound scans.

My experience with the mirena was positive. I've not suffered with hormone problems to anywhere near your extent but did get migraines on the pill, had bad pmt and heavy periods. The mirena has very low dose hormones. My pmt went, my periods are just a bit of spotting, no migraines and just minor cramping for 48hrs after insertion. I've read lots of negative stories but for me it's been brilliant.

Atilla I've had swabs and a scan. They came back that coil looks fine and in the right place and no infections etc which could be causing it. I suffer quite alot with IBS and it often feels like they set each other off (I'm not sure if this is possible, but it's how it feels) so maybe that contributes to the pain.

OK, so looking like abstinence or another pg (I can't do it, I just can't) is the only way to go :(

Swabs and a scan will not detect endometriosis if it is there!. Its usual way of diagnosis is through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

What has been tried to date has not worked and I guess you have not seen a gynae yet either. That is an action I would now consider very carefully.

BTW some women who get diagnosed with IBS and have painful periods actually have endometriosis. It can sometimes be misdiagnosed as IBS.

Is endometriosis something which can suddenly happen attila ? I've only had these problems since the coil. Oh, and (possibly TMI question). Since having the coil on orgasm it often hurts (it's nice, but with a background of discomfort) which feels like my uterus contracting and upsetting the coil. Could this also be endometrisiswhatsit?

Endo can flare up and come on suddenly.

In any event I think you should really be seeing a gynae to discuss all this with that person further. GP should refer you.

I have the mirena coil as advised by my friend who is a very experienced senior nurse. I'm onto my second one so have had them for 7 years now. The hormones are just localised to the area it is put in as it were so shouldn't really go around your whole body. How this works I have no idea. I personally found the fitting of it painless and have not had any problems. Since it was fitted I haven't had a period after the first couple of months which is normal for this coil and that part I like a lot. I could not feel it was there after insertion. If you can feel it after I would advise you have it removed ASAP. Good luck with it give it a go and see what happens. I can't go on the pill because hormonally they really don't work for me whereas the mirena does.

If you didn't get on with the POP, then it is unlikely that you will get on with Mirena. Progestogen used in Mirena is levonorgestrel, that is also the one used in combined pill Microgynon, have you ever tried that pill, presumably it was not a success. It rather sounds as though you are intolerant of synthetic progesterone.
sorry, don't think this is the right way forward for you.

As another person who never got on with any form of hormonal contraception, I would not touch the Mirena with someone else's bargepole.

I was offered one some time ago, allegedly to stop persistent bleeding which, on investigation, turned out to be caused by a copper coil that had moved. I formed the opinion that for some reason the Mirena is the 'go to' option and that those recommending it may not know a great deal about it.

I'm sorry PP, but the hormones do not stay localised. It's just another way of getting hormones into the body.

why can't they just make a pill for men, would make things so much easier

The hormones seem to effect you even if it is localised. If you have any sensitivity to pills then I expect you will get side effects from the Mirena.

If seems to be that some people really love it & some people really hate it. You could always try it & get it taken out if you hate it but they are reluctant to remove them as say it takes about 6 mths to settle down.

Pill made me suicidal and I was nearly violent to my bf. My GP keeps suggesting the mirena and I refuse.

I feel your pain op.

Looks like no DTD for DH and I for the foreseeable future then. I can't believe we have gone through the list of options unsuccessfully :(

You could have your tubes clipped which could be reversable but I'm not sure of the NHS would do it. My friend got married again as had her tubes clipped thinking she wasn't going to have any more children then she divorced & got married again. She had another child after it was reversed.
We are in Australia & the health care service is different. She had to pay privately for it to be done.

I looked at that kitty but I believe it won't be done on NHS and the reversal may not work.

I did think that might be the case. Have you been to the family planning clinic? They are much more clued up that GP's are you get a long appt & are not rushed. I'm not sure if there are different 'versions' of the Mirena. They might have different hormones in them. I'm not sure if there is also a ontraceptive ring too. Hope you can get something sorted.

www.nuvaring.com/consumer/

Kitty my FPC have told me the only other option really is a new mirena which has a lower hormone dose. Apparently it's very new to the market. I looked this up and discovered there seems to be no difference in hormonal side effects

I have another apt in a couple of weeks. I'm assuming i'll have coil out but not sure what I'll do instead. WIll look up link now....

I assume nuvaring will be same as contraceptive patch (which also didn't agree with me) as it uses same hormones...