Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

I’m booked in for the mirena coil 🙂

28 replies

swampytiggaa · 17/02/2021 17:05

I’m hoping this will help with my horrible periods which are my main peri symptoms.

I’m 51 with regular periods which have got shorter but heavier over time. It’s affecting my life now as work is proving difficult on my heaviest days as I’m flooding every hour or so which is an issue working in a supermarket 😢

Not really much point to this but it seems a significant step in my life

OP posts:
gingercatsarebest · 17/02/2021 17:11

I had one for heavy periods. .I loved it..but it came out with a clot one time (actually twice ) so they wouldn't give me another.,but it made a significant difference very quickly. good luck!

Unreasonabubble · 17/02/2021 17:11

Are you having it done at your GP Surgery?

oneglassandpuzzled · 17/02/2021 17:15

I had one put in eight weeks ago by practice nurse at my GP. Still getting some spotting but nothing like it was before. No other side effects apart from a stubborn 1kg of water weight (I think).

Probably should have done it years ago when I first had problems. I am 57 now.

DinosaurDiana · 17/02/2021 17:18

Lucky you !
I expected to be offered one recently when I was having anaemia symptoms. The only reason I could be anaemic is periods, but they said no.

Unreasonabubble · 17/02/2021 17:26

@DinosaurDiana. You may have to box a little clever...

When I moved house, my GP did not do replacement coils so I had to go to the sexual health clinic. One of the nurses asked me why I was having it and I said because it made my periods non existent and was a form of HRT for me. She VERY KINDLY said do not say that to the GP putting it is as we are only supposed to do it for contraceptive purposes and if you are sexually active.

Maybe you could try at a clinic?

Original poster
swampytiggaa · 17/02/2021 17:56

@Unreasonabubble

Are you having it done at your GP Surgery?
No at the local sexual health clinic 🙂

It’s called Young Devon 😭😭

OP posts:
Original poster
swampytiggaa · 17/02/2021 17:59

I’ve been lucky I think. Made an appointment Monday got a phone appointment today (Wednesday) talked through my symptoms and was given the details of the clinic phoned them for an appointment had a call back from their doctor to discuss it then another call back to book me in for next Tuesday. Was expecting it to take longer and be more of a fight tbh

OP posts:
Unreasonabubble · 17/02/2021 18:18

Wow! You are lucky. Maybe it is a postcode lottery as to whom they will give the mirena to for period problems. Good luck! I hope you get on with it as well as I did, bloody marvellous!!! Grin

TheLongRider · 17/02/2021 18:23

I'm on my third one. Give it about six months to settle down. I had spotting, oily skin and sore boobs for the first few months and then nothing! I had mine for endometriosis and ridiculously heavy periods.

Original poster
swampytiggaa · 17/02/2021 18:32

@Unreasonabubble

Wow! You are lucky. Maybe it is a postcode lottery as to whom they will give the mirena to for period problems. Good luck! I hope you get on with it as well as I did, bloody marvellous!!! Grin
Tbh I think it’s more of a starting point for hrt but yes I was surprised at how quick it has been sorted! I’ve been putting it off for over a year thinking I couldn’t face the battle to get help.

I only phoned on Monday because I was crippled with cystitis so needed an urgent appointment and asked to make a separate appointment for this

OP posts:
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 17/02/2021 18:34

it might be different here in Scotland, but I was told that a nurse can fit the mirena, but only for contraception purposes, for HRT (and maybe period problems??) it has to be a GP

I had to wait ages for an appointment at the local clinic with the "woman in charge" instead of "next week for the coil nurse"

oneglassandpuzzled · 17/02/2021 18:47

Mine is for HRT but they always want to advise me about ‘family planning’. I smile and say I’m 57... I do look it as well.

Original poster
swampytiggaa · 17/02/2021 19:03

I’m 51 and sterilised 10 years ago 🙂

OP posts:
DinosaurDiana · 17/02/2021 20:22

Ooo.. I don’t want to take HRT but I’m interested in using the coil as HRT 🤔

oneglassandpuzzled · 17/02/2021 20:23

Just the progesterone component. You still need oestrogen too 🙂

Frogartist · 17/02/2021 20:26

@DinosaurDiana

Ooo.. I don’t want to take HRT but I’m interested in using the coil as HRT 🤔
Yea, how does that work?
Chewbecca · 17/02/2021 20:34

It took a good 3 months for mine to settle, I wanted it out after 8 weeks. But I was persuaded to persevere and am very glad I did, it’s been super since.

oneglassandpuzzled · 18/02/2021 00:35

Frogartist the mirena is the progesterone element and you use oestrogen gel or patch as well.

DramaAlpaca · 18/02/2021 01:25

OP, I got a Mirena in when I was 46 to help with heavy, horrendous periods. It was the best thing I ever did, it saw me through the menopause and I never had another period. Hopefully it'll be as good for you.

Frogartist · 18/02/2021 13:59

@oneglassandpuzzled

Frogartist the mirena is the progesterone element and you use oestrogen gel or patch as well.
Oh I see, thank you.
Original poster
swampytiggaa · 23/02/2021 17:04

Had it fitted today 🙂 didn’t hurt going in but it’s a bit ouchy now 🙂 will wait and see if it helps

OP posts:
Turquoisesea · 25/03/2021 14:18

How are you getting on with the coil? I’m nearly 51 and have horrible heavy periods that last ages and come close together, I’ve been considering getting the coil but I am a bit nervous to get it done.

20DigitCombination · 27/03/2021 21:58

Have you had a referral for a scan? I have the same symptoms and have found out that it's fibroids not peri menopause causing the symptoms.

salty78 · 27/03/2021 22:16

I have fibroids but the Mirena has still stopped my periods which were really heavy. I'm 49. I also have estrogen patches for HRT. Both have made such a positive difference to my quality of life.

oneglassandpuzzled · 27/03/2021 22:19

Mines been in for over three months now and seems to have settled in well. Slight weight gain of a pound or two but seems to be water. No other side effects. I’m pleased I had it fitted: shame I waited until I was 56.

Swipe left for the next trending thread