At what point do I admit defeat with Mirena?!

[mumsnit]

I had mirena fitted for heavy and prolonged periods in Feb. I haven't stopped bleeding since then - apart from 2 weeks where doc prescribed me some norethisterone tablets after my first check up. Am I kidding myself that this is ever going to work for me?

I managed 6 weeks before I insisted they remove it but I was a moody, raging hormonal wreck by that point. I've heard of others who've persevered and it's been worth it.

I now have the copper coil. Far better for me.

Thanks Curly - good to hear about other options!

I lasted nearly five months with constant bleeding. I hated every minute. From what I've heard it is either a miracle device or something thought up by the devil...

PS. I got so raving mad on it that I pulled it out myself!

I had what they called 'chaotic' bleeding for about 4 -5 months but then it stopped and I havent had the tiniest hint of a bleed since (its been years). Definitely worth persevering with from my pov, but can underestand why people give up.

It takes six months to settle down and then should stop periods altogether (not for everyone though).

I lasted 18 months with mine, it went missing, gave me joint ache, the rage, spots, hair loss and dry skin.

Periods are horrendous again now though!

Ooh tricky one because just as I was about to get mine taken out for that very same reason something changed and since then I've had very light periods if at all. If I remember rightly it was about 4 months after I got it fitted that I finally stopped bleeding!
I do feel like my moods go up and down though and was told it had no hormonal effect. However it is like standard pmt so maybe I'm just still experiencing pmt and can't blame it on the mirena.

7 or 8 months I lasted. Not sure how my marriage did though.

It took 19 weeks for the bleeding to stop. Then I had the spots, the weight gain, the raging mood swings, my libido went and I started with migraines that have just got more frequent and severe. It was horrible.

Just to cap it off when I had it removed my GP warned me I might "spot a little!" That turned in to 16 weeks of flooding. I was on the max doses of norethisterone and other drugs. I had to have a transfusion. In the end I had an endometrial ablation which is what the GP suggested in the first place, but the hospital wanted to try the Mirena first!

It's certainly good birth control - for all the wrong reasons!

Thanks for the replies. Is useful to hear about others experiences. Of all the options the mirena seemed the best one - just keep willing it to settle down and give me a break!!

Oh, I can't fault the contraceptive side of it- I snarled at dh if he so much as looked at me

GP should refer you to a gynae if this has not already happened.

Trying to treat the symptoms is all well and good but the cause of the heavy and prolonged bleeding needs to be properly determined. Have you ever been checked over to see if fibroids are present?.

No referral Attila but had a scan a few years ago and nothing to see then. My DM had same issues leading up to menopause so assumed its just hereditary and bad luck!

Know the feeling Society - my poor DH!

I lasted 9 months and the GP said she was suprised I put up with it that long! She said it seems to work like a dream for some whereas it's a disaster for others. Unfortunately, you won't know which you are until you try.