Mirena Coil and Endometriosis

[tashaclx]

I’ve been seeing a specialist for symptoms that could be endometriosis. But they’ve been reluctant to give me a laparoscopy and want to try everything before I have one. I initially was told to try a low fodmap diet incase it was ibs and now that didn’t work they said they’ll only give me a laparoscopy if I have the Mirena coil fitted to see if helps. I’m already taking the pill and don’t know if I want to go through the trouble with the coil and all the problems people seem to have. They doctors have said get the coil fitted then go back in 6 months to see how my symptoms go. I’m just not sure about if it will really help me with the pain and cramps. If anyone can help with any advice that would be so helpful!!

[Lj-87]

Hey i got a laparoscopy done bout 4 weeks ago & got the mirena coil fitted aswell, gynaecologist said they woyld do laparoscopy only if they put the mirena in aswell as they found fibroids & its meant to help shrink them but me personally its been a bad few weeks, i have had severe pain & cramp in my pelvis, i have been suffering mood swings & insomnia, if ur gonna get the coil done read up on it or ask any freinds or family if they have any issues. I thought it was gonna help me but am strongly thinking of getting the coil out to find out if its causing the problem. I have made an appointment to speak to my GP bout next step but got to go back to hospital for check up week b4 Christmas. Hope everything goes ok for u x

[tashaclx in reply to Lj-87]

Thank you for replying!! Yeah i've read a lot of bad things about it and I just don't think I want to put myself through it, family and friends have had problems too. Im just going to continue taking the pill and go back to my specialist when I see them and try and push for a laparoscopy. Its so difficult not being taken seriously but I'll get there eventually. I hope everything sorts out for you and thank you for your help xx

[Fabbird]

Hi, just for balance I wanted to say that the Mirena has been great for me. It's a much lower dose of progesterone than the pill so less side effects / risks with long term use. The clinical trials are positive which is why it's often recommended. It's true that it can cause some cramps at first, but this really varies. I think people are more likely to write about it if it's painful. I know numbers of women who haven't had any problems at all. Personally I did get cramps at first, but they settled and it then gave me ten years almost pain free with no periods. My endo actually reduced, i.e. Less found on the following lap. Only you can decide what is right for you, but it's an option well worth considering seriously.

[Josephine25]

Hi

15 years ago I like you was offered the Mirena coil.. I read all the available information that at the time was based on ladies in America.

The stories back then where rife. Every ailment was blamed on the coil rightly or wrongly.All the information was negative.

I couldn't understand why my gyny wanted me to have the devise inserted as at that point I was already infertile and contraception wasn't something I needed.

After a good frank talk with my then no nonesence gp who said " look if the devise doesn't help I will remove it but to give it 6 months"

For the first 3 months I experienced only slight side affects but 6 months on it was like i'de been given a new lease of life. No period or pain... For the first time in 14yrs I had a life that wasn't dictated by my monthly cycle or pain relief.

What have you got to loose by trying?

Hope this helps.

[gdfzhkgukl]

Hi there,

I had Mirena before a laparoscopy to remove endometriosis, a cyst and a polyp. Personally I am glad to have had the surgery and would not recommend Mirena simply as a way to avoid a laparoscopy.

BUT I have not had children and the device never sat well and was being pushed out by my body. I had it removed after six months and I was in worse pain than my periods on more days and it was having very unpleasant side effects in terms of weight gain, hair growth, mood swings. When I had it removed I was told it is also likely that is caused the ovarian cyst.

I would suggest you read the Canadian version of the side effects of Mirena. I only read the US version and they are quite different (I'm in the US so not sure what they look like there). Some people tolerate Mirena well. Many of us do not. There really isn't a way to know before you have it, but if you have it the advice to give it 6 months is good.

[emmaquinny]

Hello, I'm in the exact same position as you and reluctantly had the Mirena inserted yesterday. I've been spotting which is expected but so far no pain (except for a few hours after the insertion).

[chihira]

Hi there! I have mirena for over 3 years now. I was recommended to choose some sort of sorts of contraception to stop endo growing. I weighed all the points then-i don’t want kids in a near future, had bad experience with a pill in a past. Mine took very long time to settle and i suffered from all side effects possible. But gave it time and don’t remember what it’s like to have a period! My friend on the other hand did not have any problems. Our bodies are so different, you won’t know until you try. It’s good if you have one inserted during surgery, I personally found the process really painful. But then again, I know some that did not feel a thing (reading this back it just seems that my pain threshold is low:)). But I agree with comments above that it’s not a replacement for a lap.

[tashaclx]

Thank you so much everyone for your help, I’ve spoken to my specialist and asked if he’ll give me the operation then Mirena but he said no. So I’m going to try and see if I can push for the operation and get the coil inserted then. Like people have said I’ve got nothing to loose and could try it. It’s sometimes so difficult to get my point across to my specialist and for them to listen. Thank you for all your help tho 💕💕