Am I too old for a coil?

[BooseysMom]

Hi,
I'm 53 and have been suffering with symptoms of peri for years..all-over aching and fatigue being the worse of it. I haven't used any contraception for way before I had DS in my early 40s.
I don't understand why I'm still getting regular periods. They are more painful now but the bleeding is manageable. I take Naproxen for the pain. I have occasional extreme hormone dips where I can't stop crying and it happens out of the blue. Afterwards I feel level again. It's weird.
I stopped all contraception as I'm too sensitive to hormones but now the nurse thinks I should try a coil which will have progesterone in. I have agreed but is there any point? Surely I haven't got much longer before this all ends!
I'd love to hear from anyone in a similar position.
Thanks

Unfortunately the date of last period is unpredictable, although you are past the British average of 52. If you've other symptoms would you try hrt? The coil can form the progesterone element. Was it combined pill you didn't get on with or progesterone only?

It's all too often trial and error with women's health.

I've got 2 friends still having periods at ages 55 and 56. So yes, having a coil is worth it unless you're happy having periods for potentially another few years.

As an aside, you describe yourself as 'suffering'. Why are you putting up with this? Have you tried HRT? I know you say you're sensitive to hormones, but HRT is very different to contraceptive pills, and you might find a low dose of topical oestrogen along with the Mirena resolves your symptoms.

Thank you. I forgot to add I have tried HRT gel and patches plus Utrogesten. I was on it for over a year. The patches did nothing for my aching and I don't really have sweating so they increased my patch and I felt horrendous so went off all of it. Now I'm scared to try anything!

No, you’re not too old. I had one fitted last year: I was 55. It wasn’t to do with HRT either as I can’t take it.

You might find Mirena + patch a better combination for you than utrogestan + patch. My moods and sleep were all over the place on utrogestan and I was exhausted all the time. It was only when I switched to a Mirena that I realised how bad it had been. My mood now is pretty much on an even keel all the time, sleep is great and the exhaustion lifted.

Unfortunately there can be a lot of trial and error with HRT and trying different combinations until you find the right one for you.

I remember you posting before.

You're really young still to be putting up with this and there is no time limit to how long it may last. Women using the Mirena as part of HRT can have it right into their 60s.

From what you've said, you've just not got the right combination yet of HRT.

Out of interest why did you swap from gel to patches?
Gel is much easier to increase or decrease. Did it not work for you?
Did you ever go up the maximum 4 pumps?

Also, the way that Utrogestan is dished out now is just wrong, frankly. It doesn't suit all women by any means.

I started on gel + Norethisterone (tablets.) I swapped to Utrogestan after 6 years- it's isn't perfect for me, but okay.

I was also offered a Mirena and also the mini pill (in a larger dose as part of HRT.)

There is also the tablet form Femoston which some women find good.

For your aches and pains, are you doing anything like yoga, Pilates or daily exercise? HRT can't do everything and exercise is very important.

JinglingSpringbells
Thank you so much for your help. I recall you helped me before.

I have stopped all exercise due to my aching Although I go out on walks I don't have time for much now anyway. I know that I feel so much better when I'm outside but my job is desk-based and I hate it. Also been going through alot of stress there. I have a DS who's in his last year of primary and an ageing DF. I lost my DM years ago and he's completely alone so I have to look after him too. It's exhausting.
Anyway all that aside, I swapped from gel to patches as the gel didn't help. I wasn't getting the sweating. I was on the highest level of pumps. I wasn't offered anything other than the patches and Utrogesten as I guess that's the cheapest options the NHS offers. I just wish I could afford to go private! But it is what it is. I thought bollocks to it all! I'll just do it naturally. Then I get these debilitating mood swings which kick off with no warning and back I go to the doctors! (Knowing full well it's a waste of time)

I understand life is busy but try to put some time aside for yourself- maybe you can find 30 mins in the morning or evening to do some yoga? Do you have a partner to share the load? You can't be everything to everyone- look after yourself too!

You don't need to go privately, if you know what to ask your GP for. If you go in informed, you can suggest what you want to try.

