Experiences of the coil for irregular bleeding at 40?

[Catmum40]

Hi

Just to state I've been on mumsnet for years I'm not new but this is a new profile. I deleted my last profile due to having a social media/internet break.

So I'm looking for advice and experiences from real women on the coil. My GP is kinda pushing it for irregular bleeding between periods. Just a side note this has been investigated fully and extensively and no cause has been found. I'm very much on the fence about it. I've heard some horror stories about it and some positive stories. I must admit I am very reluctant. Any stories good or bad are welcome! I have done some research only using NHS websites as I've been known to go down health rabbit holes on the internet adding 2+2 and getting 936 😂

Just to add I'm 40 previously been on the pill since I was 15. One pregnancy, all smears normal and up to date. Due to my age and having A Fib the pill is no longer suitable for me. Well the one you take constantly is but it gives me horrendous migraines and constant bleeding.

Hit me with any and all stories!

I was worried about the fitting as I’d read so many scare stories on MN. It was a breeze! I’ve had worse smears. I did have some spotting for 6 months, but that was better than the heavy, flooding, frequent periods that made me anaemic. I wish I’d had it years earlier.

Watching with interest as I'm in the same situation! Been on minipill for years with no issues but now aged 44 I'm having erratic bleeding; 3 bouts in one month the other month😫. Fully investigated and everything ok but starting to wonder if I should consider the coil. Stories of bleeding for months whilst it settles have always put me off but currently I'm no better!!

@PersephoneParlormaid that's good to know. I've heard horror stories that it's painful going in and being taken out. The wait list in my area is lengthy and I worry that if I'm having issues I will need to put up with it till I can get it out

@Sunseekingcat yeah I've heard this as well. Even the NHS website says it can cause heavy, irregular bleeding and it MAY settle down in a few months. "May" does not fill me with confidence

I wouldn’t have the copper one fitted - omg that made me anaemic (due to the volume of the monthly cycle it was crazy). Then I changed to the hormone one (minera or something like that) and I haven’t had any period in years (maybe 7 years) I love it. I’m 46 now

I had my first fitting in the GP at 40 and it was a nightmare - very painful.

The next one I had at the gynae dept with gas and air as part of a hysteroscopy as I had really bad adenomyosis, dreadful bleeding, anaemia etc. The bleeding stopped that afternoon, and apart from the odd spotting over the first six months, I've had nothing since. It changed my life.

If you're having a lot of bleeding then your cervix might be partly open for your fitting anyway. My practitioner (nurse who did them all day every day) said that mine was, and I didn't need dilating, which can be the painful bit.

I'm bleeding all over the place since getting the implant and know the gynaecologist will tell me to try the coil next but the horror stories about getting it put in really puts me off. Gas and air isn't an option where I am 😞

Have a friend who has problems. They could not remove it so she had to go to hospital to have it removed. Other than that I think she thought it was ok

I had post menopausal bleeding which like you was thoroughly investigated and not an issue. They tried to push the coil but I was reluctant. Saw gynaecologist who altered my HRT and now I have no bleeding.

Why is doc pushing coil? Why do they think it needs treating?

Could you be peri menopausal? Might HRT help?

I had the Mirena Coil at 48. My periods had become irregular and heavier and I had enough of them.

Insertion was not bad at all. It was like a rummagy kind of smear and it was painful for a minute at most. I had been given some sort of tablet as a sedative, but I felt it didn't affect me. I feel more relaxed after a glass of wine! I had cramping afterwards that eased up after an hour.

I had spotting that went on for a few months. I had two light periods within the first year and then nothing.

I've had three vaginal births. Just mentioning it in case it's significant.

Overall, the coil was a good experience for me.

Yeah I was thinking HRT/peri menopause, OP, worth a good read around this? I follow Kelly Casperson, listen to ‘you are not broken’ podcasts, good for preparing for the next season of your life! :)

@Slimtoddy I've been tested for perimenopause it's not that either. I don't know why she is pushing it tbh just every time I go she mentions it. I've had extensive blood tests so presuming they have checked hormone levels so no need for hrt 🤷

If it doesn't bother you then I don't see the point of a procedure. If it does bother you I can understand trying to address it. I remember when I had the regular bleed even though every test and scan reassured me and doctors that there were no issues I still had a nagging worry in the back of my mind.

We are always alert to bleeding (unexplained) being an indicator or something when in your case it isn't.

Mirena coil transformed my life. I was bleeding unpredictably and very heavily. fter the coil it was a faint spot every 28 days. I went on to have several more through to menopause.
Alternative would have been hysterectomy.

I had a mirena in October last year for frequent heavy periods (every 21 days which resulted in me being anaemic eventually). I havent had a period since and feeling much better as no more anaemia thanks to iron tablets/no bleeding.
Insertion did hurt a bit, but it wasn't horrendous and was over very quickly. I also have mirena as the progesterone part of my HRT, as I use oestragel daily to manage perimenopause. Its been great for me and worth the minor discomfort of the fitting procedure.

@Slimtoddy it's as you said you still have that nagging doubt that there is something not right. The bleeding does bother me but not sure it bothers me enough to get the coil fitted

I had the mirena a year and a half ago. Personally, I found the insertion very painful and wouldn't be doing it again without being sedated. The first 4 months I had constant spotting and was on the verge of getting it removed but then it stopped and now I have about 2 days of v.v light bleeding (just need a panty liner, no pad) a month. So glad now I have it.

Me too. No more periods at all. Magical.

I had mirena coil fitted in February during a biopsy/ hysteroscopy (all fine). The Actual coil fitting was a breeze but I had had a local due to other procedures. Having it done by a doctor who does it day in and day out I hear is much better than at the gp. I’ve bled and spotted since (much less than before) was just getting fed up but now it’s all stopped bang on 6m. It’s also sorted out my ibs! So, so far it’s been a positive for me.

It sorted out your ibs?! Makes me almost want to try it in case it helps with mine

Sorry just getting back to this now. Seems a mixed bag of personal experiences. I will give it some more thought

@HVPRN thanks for the podcast recommendation

I had one fitted nearly two years ago, aged 46, to try to sort out my periods which had become heavy and erratic, to the point that it was affecting my ability to lead my normal life. I won’t lie, insertion was brutal. Apparently my cervix is tilted (I’ve had three children and this has never been mentioned before!) and the nurse was rummaging around for ages. Eventually a doctor came along, literally YANKED my cervix into place and managed to get it in. I was traumatised 🤣
I bled pretty much constantly for five months, then I had about four or five months of two weeks bleeding, two weeks off. It’s settled down now to a normal cycle of much more manageable periods. Overall, I’d say I made the right decision in having it fitted, but it’s not been the magical cure of stopping my periods that I’d hoped for and was promised by everyone else I know who has one. I do feel a bit cheated!