Lovely female GP recommended IUD

[LawdAMercy]

Discussing possible peri/thyroid symptoms and she recommended the IUD as a contraceptive but also because it has two hormones that can help peri symptoms.

does anyone have any info about this -pros/cons? Am open to HRT if needed but hated being on the pill due to ‘disconnected’ feeling and have avoided hormone contraception since then.

Am interested in the support for peri rather than as contraceptive though.

The Mirena only has one hormone - progesterone. It’s great as contraception but will also work as the endometrial protection if you want HRT, meaning you just need oestrogen to manage your symptoms.

Its the equivalent systemically of taking one oral progesterone only pill every 5 days, so very low in terms of hormonal dosing.

My lovely female GP has recommended it as well. I'm on progesterone as a tablet for now and waiting for an IUD. It's a 6 month waiting list and I'm going to have to lie because it's only available for contraception rather than HRT. Can't even have it for heavy debilitating periods (which I have suffered with in peri). GP and the HCP who was in assisting when I saw her both have IUDs for HRT and personally recommended them.

I have a mirena. Originally just for contraception but now helping with peri alongside HRT. It’s hard for me to say if it’s helped as I’ve had it pre symptoms. The HRT has though.
Mirena was a game changer for periods though which were previously heavy and painful. I sometimes get the odd spotting around the time of the DD’s periods but usually nothing.
The fitting was fine too. Felt like a more rummagey smear test if that makes sense?

Everyone is different but the Mirena coil has been a game changer. Had it originally for contraception but it also freed me of the misery of heavy and painful periods. And now it enabled me to have HRT via estrogen gel which has taken the edge off my peri menopause symptoms (mainly anxiety and rage!)

Its the equivalent systemically of taking one oral progesterone only pill every 5 days, so very low in terms of hormonal dosing.

I'm not sure this is right @Sidge You can't compare synthetic progestin (in the Mirena) and micronised progesterone.

100mg of micronised progesterone isn't 5 times the hormone in the Mirena.

Synthetic progestins are much stronger.

@LawdAMercy It won't work on its own for peri menopause because you need estrogen as well.

Mirena was a game changer for me too - had it put in aged 48 for contraception in 2017 and was told it would last 5 years and 'see me through the menopause'. Periods became much lighter and for the first time in my life, regular. However 8 years later I no longer need contraception and have to have it taken out this year. I'm putting it off as I'm still bleeding although its exceptionally light and all over the place but can't bear the thought of going back to the floods that I used to have.

@JinglingSpringbells i wasn’t making a direct comparison between them and never mentioned micronised progesterone. I was trying to reassure the OP regarding overall hormonal absorption with regards to her concerns about side effects with hormonal contraception.
Obviously not very well.

A better option might be micronised progesterone because all the other options are synthetic, the same 'type' as in the Pill.

Many years ago I took two brands of the Pill that had the same progestin in as the Mirena. One type gave me bad acne (never had it before) although a lower dose Pill with the same was ok.

But you can have it replaced. There's no age limit on the mirena.

OP it's the best thing I've ever done. I have mine for HRT aged 47 and I have every intention of replacing it as many times as possible as I can't take utrogestan.

I had my most recent one inserted by a private GP. My NHS GP gave me a prescription for the device (I have a prepayment card that covered the cost.) collected it from Boots and then had a private GP insert it for £200.

The benefit of this is they give you time to recover on the couch once it's in to stop any possible fainting!

NHS GP had a really long waiting list but this only took a week.

@Ilovelowry I know I can have it replaced but at my age I'm not sure I want the hassle! Just want my bloody periods to stop - ffs I'm 56 and was 12 when I started so the tap should be turned off by now

I've been told by my GP I have to come off the pill now I'm 50 so I'm getting the Mirena for contraception next week. Will I have periods because on the pill it's only a withdrawal bleed. I'm a bit apprehensive I'll suddenly get menopause symptoms because of the lack of oestrogen...any advice?