Mirena coil fitting

[ramesesmaze]

Hi, I'm sure this gets asked a lot and I've flicked through the threads and read what I can about the Mirena coil. I'm basically looking for some reassurance about how easy (or bad) the fitting is. I'm trying to find the right combination of HRT for me because of my horrible symptoms, the main one being flooding periods that last weeks.
I'm currently on Sandrena gel, 1mg and Utrogestan 200mg for 12 days of the cycle. However, I seem to still get my natural 23-25 day cycle and bleed at any time of the HRT cycle, often a couple of days into the progesterone phase. It certainly hasn't taken over my cycle like it should.
So, I'm biting the bullet and getting a mirena coil fitted. I know women have different experiences of this but I'm running out of options. Though I've had 3 children, I'm dreading the fitting. What should I expect? How bad is it?!

I was dreading getting mine changed as my friend said it was really painful. But it was no worse than a smear test. After getting the speculum in the GP told me to cough and the old one came straight out. I didn’t even feel the new one go in apart from a slight pinch for one second. It was absolutely fine, although everyone is different. I took painkillers beforehand. Had no cramping or spotting afterwards. It is well worth it.

I'm on my first. The fitting was a doddle. My nurse told me she was measuring to see which size coil was required, followed moments later with "all done". Minimal discomfort and some spotting for 24hrs.

My periods are much lighter but so much longer. I think I'm still adjusting.

I know some people find it really uncomfy/painful but I found it fine just like getting a smear. I took some paracetamol half an hour before as advised by my GP. A friend had hers done with local anaesthetic as she was concerned it would be very painful.

After 3 kids you should be fine (that sounds blasé but they are generally much easier to fit). They are also a great option as part of an HRT regime. Good luck!

I found it briefly pretty uncomfortable going in, but over quickly. Mild cramps on and off afterwards which felt less bad than period pains, didn't last for more than a day or two. Then I had very light bleeding for about 6-8 weeks - so light I didn't need more than a panty liner really - and for the last 10 months no periods at all.

It's been pretty life changing. No more panics about flooding periods, and rescued from a descent into anaemia.

I found it hideous for 2, 2 second intervals. (Measuring and speculum placement I believe) Shockingly painful but just the two short bursts. I’m glad I knew to expect it because I think the shock would have made me cry. So worth it though!! I love mine.

I'm afraid I'm one of those who didn't have a great fitting experience. I would not have another, although it has not worked and I am about to have a hysterectomy, so will not be an issue much longer, thank god.

Had one put in twice and didn't find it too bad (I don't have a problem with smear tests). Just had my second and using eostrogel - all my menopause symptoms disappeared overnight.

Given the circumstances we find ourselves in, if you do decide to get one, see if they can do your smear test at the same time if it's due? It's the screening programs that get delayed by things like covid...

Thanks everyone for your replies! I've got my appointment for tomorrow afternoon. I asked about smear at the same time and they said no, having the the two together is not a good idea. Will report back tomorrow, these threads are really helpful when searching for info, so it might help someone else too.

@ramesesmaze sorry if I gave you duff info. My GP surgery hadn't been calling women in for screening during the first lockdown so my GP was keen to get my smear test done while he could but I can understand that it may not be the preferred route.

Had my coil fitted this afternoon. It was absolutely fine, little bit of pinching and pressure but a few deep breaths and I was ok. I've got very mild period like cramps now, nothing major. I was surprised how quick and easy it was, and the Dr was lovely. Let's hope it helps my crazy flooding periods!

@ramesesmaze
Im sure you will be fine. I just don't have periods any more. It's great

@didireallysaythat not duff info at all, when I got there today the doc asked me if I was up to date with my smears, clearly during a pandemic they ARE doing them together, so you're absolutely right.
@Sunflowergirl1 I hope so!

@ramesesmaze glad it went ok. When I had my first coil I bleed (not massively for quite a few weeks which I wasn't expecting) but when that stopped it was worth it for 5 years of nothing! I realise it's not for everyone but it has suited me

Mine was easy. Barely felt it.

I bled like mad for about 6 weeks which wasn't great but after that literally had no periods or pmt symptoms for 10 years! Wish I'd never had the last one out tbh and now I'm 49 I'm thinking of getting another one put in due to horrific moods a few days before my period comes. "I want a divorce, I want to leave, my children hate me, I want to die" etc. It's awful. 😥

I think it entirely depends on the skill of the person fitting it. So it’s “luck” in a way. I’ve had several over the years with varying degrees of uncomfortable being the best way to describe the pain.

None of the experiences were awful or excruciating.

The worst would be comparable to a mild contraction or a particularly painful period cramp. Some paracetamol/ibuprofen will cover it. There may be a bit of bleeding, maybe a day or two at the most.

I’ve never had any trouble with mirena, always found it a reliable and simple, trouble free option.

Have certainly given other options a go including the copper coil which was horrendous by comparison.

Mine is for flooding periods and also as the progesterone element of my HRT. Feeling optimistic it works out!

Coil + gel = new woman here

@didireallysaythat