Missing mirena strings

[StringTheory1]

Hi. Regular long-in-the-tooth MNer here but NC’d for this as a bit embarrassing…

Just been for smear. Thought nothing of it. Usual problems locating cervix thanks to super-long vagina and retroverted uterus. When she located it she couldn’t find my mirena strings. No idea how long they’ve been missing for, as I’ve never been able to feel them due to long vagina & short fingers!

I mentioned I’ve not been having periods, and she made me do a pg test (the most terrifying 15mins of my life!)…. Negative (phew!). The lack of periods is possibly peri (I was having night sweats so I’ve been on Oestrogel for about 9months) but I’m only 43 & haven’t had any actually blood tests so it’s all a bit vague.

She spoke with a GP who’s going to call me on Tuesday to speak with me then get me in.

Has anyone else had this? What happens if the GP also can’t find the strings? Also: she said I’ve a kind of discharge on my cervix…wtf?!

I’m slightly having kittens about the whole thing. It just all came as a bit of a shock, and with the pregnancy scare too…. Gulp. It’d be good to hear some calming sensible words of advice!

I had the same problem, no strings to be found! Was sent for a scan and they had disappeared up inside. The Dr used a numbing gel and retrieved them. Apparently it often happens. Do not worry as the mirena will still be where it should be.

Thanks LindyLoo, that’s reassuring. How was the can arranged (ie is it a ‘go anytime, sit & wait’ thing?)…. Or do you get sent a fixed appointment though? The only reason I ask is that I literally don’t have time and can’t take more time off work. Maybe I can just leave it? Or go for the scan in a couple of months? Argh.

Nurse has told me absolutely no unprotected sex until it’s been located…. So it’s back to condoms for the foreseeable.

I was given the mini pill to take alongside the mirena when my strings went missing. Ultrasound showed it was in place and was left in until it expired.

Unfortunately it couldn't be removed when it expired and had to come out under general anaesthetic

P.s. the mirena stopped my periods for years. I have my periods again now its removed and dh has had a vasectomy

Lost threads are extremely common, nine times out of ten they've just pulled up slightly into the cervix and can't be seen. Once you've had it checked with a scan you don't need to do anything else until it's time to replace the coil.

Mine went missing as well, scan showed the coil was still in place, it was left in place until its time was up then changed. Having it changed wasn't especially pleasant but it was OK

Mine went missing so I was sent for an ultrasound scan. The Mirena was still in place and the strings had gone back up through my cervix and were wrapped around the device.

My DIL the strings were missing when she went for a smear. She was referred but told they would check when they replaced her coil but not to worry. 18 months later they replaced her coil

Argh @dementedpixie that sounds horrible for you, that it had to come out under a GA 😧. Can I ask what made them need to do that? Just wondering what makes them do some under GA, and some not (such as @StinkerTroll and @2024BigWhoop ) ? I’ve got myself in a state now wondering if it’ll need a GA…. I don’t have time for a GA 😵‍💫! I only just had an op & an enforced 2 weeks off work….really can’t have more time off!

It’s never stopped my periods until now. For several months they were WEIRD! (Horrible consistency / colour / smell)…. And now suddenly nothing at all 🤷🏼‍♀️

The lack of periods is possibly peri

I would assume it's the coil.

How long have you had it?

The likelihood is the strings have curled up inside the cervix and will be easily found. There are a lot of horror stories but it's by far the most common scree missing strings

@StringTheory1 they tried to remove mine on several occasions including at the gynae department at the hospital but they couldn't get hold of it. It was only at that point I was referred to get it removed under GA

I’ve had the coil for almost 4yrs. Periods were bit lighter than normal for first 3yrs, then went like black / grey water, foul smell (rotting meat 🤮), lasted longer. ….and now zilch.

In the past 2yrs I’ve had HORRENDOUS night sweats, HORRENDOUS anxiety (total nervous breakdown), dry skin, suddenly look old, joint pain, feel the cold, turned v apple shape….. I suspected peri & the GP sent me a script for Oestrogel (but without tests). Who knows if I’m peri or not, or even maybe post-menopause now?! Aaaargh I’m so lost!

And then there’s the bloody missing coil. I’ve no idea how they’ll locate it as my vagina is so long and uterus so tilted the nurse found it v v v hard to even locate and reach my cervix, let alone be able to guddle around up there with tweezers 😰.

Im normally really non-anxious about health stuff but I’m OFF THE CHART with anxiety suddenly about all this. 😭

My friend had it removed with what I call lala juice. It's a type of rohypnol that knocks you out without the side effects of a GA. You'll need the day off because you'll be sleepy, no driving but be fine the next day.

I'm having it next week for two teeth extractions

Those symptoms sound like you could benefit from getting your thyroid checked OP.

Re the coil, you’ll be sent for an ultrasound (likely Trans-vaginal) to locate. On the rare occasion they don’t see it there they’ll send you for an abdominal X-ray. They can migrate higher into the abdominal cavity and need to be removed but that’s super rare.

Most of the time they’re just chilling in the womb lining where they should be but the strings have just moved.Try not to freak out until you have to (easier said than done), it is more likely than not to be in the correct place!

I LIKE the sound of this! 🤪

Thanks @Lilpop90 , that’s really helpful to know. I’ll ask the GP on Tues about the scan.

I wondered about thyroid too. But had full bloods for thyroid / liver / anaemia etc… all generally fine. I can only assume it’s peri. The Oestrogel has definitely helped with the night sweats (until recently!) x

Common for strings strings to go missing, I was actually referred to the Missing Strings Clinic by my gp! I had a hysteroscopy for mine because it was due to be replaced but they couldn't find the strings. It was fine, but a bit of a waiting list.

The symptoms do sound like peri but you don't need blood tests for that, they're not reliable and diagnosis is now done on age and symptoms. Although I think the age is 45 so as you're slightly under that you might be offered a blood test.

Great to have a GP who has actually prescribed oestrogen for you without fobbing you off and saying you're too young! If it's not working as well you might just need to tweak the dose, in conjunction with GP.

But don't worry about the missing strings, very common

I wish I’d been offered some kind of sedative when I had to have my lost coil retrieved 😬😬

My experience was that noise painful and humiliating but by God I was so relieved when it came out!

I also had one removed under GA as strings had gone to cervix and beyond ( not reachable using numbing gel). It was a v light GA and I felt fine afterwards. Doctor said preferable to the “ la la juice” 🤣 ( sedation) as feel less groggy afterwards.

but this was not uk so possibly a “results not typical” situation.