Removal of Mirena after 10 years

[Kazzabob]

Hi - I've had my Mirena for almost 9 years - my husband had a vasectomy about 4 years ago. At that point I went into the docs to get Mirena removed but my last doctor said there was no hurry to have it taken out if I was having no issues - which I wasn't and still don't seem to be. I get very slight spotting but nothing more. Question is should I have it removed altogether? Removed and replaced? Leave it be? I haven't had a period for almost 12 years as had my two children close together. Any experience/thoughts/advice? Thanks

@lifeturnsonadime

Pleased to find this thread as I've had mine for over 11 years. Those who have had it in for lengthy periods of time are you planning on having it removed?

Hi all, at this point in time, I have no plans to do anything about. It's not bothering me, so I'm not going to bother it!

First and foremost, this thread is the only source of comfort I have yet to find in reference to IUD removal, especially 10+ years sooo thank you to all who were courageously vulnerable and shared your experiences.
I'm 35 with a 15 year old Mirena. I've been debating whether to remove, yet hesitant due to the possibility of complications. Anyway, this thread allowed me to feel as though I wasn't alone and I dig that. Tis all.
One Love :)

Hey, did you get it removed? How was it

I am 56 and just had Mirena removed today after 11 years. Blood tests 1.5 years ago say I am menopausal but don't notice any of the symptoms. I had no periods while on Mirena. So fingers crossed the blood test was correct. Going in a month or so for more blood work just to check my numbers. Mirena came out with no issues.

No coil will do you any harm if left longer than advised

Jaydess 3 years
Mirena 5 years
Copper 10 years

The number of years quoted is the time the company who produce the device license the release of hormone .. progesterone
And for the copper it's the breakdown of the metal

Mirena is often prescribed as a treatment for a woman with heavy painful periods

My only worry is someone relying on this for contraception ( especially under the age of 40) cannot guarantee that would be so reliable .. if an unwanted pregnancy would affect you greatly then please just exchange them all for new ones .. it's free and takes 5 mins
💐

Ive had my2nd Mirena for almost 10yrs. I've never had any problems with mine. My husband and I are sexually active and have never had any issues with it. My 1st was in for 3 yrs and we decided to remove it to have another baby. I loved not having any periods. And thats why after my last child was born i got another. In the close to 10 yrs time frame ive had spotting just under 5 times. I was beginning to wonder if it was bad to have it in that long. I guess i agree if its not broken dont fix it. I don't have a valid reason for me to take it out. Thanks to all the ladies for sharing their experiences8

Pleased to find this thread, as I was looking to find this information. I've had different opinions, from different GPs. I'm just 61 and have had this Merena for, at least, 15 years. My original GP said, I wouldn't ever have to have it removed but, recently, I've been advised to do the opposite. It's been the most amazing form of contraception which, sadly, I only discovered, in my 40s. Wish I'd have known earlier as I've never, once, had a period, since first insertion and, at 61, I'm assuming I'm through the menopause, but had no symptoms, whatsoever. Plain sailing for a woman, who suffered from the most painful periods, from a teenager. I'd, definitely, recommend that any woman, at least, gives it a go! Grateful to read all your posts, ladies. Thank you.

I am 55 I had Mirena inserted for just over 13 years. swapped out per doctors request at 5 year intervals. spotted once but never had a period. when getting removed I took the recommended 400 mg muscle relaxant before my visit. I started having pain in lower abdomen so that is why I removed it. The pain was miserable to get it out. I spotted somewhat or a little bleeding. not sure I trust what my doctor told me. I have never had a period since. I had pain for about a week in my lower abdomen but no other side effects that I know about. I had it removed around 2013. I would have been 43 so I should not have been menopausal, but I really don't know why I never had a cycle again. I hate doctors and have no use for them so I may never know. I just have 3 black dogs and no children. I've been with my husband for 27 years.

I'm 47, just had mine replaced at the end of its five year life and was told the new one they inserted would be my last one and they would leave it in for 10 years, given that by the time the hormones in it run out in 5-6 years time, I'd be very unlikely to get pregnant anyway. I set a reminder to get it removed for Dec 2031 in my phone calendar!

