Mirena Coil

[Sandybeachbums]

Does anyone have any recent experience of the Mirena coil?

I am 44 and have been suffering very heavy and painful periods for the past 18 months or so. They have been getting steadily worse over this time but I’ve never had an easy time since they started when I was 11!

I have had a scan and there doesn’t seem to be any abnormalities. The doctor has suggested the Mirena coil but in the meantime, I have been given tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid to ease the pain and heavy bleeding.

I was on the pill years ago but had to stop using due to crippling migraines. I am worried that the progesterone in the coil may affect me similarly and the migraines will return.

Has anyone used the coil and has it been successful in easing heavy, painful periods?
Has it exacerbated symptoms? Any other side effects?

TIA

I was given it for heavy periods.
It made me bleed or spot every day. I was begging them to take it out, they made me wait months & months. I still had to take tranexamic and mefenamic whilst it was in too.
my migraines were as bad with it in as not tbh.
It made me put nearly 2 stone on.
Cripling exhaustion.

@ImWatching Oh dear. That sounds horrific. Sorry you had to endure that. Weight gain is another concern as I have PCOS too so I do really struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
I hope you are better now after that ordeal. Thank you for sharing.

Seems to me the mirena coil either suits you or it doesn't. I've heard lots of stories where women couldn't wait to get it removed. For me, mefenamic acid and transexamic acid were not working for my god awful heavy flooding everywhere periods. Had a mirena fitted, no periods, no problems, sailed through menopause, save for a few spots and tender enlarged breasts for the first couple of weeks it was the best thing since sliced bread. But sadly not the same for everyone.

@Noseyoldcow Thank you. That’s good you had a positive experience with it.
My concern is if it doesn’t agree with me, I’ll have to wait potentially months like the PPs above before having it taken out. At least if the medication doesn’t agree with me, I can simply stop taking it.

I have PCOS and had the coil fitted for heavy periods. The first 3 - 6 months were tough and I bled a lot and really heavily. I was at the point of getting it taken out then my periods stopped 🎉
I had no periods for 4 +years, I then had Jaydess fitted (only one offered at the time) which was fine but I did get a light period each month with that. Just had Mirena fitted again and so far so good 😁

I reluctantly agreed to have a Mirena coil fitted nearly a year ago after my VERY heavy periods restarted after my second Covid jab the previous year.
I was reluctant because I'd heard terrible stories about them but, like a previous poster says, it suits some people and not others.
It took about 3 months to settle down but has been great since
Good luck !!

Had one in January for heavy periods, 2 months of spotting and now no bleeding since, I feel a bit bloated but am working out regularly to alleviate other peri menopause symptoms so hopefully won’t pile on weight as others have.

Had one fitted about 6 months ago, i had a bit of spotting on and off for a couple of months, nothing bad and then nothing since then! So far its been great

I'm on my second. Haven't had a period for more than a decade. Blimmin brilliant.

Mines coming up to 5 years and I'll have it replaced. Best thing ever for my heavy periods. I wish I had done it years ago to save me so much pain and blood loss leading to anaemia. I'm 51 now and hoping it will take me through the menopause. I have put on weight but that's a combination of things. It's been great for me. No periods and no pain x

I'm going back a few years now, probably about 2014 for me.
As PP have said, it either suits you or it doesn't. For me, it was awful. I bled heavily, non stop, for 6 weeks, then periods stopped, but I still got PMS really badly, much worse than ever before. I was unbearable and hated how I would be so angry all the time. I also put on loads of weight and got terrible acne, like boils on my face.
The moment I had it removed, it was like instant relief.

Big fan of the coil. I just forget it's up there most of the time. Saw an advert for sanitary towels the other day and thought how alien the whole concept of periods now felt after almost 5 years of not having to think about it (I'm 41 so presumably would still be having them if I didn't have a coil).

Mine is due to be replaced soon and I def won't hesitate to have another one put in during the same appointment!

Like lots of things, I suspect it's luck as to whether you get on with it or not.

I have one for contraception but have no periods at all now, I do have cycle symptoms still-sore boobs/bit crabby but nothing major at all.

You shouldn't have to wait to have it removed, I had a copper one originally, bled non stop for two weeks and they took it straight out and swapped for a mirena

Thanks all for your replies. Definitely a mixed bag!
I think I’ll ponder on it a bit longer and speak to the doctor again before deciding.

Absolutely loved mine, saved my sanity

A few days spotting with the first one, never had a period again

Never noticed any difference with migraines , still had them, dont remember them being more frequent , they finally stopped when I became peri menopausal. Also sailed through the menopause, sweats were bad but the rest was pretty much ok.

It’s a bit like marmite.

I didn’t ever suffer heavy periods despite medics saying this will stop excessive bleeding but to me it’s like being on a period 247 the pain, sore nipples and interesting stuff that comes out, can’t say I’ve had headaches.

Totally different beast to a pill you take daily and can easily stop.

I did read somewhere at the time of insertion about an 8 year coil on its way.

I had mine fitted in my mid-40s, when my periods were getting heavier and more frequent or unpredictable (presumably perimenopause related). After a little spotting in the first few weeks I never had a period again, and the sense of freedom was wonderful. No noticeable side effects. I also went through actual menopause without really noticing, and only had the coil out after about seven years when I was being treated for breast cancer.

It's different for everyone, so I'd say worth a try, and if it doesn't settle or prove helpful within a few months, assert yourself and insist it is taken out.

I had mine for a shorter time, had headaches, moodiness, muscle tension and bleeding. I didn't want to wait ...I pulled it out and everything was gone in 48 hours !

The mirena coil fixed my awful heavy periods

I had my first Mirena at 46 because of erratic, heavy periods during perimenopause. It stopped my periods completely. I had no side effects at all.

Then I got postmenopausal bleeding because my HRT balance wasn't right. Tests showed all was well so six weeks ago I got my second Mirena as the progesterone part of HRT. It took a while for it to settle, which is normal, and I've finally stopped spotting so it's clearly working.

I had years of painful heavy periods! I tried different pills, the injection, cup and I gained weigh, my skin was awful, had awful mood swings, I bleed non stop etc After my third child I tried the Mirena coil! It was the best decision I’ve ever made! My youngest is 14 so I’ve had 3 and for me they are brilliant! No periods! No moods! No weight gain!! When I have a smear they change it and it takes minutes! I love mine!! It’s the best decision I’ve made!! I don’t miss periods!!! It did take a couple of months for the small spotting to stop and then it’s years of nothing!

I have one also for very heavy periods. It has taken a year to settle down but all bleeding has finally stopped now.

I also had side effects from pill but none from
mirena. The hormones are much much lower levels than the pill as it’s so localised.