The Mirena Coil,..opinions...pro's.....con's...what do I need to know?

[MrsGokWan]

Right after having a real doofus moment with the mini pill (cerazette) I think I may need to consider the Mirena. I have heard horror stories and I need to know what peoples opinion of the coil is. What are the pro's and con's of using it. What are the important things I need to know and consider.

I don't know if it is important or not but I am still BF my DC3 (19m)

I am 46 and have had the Mirena for two and a half years, all was great apart from a little backache now and again and some mood swings, until tonight, really heavy period with clotting and a backache from hell, I also noticed my bladder weakening over the last couple of months so I have had to wear panty liners constantly. I have tried checking the coil but I cannot feel the thread so now I am worried about where it is, could it be lost inside me and how will I get it taken out, this is stressing me out, any advice will be much appreciated.

I've had Mirena coils since 1993 when they were first trialled, and LOVE them. I'm on my third or fourth.

Mirena is a coil with a progesterone implant. Whether it works for you or not depends on how you get on with progesterone + how you get on with a coil.

For me it's perfect. I can't forget to take it, and the progesterone wipes out my periods completely (including pmt and sore breasts) without giving me any bad side effects.

I had had some other coils in the past; they made my periods much heavier and more achey but at least I couldn't forget to take them!

The Mirena is often recommended because the progesterone can wipe out the negative side effects of a normal coil. But if you don't get on with the hormone then it's not going to work for you.

I really can't recommend any of the caps - they are a faff to put in (really kill The Mood) and if they don;t fit well you can end up with loads of UTIs. All that scrummaging around inside, urgh.

Galwaygem, it's off to the doctor for you pronto. It's probably still there somewhere, but it could have moved and it could have fallen out. You need to have that bladder weakness checked too if you can't think of a good reason for it.

I've had a Mirena for about 3 years and seems fine. V light periods but do still notice some soreness in my breasts beforehand each month (got worse recently and will discuss with nurse I think). No PMT, may be some weight gain (but that might be too many puddings!)
Generally would recommend.

Reading everyone's experiance of the Mirena it seems to be that it suits some and not others and until you try it you don't know wether it will suit you or not. So it's a case of suck it and see.

Thanks for all the responses ladies, they've been really useful.