What happens if you leave a mirena longer than 5 years?

[akhems]

Does it still work like a normal iud?

[sassie1981]

Phew glad you said that about the not dead on 5 years mine is a month out of date had sore boobs and cramps but still not had a bleed since I had it 5 years ago was wondering when periods return x

[Janey50]

So glad I stumbled upon this thread. I had a Mirena fitted in July 2012 and was told that this would be my last one and that it should be removed in July this year (I'm 54 in October). I am assuming I've gone through the menopause,but I've no typical symptoms really,apart from a few warm flushes. Not even sure if they really were 'flushes' as I've been told your whole body goes hot and sweaty,but this was just my face and head. Anyway,what I've been worried about is that when I have the Mirena removed,I am going to experience heavy bleeding and/or pain. I have heard of this happening with women who have had one removed and not replaced with another one,but haven't known how old they were. I have no idea if this could happen if you are postmenopausal. Anyone got any experience in this matter? Would I be better off leaving it in for another year or so? The reason I had the Mirena primarily was because of heavy bleeding and pain and I'm obviously reluctant to go through this again.

[jacmack]

I have had one copper coil which gave me v heavy erratic periods then replaced with mirena. I am in my 3rd one now and really starting to question whether its the cause of increase in horrible anxiety problems. Also increased migraines, weight gain, acne (never had before) ibs, nausea just like morning sickness, dizzy spells and tremors. Facial hair, exhausted but cant sleep if i wake in the night. I feel awful every day. Its either iud or diabetes maybe. Im 45 and not intending more children. Like others here i have v low libido too. Get it out do you think?

[singlemom83]

I've had my mirena for almost 7 years, I've been told it is still good for a couple of years longer. So far I haven't had any problems. My sex drive has skyrocket within the last 2 or so years (which I believe it was due being in the 30's which apparently libido increases after 30) I love not having periods.
Although I do admit my hormones was out of whack during the first 2-3 years, sex drive was the same... I lightly bled occasionally due some stress with a boyfriend at the time but never happened again with another boyfriend when having stress (with him I'd get cold sores due to stress, very weird how my body reacts to stress with different boyfriends)
I used to use birth control pills, didn't like it, made me very moody and had no sex drive.
I've had the patch, successful for 8 months but got pregnant while on it. Mirena has been very effective for me. If I happen to get pregnant while on mirena, I wouldn't say the IUD didn't work for me, I'd obviously know it would be because I've had it for so long and it no longer works. If I were to have another birth control after next baby.... I'd pick the mirena without hesitation. Yes, it hurt like a bitch when it was put in, I bled all over the paper but it was also because I was having a period that time. Totally worth it IMO.

[Kazzabob]

I've had mine for almost 10 years - very slight spotting every so often. Husband had the snip so not needed for contraception - loved the fact that not had periods and really reluctant to have another one put in, as I remember mood swings to begin with. Male doc said leave it be, female doc has said have it taken out. Think given the timeframe I will have to do the latter - shame really ...!

[PlymouthMaid1]

I know this a pretty old thread but it has been useful reading all the tales above. I found this thread by googling 'leaving Mirena in' as mine has been in place for more than 7 years now with no problems and I am inclined to just leave it as I am now 53 and there has to be a menopause sometime soonish I would think although with no periods because of the coil, it is hard to know for sure.

[cazar58]

I'm 56, I've had my second Mirena in for about 7 years and I've had no problems with it at all. Some say it can cause infection but if it didn't in the five years what would make it suddenly cause infection after that. I have a couple of friends who have both had theirs in as long as I have 0 - one is still young enough to get pregnant - and they both swear they have had no problems either. It's easy to forget it. I have had no periods for about four years and feel fine with it still in. I've been through the menopause and actually believe the hormones in it helped me to have a smooth passage through 'the change'. However, after reading some of these posts, I am a little concerned, but what I've taken note of is that doctors are not warning women to get the thing removed the minute it hits the five year mark and for those of us who have smears regularly, again, the clinical staff are not falling over themselves to warn us of any undue dangers of having the coil in after the alloted 5 years. I will keep it in until I know different or am advised otherwise. If it aint broke, don't fix it!

[Melliek76]

I had my first Mirena in for 3yrs after having my son. I got pregnant again within 3 months of having it removed. My current Mirena has been in 5yrs and my period started coming back 2 months ago (although very light). I will be getting a new one fitted this week as I feel it has worked well for me.

[nick6425]

My mirena is 4.5 years old and have started to get pelvic pain and on and off bleeding does this mean it's time for a new one?

[Lauramum23]

Mines coming out in a couple of weeks I've had it 5 years 1 month, I've got 3 kids and had this fitted when my 3rd was a baby, I'm 31, I really want another baby my husband doesn't at the moment, does anyone else think that coming towards the end of mirinas lifespan their periods started to return? Mine are very regular and I can feel when I'm ovulating, it wasn't the case for the first 3.5-4.5 years I never really had a period. Ill be glad to get my cycle back to normal again when this comes out I'm kind of ready for a decent period!!! Also did your fertility return quickly?

[Hennyhalfpenny]

I'm 56! And am having my Mirena removed this week, after 6 years. My sister (a nurse) has been threatening me with nasty consequences for leaving it in place for so long, and that's why I googled my way to this site & this thread. Firstly, I can relate that the insertion can be horrible for anyone ( I am a mum of four and found it diabolical). BUT, it changed my life. My periods had become so long and heavy that I was afraid to leave the house for days at a time, and was tired and miserable for most of the month. within a few months that ALL went away! I started a small business, and then opened a shop, which would have been impossible while I was a slave to almost constant periods. I certainly had no reduction of libido :-).

