Mirena

[jayce21]

Hi all, looking for some advice on Mirena coil..
I’ve been having peri menopausal symptoms for a few months now I’m either having incredibly heavy/ flooding periods that last weeks or skipping them completely, last week I ended up in hospital having to have a blood transfusion due to my hg levels going down to 7 after 2 weeks of the worst bleeding and passing clots I’ve ever experienced, my scan came back clear apart from a thick lining, I’ve been put on norethsterone to stop the bleeding and a appointment has been made for me to have a Mirena inserted this is something I really didn’t want as I’ve heard some horror stories about the pain of insertion plus I’m worried about side effects as after being on the norethsterone for only a week I’m already an emotional wreck to make matters worse at the hospital they tried twice to take a uterine biopsy but couldn’t get through my cervix even though I’ve had 3 children it seems clamped shut. Im getting Myself in such a state about the Mirena but I can’t stay on the norethsterone indefinitely does anyone have any advise on what other option I might have
Thanks

Hi jay, I feel that you are in panic and that doen’t makes things better!
I think that you can try the Mirena and you can see if it suits you. I have no experience with the coil but I think that the procedure of inserting is simple and without pain!
Don’t hear all these horror stories, things are simpler in reality! :)

I have no advice...but there are some very helpful people on the menopause matters site..I suggest asking there....good luck...menopause is not easy.

Sorry to hear about your heavy bleeding issues, I've come on for some reassurance that mine is normal (it seems so) and looks like a mirena might be the only way to go.

I too have had a scan to find all normal, but have very similar symptoms to you.

Anyway what I wanted to say is I have had 2 mirena coils previously. 1st one for about 18 months and removed so I could conceive ds2, then another one for contraception after he was born. Both were fine to have inserted, they were done by the nurse at my gp practice. No problems at all with first one but second one I seemed to get even worse than usual pms so had it removed. With both of them I had either no period or a bit of spotting. Hope this helps you make your decision.

I had a Mirina a fitted 5 years ago to stop v heavy bleeding. It worked perfectly (such a relief) no pain or problems and no bleeding after the first 3 months. Now i'm through the menopause will have it out later this year. Can't comment on fitting pain as I had it fitted under a general with fibroid removal. Don't worry too much.

BadCarrot- Can I ask how you knew you were through the menopause? Was it just a guess at age? My last Mirena has been in 6 years now and I have had painful (though not too heavy) periods every 3 weeks right the way through. My doctor said the coil doesn't always stop periods. Lately my periods have become very sporadic - 1 September, then December & January, 2 in February and no more to date. No idea if I just wait and see what happens or if I need a new one in or what. Totally clueless on these matters!

I'm in a similar position, had v v painful and heavy periods for years, perimenopausal as well, Dr today has recommended mirena. Have read so many horror stories about them, am scared to death. But have also read really positive stories - but I seem to be assuming it will go wrong for me! One of our gps fits them and apparently has an appointment to discuss it with you first, so will go and see her, I suppose that can't hurt.

I can't carry on with this amount of pain and blood loss though, I've just had enough.

I’ve had the Mirena inserted twice and it didn’t hurt
Reason was for heavy unpredictable bleeding. Unfortunately the first one started falling out, and that caused more bleeding. The second one was fitted by a Gynaecologist and checked by scan, and it’s been fine. Still get a bit of bleeding - but scarcely any.

Separately for the menopause- I started getting much worse hot flushes overnight- and that’s when I started low dose oestrogen HRT. I understand the risks of cancer are less if you have the Mirena in place - and so just progesterone going to your uterus, not your whole body.

Can’t remember your OP, but it’s worth speaking to a GP or other Dr who specialises in the menopause. First one I spoke to was useless. Said she specialised, but still pretty young and dismissive of my symptoms. The second GP was older and so sympathetic and helpful.

I didn’t fancy the Mirena either, but I’d encourage you to give it a go. Constant bleeding is pretty rubbish.

I've had 5 Mirena coils over the years, purely to stop heavy bleeding. I've got a lot of scar tissue from 2 sections, and a large uterus. I've never had an issue with the Mirena, insertion is no worse than a smear and it takes around 3 - 6 months for the hormone levels to take full effect. I get the odd spotting that I can wear a tiny pad for, and it's bliss. Before, I was housebound for 4 days a month with heavy flooding.

I've got a fairly recent one, 6 months ago and as I'm now 47, the GP said they're very helpful with menopause symptoms and that if I need it, a low dose HRT would also be beneficial.

I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. But, and this is a big but, don't get your GP/nurse to insert it if they don't do many. I've found that the family planning clinics are doing them all the time and it's much less of an event getting them fitted there by an expert.

This is very reassuring and helpful!

It sounds like at my practice there is one gp who does them a lot, so I'll have a talk with her.

It would also be lovely to not have to take iron supplements every day for the anaemia!

I've not had children and apparently that's likely to make it more painful, I think that's fed into my fear.

It’s pretty small - the coil. Have you ever seen one? Think I had period type pain initially, but nothing that bad

Thanks Picasso, I've not handled one although seen pics.

Hi OP I'm in exactly the same position - very prolonged bleeding / flooded.
Concerned about potential side effects of mirena. Have anaemia.
Scan showed thickened womb lining.
Do you know what your measurement was and is anything happening about that? I'm 48 btw

I've had s mirena for last 17.5 years and it's been brilliant for me. I had endometriosis and bad PMT symptoms and it sorted all that out and big bonus of not bleeding.

It's worth a go. I've read lots of negative stuff recently about effects of mirena but I can only speak from personal experience and I'm glad I found it.

Good luck.

Hi Daisy, sorry about late reply. I think I'm through the menopause because I'm 55 and the dreaded Hot sweats are maybe twice a week not multiple times daily. I was told the coil should only stay in for 5 years. Is it worth talking to your GP about having it removed and what other options are available?