Anyone used the Mirena coil?

[alicet]

No idea if this is the right place to post this....

Had my 6 weeks check today after ds2's birth (can hardly believe its been so long!) and the subject of contraception came up. After pointing out that 2 children under 2 was proving very effective at the mo he mentioned as an option the mirena coil. As it seems to be the most effective short of sterilisation it is very attractive. Does anyone have any experience of these? Apparently it can be pretty uncomfortable to have it put in but other than that sounds only positive.

I'd be interested to hear if any of you have had one and what you thought.....

I had this in for 4 years before trying for dd. Had no problems except slightly erratic periods at first. Had problem getting in but only because my womb was tilted full forward. Def reccomend tho.

I have one.
Wasn't that painful to have it put in and have had no problems since (3yrs ago nearly).

there are lots of old threads on MN about it. I had it in 5 weeks after birth and it was over in 5 secs and didn't feel a thing. Overall I think for some it is brilliant, some it is awful and some okay def worth a try if you don't have many other options IMO

There is a very long thread on here here with anecdotal evidence of side effects. Read it before you have it fitted but personally I find the benefits outweigh negatives.

I'm a massive fan - sex without conception fears, and nothing to do other than 5 yearly swapover, and all period nightmares solved

I had one fitted at the end of June and felt no pain or discomfort at all. I had a couple of mild period like pains in the 12 hours afterwards and some bleeding from about week 3 to week 6, just a like a light period and then spotting on and off for a while but nothing major and no other side effects.

Go to a family planning centre where they do them regularly (rather than GP who might only do one occasionally).

I am surprised at the strings that hang down (two that you have to check) - more obvious than i thought they would be. I can only feel them with my fingers but my husband can too which I find a bit bizarre!

I'm now on my 2nd one, it was uncomfortable having the old one removed & new one inserted, but it soon wears off, and for me no periods is a real bonus.

i too am on my second one, i find it great, no periods or very light ones, i am also a bit older than than alot of mn posters and have been told that the mirena coil will get me through the menopause without too many symptoms (i hope)

i did find the fitting bloody awful but i have a feeling my doc is VERY ham-fisted!

I also have a mirena am on my second one as had the first one 5 years - not a period in all that time, result! My doctor also told me Jesus that it would help me through the menopause - I was 35 at the time

loads of threads on this under health - really mixed bag of responses - but I love mine. No periods for 5 years. Think has changed my shape though into what Trinny and Susannah would generously call a brick, having been an hourglass. But conversely fantastic norks.

alicet because you have just had a baby you should feel a lot less, if not no discomfort when having your mirena coil fitted, I would also always go to a Family Planning Clinic because as chocolatekimmy says they are trained in coil fits.

hi, I'm new to mn. I too am considering a mirena. If you google it there is loads of info. Some good, some bad. Like most things it is a matter of weiging up the pros and cons. If you can live with the possible side effects then it does seem a good thing. I'm reluctant because of the headaches it may cause. I already get horrendous migraines. I know 2 people who have had one, 1 had it removed after 6 months, the other still has despite weight gain , headaches and high bp, because it cured her heavy periods. I would try it and see but fpc are not keen to fit if there is a possibility I will want it removed because of expense to nhs. Would like to know if any one else has experience of mirena and migraines please

Thanks for all your helpful comments. Will check out that other thread and do a bit more research first...

My periods have never been a problem to me so not bothered about avoiding them but the effectiveness comparable to vasectomy is what appeals to me!

To the FPC a mirena cost £120 it is one of the cheapest form of contraception they have if not the most cheapest, because it works out at less than 50p a week, if you have it for 5 years. If your fpc nurse says that you can't have it because it is expensive, then ask her/him how much one costs, and I would bet my last 10p they don't know, as THEY NEVER DO THE ORDERING. Do not take that sort of cr*p.