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Women's health

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Is this normal after a mirena coil fitting?

34 replies

YingMei · 21/10/2022 16:05

I had the mirena coil put in on Tuesday afternoon for the first time. The lovely nurse found it quite difficult to do because something wasn't straight so it was more prolonged than usual and I found it very painful (I have had 2 vaginal births but this didn't help!) I have low blood pressure anyway and it dropped after this and I fainted which wasn't ideal. I had quite bad cramps that day and some bleeding, but now, several days later I still have fairly unpleasant cramps that are going on most of the day and some discharge which is sometimes bloody.
I don't want to rush back to the nurse if this is normal but it does seem quite prolonged compared to other peoples' experiences that I know.
Any experiences or advice?

OP posts:
Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 21/10/2022 16:11

Can you feel two strings? That would tell you if it is inside you correctly.

Tbh I bled for months and had cramps for weeks. The entire experience was fairly terrible, I'm terrified of getting it taken out again.

YingMei · 21/10/2022 16:13

I cannot easily feel any strings - would they be easy to find?

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GreenManalishi · 21/10/2022 16:22

The first one I had put in was excrutiating, I ended up going to A&E about 4am a few days in, to my shame, as I hardly ever even visit the GP. It was seriously painful and I thought something had gone really wrong. They gave me codeine, checked the strings and sent me home. It was a few weeks before it settled down, I was absolutely not prepared for it.

Like you I was dreading having it out, but it was fine, and subsequent ones have been also no problem after insertion. They stop my periods which is honestly worth it on balance, they had got out of control, and also act as part of my HRT.

Soontobe60 · 21/10/2022 16:24

It sounds like me. I just took paracetamol for a week or so. It very soon settled down. I’ve never been able to feel the threads primarily because I don’t like rooting around in my vagina 😂

KangarooKenny · 21/10/2022 16:24

I had spotting after mine, no cramps.
Have you taken painkillers ?

YingMei · 21/10/2022 16:25

Oh gosh GreenManalishi that sounds horrible. Thanks for sharing your experience and I'm glad it was all okay in the end. I'm starting to regret my choice to have this

OP posts:
YingMei · 21/10/2022 16:25

KangarooKenny · 21/10/2022 16:24

I had spotting after mine, no cramps.
Have you taken painkillers ?

Yeah I took some nurofen but there's no obvious difference!

OP posts:
Topseyt123 · 21/10/2022 16:29

It varies from woman to woman.

I bled for over a year with a mirena and it never settled down. I had to insist that it was removed and I will never have any form of coil ever again.

For other people it seems OK and sometimes even stops periods. Not for me though.

GreenManalishi · 21/10/2022 16:38

See how it goes, it settled down after a few weeks and didn't give me another moments bother since, and I'm on my third now. Has been brilliant in several other ways, so on balance definitely worth it for me.

YingMei · 21/10/2022 17:50

Thanks I'll stick at it for a bit longer. Can't find these strings though and I feel like I'm in the early stages of labour!

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Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 13:52

@YingMei
How is it going with the mirena coil, feeling better?
Asking as I've had one fitted today and while it's very early days and the cramps/pain is awful I'm hoping it won't take to long to settle down.

Feysriana · 11/11/2022 14:02

I bled for months on mine, had it taken out. Am not a fan. Do google mire a litigation and consider if you’re sure yoh want it in there.

I’m infertile and I often wonder if my Mirena had something to do with it.

YingMei · 11/11/2022 14:16

@Crumpleton It took about 5 days to stop cramping. The nurse told me to take 7 more contraceptive pills which I did, then a few days later had the normal withdrawal bleed that you get on the pill. Since then I've had several days with spotting/light bleeding that don't seem to be following any particular pattern. When that happens I get some light cramping, but certainly not the awful pain I had for the 5 days after insertion. I'm not convinced by it, but I'll wait until my six week check and discuss with the nurse. @Feysriana I'm sorry to hear this experience. I am not currently loving it due to the random bleeding but I have heard it can take the body a while to settle into a pattern so we will see.

OP posts:
Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 14:28

@YingMei..
Thank you.
I've actually had mine put in due to spotting, post menopausal by some years, turns out I have
thickening of the womb lining.
But goodness the tummy pain and heavy bleeding it's causing is something I'd thought was well and truly behind me.

