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Menopause

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coil ? help ?

28 replies

wifeymerrick · 08/01/2013 07:28

Hi please help and advise ? Consultant has suggested coil before the last resort before removing ovaries....have read various issues with the coil on line...looking for don't 'real' advice ??

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MissBoPeep · 08/01/2013 20:01

What's it for- heavy periods? Are you talking about the Mirena coil? Only few people I know who have one love it. Everyone is different though.

wifeymerrick · 09/01/2013 07:08

Yeah the mirena coil, and yes its for heavy periods which happen every fortnight and last for six days.....thanks for taking the time to reply !

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BeckAndCall · 09/01/2013 07:12

I had a coil fitted 6 years ago for the same reasons - I used to have to plan my days according to where I could get to the loo - a one hour commute to Waterloo station was just doable, then a walk to the office etc etc. really difficult way to live and try to be professional at the same time.

And then the coil changed my life. Immediately periods were a thing of the past and stayed that way for six years. I was 45 at the time, so the natural cycle of things may have been leading me that way but I'd say give it a go for a while and then reconsider if necessary

wifeymerrick · 09/01/2013 11:53

Thank you so much beckandcall....just what I needed today some positive feedback on it !! You've made my day :-)

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BeckAndCall · 09/01/2013 12:43

Glad to help :)

SecretSquirrels · 10/01/2013 17:01

Mirena coil worked like magic for me too, exactly as Beck said.

wifeymerrick · 10/01/2013 20:42

Thank u secret ! It's helping put my mind at ease

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Roseformeplease · 10/01/2013 20:44

No issues with heavy periods etc but am on my third and love it. No periods at all! A bit uncomfortable going in and out but it is only every 5 years - 10 if you are over 45.

Squeegle · 10/01/2013 20:49

I am having one fitted tomorrow for the same reason. Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Does it hurt to have it fitted?

secretscwirrels · 11/01/2013 10:37

To be absolutely honest yes it did hurt when it was fitted but only briefly. No worse than dentist and so much gain for a little pain.

Squeegle · 11/01/2013 17:33

Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Just had it fitted, not too bad at all- will wait and see how it works on the periods. Does it work straightaway as a contraceptive? Will a partner be able to feel it do you know?

secretscwirrels · 11/01/2013 19:13

Yes it works instantly. They should have told you how to check it, you should just be able to feel a little string yourself.

wifeymerrick · 11/01/2013 21:19

I'm in on 28th to have it fitted....they said I might struggle with it going in without being under anesthetic ! Reading what u guys have said makes me feel optimisic that I'll be ok ! I'm only 36 so it'll 5 yearly for me ! It's better than the alternative u feel though ! Thank you all so much for replying and sharing on this thread was feeling really down and worried before !

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Squeegle · 12/01/2013 00:47

Thanks, he didn't really tell me how to check it, so i will just see if i can feel the strings. Am I supposed to go and see the gp now and again?

Isabeller · 12/01/2013 00:59

I had one for 5 years & loved it, after frequent heavy periods it was wonderful got rid of replacement when met DP but would recommend it to anyone (although I'm sure there are some people it doesn't suit). Really worth trying.

BeckAndCall · 12/01/2013 06:56

squeegle you go to your GP once a year and she checks the position of the strings - that's the only check you need.

And tbh your partner might feel the strings, my DH did at first, but it's really nothing of consequence....

ScubaSarah · 12/01/2013 07:13

As per other posters I had 2(9 years of cover before removal for ttc)
My periods become v light and manageable albeit somewhat irregular and I had minimal cramping. Other PMS symptoms remained, sadly Wink
I loved it. Certainly uncomfortable on day of fitting and replacement but a very small price.

I had it removed in May and the next 2 weeks were HELL. Horrendous PMS - like MUREROUS PMS and flooding my mooncup every hour. I was terrified I would be like that monthly but once it cleared I went back to v v heavy but 'normal' periods for me and got BFP in November.

I will be having one fitted as soon as I can after DC1 (does anyone know if you can have one fitted while BF?)

Good luck x

VinegarDrinker · 12/01/2013 07:17

ScubaSarah it's fine with BFing, and you can have it fitted from 6 weeks after delivery.

secretscwirrels · 12/01/2013 12:09

wifeymerrick I've heard of people having it done under GA, usually when something else is going on. I would have thought a GA just for this would be an unnecessary risk just to avoid a bit of short term pain.

MissBoPeep · 12/01/2013 15:15

I think fitting and pain depends on your body. I had a copper coil once and the fitting was v painful- and the coil later half expelled itself due possibly to incorrect insertion- I don't know. The Mirena is bigger due to carrying hormones and there is no way I'd have chosen one. It also depends on your age- older women have cervixes which close up more, are tighter, and make coils etc harder to fit, but at your age you should be fine.

VinegarDrinker · 12/01/2013 15:24

I don't know what copper coil you had MissBoPeep but the Mirena really isn't big! The inserter used to place them is about 0.25cm diameter - very similar dimensions to a drinking straw.

There is rarely an issue fitting them without anaesthetic. The exception can be in a few women who haven't had children or have only had Caesareans.

Mynewmoniker · 12/01/2013 15:42

I smile when I pass the women's sanitary isle in the supermarket and think of the money I'm saving. After the first 3 months my bleeding settled down and I't been MUCH better than I thought. I don't have to stay in, rush to the loo or be worried about embarrassing myself now Smile

secretscwirrels · 12/01/2013 15:53

I had ordinary copper coils before children from my mid twenties. My first Mirena was when I was 40. I'm 54 now and on the 3rd and hopefully last one. Fitting was v painful but not for long.

MissBoPeep · 12/01/2013 17:19

Vinegar it was T shape and the Mirena is bigger. I'm sorry- don't want to get into a row with you over something so personal. Are you a medic? I have a very tight cervix and my dr asked at the time if my deliveries were by c section.

wifeymerrick · 13/01/2013 00:34

I'm due to get mine fitted 28th this month. V.nervous but this post has helped...gyna consultant has said that due to my history , crash c section , ivf, PCOS, blah blah blah GA may b necessary....I'm going try without first and foremost obviously ! Again thanks to everybody for response to thread !

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