Mirena coil - please help (health anxiety)

[FlashAaaahh]

Last summer I consulted the GP about heavy periods I’d started with (I’m 36). I had a smear (was due one anyway) full gynae check up, bloods, thyroid checked, and an internal scan - there is an extropion on my cervix but all was normal.

At the time of the gynae exam the doctor fitted a Mirena coil. It’s been in now nearly 14 months, and yet into periods haven’t really settled into a regular pattern. My last period was very light but long (14 days). Yesterday I thought it had stopped, but I’ve been spotting again a bit just this afternoon.

I’ve got health anxiety (which I do need to address), so I basically just panic and lose my mind when something like this happens. Why can’t the bleeding just settle I’ve spoken to the GP who wasn’t really concerned but it’s really starting to upset me now - I’m constantly checking my knickers and when I wipe for bleeding.

I’m going to call the GP again on Monday and see if I can have the sodding thing removed. I just want to rant really, I’m scared they’ll refer me for ultrasounds etc again and I’m not sure I can cope with the anxiety.

I was fitted with the Mirena coil due to heavy periods.
It made me spot or bleed pretty much every day for the 9 months I had it in. I was begging for it to be removed in the end. The POP had the same effect.
DSis never had a single period with the Mirena.
It just doesn’t work well for all women.

@NotAnotherBloodyNameChange

I was fitted with the Mirena coil due to heavy periods. It made me spot or bleed pretty much every day for the 9 months I had it in. I was begging for it to be removed in the end. The POP had the same effect. DSis never had a single period with the Mirena. It just doesn’t work well for all women.

Thank you for your reply. I spoke to the doctor when mine had been in about 9 months and she said to give it a year. Then it got to a year and I had the covid jabs, which did seem to bring my period forward a week - but I can’t go on like this, the anxiety with the bleeding is worse than the heavy periods! I don’t know anyone IRL who has a Mirena fitted - all my friends seem to take the pill or have the depo shot.

Were they ok with removing yours?

I am on my second mirena coil. No periods. It is really convenient.

It sounds like it isn't working for you.

@trumpisagit

I am on my second mirena coil. No periods. It is really convenient.

It sounds like it isn't working for you.

I hoped beyond hope this would be the case for me, but sadly not - I even still get mid-cycle ovulation pains (this has happened throughout my life, including when I was on the Pill a few years ago!)

Hopefully I can have it removed ASAP

I'm on my third, haven't had a period in 14 years. Spot for a day or so, once or twice a year. I know they don't suit everyone but has been great for me

Unfortunately it's not for everyone. Before I had mine done last year, I read online about people's worst case scenarios (worst thing to do, I know!). I've been period free up until one month ago when the second covid vaccine triggered a cycle. I'm hoping I go back to zero periods again next month. I hope you find something that works for you OP

Thanks for all the replies - I was actually chatting to a friend earlier just now and she apparently had hers removed a few years ago due to weeks-long periods. She’s now on the POP.

I was actually offered it after DC1 was born and declined, as the idea of something in my cervix made me feel faint. But after the heavy periods I felt like it would be worth a shot - but I think 14 months is long enough as a trial period!

Were they ok with removing yours?

I spoke to the nurse at 3 months, 6 months & kept getting told to let it settle. At 9 months she agreed it sounded miserable and said it could be removed but didn’t have an appointment for a further 3 months.
In desperation I went to the SH clinic walk in clinic & had it removed that day.
Such a relief.

@NotAnotherBloodyNameChange

Were they ok with removing yours?

I spoke to the nurse at 3 months, 6 months & kept getting told to let it settle. At 9 months she agreed it sounded miserable and said it could be removed but didn’t have an appointment for a further 3 months.
In desperation I went to the SH clinic walk in clinic & had it removed that day.
Such a relief.

That’s interesting, thanks. I had mine checked (6 weeks after it was fitted) at a SH clinic and I wondered if this would be an option! Roll on Monday

I’ve been having the same issue of super long but fairly light periods. I’ve had the coil in for 5-6 months I think. I was hoping it would settle, but this thread doesn’t fill me with hope!

Shame it didn't work for you.
I have been period free for 15 years now, no problems at all, although my periods weren't heavy, just very painful.

Those of you that have been period free on the coil, was that from day 1?

One of the GPs I spoke to said they look at them in thirds - a third of women will have their periods stop, a third will see a huge improvement and a third won’t see it help at all.

I don’t mind having a period as long as they’re not so long and so unpredictable (although having them stop would be great!) The Pfizer jabs I had in May and July definitely seemed to bring my cycle forward - I’d usually been starting my period on about the 5th of the month and since then they’ve been about the 27th.

I’ve had very noticeable ovulation cramps the last few months too - about 15 days after my last period started, so very much mid-cycle.

My situation sounds similar in terms of experience of coil and even after COVID vaccinations too, same thing. I hoped to read someone saying ‘oh yes that was me for x months but then periods just disappeared’. Good luck OP.

Thank you @Cheekyandfreaky and I really honestly hope yours settles for you - they really do seem to be so different for everyone.

I’ll try to remember to update after I speak to the GP - really not looking forward to someone poking about in there (if they do take it out) but I will insist they take it seriously now after so long, and hopefully I can try the pill or whatever.

Thanks, hope it all goes well!