Mirena, menopause and uti/urination

[Phase2]

Hi all had a mirena at the start of the year, horrendous insertion, so painful. Since then I seem to be having issues with peeing- currently needing to wee about four times an hour with constant low back ache. Had an awful uti over the summer which took ages to go, and then no antibodies in tests so couldn't have antibiotics any more (had two courses).
I'm so tempted to get it removed, it's for hrt purposes.

Test first if theres uti cause its possible from the insertion etc

Can you get OTC tests or is it always a GP?

Has no one else made any connection? I'm really struggling to stay positive about it.

Go to the GP because it probably is a low grade UTI that you're just not shifting.

But progesterone can affect the bladder, as can all synthetic hormones. I have a history of repeat uti and painful bladder syndrome and since I had mirena fitted in October things have been better than they have been in years. That's not why I had it, but it's been a happy side effect

Either way don't ignore it because bladder issues can become entrenched if they're not addressed and it can really destroy your quality of life

I've read that Miranda can cause UTIs if your oestrogen is too low. Also could be from the insertion itself? Sorry you're having issues - sounds really uncomfortable 😞

I've had one for 5 years without issue, sorry that's no help

Are you of a certain age OP?
I had one inserted at 41 to stop horrid peri bleeding. From that point I had awful urinary symptoms which took far too long for me to work out were vaginally atrophy. Systemic hrt has given 80% relief from symptoms and topical estradiol cream 15%.
This last Mirena insertion took 2 goes and I had to up the topical dose for a month or so to get my fanny in tip top condition to cope.

Thank you all:

I'm 51. Waking up often sore and needing to pee. Some days low back ache and constantly needing to wee. Doesn't think to if I've drunk alcohol/eaten anything spicy/etc
Insertion was awful and very painful - really sudden pain on my left side during but this was several months ago.
GP urine tests came back negative in the summer after two courses of antibiotics but took several weeks to settle.
I'm so desperate not to be worried about how I feel waking up.
How would I know about atrophy? I'm on oestrogel.

I was thinking about paying for a scan before contacting the GP.

You can buy urine test strips to give u an idea if theres something before u contact gp. I had months of feeling like i have uti after having the mirena...but dont know if 100% its the mirena . It might be spasms and makes u feel like need to pee...
But yea after 50 trips to the gp and tests it was always nothing, had a scan even - nothing! so i bought the strips. If it shows nothing its nothing. And take d mannose daily 🙄

So I did buy the strips and it showed a uti (scan via Superdrug) and I'm on day 2 of antibiotics but still frequent peeing and lower back ache - I think I've been prescribed the basic three day dose for lower uti. It's so miserable I just have no enthusiasm. It's literally ruining my days.
I've booked a scan to check where the mirena is in case I get it removed.

I have read up though and if the germs are in your bladder lining they don't show on tests. I think that I'm going to ask about how to check what's going on.

How are you now @Phase2 . I do hope you're recovering. Xxx

Not much better tbh. I had a break of two days to see if the first set of ABs work, GP tests came back clear. Second set worked better and I don't have the intense pressure.
Not sure what is going on really. Constant symptoms (but no burning while peeing). Thanks for asking. The mirena was in the wrong place in my private scan and the right place in the nhs follow up. I'm not convinced it's helping, I want to remove it I think.

I had a bad time with the Mirena and bladder issues too. I actually turned out to have aerobic vaginitis, a little known condition. I found this out by doing a vaginal swab test with a company called Digital Microbiology. It didn't feel vaginal though and I thought it was a UTI. I ended up having treat myself. I also think vaginal estrogen reversed some of the effects of the Mirena.

My heart goes out to you as it's awful. Xxx

Thank you @BerthaAntoinetteMason yes I can't seem to recover this time round No sex, alcohol, fizzy drinks, long outings etc , and am wearing joggers all the time.
I will look that up thank you, it's something to rule in/out.

The progesterone in the mirena can exacerbate a lack of oestrogen so you may benefit from Ovestin, oestrogen cream to be used externally and internally in the vagina. Give it a google. I have interstitial cystitis and other health issues and it’s made a big difference to my urinary discomfort.

Thank you @Pigeonqueen I am on systemic HRT (gel) but someone further up suggested this and I'm going to mention it at my GP appointment.
I am really thinking about getting it removed though.

@Phase2 Hello again. Just in case this helps you I'm posting a link to a thread. In one of the later posts I describe a self test that you can do for aerobic vaginitis. It did give a result for the OP in question. I must emphasize that I am not a medic but I hate to read about people suffering who may have the same condition I had. Xxx

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_health/5251025-8-weeks-of-uti-where-to-go-from-here?page=3&reply=142015275

Sorry am so late with another reply.. ive heard antihistamines can help the bladder have a rest .. hope it resolves soon!
Also i found tea (like normal english tea) irritates my bladder ..so does squash with sweeteners...
Youve done tests, youve had antibiotics... dont think its uti.... if its the mirena it settled after like 4 months for me this need to pee...

Thank you I have some more tests coming up after my amazing GP rang yesterday, and am going to have the mirena removed. I've been googling and linked it to some other stuff that may increase uti/irritation.
I'm exhausted tbh, just leaving the house feels like a challenge.

Good for you @Phase2 . Some people love them but they do horrible things to others, me included. Xxxxxx

That thread is so depressing also helpful. Women just left to get on with it.

I'm sure you won't look back once you've had it removed. I had one & quickly had it taken out too. Lots of pain, bleeding... strange aches. Not for me.
On the UTI side I'm sure I read UTIs can become embedded in the device - so some patients get stuck with infections which never leave (until the device is removed).

Yes I'm happy with the decision, got a month to wait