Getting a mirena

[Nonownon]

I was diagnosed with fibroids last year and my doctor suggested getting a mirena to help with the bleeding. I'm to get this fitted in hospital. I'm also taking tranexamic acid which has been pretty good. The mirena fitting is happening next week, what should I expect? I've read various experiences ranging from barely felt it to needing anaesthetic and being in loads of pain. I'm fine with smears just a bit of discomfort but this is more invasive. Should I take painkillers beforehand?

Will I be able to drive home afterwards? It's only minutes away by car so I could maybe get a taxi instead or walk? I'll see how I'm feeling afterwards with working, hopefully it'll be ok.

Also I'm booked in for a massage 2 days after, hoping I'll be ok and not bleeding lots, not sure if that happens after or not. Currently on period but have read that the mirena can make bleeding worse which I'm hoping doesn't happen!

Thanks for any advice.

I was very nervous from things I’d read on here but honestly, it was fine, I laughed when it was over. Yes, I took the painkillers they suggested. I’ve had worse smears, and I drove home and carried on with my day.
I had a pad in, in anticipation, and I bled a bit for an hour after.
Don’t listen to the bad stories, go in relaxed and have your own experience.

It can be very different for everyone, but in my experience it wasn't anywhere near as bad as I read online. I think those who have had bad experiences are more likely to say so. I think I might have had a paracetamol after and felt a bit faint straight after in the drs and had to lie down for a few minutes but after that I was up an about. I think I went straight to the polling station to vote! There was a bit of blood, but maybe spotting for a day? I would think driving will be fine. You can always sit in the waiting room or car for a bit before you drive. Bring a bottle of water just in case.

I would say that the periods/bleeding I had for the first few months were a lot more than normal but then it faded into almost none for the following 4-5 years. I think that is common so don't panic if it's a bit inconsistent or heavy to start with. Would definitely do it again!

Mine was painful for a very short time, a bit of a pinching feeling. I took paracetamol before and was fine. You can feel a bit light headed straight afterwards but I was OK to walk home and would have been happy to drive after 15-20 mins. I had a bit of spotting afterwards but nothing to note.

Mine was horrific but I have never had vaginal births, which I suspect makes a huge difference. Compounded by the arsehole doing it.

I have had three for the same reason OP. First one at the OBGYN expelled itself tangled in a huge blood clot, so I had the second one inserted under anaesthetic as part of a D&C and cauterized fibroid procedure. Woke with minimal period pain feelings.

Third one I had done again at the OBGYN surgery. I didn't take a painkiller beforehand and just did some deep exhaling during the insertion. Again just mild period pain dragging feeling for a few days and minimal bleeding.

I've had about five over the last 20 years or so. I swear a lot when it goes in and 20 mins later I've almost forgotten about it. Sometimes I've taken painkillers, at least half the time I forget. You'll be fine. I love mine

I've had two pre and post children both times fitting was uncomfortable but certainly not horrifically painful just slightly more discomfort than a smear. I bleed a bit after fitting and with my second had irregular spotting for a few months but that could also have been down to being post partum and breastfeeding. I do have periods every month still they're just fairly light.

I had a mirena inserted by my GP just over 2 weeks ago and it was very much like a smear but just took a bit longer. I usually have 'easy' smears though and have had two vaginal births. A couple of days of light bleeding and mild cramping afterwards but otherwise ok. I wasn't offered local anaesthetic because it's incompatible with my other medication but sounded like it is offered routinely otherwise at my GP.

I had mine today and it was awful. I felt faint & was sick. I'm usually good with pain and smears r nothing to me but I think the fact I was already cramping, bleeding and having pain made it worse. Ive also got a congested pelvis and some other issues which complicates things and makes it much more tender. I've not been able to do much today as it's been uncomfortable but hot water bottle and painkillers have helped. It's different for everyone I guess. X

The coil fitting was fine but I think cos I was in the midst of biopsies and all sorts so being constantly prodded and checked down there that got used to it. Lots of bleeding after but honestly it's been life changing and really wish I'd had it done years ago.

I had 3 fitted via sexual health clinic, no pain, no problems... then the local GP surgery started doing them, so got my last one replaced there. It was pretty bad and I have a high pain threshold.

I did drive 5 minutes home but probably wouldn't have wanted to go much further.

A year ago I would have replied saying it was fine, but now would probably advise caution. You're more likely to be absolutely okay, but you might find it a bit sore, so would suggest pain killers.

I would have gone ahead with the massage if I'd of had one booked!

Thanks everyone! Lots of varied experiences there, sorry to hear about those who didn't have an easy time of it. I don't have any kids so not sure if that will affect things.

Will take painkillers, try to relax and zone out and concentrate on breathing. Fingers crossed.

I’ve had two. I’m a complete pansy to be quite honest and I don’t have a high pain threshold. It was fine. Uncomfortable at points but totally manageable pain wise. I’ve had both of mine done at the sexual health clinic and it’s probably the best place to go, it’s the kind of thing they do regularly so will have had lots of practice and know how to get in and out quickly for want of a better phrase.

Best thing about mirena for me is no periods. I get a bit of spotting every now and then, probably when I’d normally have a period but it’s a little and then it stops again. Brilliant.

No periods would be great!

Today is fitting day and I'm having a panic. I'm really worried that it'll bring back the awful acne I had for years on and off (with treatment). Been free of it about 10 years now. Worried about other side effects like depression too. Feel like cancelling but maybe too late. It's easier to hide bleeding than a face full of cystic acne.

Anyone else had this worry and did the acne come back? I feel quite wobbly emotionally 😕

Barely felt it. Drs surgery, took under 5 mins including paperwork. Trouble free for 5 years. Drove myself home

It's fine, didn't feel any worse than a smear to me. A momentary pinch and it was all done - I walked home.

Did any of you get bad skin afterwards? That's my main worry now. Thanks

That's it done. It was a male Dr which I hadn't contemplated but he was nice. GP hadn't informed them I had a tilted uterus and that's why I was referred to the hospital. He did say I might need a GA if they couldn't fit it right then but luckily they managed. He totally dismissed that it might give me acne so fingers crossed he's correct.

It was quite uncomfortable getting it done, needed a long speculum it was a bit sore and I did swear at one point but then he was saying I'll just do a scan to check it's in place and I said is that it?! So it was fine.

Not had any bleeding or anything, not even immediately after. Can't feel it but will see how it goes. So hopefully it'll be OK and not cause any issues 🤞🤞🤞 To get checked at GP in a few months make sure all fine. Thanks everyone.