Mirena Coil

[Loulabell2705]

Hiya all
I'm looking for up to date thoughts on the mirena coil. Since having DS who is now 8 months I've been having horrendous periods. I have always been a super plus tampax kinda gal (sorry if tmi) so no stranger to heavy loss and pain but these are on another level and it's making me miserable. I'm housebound for 48 hours and still not being able to use tampax isn't helping. Recently tried mefenamic acid but didn't help at all so went back to normal painkillers. Spoke to GP today and advised my iron levels are also low. Advised next thing to look at to help is coil. It would only be for my flow issues as DH is currently booked in for vasectomy so contraceptive benefits aren't of concern at this stage. I've heard and read really varied reviews and so confused. Help 😔

It stopped my periods for years so I liked that part. I needed it out under general anaesthetic when it expired as the strings went missing... didnt like that part!

I had it in for 7 years, periods stopped, no facial hair growth or weight gain.

In that time though I did find my libido dropped significantly

My GP wasnt able to get mine out but the gynae was without any anaesthetic and it really didnt hurt

Oh no dementedpixie that doesn't sound good about removal 😣 was it uncomfortable when fitted? Did you suffer heavy flow?

I've just had mine out after 9 months. I had significant weight gain, complete loss of libido and migraines. I was also miserable.
I bled for over 20 days a month and it was completely unpredictable. it wasn't as heavy as my 7 day periods previously though.
I was thoroughly miserable. Even the consultant who thinks they are wonderful told me to have it taken out.

However, I think I am very much in the minority and am very susceptible to hormones. I can't take the pill.

I took painkillers before the fitting. The most uncomfortable part is when they use a tool to measure the size of the womb. The fitting itself was fine and I drove to get some shopping straight after. There was mild cramping but nothing major

Merrygoround51 that's also another concern of mine as the pill has the same effect on my libido and therefore the reason I don't take it. Tried various but always the same. GP says levels are so low in the coil it won't do the same but obvs it has for you 😔 I wish they would just give me a hydro as due to a very traumatic birth with my DS I do not want any more and it would solve all my issues. Sister in law says best thing she did.

That should say hysto not hydro 🤦‍♀️

I am on my third (and last, as I am a codger) Mirena and have had no issues whatsoever. I haven't had a period for 12 years and it's the best thing ever.

A hystorectomy is MAJOR surgery.

Had mine fitted for heavy periods. Super plus leaking after 20 mins etc..(sorry too if TMI). Mine was fitted by gynae specialist GP at a local clinic. No spotting, pain, cramps etc...all very smooth. Periods stopped and not sure if small weight gain was due to the coil or me actually enjoying life and South African Chenin Blanc more.
It was the best thing for me. Good luck with your decision.

Squeaver did you suffer heavy loss beforehand? I'm curious if it's worked well on those with regular loss and heavy loss or if it's more random.
I know its major surgery having the hysto but I'm so miserable with my current situation it honestly seems like a reasonable option at the moment. We cant even plan family holidays at the moment as if it fell that week, and it could as it's all over the place at the moment, I would be spending most of it hauled up in the room 😕. It's not being able to do things with my DS too when I'm suffering that really gets to me.

Peachescariad I've been told I would have to visit the local family planning as my GPs don't fit them anymore. I'm hoping if I do have it then if they are doing them all the time it might mean they are better at it. I just have such bad luck with things like this I'm dreading it if I decide to go ahead. I'm only just physically getting over having DS so fiddling in that area fills me with dread!

I had mine fitted about 2 and a half years ago as I'd bled heavily and flooded regularly for ~8 months, without a break longer than a few days. It turns out I suffer from endometriosis so, whilst I was under, they also lasered away all the deposits that they found in my abdomen. Although in general the flow is lighter, I'm still bleeding most of the time and never go longer than 2 weeks without bleeding (less if you include the constant spotting). I'm probably, on average, bleeding for 20 days out of every month. I've also completely lost my libido and interest in anything like that.

