Mirena IUD

[Tangerine Cat]

I agonised over having it fitted. Peri menopausal and really heavy periods, was looking for contraception but everyone I saw kept recommending the mirena coil I was so fed up it’s like they’re on a commission. Anyway, long story short it’s been a godsend for me.

I had it put in under a GA as I have fibroids and endometriosis so the consultant wanted to see what the shape of my womb was. No pain afterwards either. I had about 6 months of random spotting and a tar like substance then thankfully it stopped and nothing since.

If you’ve ever seen magnetic jewellery I had a magnet heart for my underwear, it really helped with period pain. If that works for you then the mirena should too as I believe they’re both copper based although the mirena had added progestin for HRT.

I'm struggling getting the oestrogen part of HRT right but that’s another story

 

[Mamacita]

I have one and still get a bleed every month! Infuriating when so many people say theirs stop I had horrifically heavy ones pre-coil and now have more normal ones

When I had mirena my periods never stopped, they were very light and short though, only fully stop for some people I believe

 

[No style rocky]

In my opinion hormonal coils are the gold of contraception. When someone has a good experience of contraception they’ll mention it to one person, if they have a bad experience they’ll tell 20. It’s like any bad experience I guess but it gives a skewed view

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

I had mine fitted almost 2 months ago and I've rarely had a day without thick, dark brown discharge (have also had 2 periods in that time, although both lighter and less painful than normal, so that's a win). The GP did say that it can be a bit annoying at first and to persevere for at least 3 months - is that everyone else's experience? I feel so gross with all this tar like gunk coming out of me.

My first one was inserted at the same time as surgical treatment for endometriosis, and I had constant bleeding for weeks after. At the post surgical follow up with a GP I was fobbed off a bit and told it would settle. After several weeks of bleeding (which wasn’t heavy, but was a complete pain in the arse) I went back to another GP who asked me why I’d waited so long. She gave me tranexamic and mefenamic acid to try, and said if that didn’t help to come back and I’d get a short course of the contraceptive pill which should regulate me. Never needed the Pill as the tranexamic acid finally settled me. The rest of the time with my mirena was fine, occasional spotting for a day or two every now and then and nothing more.

They are attempting to get the Mirena in for the second time on Friday ultra sound came back normal so palmed off with naproxen and ameprazole to help with pain.

Did you get a gynae referral? A laparoscopy might give a better chance to see what’s happening with you, and you can have the mirena fitted at the same time. When I was referred the gynaecologist didn’t bother with an ultrasound and went straight for laparoscopy and then laser removal when he found endometriosis.

 

[swimming]

So glad this thread is here.

I had mirena inserted Wednesday last week under a general anaesthetic because they also took a biopsy of my womb lining because it’s so thick and I’ve been bleeding of/off since august.

But since having it put in, I’ve had some funny things happen and just want to know if anyone else has had similar.

Hot flushes. Oh my fucking god. I’m having about 2 or 3 a day and I just get this random searing heat on my chest and face. Lasts less than 30 minutes each episode.

Bladder pain/regular need to wee. I’m feeling like I’ve not finished having a wee. Doesn’t sting or burn. But I’ve got a full pressure feeling in the bladder area. And I’m waking up at night 3 or 4 times to pass urine. And everytime it’s a big wee. Not dribbling or anything. Sorry tmi.

It’s doing my head in cos I don’t like going out cos I’m needing to do a wee every half hour.

 

[ElbiePickle]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences. I've recently been approved to have the Mirena fitted. One thing my consultant said was to remember that it's the bad cases that get talked about the most and the loudest. Those who it's worked well for don't have the need to go online to share as much as someone who's had a terrible experience.

That said, I'm not too worried. I saw a consultant because I have PCOS and only started getting my periods at the age of 40, which tbh is the weirdest experience but that's another matter. Anyway, I have T1 diabetes and my non-cycle that's now going crazy and making me bleed every other week is also sending my diabetes control all over the place. Since I only ever have very light periods, I'm hoping the coil will stop them completely. I'd always been refused before as I haven't had children and they said my cervix is awkward, but my consultant said he'd do it under anaesthetic as I have fibromyalgia so my pain threshold is not great. I'm also in a similar boat with PTSD/trauma from previous sexual assault/abuse so I'd rather be put under so that I don't know what's happening. Solidarity with those of you who find these things so difficult, it's not pleasant for anyone, but with added trauma responses on top it can be extra difficult.

