How will I know?

[Helpmechooseausername]

Hi ladies, I'm 50 and have a mirena coil so have been very lucky not to have periods at all for many years.

So how will I know when I'm done? The coil I currently have is 8 years old and so I don't think it's still releasing any hormones, it's just a physical barrier. I've had some minor symptoms such as brain fog but nothing like I hear other women going through.

The only thing I really suffered with was awful dryness and itching in my vulva, but that started maybe 10 years ago and I've learnt to manage it with an emollient moisturiser (dermol 500), which I have to use a couple of times a day. It's occurred to me that this might have been a menopausal symptom, but I don't really know.

Anyone been through similar or can help me understand my body a bit better?

Thanks x

Hmm, I don't know. So won't 3lse can advise on the mirena side of things.

But I'm here to tell you to read some Minge WhingeTM threads about vaginal dryness, itchiness and atrophy and suggest to you to consider vaginal oestrogen cream, at the very least.

Aagghhh that should read: SOMEONE ELSE can advise...

Thanks! I'll look them up.

Educate yourself on the preventative health benefits of HRT - against Osteoporosis, Dementia, Heart Disease, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancers etc. The evidence is clear.

Have a look at the Balance website / app. Listen to the brilliant evidence-based podcasts and the stories of real women. Even the very first episode says it all.

The risk isn't being on HRT, it's in NOT being on HRT.

Thanks, will do.

I am 50ish and have had a mirena since I had DD 15 years ago so no periods since then. I'm planning to get a new one next year when this is 5 years old. I imagine once that expires I'll be truly over it but I'm not too worries about pinpointing the time as it doesnt really matter that much and GP seems quite relaxed.

With a coil that has stopped your periods you won't know. I was like you in that thanks to the Mirena I didn't know when I hit menopause. I got it put in when I was 46 and taken out at 54, then held my breath to see if my periods came back - they didn't, thankfully. I do find it a bit discombobulating that I don't actually know when I went through the menopause. If I'm asked by a medical professional I just say 51 because that's the average age, but I don't actually know.

The itching and dryness is a sign of vaginal atrophy. You need, actually NEED, vaginal oestrogen to prevent it getting worse. Moisturisers can help but they won't treat the problem which is caused by lack of oestrogen, so I'd strongly recommend a visit to the GP to ask for topical HRT, though you can also get it over the counter.

I was just wondering this myself, I’m on my second coil and I’m 52. I’ve just started feeling hot at night but not sweating so I can’t tell if it’s menopause related.

Thanks, it's good to hear others have been in the same situation as I've tried googling it before and got nowhere!

I'll see my GP about the oestrogen, thanks. Is it possible that the dryness and itching was my only 'serious' symptom? All these years I've been waiting for all the other symptoms to kick in and now I wonder if I'm done already! I did see the GP about the dryness and got referred to a dermatologist, no mention of menopause at all!