[carinar]

I'm almost 45 and have had my Mirena for 5y and 9mnths, withou ANY side effects. No periods from day 1 -absolute heaven!! 2wks ago my breasts were tender and i had one brownish spot, which makes me think that mine is nearing its end now. But medical aids don't cover the Mirena and I can't afford to get it replaced. But i don't want a period ever again. After reading a lot of blogs i see there are some side effects to keeping it in over 5y, like embedding, etc. And i'm scared to have it removed as i'm quite a softy when it comes to pain. I'm debating now whether to get another one or to get a historectomy, which my medical will at least pay for. But how will a historectomy influence my health? I'm really at a loss. Any suggestions?

[carinar]

I'm almost 45 and h

[carinar]

I'

[sunshine1968]

I've been using the marina now for 16 years with no periods or side effects. I'm now 45 and went to have my latest removed and replaced back in January. I have trouble removing and fitting them so have to be scanned but on this event, they told me that my coil had tilted to the side and was sticking into the muscle of my uterus. It was still effective but this would explain the pain I had been experiencing FOR FIVE YEARS on and off! Because of this they were reluctant to remove my coil and advised me to keep it in for another 2 years bringing the whole time period for my coil to 7 years. The doctor justified this by telling me that it was licensed in Scandinavia to be used up to the 7 year period (I am in the UK). They said that it would still be effective unless I started to get my periods back. My coil has now been in for 5 years and 7 months and I have just started to have symptoms of my period coming back, sore boobs, stomach cramps and a little blood. Needless to say I am going back to demand they remove it as I do not want to become a mum again at my age, especially with two grown up sons! I feel very let down by their decision not to remove my coil on the 5 year period and feel that they have put me at risk of an unwanted pregnancy. These coils are usually very good and effective....but you do need to be in the hands of a health professional who is not going to take risks with your health and plans for the future simply because removing the thing would be trickier than usual.

[lalitha123]

I am 40 and can i keep marina after 7 years

[lalitha123]

i am 40 and can i keep marina coil after 7 years

[lalitha123]

i am 40 and can i keep marina coil after 7 years

[NurseBrunnie]

This is such an interesting thread. It's almost been 7 years that I have had the Mirena and I have had nothing short of an amazing experience. I never get my period nor any negative symptoms. I looked up having the mirena for more than 7 years to see what others experiences were. I feel like it's a mixed bag. I have a Pap smear coming up so I will talk to my GYNO soon. I'm in love but not married yet so I'm torn about taking it out and using any other type of contraception. I got the IUD when I first heard about it and I was a poor nursing school student. I had it inserted by planned parenthood free of charge because I was unemployed at the time. My libido has not been affected. It did really hurt to insert, I have never been pregnant so I think it is particularly painful to those who have never conceived. I highly recommend the mirena to anyone looking for an effective form of birth control. I honestly do not ever want my period again but I can't wait to have babies so I guess I have no choice but to eventually have it removed.

[flow4]

Just a word of warning to people who have had their coils in a long time... When mine was fitted, I was told it would last 5 years. When I went back to have it removed, they told me they now left them in for 10... After about 7 years I started getting pelvic pain and feeling ill; i was ill and in pain for months and months, although I tested negative for NSU and various other infections. I asked if it could be my coil, but was dismissed... But I followed my instincts and had it removed. It came out literally black and stinking. I then had a course of anaerobic antibiotics and was fine within a week.

My coil was great for the first 6 years or so, but I really wouldn't recommend leaving it in longer.

[mamasbaffled]

My IUD is almost 9 years old. I too have been blessed to never have periods but I can't seem to lose weight and I too seem to have a less than healthy libido. Since my "hormones" are supposedly expired my husband and I use the pull out method just to be safe since my own nature defenses and the IUD seem to do the trick. Any women that have had their IUD in just as long as me use the IUD as if it were brand new or do you use different methods with the "expired" IUD?

[Yogamomma3]

Just wondering the outcome of getting your iud removed. I have has the same iud for 10 years and can't imagine getting a period after not having one for so long. What are your thoughts?

[Yogamomma3]

I realize this thread is old but do you still have your iud? Mine is 10 years old and I like it more now than I did when I first got it! No periods, no mood swings from the hormones. I see no need to fix something that isnt broken. My dh has been snipped so no worries about getting prego. My biggest fear at this point is getting scolded when I finally do go in.

[onmiwei]

I have had my mirena for just over 5 years. I went to the gyn to get my yearly check up and she told me it can stay in for 7 years even though it is only approved for 5 years. She said new studies show it can be effective longer. She said it was up to me if I want it taken out of not and replaced but it is still working fine. I am 41. Both my sister and mom had early menopause in their early 40's..so I am hoping I will be there before I have to have it replaced. It was very hard to insert and caused a lot of pain due to a tilted small uterus. I haven't had a single problem after that. Love love love love..wish I would have had it earlier in life :D

[peaches43]

I've had mine for just over 5 years and wanted another fitting but GP said to leave it for one more year and then have it removed as I'm 51 and probably peri-menopausal (or even menopausal). Interestingly I've just begun to get spotty which seems unfair at this age (spots AND wrinkles?). Anyone had one at this ripe old age? Or had one removed? What happened?