Mirena coil and mood

[Positive2022]

Hi all

I just have a question regarding the mirena coil. I have a complex gynae history and my consultant recommended mirena coil for heavy bleeding. Had it fitted on 20th January this year.

My mood has been terrible. Very low.

I don't know if its PND (diagnosed following traumatic birth 2018) change in meds or the coil. I am awaiting surgery for issues due to birth trauma and this has been cancelled twice. Now indefinitely cancelled due to COVID so I have been very low about this but I am frightened that I am going backwards.

I know I haven't given it 6 months.... But I have had issues with quite severe pain, prolonged spotting and last week had a really large bleed with clots so in all honesty I would just like to have it removed.

I read that one of the possible risks of mirena is increased low mood / depression and just curious of others have found this?

[l789]

Hi, I was worried about mirena because I have depression, and at first it did affect my mood. It was like I had low level PMS all the time, and my depression is the kind that makes you angry rather than sad so basically like PMS. It only lasted maybe 3 months though, then I felt my good self again. However, COVID stress and lockdown really messed me up, and I imagine that if those things had occurred at the same time it would have been really hard, so my thoughts are with you.

It might be a good idea to call your doctor and explain what's going on and your concerns. My doc told me that just as periods are different for everyone, so is adjusting to Mirena, but that if I felt pain or experienced bleeding that was worse than my normal, or my depression worsened, I should call.

For me, the first three months were pretty much constant bleeding and pain, but it was never worse than my periods. I did have days where I thought I just wanted it out because I was tired, but I haven't for a while now.

Personally I would say that whether or not your low mood is caused by mirena, it is always a good idea to talk to a doc about it.

Also, I hope you don't mind me saying so but I completely get feeling that you don't want to go backwards. I have been there. What helped me was trying to trust that the progress I had made would help me to move forward quickly again if I did go backwards. i.e. it's easier the second time around.

I hope this helps!

Best wishes!

[Positive2022 in reply to l789]

Thank you for your kind reply and for sharing your experience with the coil.

Sadly I am in a v bad place tonight. I have long and complex gynae and fertility issues so I won't bore you with too many details but I have struggled hugely with PND. I had alot of difficulty coming to terms with infertility and after a long battle had a very traumatic birth. Still experiencing complications from this 19 months on and awaiting reconstructive surgery. V poor postnatal care until I changed GPs and then I started to improve, albeit slowly. Until COVID hit. BOOM every door slammed shut.

I never wanted the coil but my Consultant advised it to a) address heavy bleeding as I was very anaemic after giving birth for a long time and b) help with my progesterone levels as I had a hormone inbalance. It was sold to me in a very positive way; no lasting issues on fertility and can have it removed at any time. So I thought i had nothing to lose.

Fast forward to now. I am struggling massively. Surgery, talking therapy, GP reviews, HV reviews all cancelled. Local counselling service emailed me to say they are closed and to 'hang on in there'.

I spoke to the GP who fitted my coil today. She didn't think my mood and the coil are linked but the really upsetting this is now it's stuck inside me indefinitely. They are unable to remove it due to COVID. I don't want it anymore.

I discussed how low I am. Was very tearful on the phone. But all she could do was apologise that there are no services running.

I am just so down I can feel myself giving up 😢

[l789 in reply to Positive2022]

I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through right now. While I don't know what it is like to go through fertility treatment I do understand what it is like to go through a traumatic health experience and it must be so difficult right now. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

If you are are in the UK your GP should be able to give you your local "crisis" number for when your counselling services are closed.

Also, if you are feeling that low it might be a good idea to contact the Samaritans or a similar helpline in your country. They helped me a lot twice, once when I had a breakdown, and another time when covid started and I felt trapped and unable to control any part of life and was on the verge of another breakdown. I will leave the number here just in case: ,116123 [e-mail] (can also email them if you can't call, but it takes a day or so for them to get back to you).

Also, there is an app called "what's up" (not WhatsApp) which helps me whenever I start to feel like I can't cope. It has a bunch of different activities to calm you down in a moment of panic. I will look up the URL and post in the next reply.

Also, another thing that helped me is just to remember that it will pass. I always tell myself "this will pass".

I really hope you can find something that helps you.

You will get through this.

[l789]

Here are the links (I think)

Android: goo.gl/9NkZgl

iOS: goo.gl/6t9cdS

[l789 in reply to l789]

Yes, they work. It's really hard to find because the name is so similar to WhatsApp 😬

[Positive2022 in reply to l789]

Thank you so much, take care ♥️