Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Mirena coil

23 replies

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 21:41

Has anyone any words of hope for me, please?

I’m 49 and spoke to my GP about HRT back in about March. I had been on the mini pill for about three years as my periods had gone a bit wonky (short cycles) and she suggested coil plus oestrogen gel.

I had to wait quite a while but had the coil fitted on 5 July. The gynae doc said to stay on the PoP until I could get an abdominal scan because my uterus is tilted and she couldn’t see it on the vaginal scan. The fitting was brutal but everything settled okay, except my weight which is usually stable (for reference I gained 3lb in two years of Covid WFH) which shot up 10lb in three weeks! I feel totally bloated and miserable, and my skin also went completely nuts, with big cystic type spots.

Last week I finished my last pack of pills and decided to see what happened. My skin has instantly cleared which is great, and my carry-on style boobs deflated back to normal, but I am bleeding heavily which is horrible. I am too scared to weigh myself still!

Coil havers, has it settled for you? Do I need to just give it time? It could be six months wait to get the scan but I can feel the threads so know the coil is in place, and clearly the double dose of progesterone wasn’t agreeing with me. If you gained weight with it did it come off?

thanks for reading if you did!

OP posts:

KangarooKenny · 13/09/2022 21:54

I spotted for about 7 months, with a light period when I was due. Now I’ve stopped spotting and have a very light period every month, but it’s better than what I was having.

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 22:09

@KangarooKenny thanks for replying. I feel like I am bleeding a lot but I guess it’s been a few years as the PoP stopped my period completely.

OP posts:

StottyCakeandJam · 13/09/2022 22:11

I had heavy-ish bleeding for 6 weeks & have had nothing since. It’s been 8 wonderful months. I’m having a Hysteroscopy at the weekend though at which time they’ll remove it and fit a new one. I hope the new one works as well!

GetOffTheRoof · 13/09/2022 22:17

Same as others - heavy bleeding for 2 months or so, now I've been through two periods of 2-3 days with no need for any tampons or pads. I usually go through a super plus extra tampon every 2hrs for a week. I'm 8mths into my second coil.

RunningFromInsanity · 13/09/2022 22:18

I’m booked in to have it and am very worried about weight gain and other hormone issues so following with interest.

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 22:20

Okay, this sounds good on the blood front. Thanks for replying. Has anyone had issues with weight gain? I can’t quite believe how quickly it appeared and I feel rubbish.

OP posts:

GetOffTheRoof · 13/09/2022 22:20

Oh, weight totally stable.

Wishiwasalittlebitsmaller · 13/09/2022 22:27

I gained weight initially (quite a bit) and had the most agonising breast pain for a few months afterwards. However the heavy bleeding I had had for years completely stopped and I haven’t bled for three years at all now (aside from very occasional tiny drops). I still have all the other (normal for me) period symptoms, PMT etc so weight can fluctuate with that but otherwise totally fine. Only long lasting side effect I have is perhaps heightened anxiety - but that could be post covid/life!
I am due to replace my coil in a few months and slightly anxious about the pain as last time it was inserted after an endrometrial ablation so was knocked out!

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 22:31

I’m hoping my weight might stabilise now I am off the pill as this really isn’t normal for me. My boobs were also super painful which has lessened in the last few days.

OP posts:

Somelikeitcool · 13/09/2022 22:32

I had mine fitted around the 20th of July. Light spotting for around a week to 10 days afterwards which tailed off, then for around 5 days I had a bit more spotting with fresh blood when I wiped and what I imagine would be my period after that for around another 5-7 days (it was a bit heavier again but could get away with just a thin towel). I have had nothing for 3-4 weeks since until spotting started around a week ago and the last couple of days has been slightly heavier. The biggest change for me is that both periods have been pain free. I used to have really painful and heavy periods which would wipe me out for days. I wish I'd had the Mirena fitted years ago!

I finally got my oestrogen gel yesterday so hoping it agrees with me.

Somelikeitcool · 13/09/2022 22:32

And no weight gain.

TweenWrangler · 13/09/2022 22:43

Had Mirena for 10 years now (just about to arrange to have 3rd fitted) and I'm 46.
First one I bled/spotted for about 5/6m but then nothing at all since.
I did gain weight but not in such a way that I can clearly link with the coil and I've successfully lost a significant amount of weight whist having it.
I can really feel peri-menopausal symptoms breaking through at the moment now I'm due for replacement but there's been nothing until a few months ago.
I love it, it's the best thing I ever did.
Previously was a combined pill user and tried implant for 3 years which was a weight gain disaster.

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 22:48

@Somelikeitcool actually I am blaming the coil for the weight but it could be the gel!

OP posts:

Sumlove · 13/09/2022 22:59

Had it twice and never left it in for the full five years. Loved having no periods, but weight gain and cystic acne was bad for me. I know some people who love it though and haven't had the same issues, it may settle down.

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 13/09/2022 23:16

@Sumlove hmm, this sounds more like my experience but I am hoping it is early days and still will settle.

OP posts:

KangarooKenny · 14/09/2022 06:42

The weight gain could be peri rather than the coil, I’ve definitely got peri weight gain !

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 14/09/2022 09:35

@KangarooKenny I literally gained 10lb in three weeks after starting HRT so I do think it is that, rather than just general peri weight.

OP posts:

FancyFran · 04/02/2023 10:31

Ooh. I am grateful for I have read so far. I am on my second coil fitted 8 years ago. I am now 57 and asked the gp to take it out. They said they don't do that as a practice. I have to go elsewhere. I don't have periods, night sweats or dry skin. I can't have HRT due to family illness.
The only thing I get is hot occasionally but I think that is our tempur mattress (I hate it). I am very heavy and it is a struggle to lose weight. No spots for me. I have no issues but I thought they were taken out at 55?

MrsFinkelstein · 04/02/2023 10:34

I've been using Mirena since 2008. Heavyish bleeding for initial 3-4 months, then spotting for next few months then nothing.

No issues with weight gain really except in the past 5 years when I turned 45. But I think that's just peri-menopausal tbh.

MrsFinkelstein · 04/02/2023 10:36

FancyFran · 04/02/2023 10:31

No longer needed for contraception from age 55, but can be used after that as part of HRT

roundofapplause · 04/02/2023 10:36

I had constant bleeding and bloating for 10 months which was being investigated. I was put on the pill to see if that would stop the bleeding but it didn't help.

I had resisted the mirena for as long as I could because I had heard so many horror stories but it's the best thing I could have done. No more bleeding, no weight gain and no nasty side effects. I would say it's even improved my sex drive. I had it fitted during a hysteroscopy so I didn't feel any pain but now I know how much it's improved my life I would have it fitted in a heartbeat and try and power through the pain. For me it's been worth it.

heyyouitsme · 04/02/2023 10:39

The mini pill caused the issues you’ve described for me which is why I opted for the mirena. Localised hormone release rather than blasting the whole body.

Bleeding was irritating though but after it stopped my periods stopped all together.

Original poster

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 04/02/2023 23:23

Oh, this was my OP, and coincidentally I actually have the scan (finally) next week. I am glad I ditched the pill!

So July - February. My weight has settled now, as have my boobs, but I am still having sporadic light bleeding at random times. It’s enough to be annoying but not enough to need a proper pad or a tampon, just a pant-liner. My skin is a bit up and down which is also very annoying.

OP posts:

Flip