Mirena coil | Mumsnet

Bloom15 · 2025-03-04T20:21:17+00:00

I had the Mirena coil fitted today - it was uncomfortable but not too bad. She said they used a numbing gel inside before it was fitted. I was nervous so chatted away the whole time! I just wonder if anyone has any experience they would like to share? I got mine due to heavy periods and I am on HRT but was told to stop taking the pills 12 days a month. I am glad about that as I usually forget!

PieonaBarm · 04/03/2025 21:22

I had one fitted on Friday. Had the spray too. Had cramping all Friday night until around tea time on Saturday with bleeding then it settled. Little spotting tonight but nothing major.

Had it for contraception but also the progesterone in combination with HRT which I've picked up today.

Original poster

Bloom15 · 05/03/2025 12:13

Yah cramping isn't as bad today so hopefully settles down

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Imicola · 05/03/2025 12:29

Ther first time i had one fitted, i had extreme cramping at my next period... so bad I considered going to hospital. I didn't, it got better, and it was never so bad again... now i have zero periods, very minimal menstrual cramping. I love it!

Original poster

Bloom15 · 05/03/2025 12:38

Imicola · 05/03/2025 12:29

Ther first time i had one fitted, i had extreme cramping at my next period... so bad I considered going to hospital. I didn't, it got better, and it was never so bad again... now i have zero periods, very minimal menstrual cramping. I love it!

No periods sounds amazing!

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Herecomethedaffodils · 05/03/2025 13:01

I had mine fitted almost 3 years ago. Wish I'd done it years before that. I was struggling with very heavy periods and finally opted for the Mirena coil along with HRT as was
displaying all the symptoms of the menopause at this stage. The fitting was fine, a little uncomfortable but not painful. The first few days I felt a bit odd and when I sat down had a sharpish pain. I revisited the GP who said everything seemed ok and in position. She suggested it was likely the strings that were irritating me slightly as they can be sharp until they've been in a while and softened. This definitely settled down after a few days but I'm glad it was checked out. For the first 9 months I had very irregular bleeding but significantly lighter than my periods had been previously so this in itself was a bonus. Then they just stopped and I've had nothing since. No spotting or bleeding at all. No discomfort. It's honestly changed my life and my only regret is not doing it 20 years ago!!

JourneyToThePlains · 05/03/2025 13:04

I had the copper coil for years, but I did try the mirena once. I ended up with a large ovarian cyst which required surgery so I went back to the copper after that.

Original poster

Bloom15 · 05/03/2025 22:08

JourneyToThePlains · 05/03/2025 13:04

I had the copper coil for years, but I did try the mirena once. I ended up with a large ovarian cyst which required surgery so I went back to the copper after that.

Oh no sorry to hear that

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Original poster

Bloom15 · 05/03/2025 22:11

@Herecomethedaffodils - that is good to hear thanks!

I have felt ok today, minimal cramping and a tiny bit of spotting. I REALLY hope my periods stop - after 32 years I feel done to be honest!

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AnnaQuayInTheUk · 05/03/2025 22:12

I had one fitted in my early 40s due to very heavy periods.

Sadly it made no difference whatsoever.

Original poster

Bloom15 · 06/03/2025 09:39

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 05/03/2025 22:12

I had one fitted in my early 40s due to very heavy periods.

Sadly it made no difference whatsoever.

Oh no sorry to hear that - I am 45 in a few months and that is why I have had mine fitted

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TY78910 · 06/03/2025 09:46

I'd love to know when my bleeding will stop. Mine was fitted 2 months ago now and I've been bleeding every day since. Such a misery

scrivette · 06/03/2025 09:50

I had mine 6 years ago, I had an uncomfortable feeling for about 24 hours and then no issue since.

At some point I lost the strings and had to go for a scan to check it's in place, it is so they have left it in.

Once a month I get very light spotting that lasts about a day, usually only noticeable when I wipe. It's brilliant!

Out of interest, how long did they say it would last? They originally told me 5 years but now say it can last up to 8.

Madridmum · 06/03/2025 09:51

I had one fitted 2 and 1/2 years ago due to heavy bleeding & to give me the Progesterone part of HRT, along with Oestrogel.
I have to say it was probably 12 months before things settled down completely wuth the bleeding. I do still get occasional spotting but it has definitely helped with the pain/cramps which were unbearable. Bear with it as I am sure it will help long term….

ILoveWillSmith · 06/03/2025 09:52

I had one fitted at 42, due to heavy periods. They became lighter straight away and, within about 3 months had stopped completely. I've had one for 11 years now - best thing I ever did.

TY78910 · 06/03/2025 10:01

scrivette · 06/03/2025 09:50

I had mine 6 years ago, I had an uncomfortable feeling for about 24 hours and then no issue since.

At some point I lost the strings and had to go for a scan to check it's in place, it is so they have left it in.

Once a month I get very light spotting that lasts about a day, usually only noticeable when I wipe. It's brilliant!

Out of interest, how long did they say it would last? They originally told me 5 years but now say it can last up to 8.

