Coil removal / replacement

[Stumpy54321]

I had my Mirena coil inserted in sept 2020 due to heavy periods, so due to be replaced in sept this year. It was done at hospital by a gynaecologist as I was seeing him for my heavy periods. Few years ago I had a routine smear and the nurse said she couldnt see the strings so had a scan that showed it was still there and in correct place but was told that when it comes to replacement my GP surgery wouldn’t be able to do it. I am 54 and will want a replacement coil. How soon should I ask my GP about it?

In my practice it's about a 3 month wait for removal, so get the request in early for a hospital referral.

However the Mirena coil is now licensed for 8yrs use rather than 5yrs, so it might be worth checking if you need it yet anyway.

Also, it's only licensed in women under 55, so watch out for that - they don't whip it out aged 55 but they may refuse to insert another after that age.

My gp practice doesn't offer coil insertion or replacement any more. It's not financially beneficial for them to offer this service, I have to visit a sexual health clinic.

As PP said it is now licensed for 8 years, but if you are using it as part of hrt it is still 5 years

Thank you. I’ve heard about the 8 years but I don’t need it for contraception but for controlling heavy periods and hrt, although I do think my heavy periods were linked to peri menopause so that may well have finished now as I’ve had no periods for nearly 3 years now.

Thank you. I don’t actually take any hrt so the coil is used just for the progesterone part as I don’t have bad symptoms so never bothered taking anything else.

I've got mine for HRT and was advised 8 years, so maybe I need to check with the GP myself 😂

I’m hoping it is 8 years 😂 but from what I’ve read it’s 5 years for hrt but who knows