Experiences of Mirena coil fitting and bleeding changes

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I’m thinking to get the mirena coil fitted but am a little worried by all the stories about months of never ending periods and spotting!

I have regular-ish periods but they can be quite heavy (although not too long). I’m due to go away for a few weeks in the summer and read that periods can be irregular/more frequent and heavier for 3-6 months after insertion.

I wondered what others experiences have been and whether it’s worth going for or waiting until the autumn to get fitted.

If anyone is able to share/advise I’d be grateful.

I’m not sure if relevant, but I’ve recently started spironolactone for acne and excess sebum. Hoping that will counter any acne issues that the coil can cause?

Thank you so much!

The best day of my life was getting rid of the mirena coil. The only time I have skipped out of a hospital environment

Had it (the coil) stuffed in Feb 2024 it was heading for the outbox by July 2024.

So glad to get rid off

I've had normally monthly periods then.

The coil gone in under 6 months

I found it excruciatingly painful having it fitted and removed. Also when I had it my abdomen felt tender and I had a dragging sensation in my uterus.
I was so relieved to have it removed.

The fitting and comfort has been fine for me, but yes…..the bleeding. I bled (lightly, but enough to be bothersome) for 6 straight months 😭. It has definitely (like other contraception) dampened my sex drive too. However I stay on it because if I don’t my PMDD takes me to the edge of sanity for 3 days a month. The bleeding settled down although still get breakthroughs if I am less than regular with my HRT patches but that’s probably not relevant to you!!
I have many friends who have had zero issue with Mirena and who love it but based on my experience I’d wait, if you can, till after your holiday, just in case.

(By the way I have a predisposition to acne and never experienced an issue there wrt the coil)

Beet thing ever for me (I'm on my third), fitting no worse than a smear test, yes to erratic bleeding for the first few months but then nothing at all, maybe a day of spotting once a year or so.

It took me a while to make the connection re acne, but I was prone to horrible deep jawline spots until I got the Mirena, then they disappeared and have never come back.

Yes it hurt getting put in for me, but more of an ear piercing type of pain, quick and very sharp. But tbh nowhere near as painful as I was expecting.
Bled for about 7-10 days then nothing, had it for 6 months now and I just forget it’s there.

My first one was brilliant - no periods for 8 years. My second one, I get the tiniest bit of spotting once a month around what would have been my period - not even enough to need a pad, just the faintest tinge of blood when wiping.

Honestly it’s amazing!

I’d only read horror stories so was absolutely terrified but didn’t find insertion or removal painful - only slightly uncomfortable.
Having the coil was amazing for me both physically and mentally!

I have severe endometriosis and had terrible periods. I'm on my third mirena coil. I've had no bleeding for 13 years. Fitting and removal has been no worse than a smear test. My mood is a lot more stable than previously. This coil will see me to 55 and most likely through menopause. I've had no symptoms.

Also on my third or maybe fourth - no periods for the whole time - maybe 16 or so years. Light spotting for maybe 3 months on first fitting. Best thing ever.

I use to get very heavy periods , had to leave work sometimes to change !
Got the coil fitted & had bleeding alright for the first 4 /6 months, but it was light , still annoying though .
After that , perfect .
No regrets .

It’s been life-changing for me. Two months of spotting then no periods or any bleeding at all. So much better than my hideous heavy periods before.

Thank you so much all! It really seems luck of the draw whether it’s great or awful for people!

It sounds like I may be best to wait until after holiday - if I go for it - just in case.

I’m nervous to get it but then I keep thinking what if it would be great for me!

Yeah , definitely wait til after holidays OP .

I had the coil to help with my peri menopause mental periods. They stopped after a couple of weeks and I haven't bled for 4 years now 🙏🙏🙏 now postmenopausal too yippee!!!

It was awful for me and I bled constantly (and heavily) for 13 months while it was in and there was no sign of it stopping. It had been put in as an attempt to control my ridiculously heavy periods but it did the exact opposite.

I was delighted to finally get it removed. I only put up with it for so long because it was during the Covid lockdowns and I couldn't get an appointment for removal for ages.

I might not be quite typical though. As you can see from the responses, we are all different. It suits some people and not others. All you can do is try it and see.

I’ve had 2 copper and a mirena
mirena was done under GA, little spotting for a couple of weeks and no periods since. Life changing

I had one fitted as part of my HRT, but it caused me to become massively anxious and tearful. I turned into a wreck to be honest. I got it removed fairly promptly and was back to my old self in a few days. The fitting was extremely painful, but the removal was not too bad, presumably because I hadn't had it long. Never again, and I couldn't recommend them either.

I had one inserted three months ago to reduce my Adenomyosis - am peri. Was uncomfortable being fitted but no more than that. Bleeding was erratic and heavy for about eight weeks but has settled down recently so fingers crossed that continues. Certainly feel less ‘bulky’ than before.

I found the fitting painful, but only for a minute, and spent the afternoon on the sofa with a hot water bottle and chocolate.

Then 2-3 months of spotting where I had to constantly wear black underwear, but just very light spotting, no san pro needed.

Then no bleeding at all - it’s been life changing! Wish I’d don’t it years ago. And only need to change them every 5 years!

Had one fitted a few years ago for contraception. It was fine having it fitted, a little uncomfortable but no different to a smear test.

I did indeed bleed a fair bit, on and off, for about 4/5 months after fitting. Not particularly heavily, but it was unpredictable and would go away for a week or so, then pop back - no real pattern to it as far as I could tell.

But then the periods just… went away. I get maybe a couple of days of spotting monthly. Occasionally one day of flow where I need a tampon. Mostly just liners are fine, or nothing.

I’ve not noticed any sex drive change, or mood changes, weight changes or skin changes. Just invisible easy contraception and no periods!

Thank you all. I really appreciate you taking the time to give your experiences. I think I am tempted to give it a go, but may see if they can do after the summer. X