Should I get the mirena coil?

[Nouveaunew]

Hi there. I'm only in my early 40s but I've had perimenopausal symptoms for almost ten years. I really wish the menopause would just hurry up. I've had some symptoms of PCOS but I'm told my LH isn't high enough for it to be PCOS. I had bad hormonal acne for about 8 years that is just clearing now, thankfully.

It's driving me crazy to be honest. My periods have been excruciating since Day 1 and since I came off the pill ten years ago, the pain is back. Worse than that though and much harder to manage is the PMT. I had severe depression as a teenager which was hormone related and I was treated with the pill and other hormonal non-contraceptive concoctions before that.

I've never had a proper diagnosis of anything. I finally got an appointment with a gynaecologist and she suggested the mirena coil. She said it will stop my periods, therefore stop the pain and the PMT. Is this the case? Did this happen for any of you before you went into menopause? I'm at the end of my tether. Thanks.

@Nouveaunew

Thanks so much. For those of you who it worked so well for, I think WOW! Why aren’t women shouting from the rooftops about this? A lot of my friends have a coil but they’ve never talked much about it. Maybe they didn’t get insane PMT!

I guess what I’m worried about is that if I need it removed, it could take a while (I did wait 3.5years for the gynae appointment) and I’m worried that while I’m waiting I’ll be in excruciating pain or if it makes PMDD worse that I’ll do something regrettable.

Did any of you gain weight on the coil? I can’t afford to gain weight and am finally a healthy weight.

I am absolutely evangelical about mirena, I tell all my friends to get one!

It stopped bleeding but I was progestone intolerant so it made me feel very depressed. They will tell you to wait six months to see if that settles down and then you will have to fight to have it removed. Have you ever been on the pill with no side effects? If so you might be ok on the coil.

I was lucky to be diagnosed with endometritis at a young age (found during treatment for ovarian cyst.)

Before mirena - short period cycles, long heavy VERY painful periods, I’m quite a chilled person but PMT turned me into an unreasonable paranoia person who you couldn’t reason with!
I had many operations to treat the endo. Eventually after my last op the surgeon said due to scaring an hysterectomy was the next option. I come from a family of females who all suffered similar and all pretty much had hysterectomy in their very early 30’s. It wasn’t something i wanted yet, especially as pretty much all the older females all had had one.

My aunt who is a little older than me opted for the mirena as did I. It’s life changing we can now both function normally! Yes it took around 6-9 months to settle but for both of us now in our late 40’s /early 50’s haven’t needed a hysterectomy ( so far) we both now on our 2nd/3rd one.

I just wish I had it sooner - the symptoms mirena compared to how as I was living are worth it - for me. I still sometimes get PMT but not as often or as bad & no periods after about the first year.

It’s has changed my life.

I've never looked back. Had it four years and find the thought of periods quite alien now. I love not worrying about pregnancy as well.

I have always had bad PMT for about 2 weeks before my period,often peaking about 10 to 7 days before a bleed, so I think my own progesterone is the main culprit. I always felt low & sedated on any oral Contraceptives I tried, so gave up on them eventually and so resisted the mirena too, even though I understood it was a localised, lower dose. Heavy painfuls periods arrived with perimenopause early forties, along with a whole host of other symptoms AND even worse PMT.
After trying a few things I finally gave the Mirena coil a go at age 48. With oestrogel & tostran.
It's been a medium success. It took 16 months for the almost daily spotting to stop! But I'd been prepared to wait as a similar aged friend had taken a year and I was desperate to find a progestogen I could tolerate. I didn't get the constant low mood/sedated effect....phew! As things settled though, I could still quite noticeably track my cycles by my usual symptoms of pmt (low mood, breast pain, despair, irritable) I also do get a period now, but Wow, it is so lite. Now at 53 it is such lite spotting for my period I don't need protection. The last couple of years was a little "heavier" and I'd need a lillet mini maybe once a day for 2 days.... Fantastic and just mild ache. No cramps waking me up at night like before! So that bit is excellent. But, I still get PMT, I'm not even sure why a Mirena would stop PMT as you still ovulate on a mirena. So I still get the same shitty reaction to my own progesterone. And also to the fluctuations of oestrogen. However the pmt is back to "just" Bad, rather than the superbad that kicked in at start of peri. My overall HRT combo has reduced most symptoms.... but not really completely removed them. It's been quite challenging really & continues to be so. But my Mirena is due for renewal this June and I'm sticking with it..
So, not perfect, but had solved some of my issues.... And I was really surprised that I could tolerate it aftef all my progesterone/progestogen problems

I know everyone's experience will be different, but for me mirena really did change my life.

My previously awful periods turned horrendous in peri. I managed for a few years (I don't know how) and gave in. Mirena stopped the periods (some light bleeds but hardly at all). I still got a bit of PMT but I had my lfie back. I did get more migraines but no idea if I'd have had an increase in those anyway.

Thanks for those responses. The PMT/PMDD is my biggest concern to be honest. I’m also just sick of periods lol!

I’m quite a chilled person but PMT turned me into an unreasonable paranoia person who you couldn’t reason with!
I can relate to this! People have always commented on how easygoing I am but PMT brings out a very very different side. I’m acutely aware of it now and I take antidepressants so it’s not as bad but I still feel knots in my stomach with rage over tiny things and then when my period arrives, I think ‘what was the big deal?’

