Gynae problems, offered mirena with no other options!

[Snowspeckledeyelashes]

I’m 45 and believe I am probably in peri as I can tick off so many symptoms but gp won’t have that as I still have regular (but heavy) periods.
I’ve been having these regular but heavy periods for quite a few years and it’s caused by a polypy area in my uterus. Last year I had them removed and scraped away but it appears they have grown back again and so in a couple of weeks I’m going to have to have yet another hysteroscopy and polyps removed.
My gynaecologists (two of them) have told me it’s because I have too much oestrogen in my womb which is causing the polyps and that I need a mirena coil to give me more progesterone and level the imbalance.
I’ve asked what are all of my other options as I’ve never liked the idea of the mirena or other hormonal pills and have read so many mirena horror stories but they say there aren’t any other options. The don’t recommend pill forms of progesterone for me as the mirena has much less progesterone and this only stays in the uterus!!, the ablation will only work for a short while until womb lining grows again then I’d have trouble as the lining will be scarred and problems will arise from that and I can, of course have a hysterectomy but that’s a huge op.
I asked about other forms of progesterone like bio identical progesterone or creams/gels but they just said no, these don’t exist!
I’m very concerned about the risk of breast cancer as it says on the Mirena website that there is an increased risk with the coil but the gynaecologists said absolutely not, there is no risk at all, in fact the mirena reduces the risk and if I do nothing and leave the polyps they could turn nasty!!
I walked out of my consultation yesterday in tears as I’m so confused and feel I’ve lost control of my own body! I really don’t want the mirena but obviously I cant keep going into hospital each year having endless procedures.
Anyone else been through this?!

I've not had the same issues but have been on HRT for 11 years and discussed a lot of these issues with my gynae.

Your drs are right I'm afraid.

I know women who LOVE the Mirena so you need to stop focusing on anything negative.

There is no cancer risk using it in the way it's been designed- for treating heavy bleeding. Day to day you will be exposing yourself to far more toxins that may cause cancer, from pesticides in food, lifestyle, pollution in the street, radiation from your TV and pc.

Body identical (no such thing as bio- that term is out of date) progesterone cannot be used for conditions like yours- not enough would get to the uterus for a start and the amount needed orally would make you feel ill.

There is more of a risk long term if you have heavy bleeding and polyps which mean there is the slight risk of some changes happening.

Try to take the emotion out of it and don't judge something (Mirena) before you have tried it. There is no point in putting up this 'barrier' to something that on balance is the best option.

Thank you Queen I do need to look at it from a different angle. I have terrible, all consuming health anxiety which is certainly not helping me in my judgement and having spent the last three weeks visiting mil in an oncology ward has clouded my view on things at this moment in time. You are right of course and I really need to at least give it a go but have to admit I’m scared!! I have spent too long googling and have bloody well confused myself!!

Hi, please don’t be afraid of the mirena, it absolutely changed my life, I put up with floody periods for years and was extremely ill from severe anemia, I put off having the mirena until I was on my knees. It’s a bit uncomfortable to insert but over very quickly, I drove home 10 minutes after having mine! It did take a good few months to settle down but I haven’t had a period for nearly two years it’s truly been a life saver, wish I’d had one years ago, give it a go you can always have it removed if you don’t like it.

Thanks rosie it’s always good to hear positive stories, the internet is full to the brim of mirena horror stories and I don’t know anyone in RL with a good word for it either. Can I ask what issues did you have whilst it was settling down? Did it give you anxiety, acne, headaches or weight gain. Sorry for bombarding you with questions!!

Hi, no side effects at all apart from some random spotting and a couple of spots on my jawline for about 4 months, I actually lost weight because I was able to exercise more without fear of horrendous flooding, random spotting was a small price to pay for getting my life back, I can’t even remember what a periods like now😄

My first mirena went in in late 1993 and my last went in this year at the ripe old age of 59 as part of my hrt. As you can see I’m something of a fan. They have been a positive force in my life and I will be very sad to see this one go in a few years time. I may Gold plate it and frame it.

What have you got to lose? If it really doesn’t work for you you can have it removed.

Thank you Rosie and purple that's good to hear. I've completed frightened myself with these awful stories online, it has become a bit of an obsession, keep finding endless horror stories and hardly any positive ones, so thank you for your positive stories.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29482839/?i=5&from=Mirena%20breast%20cancer

I have a Mirena for the progesterone component of my HRT and love it, my meno specialist uses it to with her HRT patches.
The problem with the internet is people post more if they have a negative experience than a positive.

You are absolutely right, wish I hadn't started looking tbh!

Thanks for that link, that's very reassuring!

Have to say I was worried too, but my awful meno symptoms meant I needed HRT to lead a normal life and the Mirena has suited me far better progesterone wise, than the Utrogestan I tried.
There are other risk factors for BC especially in my age group, my sil is very negative about HRT but carries a lot of extra weight, does no exercise and drinks far more alcohol than me...all BC risk factors.

Give it a try, the Mirena is pushed by gynaecologists but it does normally sort the problem out, also surgery isn’t pleasant to keep having.

I did get 4.5 months of very light daily spotting, but I was a year post meno...don’t know if that makes a difference!
Otherwise I had no other symptoms so am pleased I persevered with it.

There’s a thread in chat at the moment about the mirena and almost all of the feedback is positive.

I had mine fitted to help with heavy, painful periods and I genuinely feel as though it has given me my life back, I had it inserted during surgery so can’t comment on how that was; I am a few months in and my last period was very light, to the point that it seemed like the waste of a sanitary towel, but a bit too much for just a liner. I’m hoping like other mirena users that they stop altogether soon.

my that’s the outcome I am hoping for, just wish my bloody brain didn’t put anxiety in the way 🙄

I'm on my 3rd mirena, never had a single issue.

Had it put in after birth of DS 2 when I was in mid 30s , now nearly 50 and haven't had a period or even a few posts in all that time

eve that's brilliant, I hope it works as well for me too.

posts - should obviously be spots!!

Ive had my Mirena in for 3 years now, I too have polyps and my only option was coil or hysterectomy. I have no regrets, I have no bleeding after the initial months of settling.
Best thing I have ever done and it is now going to form part of my hrt too.

A friend of mine is in the same position and has been advised to have the mirena. She was suprised and I think initially wanted things sorted via ablation. But consultant has gone through stuff with her and she’s now happy to try it so will have it fitted in the next few weeks.

I had the Mirena coil fitted after dreadful episodes of menorrahgia and it was wonderful. It was in for about 3 years. I had no problems with it.