Mirena IUD

[J3N1800]

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!

Hi there, fitted around the same time as you - same in terms of bad pain for two days, then less intense cramping for a week after.

I experience the random cramping too.

I know some people's periods don't stop, or don't stop right away - so I've been assuming i'm going to bleed following those random pains, but none so far.

Not too concerned atm, I think it takes some time to "settle" - but thanks for asking here, anyone else's responses would be equally welcomed from me!

 

[J3N1800]

Quoting myself with an update:

Two years since Mirena
Unexplained bleeding continued after 6 months and referred back to Gyno - waiting list was upto a year.

Appointments came through for external and internal ultrasound scan.
Then a separate appointment for the dye and camera, to check for irregular cells.
I'd also been waiting around long enough for my regular smear appointment to come through.

All results came back fine, in a brief 3 minute phone call with a doctor I was told it was probably hormonal, they were discharging me from Gynaecology and any more issues will need to go via my GP.

Whilst I am appreciative that nothing came up on scans of concern, I still don't really have any answers and it doesn't seem like my contraception was the culprit after changing from microgynon to the coil.

Still dealing with random bleeding after sex, luckily I'm in a relationship because it'd be awkward with someone new
I don't really know where to go from here. Coil has been in for over a year and hasn't resolved it. Drs did multiple checks and couldn't see any cause for concern. I can go back to my GP but it's not any 'worse' it's just frustrating.

 

[Notworthy]

Hi all

Looking for a bit of help. I had the Mirena coil fitted in march following a surgical termination. The first few weeks after the fitting were severely uncomfortable- I got the feeling like a tampon was dislodged or out of place and it was just so uncomfortable to the point I thought I had a prolapse. At the time three Drs (two gynaecologists and one GP) told me my coil was fitted correctly and I did not have a prolapse. The discomfort soon settled and I got back to daily life. I haven’t felt it nor have I actually felt the strings. Anyway fast forward to the other day, this feeling of discomfort came back and when I have examined myself the strings are visible even just to look at. Initially i did kind of put the discomfort down to thrush (as I had that also when I last felt this discomfort) but now I’m wondering if it’s the coil trying to expel itself. Anyone have any idea on whether it is just a momentary drop in coil position or whether it’s trying to force its way out?

I have had a coil for over 15 years and I can go months forgetting it's there and then all of a sudden I can feel it and I can feel the string which is normal but I've never actually seen the string. I would definitely go get it checked out.

 

[MinnnieMouse]

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.

 

[Notworthy]

I'm just due to get my mirena out in a few weeks time. I'm switching to the implant, but here's my experience:

Spoiler: Spoiler tag, cos CW blood etc

Spoiler: Spoiler tag, cos CW blood etc

Insertion: awful, my cervix tore, I went into shock then when I did sit up I was in a little pool of my own blood. Very painful, wouldn't do it again. I haven't had kids, apparently it can be easier if you have. That experience has made me feel anxious about any gyno apps since. Nasty cramping shortly afterwards.

First 6 months: I had diffuse hair loss because of the hormonal change (I was coming off the combined pill), weird cramps for the first few weeks. I bled for ages after, like a light period, but I can't remember how long it went on for. My cervix is quite high up, went back to see them because I couldn't feel the threads, they found them after a bit of wrangling. You're meant to check for them every so often.

After that up to about 4 years: no periods, just the occasional bit of very light bleeding. I would still get the occasional PMS symptom such as breast tenderness and the rage. The 'set-and'forget' aspect is fantastic. The only time I felt it really was after a smear test when they might have disturbed the threads slightly.

About four years onwards: light periods and cramping returning on and off. I'm not sure if that's the coil coming to the end of it's useful life or due to some other reason. I take hormonal contraception mainly due to horrific periods, and it's definitely nowhere near pre-coil level of bleeding or pain.

Overall, do your research first, but I think these can be really good as long as you aren't unlucky and end up with some kind of complication. I wouldn't get another one personally due to the insertion process.