I had a Mirena put in last August as I was anaemic due to heavy periods. Everyone said to give it 6 months to settle in, and I wanted it out most of those 6 months as I was spotting most days .
However, in the seventh month I’ve finally stopped spotting.
I’m going to keep it now, I can’t go back to monthly periods.

@GeneLovesJezebel

Do you still feel hormonal fluctuations or PMT? Has it affected your mood or weight?

[quote Nouveaunew]@GeneLovesJezebel

Do you still feel hormonal fluctuations or PMT? Has it affected your mood or weight?[/quote]
I had terrible PMT, really bad. I look back now and wonder who that person was. It has gone with the coil, I get no monthly moods at all.
I get slight occasional period pains, but no period.
My weight has not gone up. I put weight on when I started with peri menopause, it’s nothing to do with the coil.
Honestly, if you’d asked me 4 weeks about it I’d have said don’t get one, but in the last 4 weeks it has settled. I’ve actually got an appointment to have it removed next month, but I’m cancelling it now. There’s no way I’m going back to periods.

Another vote in favour of the mirena.

Does anyone think it has any bearing on their libido at all?

Thanks for those responses. I’m in the throes of my period now and even though the PMT is slowly going & I’m slowly starting to feel like a normal person again, the heavy period & period pain is in full swing. I’m leaning towards getting the coil even though I have some reservations because of how serious my mood history is.

My skin has also finally settled down after at least 7 years of hormonal acne (& numerous treatments) so I’m afraid the coil will flare that up again - it was pretty bad and has left scars. Being a woman can be tough eh!

I’d recommend trying it, for most women it resolves bleeding issues and you could use it as the progesterone element for HRT.

It’s definitely a better initial option than hysterectomy.

In my experience as a HCP specialising in this area Mirena coils are like Marmite. I’d suggest giving it a go, as removal is usually very straightforward and often easier than arranging fitting. Give it a shot though as it can take some months for bleeding to settle.

I see very, very few women experiencing weight gain or skin issues with a Mirena. Many lose weight as they’re not bleeding heavily so often so can be more active, and they feel better and more emotionally stable so don’t overeat.

I’d suggest trialling it with some transdermal oestrogen.

All the best.

Thank you very much @Sidge is transdermal oestrogen a patch?

I guess I’ve had so many hormonal issues from a very young age that I’m terrified to be honest.

Many lose weight as they’re not bleeding heavily so often so can be more active, and they feel better and more emotionally stable so don’t overeat

I can relate to this. During the severe PMS last week, all that could appease me was sugary or salty food.

@Nouveaunew a patch or gel usually. Safer than oral progesterone and easier to tweak dosing around.

I sympathise as I had horrendous gynae issues most of my life, ending in a hysterectomy a few years ago. I tried everything but unfortunately progesterones don’t suit me and I just bleed constantly, my uterus was “like a war zone” to quote the consultant gynaecologist who scoped me 🤣.

The hysterectomy was tough and whilst I don’t regret it per se I underestimated the impact it would have on me in terms of recovery, emotionally, weight gain etc. Years ago women had their wombs whipped out at the drop of a hat and now we avoid it unless totally essential which I think is the right thing. I’ve seen lots of women post hysterectomy with issues with their bladder, prolapses, vaginal atrophy etc. I do think it’s worth exploring all other options first.

I see many women for whom a Mirena changed their lives, literally. I’ve also seen women who don’t get on with it but I can honestly say they’re the minority. It’s not for everyone but I definitely think it’s worth a try. And no I’m not on commission…

Sorry safer than oral oestrogen. Brain fart.

@Sidge
Ha! Glad to hear you’re not on commission I feel so sad about the gynae issues for the likes of you & me. PMDD ruined my adolescence in unspeakable ways. I look back at a good relationship in my 20s that was destroyed by my volatility…

I think I will try the mirena and I appreciate your reassurance. I’m going to seek assurance that it can be removed promptly first thought.

They’re not putting it in until they rule out other causes so they took an endometrial sample & they’re going to do an ultrasound too. Hopefully that all comes back clear and I can attempt to get on with my life.

I know Men have problems and issues of course but they’re so lucky to go the whole month without pain and periods!

first though

Just found this thread now after having mirena inserted today.

I've got heavy irregular periods and suspected endo.

Im mostly worried about mood swings, weight gain or constant bleeding. I've got a follow up in 2 months to check everything looks ok so I guess I could get it removed then if I want??

Marking as I have been advised Mirena too.

The mirena coil did not suit me I had not suffered with PMT for year's but started to get PMT symptoms ( I felt really agitated as soon as i came round from the anesthetic )after having it fitted and did not stop bleeding until I lost it in a very heavy bleed 3 months after it was fitted. I asked many times for it to be removed but the doctor refused. Think very hard before going ahead with this.

@Nicklebox
That sounds like a horrendous experience. Sorry you had to go through that. I’m quite shocked the doctor refused to remove it given the constant bleeding.

@candles1298
See how it goes I guess … seems like people have such different experiences

I’m worried about PMS, weight gain, acne, pelvic pain….the success stories make me want to get it done tomorrow. My FSH levels are in the menopausal range & ive had peri symptoms for 7-8 years. I wish it would just hurry up and come along!

That's awful @Nicklebox hope you re doing ok now.

I've previously been on noriday which is a progesterone only pill and had mild (if any) side effects so I'm hoping that's a good sign 🤞🏼