Long overdue Mirena coil change, but still no "real" periods

[Glitterinthegrey]

I had a mirena coil put in 7 years ago, to resolve extremely heavy and painful periods. I don't need it for contraception, as DH has long since had the snip. It was like a miracle after 6 months or so, no periods at all.

I fully intended to get it changed at the end of the 5 years, but I live in a rural area and our doctor doesn't do coil removal/insertion, and the nearest clinic is 20 odd miles away and I put it off, and then Covid..

So anyway. I did start having short, super light periods about a year ago. Totally to be expected, since the hormone will have worn off. Worsening of premenstrual symptoms - sore boobs, dodgy skin, crappy moods - also.

I've realised though that in the last few months I've had no real bleeding at all. A bit of random spotting, some pink watery discharge (tmi, sorry) but that's it. Still spotty, headaches all the time, but no period to speak of.

I had a feel and I can't feel the strings. But I'm not sure I ever could.

I'm wondering if I could be peri-menopausal? How would I know? Does anyone have any experience of this, or of keeping their mirena for far longer than they should??? I'm 43, wouldn't expect to be menopausal yet as I was a very late bloomer (or does that not matter either??)

Friend had a lengthy period -45 days after having mirena for 4.5 years with no periods . This is her 2nd mirena and her period was light to medium. Was confirmed to be in perimenopause by a private Gynaecologist after MRI. She thought that her mirena ran out of hormones. Her doctor suggested a mirena change along with mini pills for some period.
Going by her symptoms I think yours could be just an expired mirena.

Thank you for responding.

There's no doubt that the mirena has expired - hence my periods starting to return. It's my periods stopping again that worries me!