Apprehensive of Mirena fitting

[Runaround50]

I'm getting the Mirena coil fitted next Tuesday.
Its mainly to ( hopefully) stop hormonal bleeding.
Utrogestan doesn't work for me, so specialist has suggested the Mirena.

I'm scared it will make me irritable or crampy etc.

Obviously I will find out how soon it can be removed, if it doesn't work out, but still feeling rather nervous about it.

This menopause is tough enough, without any additional problems!

I’d think a pad is better, but you might not need one.

Don't use a tampon until the strings have softened. You run the risk of pulling the coil out with it.

Had my fourth one fitted last summer, this time for menopausal reasons than contraceptive. I'd had my previous coil for 7.5 years but despite my fears I had no problems with either removal or insertion of new one, other than the neck of my womb got nicked as it was placed (apparently quite normal) so just had a few days of bleeding. It was uncomfortable but I was very tense so I'm sure that didn't help!

I now just use oestrogen gel and my menopause symptoms have massively improved. I'm 51.

I was the first of my friends to go on HRT a year ago and a few were very sniffy about it. Most of them are now either on HRT or in the process of sorting it with their Dr. That's because time & menopause symptoms waits for no woman (unless you're bloody lucky)!

I'm very happy with my decision. Now if only I could lose my newly acquired lockdown spare tyre....

I was due to have my copper coil replaced & nurse said about mirena.

It was slightly uncomfortable but once it was in, I didn't have any pain & I didn't take any pain killers beforehand. I didn't notice any change / difference in mood & my periods stopped fully about 6 weeks afterwards

Mine was incredibly painful going in. I almost fainted with the pain and needed to our down for the rest of the day. I had taken paracetamol first and was very relaxed.
once in I had no problems at all. Removal was also fine My advice is to find out if the person doing them does them very frequently eg a sexual health practitioner. Mine was does by a GO with special interest in womens health. Would not have one again due to the pain.

No problems with mood etc, but I continued having heavy periods with mine which nobody believed and so they wouldn’t remove it. When I say heavy, I work in the community and had to be very careful where I booked my visits for 2 day every month as I couldn’t be away from a toilet for more than 2 hours.
I also had horrible vasovagal attacks when it was inserted and when it was finally removed.
Never again.

Can I ask how much it was to have mirena changed privately? I'm struggling to get mine changed on NHS despite it being out of date and needing to start on HRT.

I was told not to use a tampon.

I was told it was fine to use tampons, and I have used them since my first period after having it in, had no problems at all.

Though you are likely to get quite a bit of spotting that’s not enough to need a tampon for a few months

Well it’s in!
Bloody hell, the cramps are brutal right now. Is this normal?
Painkillers not doing a lot. Currently sat in bed with hot water bottle.

Please tell me this is going to get better.

I would always advise thorough research. The Mirena coil ruined my life. It made me severely suicidal. I got extreme anxiety. The darkest depression I have ever been in. I wanted to physically rip it from my body,

I didn't realise what was causing it to start with. It was only when I realised the timing of when I started to struggle was not long after getting it, I started to Google it and was horrified to read reviews from thousands of women affected like I was.

I have never been 100% right since, although I did improve after getting rid of it, it took years of anti depressants and eventually B12 injections to get me to good mental health.

I'm not trying to scare you - lots of women think it's brilliant! I just want you to be aware and research it carefully.

Good luck!

@Runaround50 cramps are very normal but it should settle down after a few days. Try alternating ibuprofen and paracetamol (safe to do) or take Nurofen Plus for a couple of days. It'll get better

Thanks Drama, I am on the painkillers, cbd oil and hot water bottle!
I hope and pray to feel better soon.

TilIow, i was about to say that you just scared the pants off me with your experience. But I know each and every woman is different. I have read that progesterone in general can cause much upset, including utrogestan.

I feel pretty grim without Oestrogen, but it makes me bleed. So it was suggest that I trial the Mirena as a last resort, given that utrogestan doesn't work for me.

Hope you feel a little better now?

@Runaround50 totally normal. I always had terrible period pains and I found the first few days after the insertion to feel like a bad period but it eased up quickly. Each day it was less painful until it had stopped altogether. Stick with the ibuprofen and the hot water bottle and try not to do too much. Treat yourself like you're ill for a few days (lots of rest, chocolate, comfort food, hot drinks) and you'll feel fine in no time. 💐

@WhereAreWeNow Thankyou so much ! What a lovely reply 🌸

I didn't know what to expect pain level wise but a bad period describes it well!

Chocolate it is then 👍👍

Just a quick question.
Those do you who have had a Mirena fitted, did you feel a bit jittery afterwards? This is where i am today, feeling a bit jittery and spaced out.
I'm not sure if this is normal but it's going to be problematic when I'm back at work next week.

I really want to this to work, but don't feel quite with it, to be honest!

How are you feeling today @Runaround50 ?

(Don’t read if you don’t want to be scared)

Honestly was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I had the smaller version, Kirena, and spotted blood constantly for the next 6 months not to mention the cramps where excruciating. I went on for the birth control aspect but the idea of never having periods again was appealing but unfortunately my periods didn’t stop like most other people I know that are on the coil. I want to get it removed so badly but can’t bring myself to it after all the pain I went through getting it put in. - also the mood swings and 10Kg weight gain.

Hi @WhereAreWeNow

Well after a ropey start to the day, I've not done bad. Been shopping, had a meal out with the family and done some jobs round the house.

Next week, I'm going to check who at my surgery is capable of removing it, (should this need doing, as had it fitted at Liverpool women's as under a specialist).

Will watch my mood and weight etc over the next few weeks.

Thanks for asking

@Regularmumnetter sounds brutal for you. It's not for everyone admittedly and that pain sounds awful. My fitting was quick and painless thankfully.

I'm monitoring my moods carefully now, plus what I eat. Time will tell eh?

I would get it out ASAP. It doesn't sound for you. I'm waiting for the bleeding etc. Suppose that's next !

IME removal is far less uneventful/painful than the insertion.

I think I'm on my 5th??? For insertion I ask for the numbing gel, I take paracetamol and ibuprofen before and then regularly after until I feel better. Nothing else planned for that day other than rest.

Hope you are ok

If you want take painkillers before I have had them three of them and it is a bit painful but they're marvellous you have to give it a few months your periods will be so much better!

That sounds positive @Runaround50 . I haven't gained any weight FWIW.

Thanks again all
I had it fitted for the progesterone element of my Hrt, as i was bleeding too much, even though post meno.

Utrogestan wasn't working, so trialling the mirena.

🙂