Bleeding - Mirena running out, peri ramping up, something else?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Can anyone help, please? I’m 52 and have had Mirena plus gel for almost exactly three years. Mirena was fitted in July 2022. My periods never stopped per se with the Mirena, but I would just get an odd day of bleeding every month. Some months nothing.

For the last month or so I am having “a period” once a week, lasting a few days. I know from my Higher Biology many years ago this is not possible, but I am having sore boobs, cramps, bleeding - exactly like a period! (The bleeding is more like spotting, not enough for a tampon, fine with a liner.)

I thought Mirena lasted five years which Google confirms. Is this my body’s last hurrah? I do have fibroids. Had an HRT check back in May and weight/BP fine, no other health issues.

I know I should try and see a doctor and get checked but it’s like the actual Hunger Games at my surgery, and I feel bad taking up an appointment that eg a child or elderly person might need more even if I could get through.

thanks for reading if you did!

The new mirena actually last for 8 years for contraception but 5 years for heavy bleeding so yes you may want to book a removal/insertion appointment. You can just book the insertion appointment on its own with a nurse or go to your local sexuak health clinic and they'll be happy to sort you out.

Thanks for replying - it’s only been three years though so it should still be going? I honesty don’t think I could get it again, fitting it almost killed me!

My surgery won’t have anything to do with it, the doctor had to write a letter to the clinic for them to fit it. (I’m in Scotland so it’s possibly different here.)

You can get pain relief! Don't let them gaslight you. New NICE guidelines say paracetamol or ibuprofen an hour before, lidocaine injection into cervix, gas and air and a gel. If you show them this or tell them they have to give you pain relief if you ask for it. Search up Dr Nighat Arif on Instagram or TikTok she has many videos on the obligations when you get a coil insertion. You should still be able to get a sexual health clinic to do it. If the bleeding continues get a GP appointment as something else could be going on since you're into menopause just to get it checked out. It could be polyps or endometrial hyperalisa or cancer - only if it continue, not trying to scar you but depending on when your last period was I'd make sure to track it each day and how heavy it is. If it continues for a few weeks see your GP, don't feel bad for taking an appointment it's not a fake or trial concern and it's better to get it checked early.

I've just had an ultrasound due to this issue...they wanted to check my coil was still in place (it was) and that nothing else sinister was going on (it doesn't seem to be)
So I'm no further forward and still getting bleeds!
This is my 2nd coil, about 2-3 years in. I did not absorb topical hrt so am on oral oestrogen.
Not a single clue what's going on!!

Yes, I was wondering about ovarian cancer! But I don’t have any other symptoms so hopefully not.

I was actually offered the injection before the coil was fitted but I’m phobic about needles (had to be taken into a special back area and lie down for those Covid jabs back in the day!) and didn’t think I would cope, so she used a numbing spray, plus I had taken painkillers beforehand, but I still honestly brayed like a donkey. For absolute shame.

Sorry you are having this too. I checked the coil strings the other day and they seem fine.

Is your bleeding heavy? I woke up on Friday and there was blood in my pants plus super sore tummy, like a proper period, but it’s now only when I wipe after going to the loo which is what it’s been like mostly since I’ve had the coil. I had the mini pill for a few years before Mirena and didn’t have any periods with that, but prior had horrific heavy periods that had started coming every 21 days as I was going into peri. As a teen I was back and forth go gynae because I was flooding all over the school, so it doesn’t surprise me I am not having a happy home with this!

Being a woman is really crap sometimes.

Isn't it? !
No, light bleeding but almost constant.
I got my 1st coil due to increasingly heavy periods with about an 18-20 day cycle it was awful..that was about 8 years ago, how long can this take?!!

That does seem much more severe than I thought, I would book a GP appointment they'll likely book an ultrasound. You can also ask for tranexamic acid (which reduces heavy bleeding) whilst it continues and they try and investigate. Especially if it's being combined with pain. You could also try topical vaginal oestrogen (if you haven't already). The injection isn't that bad and if you lie down you won't be able to see it (I'd ask them to be discreet and just do it when they put the speculum in) or maybe take stronger pain relief before hand if you can.

The bleeding is just spotting, nowhere near enough to need a tampon so I don’t think I need any medication. I might try and up the oestrogen and see if that stops it. I had this before and the GP told me to increase from two pumps to three which did the trick. It will be at leastsix weeks before I can get a doctor (if I can get through!) as they book 6/8 weeks in advance, plus I teach so it’s tricky to actually get there. They do phone appointments first and that’s no use at work 😬

@pinkduckk i am hoping this is my body just having a last yahoo before drying up for good!

Yes that sounds like a good idea, increase your pumps and see what happens, if it persists just book the appointment and wait to see what happens. But hopefully the topical cream does it's job.