Can anyone tell me about the Mirena coil, please?

[LongMeg]

Might have to have one fitted because of prolonged and heavy bleeding, but I'm not very certain about it. Have never fancied using the coil as a contraceptive, and having it for medical reasons isn't terribly appealing either!

I had to stop taking the Pill because of my age (44) and weight, so am not sure I really want to start with hormones again. I've been taking Norethisterone for the bleeding, which has made me very bad-tempered as if I have permanent, severe, PMT and can't help wondering if the Mirena will have the same effect.

I know I ought to search the archives but just wondered if anyone could tell me about their experience of this coil - good or bad.

Please?

I've had it for just over 2 years mainly for the heavy periods etc I always have break through bleeding with the pill.

Good and bad experiences, I still have spotting for a week once a month or so. I have mood swings but I've always had them so not sure if it's linked!

I'd certainly say worth trying it and have it removed if it doesn't suit you.

I have a similar problem with heauy bleeding and do not want the coil either.

I have tried the pill - but it makes me feel hormonal and deranged - plus I don't like taking it.

I have been to Dr this morning as we are going to Center Parcs in a few weeks and it coincides with AF.

I have been prescribed Tranexamic Acid. You take it on the days when you bleed and it does something to constrict the blood vessels. It makes you have a light period as opposed to none at all.

I have been told to go back and they can be prescribed to me long term if they suit me. I am thinking that as only 2 days are really bad it may be that I may only have to take two tablets a month which wouldn't be too bad.

Am having awful bleeding still when I stop the Norethisterone, so I know I have to have something done. Just not sure I want the coil!

Cargirl, I wouldn't mind spotting once a month ... anything is better than soaking a pad through every twenty minutes for six weeks! I suppose it's more the hormonal stuff I'm concerned about - the moodiness and so on. Plus I've heard it's not particularly pleasant to have fitted.

Thanks for your responses.

It can be very very good (No personal experience just professional - sorry)

One thing worth considering is that there are many people trained at the insertion of coils, but far far fewer trained at their removal. It would be worth checking the situation in your area because a friend of mine had one inserted for contraception and when she decided to start trying for DC2 tried to get it removed and had to go onto a waiting list that took a year!! She paid to go privately in the end.

I would say give it a go. You really do hear wonder stories about stopping periods etc and the hormonal effect is localised so none of the systemic effects that the pill can cause. Just check who can remove them in your area.

For me it has been fabulous! Painful on insertion but then I have had 2 sections but once it was in no periods, no pain (except for an uncomfortable first afternoon). It is now out as we are trying for number 3 and removal was painless too.

I had mine fitted at the family planning clinic - I felt they would be more experienced as they do more of them IYSWIM. It was absolutely fine, not as bad as a smear - incredibly quick, although my 4th child was only 5 weeks old at the time!

With the injections and pill I always put on weight and I haven't with this so I do think that is done to it being such a small amount of hormone. Certainly any pmt symptoms have not been any worse than when I didn't have the coil.

I did take tranexamic acid but I had to take max dose for 4 or 5 does which just seemed ridiculous, as soon as I stopped taking it my period just got heavy again so it felt like a choice of either being pumped full of drugs to control the bleeding, still become anaemic occaisionally & pay for the priveledge or try the mirena. Either way I'd be using something artificial in my body.

I had got to the point where I didn't dare leave the house for 3 days (my mooncup would overflow within a couple of hours) and would be bleeding for around 10 days.

I feel much more liberated!

Gosh Elfsmummy ... I hadn't even thought about that. I kind of assumed that if someone could put it in, they could take it out too! I presume the GP or the gynae would know who is able to remove them?

It's reassuring that you say it doesn't cause the systemic effects which the Pill can - that was part of my concern, particularly with having side-effects from the hormones I'm taking at the moment.

Thanks.