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Original poster

Mirena Coil anyone?

31 replies

Lisa78 · 18/06/2004 17:50

Bloody GP!! I've been to see him today cos I am getting pins and needles and a cold, numb feeling in my left arm and leg, late at night. This isn't happening in my pill free week so much, so I thought I ought to get it checked out. He's said it may be nothing to be concerned about but it may be a warning sign and therefore, I can't stay on my combined pill. He ain't too keen on my going back on the mini pill either which I used when I was breastfeeding and wasn't too keen on cos I bled erratically.
He has recommended the mirena coil, saying that given the pins and needles and my age (nearly 38), he thinks its the best option. I had a coil in about 12 - 15 years ago and hated it, heavy painful periods but I gather this one is all singing all dancing
Has anyone any experience, good or bad? Or am I back to condoms and crossed fingers?
Thanks

OP posts:
LIZS · 18/06/2004 18:15

Had one for 2.5 years. Bleeding now is very infrequent and light. However I think if you are able to search various "side effects" can occur, mostly just niggles and which could be due to any number of things. It is supposed to be pretty reliable although there are a few Mirena babies around who bear witness to the contrary !

Yorkiegirl · 18/06/2004 18:19

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Lisa78 · 18/06/2004 18:36

Well thats good to hear - I was half dreading a storm of "noooooooooo don't do it"!!!!!!!!!
Is is horrid having it fitted? And do I need to be on my period when they fit it?

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 18/06/2004 18:39

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2babies · 18/06/2004 18:45

Lisa78, I haven't had a mirena, but I am in the exact same circumstances as you - nearly 38. I'm breastfeeding now and am on the mini pill. I'm curious why your GP wasn't keen on continuing with the mini-pill- was it just the erratic bleeding?

ponygirl · 18/06/2004 18:47

I have one too, Liza78, and can recommend it. Virtually no periods at all! Slightly uncomfortable having it put in, but not painful at all. My only problem is that you're supposed to be able to feel the threads so that you can check regularly that it's still there. I can't feel mine so have to trust to luck a bit and GP has advised me to go back every 6 months so she can check it's OK. It's slightly worrying when there are a couple of my-mirena-fell-out-and-now-I'm-pg mumsnetters!

Bottom line: it's probably the least hassle/most reliable option apart from No!

Original poster
Lisa78 · 18/06/2004 20:09

hi 2babies, no it wasn't the erratic bleeding, its the not knowing why I am getting the strange feelings in my left limbs - if it is something to do with my combined pill, then he doesn't think I should use the minipill either - hope this eases your mind a bit! I probably didn't give the mini pill long enuf to settle, I was only on it 4 or 5 months

OP posts:
strangerthanfiction · 18/06/2004 20:15

I've got a mirena coil, Lisa, had it fitted when dd was about 2 months old. It was no more painful or uncomfortable than having a smear test done and has been brilliant (dd now 20 months), just don't have to think about it. I don't think it's affected my periods at all, not heavier, no more pain than before. I had a coil fitted about 15 years ago too and it was much more painful both the fitting and the periods. I think the mirenas are much better and that after childbirth coils are much less problematic in every way. So my GP said.

Furball · 18/06/2004 20:16

I had one fitted 2 years ago and it's great - no periods, what an added bonus!

Miaou · 18/06/2004 20:27

Just to add to the chorus, I've got a Mirena coil and LOVE it - having had heavy periods and PMT, it seems to have put paid to both (though my cycle is so irregular that maybe I do still get PMT but just think I'm going mad occasionally!). I do have the same problem as ponygirl with the threads, though; my GP says that they do have a tendency to "curl up" inside. I just have to go and get it checked once a year.

Miaou · 18/06/2004 20:28

p.s. I've never had a single period since having it fitted about 4 years ago - anyone else had the same experience?

Original poster
Lisa78 · 18/06/2004 21:16

This is sounding better by the minute, I was feeling quite negative about it this afternoon, but now I am almost raring to go!
My gp said that it is hormonal but that the hormones are contained in the uterus, they don't go into the blood stream - did I get that right?

OP posts:
21stcenturygirl · 18/06/2004 21:53

Another Mirena fan here! Had mine in last August and still get light periods. Saved a fortune in sanitary stuff. Was contemplating having it out as I do get sharp pains. However, it seems to have settled down. It is nice not having to worry about taking the pill everyday.
Side affects for me: greasy hair, spots, a slight weight gain.
I also had a UID 15 years ago and got an infection from it but the Mirena is completely different. Go for it!

essbee · 18/06/2004 21:57

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Tattie · 18/06/2004 22:03

Well, I hope I've made the right decision...yesterday I had the IUD put in and am hoping that it'll do be right. Babe 5 months old and thought I'd give it a go for a couple of years before thinking of no.2. Can't wait to "try it out"! Was a bit sore getting it in but not butt clenching and a little crampy today. Maybe the merina next time! Good luck, go for it as it all seems much better than the old ones.

