Menopause and mirena coil - how long to keep it in?

[exexpat]

I'm 53 and have had a mirena coil (the same one) for about 6.5 years. I know when it was fitted they said that if you were over 45, it could stay in for more than the standard 5 years, but they didn't say how long.

It has been great having no periods, but it means I have no idea whether I am fully/partly through menopause yet, as I don't have any noticeable menopausal symptoms. I don't want to get the mirena taken out if it means I restart periods, but also don't want to keep it in indefinitely if it is not needed.

Has anyone else been in this situation and what did you do, or what did the GP advise you to do?

I had mine changed when I was 48, and the GP said this one can stay in for 7 years as opposed to 5, unless I get problems in which case they'll change it earlier.

Following as in the same situation. I am now 55 and have had the same mirena coil in since I was 39/40 ! Its been so long I can’t accurately remember. Literally never had a period since it was put in. I found the procedure so painful I was scared to have it replaced.

I'm in the same boat, I don't know really. I've had mine for 7 years now, no periods. At some point I will make an appt to ask about it, I have been thinking about asking for HRT so might make it part of that conversation.

It sounds like a lot of us are just left in limbo with them, but 15 years sounds like a very long time, fortified.

I am seeing the GP next week for something else, so I will ask her - I just wanted to see in advance if there was a standard length of time to keep one in at 50+ or any checks on whether it is still needed (eg hormone levels), but it sounds like not.

I will report back.

The GP who inserted both of mine has retired now and I am a bit nervous about someone else removing, that's another thing.

The Mirena can stay in for 7 years if it's inserted at or after the age of 46 according to the guidelines here (Ireland).

I had mine put in at 46 and decided after discussion with my GP to remove it when I was 54, so I'd had it in almost 8 years.

I must admit I kept my fingers crossed for a bit, hoping I wouldn't have a period, but three years on I haven't so I'm obviously through it now.

As for getting it taken out, it was completely painless and very easy to remove. GP grasped the strings, asked me to cough, gave a quick tug and out it came. No bother at all.

Yes, will agree that they are really easy to remove. Never felt it.

Insertion however is a whole other story

@EverythingDelegated

I'm in the same boat, I don't know really. I've had mine for 7 years now, no periods. At some point I will make an appt to ask about it, I have been thinking about asking for HRT so might make it part of that conversation.

Mirena is only useable as part of HRT, technically for 4 years, although it is now agreed 5 years is ok so yours would need replacing if it was to be part of your HRT regime

Yes, that's what I was thinking, if it is only useful as a contraceptive for 5 years it follows that it would be the same for HRT. I was thinking about going to the GP 18 months or so ago about this but then Covid happened so I didn't get round to it and have just let it drift now.

I'm 55, and I'm on my 3rd Mirena in about 12y. They've been replaced every 5 years, but IIRC the next ones may be in for longer. The procedure is hideous and I cannot manage it without diazepam, but I will continue having Mirenas as part of my HRT. Having an unexpired Mirena means I can have oestrogen-only HRT. And I have no intention of ever stopping HRT.

Or was the first one 4 years and the subsequent ones 5 years because it was assumed I was post-menopause by then? I don't remember!

This is interesting. I'm 47, no signs of menopause yet (and my mum and granny were well over 50 when they had their change) - but equally I haven't had a period since it was put in so I wouldn't necessarily know.
Its five years are almost up and I am NOT happy to chance a late pregnancy. I guess I need to get medical advice about changing it really.

Update for anyone interested: I asked my GP, who checked guidelines, and said the maximum recommended was 7 years, so she is going to book me in for blood tests to check my FSH levels, and if they indicate that I am menopausal, I can get it removed. If FSH levels are still at pre-menopausal levels, I think I can get another mirena.

Thanks for the update, I will put an e-consult on my list of things to do.

Thanks from here too - in much the same boat.

And me! Meant to get round to it last year but, Covid....

A woman I know has had one in for well over 20 years 😱

Thinking back, mine has been in for 7 years (am 53). I did query at 5 years but GP said it could stay in at least another year.

I now wonder whether I should be looking to have it removed. I think I'm out the other side of menopause but maybe not?

I was at GP this week and queried removing mine. I'm 57 and its in the 6th year. GP was saying it's ok to leave in for 7 years and any small bit of estrogen remaining will be beneficial as I've no real reasons to go on HRT. I got this great handout from my sister-in-law in Australia recently. It might be helpful to someone here.

I’m in my 50s and when my last one was inserted the Gp said it can stay in forever- never needs removing. (Uk)

@Brissiegirl

I was at GP this week and queried removing mine. I'm 57 and its in the 6th year. GP was saying it's ok to leave in for 7 years and any small bit of estrogen remaining will be beneficial as I've no real reasons to go on HRT. I got this great handout from my sister-in-law in Australia recently. It might be helpful to someone here.

Thanks for that, very interesting.

Oh that’s an excellent checklist - and I’d score a 2 or 3 on pretty much all of it bar backache (rocks quietly in corner).