Patches and Utrogestan aren't cheap- in fact Utrogestan is more expensive than other forms of HRT. Each tablet is about 60p.

Your GP can find all the info about types and doses - it's all online in guides by the BMS.

If you go back to patches, you can have the Mirena, or Norethisterone tablets (5mgs for 12 days, I think), or the mini pill Noriday in a larger dose than as a contraceptive.

You could try Femoston tablets that contain a progesterone similar to Utrogestan but some women find it easier to handle.

I know it's hard to keep going with trial and error, but there will be something that will help.

Thank you 😊 I will try half an hour yoga in the mornings as this is my favourite time of the day.
So.. after weighing it all up and considering the advice here, I have decided to give the coil a try. I didn't mention before that I have been prescribed some cream to help with the burning feeling down below which has got worse lately. The nurse said this is oestrogen and to use alongside the coil.
Thanks again x

You don't need to use a coil when you're using vaginal estrogen.
I hope the nurse isn't telling all women that as it's completely wrong.

I'm 54 with a coil, I'm taking HRT gel and testosterone gel, I was still getting periods every month, but this year I think I have had one, so maybe they are finally going.

I feel human again

I’m 58 and have a coil but unfortunately I’m not getting on well with it - incidentally I’m still having periods and so is my sister who is 61 so don’t think you’re near the end because you’re 55 - you might not be (but I really hope you are!)

Ha @JinglingSpringbellsthe nurse told me this week that vaginal oestrogens do nothing for your bladder and that the GP shouldn't have prescribed it. I said tell that to my bladder 😆

I can't believe these HCP are being allowed near anyone. Why???????????

Have you had your thyroid check?

if that’s fine then give testostorone a go alongside mirena and patches

Is this right? You shouldn't use vaginal oestrogen cream when you've got a Mirena? A Mirena won't treat atrophy though?

I think you've muddled things up.

The post I replied said that vaginal cream was estrogen and anyone using vaginal estrogen needed a Mirena coil.

I didn't mention before that I have been prescribed some cream to help with the burning feeling down below which has got worse lately. The nurse said this is oestrogen and to use alongside the coil.

Not sure where you got this information from.
I have a mirena for the progesterone element of HRT and use vaginal eostrogen for dryness. The coil and cream/pessaries do different things.

I had a mirena fitted when I was 53 and was still having periods although they were very irregular. I also had horrendous pmt depression.

I started on gel and quite quickly went up to the maximum 4 pumps/100mcg. When they changed the formula it stopped working so well for me and I changed to patches. I stared on Evorel then changed to estradots as they stick better, but they are unavailable for now so I’m back on Evorel.

It could be that you do actually need more than the recommended maximum dose of oestrogen but a gp can’t prescribe it as it has only been tested and licensed up to 100mcg. You could be referred to a consultant who can prescribe a higher dose.

It is worth trying different patches as they do work differently. When I changed from Evorel to Estrodot I had to go down to about 75mcg and work my way back up to 100mcg. I get anxious and jittery if my oestrogen dose is too high.

If you scroll back to the post by the OP, she says the nurse told her that she had to use the Mirena coil because she was using vaginal estrogen.

The OP isn't using HRT- only vaginal estrogen.

She is considering having a Mirena as part of systemic HRT but at the moment is only using vaginal cream.

From the OP
I didn't mention before that I have been prescribed some cream to help with the burning feeling down below which has got worse lately. The nurse said this is oestrogen and to use alongside the coil.

Apologies @JinglingSpringbells, it’s me not reading the posts properly.
Even so, the nurse was giving out some odd information.

Im 54 and have coil due to heavy periods. Haven't had any bleeding for 2 and half years. Not on hrt. Apart from the heavy irregular periods that are now under control I have aching joints but I don’t seem to have the classic meno symptoms. My coil will be 5 years old in September so will be wanting that replaced but not sure if hrt is a good thing for long term benefits even though I’m not suffering too badly at the minute

No you’re not too old to have the coil fitted. I had one fitted at 54yrs to help with the menopause and to help stop my womb thickening any further. They were doing a hysteroscopy to look at my womb and fitted the coil then, all done under general anaesthetic.