Mirena coil - a year on I still have heavy periods

[DrunkOnEther]

I had the Mirena coil fitted in May 2016. I wanted it for contraception, and to hopefully stop my heavy and painful periods. I've had no particular problems with it (& I'm not pregnant, so that bit's a succcess 😅), but a year on and my periods are still heavy and very painful. I had hoped it would just stop my periods altogether, which I would absolutely love.

Has anyone else had this? Is there anything else I can do or take to stop my periods?

It has actually concerned me slightly because I'm wondering if given my periods are still like this, is the Mirena actually doing its thing right, as a contraceptive? And I definitely, 100%, do not want any more children!

Have you had it checked recently? I had horrendous pain and heavy bleeding for the 6 months mine was in and it turned out it wasn't in properly and it was stuck halfway out of my cervix. I had no clue as I'd been checking the strings as I'd been taught and didn't feel anything concerning. It might be worth getting it properly checked to make sure it's sited correctly

That's not good OP, I am on my second Mirena, it is very rare I have had a period since having it, and on the very rare occasion that I do, there is hardly any loss, a pant liner is all I would need.

I would see your GP or family planning clinic, not wanting to worry you, but to make sure it's still there, I know sometimes your body can reject it and you may not know.

I would get it looked into for your own peace of mind, heavy periods are awful. I hope it improves soon for you. Good luck OP

Thank you for your replies!
It's still there - I can feel the strings no problem. I get what you're saying about it maybe not being sited properly though.
I went to my GP about something else last month, asked her about this, but she just dismissed it as not problem, and suggested perhaps I was starting the menopause (I'm 31... )

I'll see if the local family planning do anything with them instead then - good idea, thank you!

I just want the periods gone now tbh. They've made me miserable for 20 years now, I've got two children and definitely don't want any more.

31 would be very early for menopause! Has your GP done a blood test? My GP is brilliant but for certain things I feel more comfortable at the family planning/sexual health clinics, as they are experts in this particular field. Make an appt, I am sure they will get it checked for you. I don't want any more children either! But the main reason I had the Mirena was to stop the heavy periods I was experiencing, having the Mirena has been life changing for me, I love not having periods. I hope you get it sorted it will make life so much better for you, I am not surprised it is getting you down. All the best OP. Xx

go to a different GP. explain in graphic terms the impact this had on your life. ask for investigation. you may well have fibroids. there are things that can be done.

I had my mirena coil fitted for the same reasons as you, heavy painful periods. Two years on and I still have periods, although they aren't as heavy and painful. Do feel a bit cheated though!

I would be asking a different GP now (certainly not the one you saw previously) for a referral to a gynaecologist particularly as you have had this problem for many years. You've tried the Mirena and it has not worked out.

It needs to be determined why your periods are so heavy and painful to begin with; not all of them by any means are at all up to speed on such issues and never think about either fibroids or endometriosis being causes. Has anyone ever discussed with you why your periods could be so heavy and or painful to start with, probably not. Endometriosis is a very common cause of painful and in some cases also heavy periods.

Mirena made no difference to my periods.

I agree with Attila, you would be quite reasonable to ask for a gynae referral. My local hospital has a dedicated clinic for heavy menstrual bleeding, I am sure most do. It's not something we should have to just put up with these days.

I had ablation which helped for a while but then they got worse agin and it turned out I had large fibroids so had a hysterectomy. Wish I had just been offered that first really but they try the less invasive things first. Also I was 44. I would think hysterectomy really would be a last resort at 31. Ablation can be life changing if it works though and is a good option if you are sure you've completed your family.