Tell me about the Mirena coil...

[lulupop]

thinking about a long-term method of contraception now sex seems to be back on the agenda after DD's birth (5 months ago). I was on the pill before but never really liked it TBH as just felt so unsexy.

Have been thinking about a coil but not really sure what the Mirena is, exactly. It obviously has a hormonal element, but my understanding is this is much lower than the pill. Have looked a little about it on the web and noit sure about this thing where you've got 2 "threads". Isn't that a bit uncomfortable when having sex?

Can snyone who's got one tell me the pros and cons please?

I've got one and it's great. Periods are now very very light. The threads hang down out of the cervix - they shouldn't interfere with sex, although my dp has felt them a few times and on occasion I bleed slightly after sex. Far better than the pill imo - no hassle contraception.

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I have had one for over a year and it's great. No cons. No periods, which is ok I'm told. Been told it's wise to have an annual checkup. DH not mentioned the threads.

There have been loads of threads on this, lulupop, so if you do a search you should get loads of info!

I've had one 8 months & it's great. Much lower hormonal level because it is released 'in-situ' so much less is needed. With most people this does reduce their peiods (I don't have any ).

Never had a problem with the threads, & personally love it

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lulupop, do you mind if i ask another question? just tell me to butt out and start another thread if you like.
i just wondered about the insertion. Is it painful? Can you have an anaesthetic, gas and air etc? Am a wuss and would definitely choose a mirena if the insertion is OK.

No, no, don't mind at all,, ask away - the more information the better!

I have heard it's no worse than a smear.

Insertion for me was fine. Nothing compared to giving birth!

I had them do a smear and then put the coil in and no probs at all.

Been really happy with it so far. Can just forget it's there.

Insertion is OK. Its a bit uncomfortable, but like a smear is quite accurate from my experience (I've had 2 mirenas). The first time was 6 weeks after ds was born and the sorest bit was the speculum as my stitches were still healing.

I love my coil. With it I have no periods, no migraines (mine are realted to ovulation), no PMT, and I think it has helped my PND as well. I am the person well behind the decimal point who got pregnant with a mirena (slipped down right into my cervix so wasn't working, got pregnant before I realised what had happened, they think it was my smear that did it, so my advice is have a coil check after you have a smear!). My dd2 is now 10 months old and gorgeous. But even given that, I would still happily recommend the mirena to anyone. The chance of it slipping and a pregnancy resulting is 1 : 200 000, even lower than being sterilised and then getting pregnant. Mind you, we have now gone for the double whammy - dh had a vasectomy AND I have another mirena (mainly for periods, mine were very heavy).

I'd certainly say it was the best form of contraception I ever had. I didn't tolerate the pill even on a low dose one, but have had no bother with the hormones in the mirena. Its a much smaller dose as it is in the right part of your body and absorbed there, so it doesn't have to be in the rest of your body. And I've never had any complaints about the threads!!

My experience of Mirena has been like Susan - apart from the slippage, so I still have 1 dd !

Definitely the best solution for us, still get the odd mega spot on my chin & a bit of PMT (although I think it's just the odd 'off' day that everyone has) but no bleeding at all.

Hmm. thanks. i think i'll go for it as i'm completely fed up with forgetting to take the mini pill. will still ask for the gas and air though [wibbling wimp emoticon]