Twink · 18/06/2004 22:23

Another convert, had mine for nearly 3 years; after the initial settling down time (4 months ??, can't remember) I've not had a period since.

I've a genetic disposition to spots but have an antibiotic roll-on to help with that.

Every so often dh is convinced I'm suffering from PMT - but that usually means I'm trying to get him to do something important (usually I go for the easy option and do things myself, but sometimes he has to put some effort in)

I love it !

poppyseed · 18/06/2004 22:36

I've got one too!! I'm 37 and had mine fitted about 8 months ago after DS was born. I experienced almost continuous bleeding for about 12 weeks after the fitting. Periods are now an awful lot lighter (as they were quite heavy after having DD) and pain free although at the moment they last longer. I have been told that it can take up to a year for it to settle down completely and I am hoping that they shorten, - what would be nice is for me to have none at all!! I found it no more uncomfortable than a smear and well worth it.

poppyseed · 18/06/2004 22:43

ps the progesterone that is secreted is locally acting and is different from taking the progesterone only pill as this is systemic. This should mean that the hormaone only acts on the uterus and not the rest of your body so the side effects from it should be much less. An other thing is that the effectiveness is supposed to be the same as sterilisation! Having said that, if you do a search you'll come up with a few interesting discussions - a couple of mirena babies have been born to mumsnetters, I think that I am right in saying!???
Taking everything into consideration, I wouldn't hesitate. Go for it!

SofiaAmes · 18/06/2004 23:20

I've had the Mirena Coil for 18 mo. I'm not totally wild about it as the hormones do have a few side effects and I can feel it during sex (it pokes me and hurts). I am still having bladder problems 20 mo. after my second was born, and I think the Mirena hormones may be partially to blame. I get much heavier periods than I used to, but I'm not sure if that's the Mirena or the effects of 2 pregnancies.
Having said all of that, I've tried most of the birth control options out there and I think it's by far the best available.

wickedstepmum · 19/06/2004 09:08

I had a Mirena for 2 years before DH got snipped. It hurt going in - but not unbearably - and ached for a couple of days and that was it. Very light periods, no back ache, no problems. I can strongly recommend it.

susanmt · 21/06/2004 16:04

I'm one of the ones (or maybe even the only one? not sure) with a 'mirena baby' now 6 months old.

I had my coil put in at my 6 week chack after ds was born in Feb 2002. It was great! My periods never came back at all, and I didn't have any migraines either (which used to be a problem when I ovulated, so I guess I wasn't ovulating!)

I noticed a problem when a year or so later I had a migraine, followed by some light spotting. I mentioned it to dh (he's a GP) and he said it was probably nothing to worry about, but then I had another migraine, but could feel my threads so thought no bother. I mentioned it to my GP when in for something else and she said 'no bother, I'll refer you for an ultrasound to check its in the right place' but it was too late. That 2nd migraine was an ovulation that resulted in a pregnancy and Rachel was born in November last year. When I went for my coil check (having metioned it about 8 weeks earlier to the GP) she could see the tip of my coil in my cervix and whipped it out. She was going to put another in that day but they didn't have any in stock. I just had a feeling and did a pg test and there it was!

That said, I loved the mirena. No periods, no migraines, no side effects, no PMT. I'm actually hoping to get another one in, even though dh has had the snip now, for the benefits it gives me! Waiting till my (new) GP has finished her traning to put it in as I am not going near the ob/gynae department in the hospital again if I can avoid it!! (sorry,another story).

silverivyraven · 10/12/2004 21:46

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!!!
[email protected]

winterwarmmummer · 10/12/2004 21:49

I did not chose Mirena because want to steer clear of hormones. Have chosen standard coil.

I realise this is completely unhelpful. Sorry.

Eve · 10/12/2004 21:50

Its great....had one for 2 years, and only 2 very very light periods in all that time.

Fitting is no worse than a smear.

oldbuzzard · 19/12/2004 16:01

Had mirena coil fitted 5 days ago, found it excrutiating to get fitted with horendous cramps during first two days. Pain is now confined to right side and feels quite sharp when I move around. I had it fitted on day 3 of my period and the day after fitting bleeding stopped. I do hope that this pain eventually goes, has anyone else had problems with pain after fitting and if so how long did it last. Id appreciate some advice.

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