I have questions

[CloseYourEyesAndSee]

Sorry if they are a bit basic

i have a mirena coil currently. What happens to my hormones if I go through menopause with a mirena? Can I get another mirena even if I'm menopausal? Will it affect periods or the lack of them?

when did you start HRT? How long do you take it for?

when you stop HRT do you go from feeling pre to post menopausal immediately or do you get menopause symptoms?

thank you!

AFAIK on the Mirena you will probably just keep it as Mirena is a good way of providing you with the progesterone you need to keep your uterus healthy. (I am not totally sure on the progesterone as I have had a hysterectomy so don't need it).

You start HRT when you and your GP decide you need it. There is no set age or set time of year, it really is symptom dependent and symptoms vary from woman to woman. Could be hot flushes, could be anxiety, aches and pains, vaginal dryness - or a combination of those or more factors. You take it as long as you need to take it. Could be a few years, could be much longer.

I'm not sure about stopping as i'm not at that stage yet but from what i've read the idea is to decrease the dose a bit and see how you feel, if you're ok then decrease a bit more. Cold turkey not recommended!

Good luck, there are lots of very knowledgeable women on here and lots of us going through exactly the same things.

As above!

The Mirena is licensed as the progesterone part of HRT.
It has a life of 4 years for HRT then it needs replacing.

You won't know when your periods stop when using it or any HRT.

You can use HRT for life as long as for you, the benefits outweigh risks.
The benefits can be anything from the physical to the psychological symptoms.

Some women come off it for 3 months to see how they are and carry on if their symptoms come back.

Apart from the obvious symptoms, there is the risk of osteoporosis after menopause and part of the decision-making over HRT should include a bone density assessment. (Not available on the NHS unless you have a family history or risk factors but they are available privately for around £200 and they are done every 3 years.)

Thank you!
so I can keep using the mirena to manage menopause when I no longer 'need' it for contraception or periods?
I guess I'll discuss this with the GP when I get my next mirena next year (I'll be 43) - not having symptoms yet but I like to be prepared!