Will a coil solve my issues….last thing to try before hysterectomy

[Lovemusic33]

Huge history of ongoing issues for 4+ years. 2 years ago I had an ablation in hope to stop my heavy long periods and spotting, it didn’t work. I was sterilised at the same time which I believe has caused me more pain and even longer periods. I am on day 14 of my period, am slightly aneimic and generally very pissed off. I seem to be bleeding more often than not bleeding. I have tried the pill in the past, can’t have the injection (due to thinning of the bone), mini pill makes me bleed non stop. I feel the coil is my last chance but gp wants me to wait and see what gynaecologist says. Problem is I have been waiting for 6 months for a gynaecologist appointment and have heard nothing, I can’t continue how I am, it’s making me unwell. I know the coil may cause more issue but it can’t be much worse?

Has anyone else had similar issue and the coil has solved them?
How long did it take for things to settle down after having it fitted? I worry I will bleed non stop for months and have pain?

I am 41, possibly premenopausal.

I had an ablation and coil fit at the same time. This was 18 months ago and not had a drop of blood since. I still get awful "period" pain every two weeks but no blood so presume the coil helped more than the ablation.

The worlds longest period issues …. Hospital admissions as treatments many times….. coil changed my life

Mirena coil changed my life. Was that or hysterectomy. It really works for me.

Just to warn you, even once you see the consultant it's a long wait for a hysterectomy. I saw the gynaecologist in January 2022 (it wasn't my first appointment with him but that was the point at which he offered a hysterectomy) and am unlikely to have my op this year. So it may be worth looking into interim options anyway. I am on the mini pill - although I bleed most of the time, it's better than the very heavy periods I otherwise get where I lose a pint of blood in 12 hours.

You need to shout and stamp your feet to get an appointment with a consultant. I waited 4 months and pestered regularly as I was so unwell.

I then waited over a year for my surgery, which should have been yesterday but I only bloody caught covid 😕 so it was cancelled.

I was reading up on having a coil fitted with ablation. My gp was unsure if I could have one but it seems the combination of the 2 works well. My ablation made my periods less heavy for a while but I suspect it wasn’t successful and the limit grew back/thickened. I wish I had tried the coil before having the ablation and being sterilised.

Great to hear good stories, i am worried about the long wait for hysterectomy, I have put up with this for so long I don’t feel I can wait another 18+ months for surgery. The coil has to be worth a try?

How frustrating, I hope you get surgery soon. Have heard so many people say how much it’s change their lives. For me it has to be last option as I am a single parent to a disabled child, I don’t know how I would cope with recovery.

Coils are I believe highly under rated and under used! I think they are supposed to be first line for these issues but they get by passed. I had failed ablation and coil works perfect . Gone from hospitalisation to zero period . Avoid hysterectomy if you can and if you have to ask to leave your ovaries or you will go in to early menopause

I had the Mirena fitted during excision surgery for stage 4 endo, best thing I ever did. It's taken a few months to settle down, I get spotting and still get a very light period but it's nothing compared to what I was dealing with before.

Thank you for sharing your positive story, it’s really helping me decide. I was offered the coil before ablation but I was totally against it, I think the fear was that it would cause more issues and I would have to wait months for them to take it out. I am now at the point where I have nothing else to try and I would happily have one put in tomorrow.
Does the coil stop you ovulating? I get awful ovulation pains so that would also be a bonus, though it’s not the be all and end all.

I have endometrial hyperplasia and had very very heavy bleeding that would last for months, I was severely anaemic and just felt generally dreadful ... had the coil fitted in August last year and no bleeding since! It has literally changed my life! And I didn't want it, I wanted a hysterectomy but the gynaecologist persuaded me to try it and I've not looked back!

I had a tricky start with the coil, in that I bled the first one out! The second one has been great — no blood in almost two years. The continual heavy bleeding bleeding was sapping my life. Best wishes, OP.

I had an ablation 5 years ago but heavy bleeding has returned (and is worse, seems constant!!). I had a coil fitted 20 years ago and hated it.

Went to see gyno this morning and we agreed on a hysterectomy. Am but scared but equally can't wait.

mini pill makes me bleed non stop.

Hate to say it, but this was how I was on mini pill…and the Mirena had the same effect.

I was begging for a hysterectomy and was so glad they finally agreed. It has been life changing. I only wish they had allowed me to have it earlier so I could escape the hell of my periods years ago.

@MyLifeIsFullOfLemons May I ask about sex after a hysterectomy? Is it similar to before the operation?

OP, I could have written your thread 10 years ago, I had exactly the same experience except I didn't have an ablation.

I had a Mirena coil fitted on advice of my GP. It didn't make a blind bit of difference. She kept telling me to "give it a chance" but after 12 months the bleeding was worse than ever.

I saw a different GP and insisted on a gynae referral. I had a hysteroscopy and ultrasound which established I had a massive fibroid. I underwent surgery to remove it and my periods returned to normal.

Ten years on, my periods remained normal until last year when they tapered off. I'm 56 so presumably going through the menopause, although no other symptoms.

I do think it's worth trying the coil, as I know it works for some people, but if it doesn't help go back and ask for a gynae referral.

Good luck!

Thank you.

I had a hysteroscopy and only found a tiny fibroid.

A couple weeks ago I had a ultrasound, no sign of fibroids but I was told I have some veins (like varicose veins) near my ovaries which could be causing some of my pain but they don’t think it’s what’s causing the bleeding. My GP gave me some tablets to stop my period if it lasts longer than a week, I took them to stop bleeding for the scan and since I have had a normal (5 day period) which was great compared to the last one that lasted over 2 weeks.

I am worried about getting the coil incase it makes things worse 😬, I’m not sure I can take bleeding all the time.