When my sister had hers, the GP wouldn't do it because she hadn't had children yet, she had to wait for another GP with far more experience inserting them to visit the practice.

 

[SwishSwing]

Can't remember with mirena but when I had my last copper coil, I was getting daily cramps for the first few weeks but only in the evening which I found really weird. It did go away eventually.

Yeah it's the fact it's around the same time which is freaking me out

 

[Zulkraa]

Hahaha so I had to come back to update you. So obviously I have to be a weird one and have a cervix that they have never seen before and they were only just able to get a smear, so getting a Mirena in was a no go.
So I have to go to the hospital to see if they can fit one with their stuff up there but it may not be bloody possible But the doctor was lovely and she is sending me for a scan to see if they can identify the source of my severe period pain. But the fact that I am a weird case just made me laugh more than over think the situation and worry about my PTSD symptoms

I wonder if you have endometriosis/fibroids? I hope it gets sorted soon

 

[MyLittlePony25]

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.


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.

No referral, think their plan is to wait to see if this works and then refer me if I have further problems. I still would like to know. I do think I have endometriosis. The cramping that I got today was on the right hand side that radiated down my right thigh, nothing on the left, same when I have excruciating period pain. It’s always there and gets so bad that I can’t stand up straight and I vomit. We’ll see if this helps, I hope so as it really does mess me up both mentally and physically!

 

[Marcinabolan]

How long have you had it?

It was fitted in April of last year x

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

Lucky buggers! I was doubtful they would as mine were always so heavy and long, but I think if it hasn't happened by now, it isn't happening!

 

[MinnnieMouse]

Hi! Has anyone had experience of developing acne with the Mirena? If so was there some products you could recommend to help it? Or another pill alongside?
I love the Mirena for controlling bleeding but this acne is really getting me down. Thanks

how long have you had it?

 

[Blairr]

I don’t have a mirena. I have a different low hormone brand but my experience of insertion was amazing. I honestly did not feel a thing, only the speculum being inserted which was absolutely fine. I remember being sat in the waiting room ing myself about the potential pain. I did have slight cramping later that night but nothing worse than period pain.

 

[ChilliBean]

Has anyone got any experiences of the kyleena coil?
It’s supposedly less hormones than the mirena
I came off the combined pill because my health anxiety convinced me I was going to get breast cancer if I took it for longer than 5 years (I’d been on it for 4!) and after a chat with a sexual health doctor I’ve decided to get the kyleena coil. I’ve read it’s progesterone only and significantly less hormones than the pill. I’m scared and don’t know what to expect as I’ve never had a coil before and probably haven’t had a natural period for close to ten years (I had the implant for 6 years before the pill) so I’m scared about what they will be like

 

[Codiaeum]

Still dealing with random bleeding after sex, luckily I'm in a relationship because it'd be awkward with someone new
I don't really know where to go from here. Coil has been in for over a year and hasn't resolved it. Drs did multiple checks and couldn't see any cause for concern. I can go back to my GP but it's not any 'worse' it's just frustrating.

I've had two Mirenas and am now on a Kyleena (will need replacement this year), so a fair bit of experience. I've always had some bleeding after sex with the coil. Not everytime, but it never went fully away and even with the smaller Kyleena it happens. I've asked my gynae about this and got ultrasounds to check that the coil is in correct position, etc and it was always fine. The bleeding is apparently either of or a combination of the "strings" poking you a bit due to friction or the coil itself "poking" you a bit, especially if your partner is a bit larger. She told me that my uterus is tilted, which isn't a concern at all, but it's more common then, due to how things are lined up internally.
I get it though, it's quite frustrating and honestly can get on my nerves that I never know what to "expect". It can be fine for weeks and then, when objectively nothing feels different or wasn't even particularly enthusiastic - random bleeding.

 

[Amyx1518]

Thank you everyone, you have made me feel so much better about it. And as I’m suffering again right now, I’m ready for it to be done and hopefully not suffer so much each month!