I'm actually considering having it taken out. I had to have it put in under GA, as I passed out from the pain when they tried to do it without anything. I'm assuming I'd have to have it removed the same way.

I loved my Mirena, and wished I'd had one fitted years before! My periods were just horrendous - heavy, painful beyond labour and I essentially "lost" a week per month because I could barely function.

Mirena stopped periods dead! Bliss!! Insertion was uncomfortable but no more than that. I never had any side effects whatsoever - no weight gain, no loss of libido, nada. Removal took seconds and I felt nothing.

Give it a try - not every woman gets on with it, but for those of us who do it can be a life-changer. Literally!

Oh dear sciencelstruth that doesn't sound nice at all.

On another note how long did it take you all to get back to using tampons? It's not helping my current situation either and the GP just keeps telling me to do pelvic floor exercises.

I've had mine in for just over 2 months and had significant weight gain. I even started a thread on here asking for similar experiences but nobody responded .

I've spotted constantly since having it fitted and I am definitely toying with the idea of having it removed.

To the posters who have mentioned weight gain, does this settle down at any point? Or will I carry on inflating at a disproportionate rate?

Previous to these issues my cycle was as regular as clockwork. I knew the exact day it would start and finish as it was pretty much the same every month.
Basically, my cycle was one week on and 3 off. Prior to having children I suffered horrendously with painful, heavy periods.
After giving birth they pretty much became pain free, although still heavy for the first 3/4 days of each cycle.
Then about 5 years ago they started to become painful again; then they became a bit less regular and then the bleeding wouldn't stop, even with tranexamic acid. Hence, the coil, etc.

I've also gained about 2 stone since having out fitted, and after struggling to lose almost 8 stone a few years prior to this issue, it's really depressing for me to have regained so much, so easily.

Try lillets applicator tampons rather than Tampax. They expand width ways rather than long ways and feel less as if they are trying to escape! I was always a Tampax person (before the mini pill and mirena stopped my periods) and now they feel as if they are falling out. I tried lillets applicator tampons and they feel more secure

I defo don't fancy the weight gain as still trying to shift the baby podge.
Never thought to try a different brand of tampon so thanks for that might give it a go as aside from the more heavy/painful days the others aren't too bad but using pads prevents swimming etc with DS still and obvs hot weather and pads aren't great either!

My doctor friends reckon it's a solution you love it hate.

Personally, I love mine. No more heavy bleeding, haven't had any other side effects either tbh.

It's been a marvel and I'd recommend it totally, but I'm fully aware Some people have issues with it.

I found the pill horrendous - basically turned me into a demon! But the mirena coil I've had for 17 months now and it's fantastic, I've had about 6 "periods" during that time. I say "periods" as it's basically just been 2-3 days of that sort of old blood type stuff (sorry if tmi) and not particularly heavy.

I've had no issues whatsoever from it. I took some painkillers before having it put in. Had bad cramps for about a week afterwards which were pretty painful but other than that it's been fab.

I think I'll only have it taken out once we want to start ttc and then if I do get pregnant I'll get one put back in as soon as I can afterwards

I have been given the option of ablation so that may be worth considering before a hysterectomy.
I'm not too keen on the idea, as it's effectively sterilisation but it's an option. My consultant insisted I tried the coil first though.

Do you tolerate the mini pill ie progesterone only? I don't and was talked into the coil "because it's such a small dose". It made me fat and severely affected my mental health, I have never been so unwell. I cried with relief when they removed it. But I may be the minority!

No I also tried the mini pill and same effect on libido and at that point I didn't like that it stopped my flow either as it didn't seem natural but at the moment it would seem like heaven. I might give the mefenamic acid one more go then decide.

Loula - I had regular, light periods before pregnancy then extremely heavy and painful periods after giving birth. I had tests and a scan to see if there was an underlying problem (all fine) then the obstetrician suggested the mirena.