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Original poster

Mirena coil - quick question if you have one fitted

30 replies

Sunflower101 · 15/09/2020 18:22

I had one fitted about 6 weeks ago and I have had to use either panty liners or sanitary pads every day since. I have had a slight period and then blood every day. Is this usual? I was kind of hoping things might have settled down by now? Or does this continue for awhile yet? Please share your experiences. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunflower101 · 15/09/2020 18:24

Background to me - I’m 49, coil fitted to help stop very heavy period flow, I had coil fitted under general anaesthetic when a large polyp was removed at the same time.

OP posts:
jammydodgersplease · 15/09/2020 18:25

Hello,
This is not my experience, I have my second, both fitted 12 weeks post c-section. I have heard anecdotally of this being others experience. I would probably contact GP- just to make sure.

AuditAngel · 15/09/2020 18:26

I have had two Mirena coils and I only had spotting for a short time after each. Not as much as a light period, but more than I normally experience.

Could it actually be the polyp rather than the coil causing this!

EasilyDeleted · 15/09/2020 18:27

It's been a long time since I had my first fitted but yes, that's how I remember it, took a few months to settle down. Then that was it, no more periods at all, fantastic. Maybe a day of spotting a year.

jammydodgersplease · 15/09/2020 18:27

Ahh just noticed your update- mine fitted for contraceptive purposes only. Dont have any of your other symptoms and as far as I am aware I am not menopausal.

daisychain1620 · 15/09/2020 18:28

Hi I hope it settles down quickly for you. I had a Mirena fitted about 8 years ago (removed about 3 years now). I remember bleeding like yourself but I can't remember how long for, sorry. At the time it was so annoying and seemed like it wouldn't end but then when it did stop I only got a hint of a period maybe two or three times a year, it was fabulous! Good luck, I loved having mine

AlwaysaLittleBitTired · 15/09/2020 18:29

Yes, I have had 2 in the past, but not currently using one. Both times I had intermittent spotting for months, and anxiety, and paranoia, and general upset. At around 6 months though, I felt great. Periods didn't stop though, but they were light and short.

WisestIsShe · 15/09/2020 18:30

Mine took 8 weeks to fully settle. I was about to give up on it. Then occasional spotting for s while. I love it now, although I had it for contraception not menopause. Not sure if that makes a difference?

Timeforabiscuit · 15/09/2020 18:30

Extremely light bleeds for about 3 weeks, then a bit of spotting each month for six months, then Nothing.

Absolutely fabulous!

chuffedasbuttons · 15/09/2020 18:32

I'm on my third. They never stop my period but they absolutely stopped the flooding and hell - I use a moon cup and empty morning and night. So minimal.

HOWEVER
My periods went bonkers and I would bleed irregularly, all types of bleeding, fast red, slow brown, constant spotting..... and this is nothing to do with my coil and everything to do with being very peri-menopausal.

Now I have HRT (gel) I get zero spotting or bleeding and I am back to a proper 'period' on a more regular cycle except it's not that regular.... 28 / 35 / 42 / 25 / 22 / 45 type days.

You may want to consider some HRT alongside. If you have it - then bollocks to what you're going through and back to the GP

Original poster
Sunflower101 · 15/09/2020 18:55

Ooh lots of responses already, that’s great. It seems as I suspected it’s different for everyone to some extent. I guess I just want the slight bleed to end. Previously I was flooding so much, tranexamic acid wasn’t working so I’m seeing what the coil does. I hadn’t thought the polyp might be causing the slight bleeding.....it’s are to know isn’t it. It could be due to peri menopausal stuff. Hadn’t considered hurt, it’s such a minefield of choice....

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunflower101 · 15/09/2020 18:58

Sorry so many typos in my last post, I was referring to hrt in my last line not hurt!

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Violinmum1 · 16/09/2020 16:37

I had a very bad experience with the Mirena. It started with spotting after it was inserted and went on to continuous bleeding for the next six months until it was expelled suddenly.

I was told it could be normal and my body would adjust to it, so I just kept waiting for things to settle down.