Always4Brenner · 11/11/2022 14:30

I had 10 months of sheer hell with mine in the end walked into A and E begging for them to remove it done 2 months later under GA inverted womb that’s why under GA.

Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 16:00

@Always4Brenner
That sounds awful.
Must confess I've always refused a coil for birth control as I'd imagined it to be uncomfortable....now I no longer have to imagine.

I'd have to have it removed if it doesn't settle...not sure if there's a plan B.

FortyFacedFuckers · 11/11/2022 16:08

I had horrendous cramping for a couple of weeks & bleeding on and off for almost 3 month but then it settled and I haven't had a period for the last 3 years, for me it was worth it but I won't lie I am dreading the thought of having it changed

burnoutbabe · 11/11/2022 16:11

i will reveal here that i wasn't able to poo for a few days after - maybe it was the numbing gel used? i did also nearly faint afterwards (but no real pain or cramping after first day)

I never saw that as a side effect but anyway, just leaving that there for others information.

Always4Brenner · 11/11/2022 16:33

Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 16:00

@Always4Brenner
That sounds awful.
Must confess I've always refused a coil for birth control as I'd imagined it to be uncomfortable....now I no longer have to imagine.

I'd have to have it removed if it doesn't settle...not sure if there's a plan B.

It was I was dreaming about full hysterectomy just to get the pain to stop once removed no more pain now off hrt etc no periods now for nearly 8 months so finally menopause finished I hope.

Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 16:58

@Always4Brenner .
My last period was just over 20 years ago.
Was fortunate in only needing/using localised HRT until the spotting started in August.
I've had to stop that for now until biopsy results are back.
Such a ball ache as I thought I may be on the home run at the age 59.

Always4Brenner · 11/11/2022 19:24

Crumpleton · 11/11/2022 16:58

@Always4Brenner .
My last period was just over 20 years ago.
Was fortunate in only needing/using localised HRT until the spotting started in August.
I've had to stop that for now until biopsy results are back.
Such a ball ache as I thought I may be on the home run at the age 59.

Oh no hopes I don’t have any more problems I’ve had 10 years of sheer hell migraines bleeding anemia.

Adeleex · 11/11/2022 20:51

Normal in my experience.
It was hell for 6 months, cramps, bleeding and spotting all over the place, moody.. she told me to give it 6 months for it to settle into my body and for me to get used to it. Half it in a 1.5 years now and it's the best thing I've done. It settled after 6 months. Been a god send. Occasionally I check for the string to make sure the bugger is there and not off on a galavant around my body. Haha!

WhiteChocMocha · 18/02/2023 18:39

So I’m on day 10 after insertion and it’s pretty bad… Woke up early this morning with cramping that made me scream (I’ve never experienced this kind of cramping before) and my belly has been so swollen last 10 days I can’t wear normal clothes (well, any clothes, thinking of buying some maternity leggings).
is this really normal? I was expecting it to be almost back to normal after 2-3 days. It’s the second consecutive weekend I’m in bed due to pain and discomfort.
Is it really worth it? Had it fitted for heavy bleeding and to improve general life quality, so far no sign of that.

Always4Brenner · 18/02/2023 19:29

WhiteChocMocha · 18/02/2023 18:39

So I’m on day 10 after insertion and it’s pretty bad… Woke up early this morning with cramping that made me scream (I’ve never experienced this kind of cramping before) and my belly has been so swollen last 10 days I can’t wear normal clothes (well, any clothes, thinking of buying some maternity leggings).
is this really normal? I was expecting it to be almost back to normal after 2-3 days. It’s the second consecutive weekend I’m in bed due to pain and discomfort.
Is it really worth it? Had it fitted for heavy bleeding and to improve general life quality, so far no sign of that.

I pray you don’t go through the 10 months I had utter agony I hope yours settle down. Hugs

WhiteChocMocha · 18/02/2023 19:34

Thanks @Always4Brenner 😊
Cant live like this so if it’s another week like this, it’s coming out, even if I have to pull the damn thing out with my bare hands 😤😡
Did I mention mood swings? 😋