Could the mirena coil be causing fatigue, and how do I remove it?

[Crabtree87]

Had the mirena coil fitted a few weeks ago along with estrogel for hrt (although not entirely if I really am menopausal). My first period for the coil lasted for two weeks and since it finished on Thursday my mood has gone down and I've been excessively tired despite having loads more sleep than usual. Could this be due to the mirena?

I was never keen on getting it fitted in the first place and am keen to get it removed. If I removed it myself, how do I actually remove it and how easy is it to do? I'm trying to get a GP appointment but it looks like there will be quite a wait and I want the thing out asap, I can't afford any more time with work feeling as rubbish as this.

I removed mine myself as i had constant bleeding on it for 9 months and after 3 appointments to get it removed where they encouraged me to keep it until it had been a year (one doc refused and one gave me the pill as well as the coil), i had had enough. Just get in whatever position you would to check the strings (clean hands !) and feel them and pull slowly. The arms of the coil fold in as it comes out and it is painless. You might get some slight bleeding afterwards. This is just my experience, i was lucky I did not have any complications and due to the constant bleeding I had already had a scan so I knew it was in the correct place so would come out easily. It is your choice to remove it yourself but my experience was simple and painless. Best thing I ever done.

Thanks Zebrabot, really appreciate the comments. I've never checked the strings nor was this talked about at my appointment, nor were various of the risk factors or side effects. And this was going privately...

I may have a go at taking it out tonight. Do you just feel around for the strings and then pull? Am I right in thinking there are several strings? Do I need to locate them all and pull, or can I just pull once I've found one string?

I should also say that I found it very painful when it was inserted. My heart rate went up massively, was sweating profusely and felt very nauseous and faint. I had to stay in the surgery for an hour after whilst the nurse monitored my heart rate. Hopefully taking it out will be easier.

I’m sure other people will come along to tell you to get it removed by a health professional but I removed mine myself too after a similar experience to the poster above. I squatted, felt for the strings and pulled very slowly. Best thing I’ve ever done.

It has only been a few weeks and you have been exhausted since Thursday. I think you need to give it time to settle down and let your body get used to it.

I had a fortnight of cripppling exhaustion recently (no coil) and went to the GP and no cause was found. GP suspects it was post viral and the initial illness may have been so subtle it was below my notice.

Presumably there was a reason you picked the Mirena so I don’t think you should jump the gun and pull it out (not advisable anyway!)

Be careful please. I get cervical shock and you really really don’t want that when there are no hcp nearby.
If you attempt removing it and it gets stuck it’s a real possibility and it’s v unpleasant

Bloody hell I wouldn't take mine out myself. No gp can flatly refuse to take it out OP. Stand your ground and complain if need be. I would doubt it's the mirena as that's localized hormone. I know it causes other issues - the spotting is also driving me mad and I'm 2 years in. Not heard of fatigue though. Could it be the hrt?

I'm going to wait to see the GP tomorrow and firmly insist that she removes it. I'm having to see a private GP so hopefully she will be more willing to take it out, than a standard GP.

I know its soon to take it out, but my mood has plummeted in the last few days and frankly I should be off work, but I'm too busy to take time off work (or indeed be sick at work, hence why I needed this sorted asap). Fatigue is fortunately better today but mood is dreadful.

The mirena typically takes around 6 months to settle so two weeks is really not giving it much of a chance but if you are adamant that you want it removed then please don’t do it yourself, you risk cervical shock, uterine perforation and infection. Also if you have it removed you will need to replace the progesterone as you can’t take estrogel on its own as it will thicken your womb lining greatly increasing you risk of uterine cancer.

I have never had a coil, but I've had similar experiences with other forms of hormonal BC (the pill in my case) I tried various ones and the effect was always the same. Fatigue (despite enough sleep), no stamina, short fuse, constantly feeling down and always hungry. After about a year and half I had enough. I quit taking the pill and won't even consider anything hormonal anymore. My life went back to normal with a few weeks.

@Crabtree87 mine just had 2 strings. Good idea going to the GP, dont leave until they take it out. I learned the hard way as they seem to rather you keep it.

Is the HRT new as well? If so I'd expect that to be more likely the cause of mood change than the coil.