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

I’ve got an appointment this afternoon with the nurse at my gp surgery. Im so unhappy that I’ve continued to have periods (I knew it was a possibility but I was hoping for the best. I’ve had it almost 2 years now) but now they seem to be getting heavier with each month that that passes, the cramping has come back, so I just would like it out as I’m not feeling any benefit to having it in. I am thinking of just going back on the pill as my periods (the irregularity and heavy flow) are an inconvenience when I go on holidays etc. I have a holiday abroad coming up in the summer so it’s easier for me to be on the pill so I can do my packets back to back and hold it off! Who’d be a woman eh!! X

How did your appointment go? I hope you got what you needed from it!

 

[ThisIsMyDragName]

I'm going into hospital tomorrow to get a Mirena fitted as the progesterone part of my HRT to replace tablets (Provera).
I'm 50, never had one, suffer with chronic pain from spinal issues and have Adenomyosis, which, along with perimenopause is why I'm on HRT.
Sounds silly, but I'm really anxious. X

Doesn’t sound silly at all. It sounds normal to have an anxious response to something you’ve never had before! I really hope it all goes ok for you and that it helps give you what you need.

 

[☆MagicRoundabout☆]

I'm going into hospital tomorrow to get a Mirena fitted as the progesterone part of my HRT to replace tablets (Provera).
I'm 50, never had one, suffer with chronic pain from spinal issues and have Adenomyosis, which, along with perimenopause is why I'm on HRT.
Sounds silly, but I'm really anxious. X

 

[LittleMissOnions]

Thank you, this has helped put my mind at ease x

Can you find out from your practice if there is someone that inserts them regularly? It’s not a traumatic experience but I know like having a smear a lot of stress can be alleviated if you have a sympathetic nurse

If you can get over your fear I can’t praise them enough, I had my first fitted over 15yrs ago because fibroids meant the only alternative would have been a hysterectomy and my surgeon suggested giving this ago as a last ditch saloon, never had a period since and I now use it as part HRT. The only downside is I still get PMT and cos I don’t track it as well Im often confused by my bad mood

 

[MyLittlePony25]

Had a Mirena Coil fitted a week and a half ago.

I went in for a colposopy, due to irregular bleeding and bleeding after sex.
Dr said they'd do a visual check and if anything of concern, they'd "burn" those cells - but suggested my usual form of contraception (microgynon) may no longer be working - if nothing suspect was found, they could fit the coil that day and if I'm having the same issues after 6-12 months, reassess.

I agreed, the irregular bleeding had been ongoing for almost a year, I'd been on a referral list for the colposcopy since end of Nov and had to chase up, so was pleased to be making some progress.

Thankfully, nothing suspect found on my cevix ...so, we proceeded with fitting the coil.
Speculum was fine, not a pleasant experience but just like a smear test. Uncomfortable when inserting measuring device to understand the length of the cervix. Very painful 'pinching' when clamping the cervix and inserting the coil, but only lasts a very short time.

In retrospect, I wasn't mentally prepared and wish I'd researched beforehand - similar to another poster, sat up to a small puddle of blood, handed a pad and left to sort myself out. I had painful cramps for 2-3 days following insertion and light bleeding since.

I was enthusiastic about the idea of having the coil inserted and forgetting about it for 5 years, but so far I feel conscious of it (like I can "feel" it inside me - adjusting how I'm sitting, pottholes/speedbumps/train vibrations driving me mad and needing to pass wind or a number 2 feels like 'pressure')

I would love to know if this is normal and likely to pass?

Cheers ladies.

I have had the same feeling since I got mine on 3rd January! It’s very strange and I have been having some pain on and off but my most recent period was definitely not as painful as others so will stick with it and hope it all settles down.

 

[Liberty]

I haven't had anything like that, maybe a little bloating when I first had it in but that's it. Annoying brown discharge aside (of which I am slowly getting less so fingers crossed that goes altogether soon) and a few spots which I presume to be hormonal, I'm pleased as my period was a monthly PITA.