Please if this reaches you.. please provide an update.

No reason for you to use any contraception if your husband's vasectomy was successful. But you might find that when or if your periods come back they are heavier or more problematic than you remember them being pre-Mirena. But you might also find it useful to be able to monitor what your natural periods are like for a while especially if you are possibly at the perimenopausal stage.

So whether you have another inserted straight away or whether to wait and see what your natural cycles are like now and how you want to manage peri and menopause proper is up to you.

I'd like to make the general point that they would leave it in for 10 years isn't quite right.

Sometimes doctors and nurses do use this actual phrase but of course it is entirely up to the woman (or should be) how long it is kept. You can decide to keep it or have it removed any time you like within the lifetime of the product and no medical professional should deny you removal. Or deny you another one thereafter. So long as you are of sound mind you could even decide to keep it in longer than the ten years although this could be extremely inadvisable. My point is that it is your body and your choice.

43 so I should not have been menopausal

You can definitely be menopausal at 43.

Btw I've had copper coils removed several times with few problems. One did change position and so had to be removed and replaced early, but I was sent to gynae outpatients and they were very kind and gentle while using some long instruments which looked a bit scary but weren't actually scary in use. I did take paracetomol before all the removal appointments, that is a good idea. I find having a smear test more uncomfortable than any insertion or removal of a coil personally.

Hi. I had the marina coil fitted 10+yrs ago. Now remember we are all different. I am postmenopause, i had the coil fitted for heavy bleeding when i was 40, it's been great. I had a gynecologist app just a few days ago n mentioned that my doc from 2wks ago couldn't remove my expired coil, strings are fine but it was stuck and painful when she tried. My gynecologist used tvultrasound but he couldn't remove it either, he took a uterine biopsy (just coz he was there) he said wait till results come back but that i will probably be offered hysterscopy to remove it. Hope this helps x

Super happy to find this thread. I’m 37 and just had my mirena removed after having it in for 11 years. Dr was impressed I hadn’t had any periods or spotting, and that it effectively prevented pregnancy for that long. I’m not in menopause and she told me to call when I get pregnant.
Has anyone TTC after having it in that long? Were you successful? How long did it take you? Any complications? How long did it take for periods to return?
Sorry for the million questions.. Thank you 😊

As far as I understand as long as you are unlikely to get pregnant the Marina coil can stay in place indefinitely. It's lifespan varies depending on want you are using it for. For contraception it's about 6-7 years but usually recommended to be replaced every 5 years to be on the safe side. For menopause you are looking about 10-12 years again recommended to be changed after 10 years. If like me you had it fitted for medical reasons they guess about 7-10 years but as long as it's still working it's fine don't bother replacing it. I've had mine nearly 15 years and my periods are only now starting to come back. I've spoken to nurses and doctors about it and it really doesn't seem to be an issue as long as you you are not relying on it for contraception.

This is an old thread, but that actually makes me feel better. I’m 43 and have had mine for 15 years. I had my first one in 2008 but had it changed after only 2 years so I wasn’t expecting much out of this one. I wasn’t able to change this one out due ti various reasons (traveling, no insurance, OBGyn leaving her practice…). In 2019-2020 I was in the hospital for 6 months due to complications from chronic Lyme. I asked if they would take care of that (and the other surgeries I need). I have to be put under anesthesia due to having a tilted cervix… They didn’t do it but I had an appointment for when I was discharged. I got out about a week before we quarantined for COVID, and once we did, all my appointments were canceled. After that, I moved, got a divorce, etc making it impossible to get it done once again. I haven’t had any problems, bleeding or anything else that is linked to it symptom wise. I’m trying to find a dr so I can get it checked out but finding one taking new patients these past few years has been impossible.
seeing that others have had it around the same time frame as me has definitely put my mind at ease

Haha..this thread just flagged as reactivated.

I had my coil removed due to stomach pains.
Doc told me I was in peri menopause (no period for years)
Within 3 months I was pregnant!
Peri menopause..is not menopause!😂😂😂