In a nutshell, is there any way I can make sure that the sexual health clinic give me a Mirena coil rather than a different brand?
Here is the long version.
I am 51 and have had several Mirena coils since 2005 which were first prescribed due to abnormal heavy and irregular bleeding after having children.
Within the last 3 years I’ve had has lots of ligament issues which make exercising and everyday movement hurt, also had a lot of weight gain.
A recent blood test gave a FSH result in the post menopausal range so I’ve been offered HRT which I would like to try using the Mirena coil as my Progesterone element.
My Mirena coil is 7 years old so needs changing anyway as it’s near the 8 year max anyway and well overdue for the 5 year max progesterone element when used for HRT. So as yet I have not started HRT.
The main problem being that Mirena coil changes are excruciatingly painful for me and to make matters worse at the last fitting 3 plastic clamps broke before they finally found a metal clamp and were able to proc
My smear test last year was also very painful possibly due to my prolapse but I’ve never had a painful one prior to that ever. This makes me think that a coil change will be even more painful this time.
Unfortunately, during my telephone appointment with the nurse at my GPs I discovered that they do not offer cervical blocks and I must have been the first person to request one as she was quite surprised that I had asked for one and guessed that I would have to be referred to Gyne at the hospital and could be a wait of a year.
After searching I found that sexual health clinics will offer a cervical block but will only fit a coil for contraception purposes due to funding not HRT.
I’ve just had my telephone appointment with the sexual health clinic nurse and she booked me in with someone that can give me a cervical block. Although I didn’t think much of it at the time because I was so happy I would have a cervical block, she said that the Mirena or Levosert coil will be fitted ‘but there the same thing’ before quickly moving on that I didn't really process it until after the call ended. Now after searching only the Mirena is approved for HRT. And I feel like I should have been clear that I only want the Mirena. But the call moved on at such a pace.
Apart from the fact that I want the Mirena for future HRT I also want the Mirena for continuity as I know I can tolerate it well. But there’s no point me going through with having it changed if its not the Mirena.
Has anyone else been through this that can advise please?
I would much prefer to have it done at the clinic with people that do it all the time rather than at the hospital.
But if I phone the clinic up and say I need it for HRT will they say that they can’t fit it for me? Because at the minute its 50/50 that I will get the Mirena.
It shouldn’t have to be this hard just to get adequate pain relief and a Mirena. Although I am grateful we now have more options than a paracetamol an hour before.