Original poster
Sunflower101 · 16/09/2020 19:35

That sounds a bit like me at the moment Violinmum, hope your experience doesn’t happen for me. I keep thinking about whether to ring doctor or wether to wait a few more weeks and seeing if it settles down.

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Violinmum1 · 17/09/2020 02:38

Sunflower, I was told that what happened to me was extremely rare and the doctor said that she'd never seen it happen before, so I hope that yours sorts itself out.

QuickBrownFoxy · 17/09/2020 03:04

I have one for the same reason as you, heavy periods and anaemia in my forties. I had spotting / light bleeding and painful cramping for about 3-4 months and I thought it was either going to expel itself or need to be removed, but then it just settled and I've had no pain and only a tiny bit of spotting one day each cycle for four years after that. So I would say stick with it, my doctor said he likes patients to persist for 5 months before giving up. Hopefully it settles down for you soon.

Chewbecca · 26/09/2020 10:15

Late reply I know but I had a mirena fitted in the very same circumstances as you and it took a good 3 months to settle down. I wanted it removed after 8 weeks as I was fed up with the constant spotting but the gynae insisted I allowed the full time to settle, and she was right. Once the bleeding finally stopped, it has never returned. I’m 18m on now and so pleased I persevered.

Original poster
Sunflower101 · 26/09/2020 20:16

That’s helpful to know Chewbecca. I’m about 8 weeks since I had it fitted and still have spotting.

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spacepoppers · 26/09/2020 20:23

Mine took about three months for the spotting to stop. But then my periods were much lighter thank goodness.

Needmorechocolate · 26/09/2020 20:35

Like you I had mine fitted under GA whilst having a polyp removed. I’m about 7 weeks in and have been spotting the whole time. I think it’s normal - I was told to expect spotting and that it could take up to 6months for it to fully settle! My GP suggested that those women who have it fitted for medical reasons (eg heavy periods/hyperplasia etc) are more likely to take longer to settle than those who have it fitted purely for contraception reasons. I’m sticking with it for now because my first period was so light that it was worth the spotting!

DramaAlpaca · 27/09/2020 16:51

@Sunflower101 I had my Mirena put in at about the same age as you for the same reason, also put in under GA when I had a polyp removed.

My experience was very similar to @Chewbecca. I had spotting on and off for around three months, then absolutely nothing, my periods stopped completely. It can take up to six months to settle, so be patient and persist for a bit longer if you can. Mine saw me through the menopause, once it settled down it was brilliant.

ShellieEllie · 27/09/2020 20:35

I had the Mirena fitted to stop dreadful periods; flooding, vomitting, crippling pain, passing out. I bled constantly for the first few months but I did feel much more chilled out and bleeding was nowhere near like it was. After several months I was also prescribed the mini pill (Noriday) to take as well and this stopped the continuous bleeding, I still take it everyday. I have regular periods but they are what I consider are normal ones. I've had it 4 1/2 years now and it has been an absolute godsend. I'm having a much shorter cycle now but think as I'm over 50 I'm probably peri-menopausal!

Original poster
Sunflower101 · 28/09/2020 19:54

Thanks all for responses, I’ve been reading all your comments and seems like I need to continue to wait and see how it goes. I’m still spotting eight weeks on. I am scared of checking the coil is still there....it’s like I’m a bit scared of having something ‘foreign’ inside me. Our sex life has not resumed as a result. Any experiences to share?

OP posts:
Eloisedublin123 · 02/10/2020 22:10

Op do you regret getting it? I’m having it inserted next week for heavy periods - and to be used in conjunction with topical oestrogen (?) cream for hrt effect. Gp said it would be better than the old fashioned HRT I’m on now.

gluteustothemaximus · 02/10/2020 22:12

Mine has taken months to settle. I bled pretty much non stop for 3 months. Periods are now 2 weeks long out of every 4 weeks. I am hoping, really hoping, that this calms down soon. Had it fitted in January. Yes, periods are lighter, but lots of other issues (bad bloating, feeling shit, sex drive lower). Hope they will all resolve soon.