My GP told me that it's just been signed off for 8 years. But I have no idea if that is for new ones or if the old ones are also valid

Lavender14 · 06/03/2025 10:01

My experience was absolutely horrific tbh. I got it fitted in my early 30s to help with heavy periods as other hormonal contraception had made me really sick. The insertion was so painful I passed out briefly. I had taken paracetamol before but then had to wait an hour before I could drive myself back home. The cramping after had me doubled over and I had to take a week off work and get the strongest painkillers the chemist could give me and then the gp gave me a script and told me I was best sticking it out. So I did. The cramping did ease to what my normal period cramping would have been and that lasted about 4 months and went completely at about 6 months. By that point I was so drained by the continuing pain I left my job which was really high energy and I just couldn't sustain it. If the insertion hadn't been so bad I'd have got it removed much much sooner. I lost my sex drive entirely, I grew a little beard. I found it really hard to lose weight. But when I raised it I was told by the gp that it's only localised so couldn't cause those issues. When I decided to ttc I braved getting it removed which ironically was absolutely painless and all my symptoms went completely and I was kicking myself that I didn't get it removed before then.

hollytree89 · 06/03/2025 10:08

I had mine fitted 4 months ago due to heavy periods. I am 37.

So far dream come true! Odd days of very very light bleeding - I wouldn't need a pad. I feel like I can live again!

Sorry to those who haven't had a good experience but I wanted to put my good experience here as I researched on mumsnet pre procedure and came very close to being put off. Good luck OP

DramaAlpaca · 06/03/2025 10:12

I had one fitted at 46 due to heavy and irregular perimenopausal periods. I was very crampy for a week, spotted constantly for about three months and was thinking it wasn't worth all the hassle. Then the bleeding stopped completely and I never had another period. So once it settled down it was brilliant for me.

I got that one taken out when I was 53, but had another put in at 58 for the progesterone part of HRT. This time I had no side effects from it at all.

ProseccoAndParenting · 06/03/2025 10:15

I had mine fitted nearly 3 years ago. A bit of cramping after, but that went fast, and then my period stopped really quickly too.

I feel much more in control of my emotions - I don't have the massive ups and downs I used to have and then a painful and long period. I also can't touch the strings, but had them checked by a nurse and she said not to worry about it and that I could always come back every year to see if it's still in place.

My negatives are that at first my fingers were more swollen, like I was retaining more water. That has settled. I also have more hair growth, but that actually only started more recently and could just be a age related thing.

In my situation, the positives are definitely outweighing the negatives. Part of me wants to be more 'natural' again, but remembering how my periods impacted my life, makes me stick with my decision... I've also heard it will help with peri-menopause symptoms, so that's also a plus...

scrivette · 06/03/2025 10:17

Thanks @TY78910 , my GP seemed to think it was okay for the older ones. She mentioned that during Covid people left it in for longer and didn't get pregnant but sounded rather vague about it all!

Blackcordoroys · 06/03/2025 10:21

I got one last year for heavy never ending periods. I bled (lightly) for 6 weeks after getting it but then… nothing! No periods at all. It has changed my life

Blackcordoroys · 06/03/2025 10:23

TY78910 · 06/03/2025 10:01

My GP told me that it's just been signed off for 8 years. But I have no idea if that is for new ones or if the old ones are also valid

Show quote history

My gynae said 10 years for contraception now but 5 years still for heavy periods (as you need a higher dose of the hormones for the period control)

Original poster

Bloom15 · 06/03/2025 10:31

TY78910 · 06/03/2025 09:46

I'd love to know when my bleeding will stop. Mine was fitted 2 months ago now and I've been bleeding every day since. Such a misery

😱

Oh god so sorry

OP posts:

Original poster

Bloom15 · 06/03/2025 10:32

scrivette · 06/03/2025 09:50

I had mine 6 years ago, I had an uncomfortable feeling for about 24 hours and then no issue since.

At some point I lost the strings and had to go for a scan to check it's in place, it is so they have left it in.

Once a month I get very light spotting that lasts about a day, usually only noticeable when I wipe. It's brilliant!

Out of interest, how long did they say it would last? They originally told me 5 years but now say it can last up to 8.

They said 5 years to me for HRT but not sure if that's because I will be 50 then.

Glad it has worked out for you.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bloom15 · 06/03/2025 10:33

Lavender14 · 06/03/2025 10:01

My experience was absolutely horrific tbh. I got it fitted in my early 30s to help with heavy periods as other hormonal contraception had made me really sick. The insertion was so painful I passed out briefly. I had taken paracetamol before but then had to wait an hour before I could drive myself back home. The cramping after had me doubled over and I had to take a week off work and get the strongest painkillers the chemist could give me and then the gp gave me a script and told me I was best sticking it out. So I did. The cramping did ease to what my normal period cramping would have been and that lasted about 4 months and went completely at about 6 months. By that point I was so drained by the continuing pain I left my job which was really high energy and I just couldn't sustain it. If the insertion hadn't been so bad I'd have got it removed much much sooner. I lost my sex drive entirely, I grew a little beard. I found it really hard to lose weight. But when I raised it I was told by the gp that it's only localised so couldn't cause those issues. When I decided to ttc I braved getting it removed which ironically was absolutely painless and all my symptoms went completely and I was kicking myself that I didn't get it removed before then.

Gosh I am so sorry to hear this.

OP posts: