Fibroids and the coil

[NeilBuchananisBanksy]

I had fibroids removed 2 years ago and seems like now they are back. Usual symptoms- very heavy and painful periods, breakthrough bleeding etc. Scan confirmed that I have several and an enlarged womb.

Had my gyne appointment last week and they just kept on about having the mirena coil. I have thought long and hard about it but I've never suited hormonal contraception. I took the mini pill for 9 months and bled continually. It also doesn't stop them growing, it's just meant to slow the bleeding/symptoms. They seem to be like marmite for people but I'm just not prepared to endure 9+months of bleeding (which I can almost guarantee it would be).

I just feel totally fobbed off. They were also keen to talk about all the 'severe' side effects of other treatments, yet glossed over those with the coil until I pointed them out.

Just feel at the end of my tether with it all. Has anyone else had this? I've pushed for a hystroscopy (I'm hopeful that this will show my uterus can't actually accommodate a bloody coil with them all in there).

Surgery not an option due to covid either (not sure I get why tbh). I should just try the coil until I can have surgery apparently.

No kids, no plans to. I'm late 30's. Should they have done a blood test or anything?

Thinking of going private but not sure. Has anyone else had similar?

Sorry for the rant. Feeling very low today.

I had mirena, was great for me for a good while. But in the last two months I’ve had very irregular bleeding and pelvic pain. Cervix checked and fine, was referred for pelvic ultrasound which I paid for private as due to covid would’ve been a 3 month wait. Now I have a fibroid and an ovarian cyst so clearly the coil didn’t address those. I’ve had the coil removed and will see if that improves matters. Maybe I was better off with the coil, I guess I’m about to find out.

I had one to treat heavy bleeding associated with fibroids and it made my life hell for a year until it bled itself out during a particularly heavy spell of bleeding! I had almost constant spotting, still had days when I struggled to leave the house despite taking tranexamic acid, cramping like I'd never had before, felt tired and low which I'm sure was due to the hormones in it. I read so many great things about people who had them and haven't had a period for years but it was just miserable :(
That said, I might be tempted to try it because if it works for you it's an easy fix.
I ended up going private for treatment as the NHS waiting list was so long and had my fibroids treated with uterine artery embolisation. It seems to have worked although I still have a day or two of relatively heavy bleeding.

Thanks both.

I just really don't think the coil will work @emmathedilemma your experience was awful! They just seem to pitch it as a miracle cure but I know so many people who hated it.

I'll look up the uterine embolism. Was it costly do you mind me asking?

I don't know the full cost because I had private medical cover through work so only paid £100 excess twice (because i tripped over a calendar year when it renews) and I haven't seen a statement from Bupa.
In total though I had:

• Initial consultation - typically £150-200
• blood tests - I've got the bill for this and it totals £679!
• MRI scan - quoted on their website as "from £399"
• follow-up consultation to discuss treatment options - £150-200
• pre-op appointment with the nurse prior to Hysteroscopy
• day case admission for Hysteroscopy under GA including polyp removal and X-ray when they didn't find the mirena and wanted to check it hadn't perforated my womb and gone elsewhere (it hadn't!)
• initial consultation with UAE consultant £150-200
• UAE treatment with overnight stay in hospital
• follow-up consultation with gynae 3 months later (by phone due to covid)

So I don't know the total cost but I would expect it's probably in the region of £5000, possibly more?

Hi

I had the coil in and my fibroid dislodged it. The fibroid was making me bleed heavily every other week and I was so tired and anaemic. My nhs hysteroscopu got cancelled and i had to wait for another appointment to come through. I was lucky enough to go private and got it sorted. I am bleeding normally once a month now and I declined the option to have another coil. Best thing I did.