Mirena worth it?

[redfacebigdisgrace]

Or should I just use the progesterone tablets?

I’m going to start HRT to help with some mild symptoms but mainly to protect against osteoporosis as I’ve just had a diagnosis of osteopenia. I’m 51 and have family history of osteoporosis.

It seems very difficult to get a Mirena. I have to get through the local sexual health clinic and there are no appointments showing. You have to keep going in and checking apparently…

I got my Mirena through my GP practice (fitted by a nurse) - it was a double appointment, so 20 minutes. It’s actually due to be replaced in May and my nurse strongly recommended doing it to help with menopause symptoms.

Thanks @SpringChiken unfortunately my GP said they don’t do it at their practice

Hi , I was offered the Mirena or the mini pill , and I went with the pill , as I hated the thought of something inside me .

Was that for HRT progesterone replacement @Toomanysquishmallows ? I don’t think I’ve heard of that before although I’m a bit clueless to be truthful !

Hi @redfacebigdisgrace , it wasn’t for hrt , I’m not on that . It was to stop really horrendous periods .

I'm having the mirena fitted next month so watching with interest

I'm 44, I haven't really had it explained how it helps with menopause so if anyone could tell me I'd be very grateful

It doesn’t help with menopause in itself (apart from stopping heavy periods which is amazing) but it protects you from the potential harm of HRT estrogen which causes build up in the uterus lining. The estrogen helps with the other symptoms of menopause.

my GP practice sent me to the sexual health clinic who refused (nicely) to fit it as they weren’t funded to fir it forHRT. . I had to get GP to make me an appt at gynae at hospital. Glad they did as I had a bad reaction to it being fitted and fainted and had to be on a ward for an afternoon.

anyways, once it was in it’s been absolutely fine. I had found the progesterone tablets really difficult, made me incredibly depressed and angry, like PMT x 1000. So the Mirena is much better, smaller dose with no spikes of delivery.

I stuck with the tablets as I didn't have any side effects from them and preferred taking the body identical form. I also didn't like the idea of having something inside me that would be a wait to remove if I didn't get on with it. I think the choice really depends on you and what suits your body.

I've been on HRT for nearly five years and have always taken the tablet. I'm seriously considering asking for the coil. My periods are heavy and irregular and being a teacher I'm always worrying that I'm going to bleed when I'm on a trip or get dv because my cramps can be still quite bad. I wish I'd had one fitted at the beginning but like others have said I didn't like the thought of something inside me. I have friends who have them and they are very happy with it.

Fitting the coil isn't to be ignored. Some people really struggle with this bit. I didn't and neither did my daughter. She had a kylina age 15.
There may be mild side effects as the hormone settles. But it does pass and after that they are, imo, great. We need progesterone to manage the lining of our wombs. During perimenopause we drop progesterone first. Hence odd periods and endless pmt. 🤨
In case it's not clear I am an advocate of choice. I choose HRT for myself, my present and future health. 😀

It wasn’t for me. I think it was in for around three weeks after I had it fitted under a GA as part of another procedure.
I was incredibly unwell and developed a serious internal infection and had to have it removed urgently.
I also had suicidal thoughts, couldn’t stop crying and felt very depressed whilst I had it. It was awful.

Thanks all. Yes I’m undecided. I am quite squeamish. I had one 15 years ago and didn’t really get on with it. Cramping and spotting . But I’m thinking I may try again as I’ve heard bad things about the tablets.

I’m definitely going to get HRT either way, for my bones if nothing else.

Why don't you try the tablets first? You only read about the negative experiences online. I have been fine with them and they help my sleep. Using them vaginally may also be an option. If you then have problems you can easily switch to the mirena.

To be fair I'm fine on the tablets. Probably a bit grumpy when I start them on day 14. I'd have it due to bleeding. Try the tablets first. They do help you sleep 😴

Unfortunately it gave me the worst cystic acne of my life. It was absolutely hideous. I looked and felt horrible. Big huge red angry spots and a new one would appear every day. Ugh it was awful. So glad it’s out now and my skin is back to normal.

I had it fitted originally to help with heavy periods and peri symptoms….put it off for ages as thought it would be uncomfortable etc. Within a month my only regret was not doing it much earlier. Combined with Evorel patches I felt the best I had for years…like my old self. It’s due to be replaced next year (I’m 51) and I won’t need asking twice.

The mirena coil is meant to be the best thing to protect the lining of the womb (endometrium).

I had one fitted in January, under GA during another procedure. I love Utrogestan, but was advised the Mirena would be 'better'. It was not. I bled constantly, it never stopped, had crampy pain every day, my insomnia was awful, and I felt really low. I had it removed last week (had to pay privately, I just wanted the fucking thing gone!). I'm back on Utrogestan, sleeping until my alarm goes off, and am happy and chilled again. I do have post coil removal bleeding, but that should stop soon.

It was a really bad decision for me to have it, and I regret it. If I were you I would try the Utrogestan tablets first, you can always change to Mirena if that doesn't suit you.

I had a series of Mirena coils after DD was born and loved them pre menopause (no periods, can't forget to take it etc). But in the end my ancient cervix said No More and I switched to Utrogestan. I can't say I've noticed any difference between the two.

Thanks again everyone. Such mixed experiences! I think I’ll start on the Utrogestan and see how I get on. Did people gain weight on it? That’s one of my worries especially as I don’t really have any menopause symptoms.

I feel bloated when I'm taking it x

No, I didn't. I love it, sleep so well on it!

@BatshitCrazyWoman that’s great to hear!