You're so lucky! I have mine in three years and still getting monthly periods. I'm getting it out next week!

 

[Moolo]

Hello all!

Just wondered if anyone else has had this, I got the mirena fitted last month (happy Valentines day to me!), for the first time. Absolutely diabolical pain on that first day (hunched over my desk and everything), which then subsided over the next few days. Few cramps here and there but nothing like those first few days.

However, it's a few weeks on and I seem to be getting them randomly for an hour or two each day round about now. It's not painful as such, more a noticeable discomfort but it's around the same time. Is that normal? Has anyone had similar? I've had no bleeding either (again aside from that first day or so and even then it was only spotting).

Any advice / chat would be great.

Happy International Women's day gals!

I've had this before - mine always started in the evening which was really strange.

It's always worth getting checked to make sure the mirena hasn't migrated but unfortunately some people just get cramps from them. I still do three years on (mine is in for medical reasons otherwise would have taken it out).

It does calm down a lot after your first few months / six months if you can wait it out and as long as the Mirena is in a good position, I'd recommend a heating pad as it works wonders

 

[☆MagicRoundabout☆]

Doesn’t sound silly at all. It sounds normal to have an anxious response to something you’ve never had before! I really hope it all goes ok for you and that it helps give you what you need.

Thank you, very kind of you to reply x

 

[daisydolittle]

Hiya, I'm on my second one and it's amazing! Stopped me being a suicidal wreck every month and I have no periods whatsoever! It's not very nice having it fitted (but I don't think it's as bad as what some women make out) and when it came to having it removed I had to have an ultrasound as they couldn't find it . My excuse is I've had 4 kids . I would definitely give it a try x

 

[SwishSwing]

Hello all!

Just wondered if anyone else has had this, I got the mirena fitted last month (happy Valentines day to me!), for the first time. Absolutely diabolical pain on that first day (hunched over my desk and everything), which then subsided over the next few days. Few cramps here and there but nothing like those first few days.

However, it's a few weeks on and I seem to be getting them randomly for an hour or two each day round about now. It's not painful as such, more a noticeable discomfort but it's around the same time. Is that normal? Has anyone had similar? I've had no bleeding either (again aside from that first day or so and even then it was only spotting).

Any advice / chat would be great.

Happy International Women's day gals!

 

[Liberty]

I have mine in two years and still get a period every month! The previous one I never got a bleed . I did mention this to the nurse recently when I went for my smear and she said it can happen, just my luck

 

[Amyx1518]

I would deffo recommend getting a smear at the same time if you can, it’s sooo important. I had my Mirena ius a few months after giving birth (dec 2011) and I haven’t had a period since Feb 2012. I love mine and would recommend them to anyone! I’ve had 3 over the course of 11 years

 

[arthur shandy]

I had a 5 year copper coil after mirena which was ok, then at my new gp they only fit 10 year ones. I managed a year of it but was in too much pain in the end. Giving up on contraception for now tbh. Might try natural cycles or something. Maybe I'm not even fertile, who knows, but tired of dealing with all this shit. So yes, totally agree with you!

Really hope you find something that works for you

 

[Amyx1518]

Hey all,

I’m on my third IUD and will have to replace it in about ten months. I’m 34 and had my first Mirena placed about 14 years ago and replaced them every five years, the current one being a Kyleena.
Has anyone here had multiple hormonal IUDs? I’m not sure how good it is to just stay on them for forever, I started the pill when I was fourteen, so haven’t seen a natural cycle for twenty years, I don’t know what it is like, but I have signs of hormonal imbalances.
I’m in a longterm relationship, still undecided on kids. If anyone has had a similar series of IUDs I’d be interested in how you went about it.

I'm on my third Mirena, had the firs inserted in December 2011 after my daughter, I've had no bleeding whatsoever since around Feb of 2012, from the point of view its amazing. The last year or so i've had terrible pelvic pain, and i don't know if its gynae or gastro, or weight related, but I am tempted to have the Mirena out, though the thought of periods again scares me. i'm 33. i know there is no long term health risk to having long term Mirena's though, to answer your question.