Mirena Coil for Severe PMS / PMDD

[InterloperMum]

Hi all,
I'm mid 40s, struggling with severe PMS / PMDD. This has been ongoing for 20+ years.

I'm currently on HRT - Evorel 100 patches, and 2 x Utrogestan inserted vaginally, on days 15 - 26 of my cycle.

The estrogen helps, but I'm struggling to tolerate the Utrogestan, it makes me really emotional, anxious, etc. I can just about tolerate one capsule, but not two.

GP has suggested Mirena Coil instead. I feel this is the only option I have left. Has anyone used this successfully for PMS / PMDD?

I believe I'm progesterone intolerant and never got on well with contraceptive pills.

I'm also on a low dose SSRI.

Many thanks in advance x

Have you tried antidepressants? If not, would a doctor consider shutting down your ovaries? Drastic but I hadvon oophrectomy and I felt so much better, c almer. I also take venlafaxine which improves my mood and makes me easier going and more tolerant.

Thank you @AmusedGoose .
I'm on fluoxetine which definitely helps, but isn't quite enough.

Did you have a hysterectomy as well?

I think ideally, I would like to take take it all out! But, not sure how to make that happen!

I resisted the coil out of fear of it making me worse. I'm now on a progesterone only pill that is licensed for HRT called Slynd. It has stopped my periods and bloating. Plus I feel like I have no pmt cravings. I am still prone to mood swings, but it is by far the best progesterone HRT I've tried. I've had severe pmt (verging on pmdd) all my life.

Thank you @threepiecesofsellotape
I'll do some research into Slynd x

Can you get a gynae referral? The women I’ve seen in clinic with PMDD are often seen at gynae/menopause clinics who advise on hormonal side and we recommend antidepressants if indicated (I work in MH)

I didn't have mine fitted for PMDD. No one ever diagnosed me with it until I went completely full on psycho with perimenopause. I don't quite know how to describe myself other than feeling like I had lost my mind with the anxiety, rapid mood swings and murderous rage!

Anyway, my husband said the time he remembered me being most stable in our entire marriage was when I had a Mirena fitted. He didn't know I had a Mirena just said I had been 'normal' from about 2010 - 2015. I eventually worked out that was when I had one.

Thank you @firstcomeshappiness The GP has referred me to a Menopause Clinic but that may take a couple of months.

And thank you @FindusMakesPancakes, nice to hear something positive!

Honestly, if I could find a solution, it would be completely life changing for me. So, thanks for the suggestions.

X

Do you still have periods?

I am progesterone intolerant and i have Tibolone instead of normal hrt.
Like you, i was fine on the oestrogen, but progesterone turned me into a horrible person. I tried so many different types, including mirena. Even that brought my mood crashing down

I bag a mirena fitted due to heavy periods & pms. It was the best thing I could have done. I never had any problems with it, periods were scant or nonexistent and my pms which used to send me into rages calmed down. I know it doesn’t suit everyone but I would definitely give it a go

Thank you @Branleuse

Yes I still have periods unfortunately!

I will look into Tibolone x

Following as I'm in this situation.

Thank you @Happyher. Really good to hear it worked well for you

Try find out how long the wait is. If you do get a coil, general advice is it takes 3-6 months to settle before you can draw conclusions on effectiveness. Ideally you don’t want to get it fitted then have a specialist appointment soon after as they won’t do anything while things settle.

If the wait is really long and you think Mirena is good option, go for it as you’ll have good idea how effective it has been by the time you’re seen. If shorter, wait and possibly use progesterone pill like PP as alternative until you’ve been seen

Thank you @firstcomeshappiness. I'm booked in for the Mirena Coil in 2 weeks. If I get a menopause clinic appointment soon after, I'll try to postpone it so I can see how the Mirena Coil settles.

I'm expecting the first couple of months on the Mirena Coil to be really challenging whilst I adapt to the hormonal changes.

Hi @InterloperMum
please do come back and update with how you get on with the mirena. It is something I am also considering but I reacted very badly to mini pill (cerazatte) so I’m worried it will be the same.

Mirena massively helped my heavy periods. I barely bleed at all since I had it and wished I'd got one years earlier!

@InterloperMum I read your thread and I am wondering how things worked out for you. I am 40 and have been contemplating having a Mirena fitted as like you, my luteal phase is hell!