Talk to me about getting the mirena coil.

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Hi,

So I’m on Evorel Conti patches, have been for two and a half months: the effects of the patches leave me feeling scarily depressed at times and churning with bodily anxiety. Noticeably since starting the patches, so I know it’s causal.

Before that I tried esteogel and utrogestan orally. The utrogestan made me feel drugged and zombiefied, I couldn’t function. So I stopped and tried the patches.

So I am thinking I change again and either use utrogestan vaginally and esteogel, or consider the coil and esteogel.

But I’m scared of getting the coil, I’m squeamish and easily freaked out by smears/sexual health stuff. I get panicky and pale thinking about it too much.

Could anyone walk me through the process? Is it worth it? How do you feel afterwards? Will it be worth it for me to take a load of diazepam and just get through the insertion appt?

Thanks. I want HRT but I’m struggling with the best way to have it and I’m sick of feeling so utterly bloody hormonal and miserable on these patches!

Best thing I ever did. I had terrible heavy periods for years. Now barely there. I was worried a bit about the insertion. I did read a bit about best times in your cycle to have it done as your cervix can be more accessible! I asked for them to use instella gel. Which they use to put catheters in. Slightly numbs it. I also took paracetamol and ibuprofen before I went in. It literally took minutes. I would always go to a sexual health place as they put them in all day every day! I had slightly tender boobs for a while and some weird brown mucous going on for a few months. I need mine replacing this summer.

I had mine for heavy periods. I spotted daily for 6 months still had all be it lighter "periods", still has PMT, felt horrible and constant itching/uncomfortable feeling.

Was very glad to get rid of it after 18 months.

I'm 2 months in and very happy with the decision. The insertion was painful but it was over quickly. I had it done at a sexual health clinic which I've heard is better than the GP because they have more experience fitting them. I had bad cramps for a couple of days and felt generally a bit fragile (kind of like how I would feel with a bad period.
Since then it's been mostly good. I'm also using evorel 50 patches.
Pros:
Anxiety has reduced
Sleep has improved
No proper periods (unlike heavy flooding I used to have)
Contraception (if only I ever felt in the mood...)
Can just forget about it rather than take a pill or whatever.
Cons:
Breasts tender and bigger
Hair randomly greasier
Very light spotting
Sleep still not brilliant but much better than before.

Overall I'm really pleased with it. I would/will do it again when this one runs out, even though the insertion wasn't nice.

I’m on my second.

I don’t remember the first (it was soon after the birth of my DC) When I had the first removed, they couldn’t insert the new one on the same day so I had to go back for a separate appointment. It was mildly uncomfortable and hurt for a short moment at the time but after it was inserted I had no pain and have had no problems since- it was definitely worth it

I am 49 and have had the Mirena since I was about 27
It's worked great for me - have obviously had it replaced every 5 years - no issues at all!
The first time I had it I remember I got a bit of a period type tummy ache and a bit of spotting but nothing else the rest of the times.
I chose it as I never had regular periods which was a PITA.
The only problem I have had was one year I went to get it replaced and they asked why I was a year overdue- turned out the previous person had written the wrong date on my appointment card (which I had kept and so could show them!) in that year I had a couple more periods than usual and I thought it was the menopause!

I loved my coil! I found the insertion to be absolutely fine. It was pre covid and DH was allowed to be with me, he basically distracted me the whole time and I was really relaxed. It's not comfortable but apart from a twinge when she put it in I was luckily not in pain. If you are allowed a chaperone for the insertion I'd really recommend it as it helped so much. The removal I actually found to be more uncomfortable than insertion which is unusual! But I'd get one again without question.

Thanks so much everyone - every account is so helpful for me to get a full picture and prepare.

I am on my third Mirena, I won’t lie Op, for me the insertion, has been really painful each time, but worth it once it’s in place, this is my final one that will take me through the menopause.

I'm 51 and have had one in since I was 30. Wouldn't be without it, and touch wood I'm not having any menopause symptoms as yet so I'd imagine it's helping with that too.

I used to be housebound for 3 days a month as the flooding was so bad...... the Mirena put a stop to that within weeks.

My only advice would be to go to someone experienced to put it in.... and not a GP who does 1 a month. I've got a "difficult" cervix and my GP just can't fit them as a result. So I get referred to the joyfully titled "complicated coil" clinic at a sexual health centre and it's easily done.

I’m on my 3rd. It’s about 7/8 on the pain scale for me when they take the old one out and again when they put the new one in, but that’s only for about 2 seconds. Long enough to say ouch and flinch, and then a breath later it’s done. I should probably remember to take paracetamol next time.

It does help that the same GP has fitted all of them, she knows me and is lovely, and she does lots as she’s the only GP at the (big) practice who does them, so she’s really experienced.

I've had a few now. Last one gave no issues and I forgot about it to the point it was in a few years longer than it should've been. I had one where the strings were too long and caused stabbing issues but went back and they cut them. This one I'm getting issues on a monthly cycle so I think that's because of my hormones not the coil. I need to speak to the Doc and possibly get it removed if its going to be a monthly thing. I'm definitely peri menopausal and single so not an issue for me either way. I can always have another put in.
As long as you put your body in the best position you'll be fine. I have a tilted womb so I need to be bend back more on smears etc but it's fine.

I've had mine a week today! I'm on Estraderm 50 patches and was taking Utrogestan tablets vaginally. My periods were heavy and I wasn't too keen on putting tablets in myself 14 days on 24 days off so I asked for the coil. Plus I'd save on prescription costs and sanitary items, win win!

Mine was fine going in, slight twinge (like a sharp period pain) when going in but that was it. I've had spotting since and a dull period pain, plus a headache (but that could be to do with a new job, WFH and having to wear a headset!)