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Original poster

Mirena for heavy periods - experiences?

37 replies

Intricate56 · 28/07/2020 16:56

Hi,

Had an online dr appointment today about ongoing issues with heavy periods. They've suggested a Mirena coil. Did anybody get one for this reason? Did it work? I've had enough, cysts have been removed, tranexamic acid doesn't do much, I can't go to work, can't have a social life, can't sleep. I'm hoping this will work for me. Although they aren't fitting them at the moment, so could be a long wait...

OP posts:
Literallyfedup · 28/07/2020 17:43

If you have been examined already and no other cause have been found then I'd say go for it. My periods were heavy , once went through a packet of goodnight ones in less than 2 hours, have even passed out, was anemic too. Then had a mirena - honestly it wasn't fun to begin with but my Gynaecologist made me promise to atleast try it for 9 months before giving up. First 6 weeks -continous period and spotting, next 2 periods were 3 days heavy 3 day light and 5 days spotting. Cycle was all over place from 21-24 days. Next 2 periods were okay 33 days cycle 1 day medium , 4 days light but 5 day spotting. This is my 8th month - no more periods and just 5 day spotting.
I am glad I stuck to it. Other than a light headache and a single spot on chin before period there is no other pms symptom.

Butterbeeeen · 28/07/2020 17:48

I had one for the same reason OP and had it removed shortly after as I hated it. Apparently mine has slipped so I could feel it. I'm currently waiting for a hysterectomy.

CatToddlerUprising · 28/07/2020 17:52

I had one for contraception purposes, but I had awful 10 day long heavy periods too. The first 3 months on the mirena were still heavy bleeding but this tailed off each month and by 6 months I had no period. This lasted for 4 years until I had it removed (as the bleeding returned heavily) last month

FallingIguanas · 28/07/2020 18:02

I bled for the first few months after having mine fitted and asked to have it removed. I was re-offered it years later for HRT purposes but declined. I'd push for endometrial ablation if all your scans are normal.

StopGo · 28/07/2020 18:02

I had one fitted for very heavy, difficult to manage periods. It was amazing and helped so much. I say give it a go.

AnnaMariaDreams · 28/07/2020 18:03

Worked really well for endometriosis bleeding but I had awful anxiety on it. I need oestrogen for balance.
I had it out but would ask for oestrogen supplements first next time instead.

CodenameVillanelle · 28/07/2020 18:05

Yes as well as for contraception but I wouldn't have chosen a coil if my periods hadn't been so shitty. It's great. My periods are now every 5-6 weeks and a light drizzle for 2 days. Amazing.

Soontobe60 · 28/07/2020 18:07

I had one fitted for the same reason, it was the best thing ever! It took about 6 months for my periods to stop completely, within 3 months, periods reduced significantly. Mine was fitted pre menopause, and I've had no menopause symptoms but at 60+ I'm sure I've been through it.

Disfordarkchocolate · 28/07/2020 18:11

Worked amazingly well in my mid-30's. Took longer to make amazingly well in my late-40s.

My current GP tries this as standard, my old GP wouldn't so 10 years of problems. The GP said it often takes longer to settle down (no breakthrough bleeding) when your older becomes your womb lining is thicker etc.

longtompot · 28/07/2020 18:13

I had one fitted last year (I've written a post about it).
Basically, it made mine worse. Pretty much non stop periods, still heavy, and then started getting painful. Tranxemic acid made it more painful and massive clots. Earlier this year I woke up at 2am ish for a pad and pj change and then again at 5am where I passed the coil in a huge clot on my bathroom floor.
But, this probably won't happen to you as you have no other issues. It turns out I had fibroids which were pushing the coil out. I guess if I didn't have those, then it might have been a better experience.
It is worth a try, despite what I'd just written, as when it works it works well. My friends have had them for years with no issues.

Approaching50 · 28/07/2020 18:14

I too had one fitted for heavy periods. As others say, it took a while 6-9 months to settle down. I had terrible mood swings at first and really sore boobs. But now my periods have virtually stopped. It's changed my life but there is one big problem - I've put on a lot of weight. It's affecting me so am going to explore if there are are any other options, but I'm doubtful.

Ulysses · 28/07/2020 18:17

I got one a couple of years ago but at some point it must have fallen out unknowingly so it didn’t make anyway difference to my heavy periods. I then got another one inserted in January. My consultant suggested taking the mini pill as well if I was still bleeding initially. I got a prescription for them around April and bleeding is a lot lighter but a bit random. She has suggested I stick with it a few more months and I can hopefully stop taking the pill then but might need to accept that periods haven’t fully gone away.

magicmallow · 28/07/2020 18:18

Mine is great! Really works and no periods now.

Ulysses · 28/07/2020 18:18

Have to say I know weight gain can be an issue for some but I’ve lost weight since January - suspect this is due to stopping drinking alcohol!

TheFairyCaravan · 28/07/2020 18:21

I was bullied into having one and it was awful. I bled for weeks, put on weight, got spots, had continuous PMT like symptoms which almost ruined my marriage and it re-triggered my migraines that have never gone away. My lovely GP took it out after 8 months then I bled so badly for 19 weeks that I ended up in hospital having a transfusion. I had an endometrial ablation in the end.

10 years on I started bleeding heavier again they just gave me drugs, no scans. This Christmas just gone I bled for 12 weeks and they found I've got fibroids and polyps so am waiting for them to be removed.

I wish I'd stuck to my guns in the first place and asked for a hysterectomy.

teablanket · 28/07/2020 18:23

I got one to help manage heavy bleeding (it was truly awful, mooncup and maternity pads and I'd still have to pack spare clothes and change in the public loos halfway through a 50 minute school run) and it's worked fine. My periods are "normal" now. I can actually go outside without worry.

Throwitthen · 28/07/2020 18:30

The Mirena honestly changed my life. Took maybe 6 months to settle down but in that time I just had a very light period for a few days a month. I haven't had a proper period for 2 years now. I still get a bit of pmt/sore boobs so I roughly know where I am in my cycle and very, very occasionally a morning of spotting, but that's it. I wish I'd had it sooner. Years of Drs telling me heavy periods are just "one of those things".
Absolutely game changer for me.

halcyondays · 28/07/2020 18:33

I wish I’d got mine sooner too, it’s been great. Can’t complain about my doctor though, I was referred straight away when I went about my heavy periods.

Danniotley · 28/07/2020 18:39

Changed my life. Had one inserted due to adenomyosis. It did take 12 months to settle down but now haven’t had any bleeding for 5 years. Pretty sure I should be peri menopausal but have had no symptoms at all.

LizzieBennett70 · 28/07/2020 18:40

Life changing. I was referred for a hysterectomy at 32 due to adhesions from C sections, and the hospital were trialling the Mirena. Had one in ever since and am now 49. Last one was put in 2 years ago and I was told I could keep for 7 years to help through menopause.

It has affected my weight, but frankly I'd take that over flooding and anaemia any day of the week.

happytoday73 · 28/07/2020 18:41

I went for the mini pill instead... Worked well

Approaching50 · 28/07/2020 18:44

happytoday73. Do you know if the mini pill can also make women put on weight? I assume yes as hormones

WhyDoesItAlways · 28/07/2020 18:47

I have one (PCOS and endometriosis sufferer so used to have very bad periods). After having it fitted I had maybe 3 weeks between very light periods but this has lengthened and now I'm struggling to remember my last period - maybe 8 weeks ago now. I've had it nearly 8 months now. When I do bleed it's very light, I just use a small liner.

I did a lot of research and basically different people react differently to it. I would suggest trying it and sticking with it for a good few months and see how you go.

Topseyt · 28/07/2020 19:01

I ended up having one put in during a hysteroscopy under general anaesthetic last December. It was because of heavy bleeding. It went very much against my better judgment but I reluctantly agreed.

Since then I have gained weight (I really couldn’t afford for that to happen), experienced mood swings and I think I have become much more anxious in general.

I wish I had stuck to my guns and held out for a hysterectomy, or something else anyway. I really wish that they had told me that the mini pill was an option rather than just telling me that I could no longer be prescribed a contraceptive pill due to my age and weight. The mini pill would have been my choice as I think I would have felt much more in control. After all, if I had any issues with a pill I was taking orally then I could just decide to stop it myself. With a coil that has been inserted into me by a doctor I am reliant on being able to ask them to remove it, and I encountered reluctance there in the first few months of having it.

Then Covid 19 happened and lockdown. The result is that it is still there and I have no idea when I will be allowed a face to face appointment for the removal. I feel trapped.

snappycamper · 28/07/2020 19:07

@Throwitthen

The Mirena honestly changed my life. Took maybe 6 months to settle down but in that time I just had a very light period for a few days a month. I haven't had a proper period for 2 years now. I still get a bit of pmt/sore boobs so I roughly know where I am in my cycle and very, very occasionally a morning of spotting, but that's it. I wish I'd had it sooner. Years of Drs telling me heavy periods are just "one of those things". Absolutely game changer for me.
100% this. I had one inserted almost two years ago and absolutely love it. Took 3 months to settle - bit of lower backache for 2 weeks then periods gradually got lighter until they stopped after about 6 months. Definitely worth a try in my opinion.