Yep I’m gonna get a smear at the same time as I may as well whilst they are down there I’ve always wanted to be able to get it done because I know they are so important, but I haven’t ever gotten to courage up to do it. It’s taken me years of dealing with excruciating period pain to get to this point now and I regret not sorting it sooner. I just want it done and over with now but I’m waiting for the nurse to call me with an appointment.

Good luck! You can do it x

 

[Amyx1518]

Sorry to be a stickler but it’s IUS not IUD. 2 different things.

 

[Notworthy]

Got one and love it. It doesn't work for every woman but it's worth having one and seeing if it helps you.

 

[Amyx1518]

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

How long have you had it?

 

[Kirsteaplz]

Hey all! Probably a really silly q but have had 3 babies and used the safe windows for past 5 years ..: basically unsure where we can go to get contraception now I’m 29 and the last time I needed advise I went to Brook which covered 18-25. If you want an IUD after 25 where do you go? Is it rhe GP or a sexual health clinic? Do you need to pay or does the NHS cover it?
Thanks in advance!

 

[J3N1800]

Coming upto six months with my Mirena coil...

I went in was bleeding for extended periods (two-three weeks long) and after sex (sorry for being graphic, but an almost immediate 'gush' - then bleeding which stops within a few hours) - I expressed concern because a previous smear was positive for HPV.

I was referred for a month and received an appointment for a colposcopy at the hospital
When I arrived they said since I'd had a follow up smear and clear results, they weren't concerned and suggested it may be a contraception issue.
Had a coil fitted, that day and stopped taking Microgynon.

They asked me to give it six months.

Since, I've had painful cramps at random times of the month (eg this weekend, two weeks before actual period) and spotty skin. On occasion, I have still bled after sex.

I'm not sure the coil is for me, but I don't want to try another contraception type for six months if it's potentially another issue. My next smear isn't for a couple of years. I believe you can't request a Smear Test early on the NHS, so I'm tempted to looking into booking privately for piece of mind.

Anybody any experience with that?

Quoting myself with an update:

Two years since Mirena
Unexplained bleeding continued after 6 months and referred back to Gyno - waiting list was upto a year.

Appointments came through for external and internal ultrasound scan.
Then a separate appointment for the dye and camera, to check for irregular cells.
I'd also been waiting around long enough for my regular smear appointment to come through.

All results came back fine, in a brief 3 minute phone call with a doctor I was told it was probably hormonal, they were discharging me from Gynaecology and any more issues will need to go via my GP.

Whilst I am appreciative that nothing came up on scans of concern, I still don't really have any answers and it doesn't seem like my contraception was the culprit after changing from microgynon to the coil.

 

[Millennial Pink]

I'm just due to get my mirena out in a few weeks time. I'm switching to the implant, but here's my experience:

Spoiler: Spoiler tag, cos CW blood etc

Spoiler: Spoiler tag, cos CW blood etc

Insertion: awful, my cervix tore, I went into shock then when I did sit up I was in a little pool of my own blood. Very painful, wouldn't do it again. I haven't had kids, apparently it can be easier if you have. That experience has made me feel anxious about any gyno apps since. Nasty cramping shortly afterwards.

First 6 months: I had diffuse hair loss because of the hormonal change (I was coming off the combined pill), weird cramps for the first few weeks. I bled for ages after, like a light period, but I can't remember how long it went on for. My cervix is quite high up, went back to see them because I couldn't feel the threads, they found them after a bit of wrangling. You're meant to check for them every so often.

After that up to about 4 years: no periods, just the occasional bit of very light bleeding. I would still get the occasional PMS symptom such as breast tenderness and the rage. The 'set-and'forget' aspect is fantastic. The only time I felt it really was after a smear test when they might have disturbed the threads slightly.

About four years onwards: light periods and cramping returning on and off. I'm not sure if that's the coil coming to the end of it's useful life or due to some other reason. I take hormonal contraception mainly due to horrific periods, and it's definitely nowhere near pre-coil level of bleeding or pain.

Overall, do your research first, but I think these can be really good as long as you aren't unlucky and end up with some kind of complication. I wouldn't get another one personally due to the insertion process.