Mirena coil or pill

[Estuary]

I hope this is not such a hard day for all of you with the cold possibly worsening any symptoms.

I just came back from GP. My scan and transvaginal showed a polyp but was told that cannot be the cause of my pains.

I was told she won't send me to laparoscopy yet and that we need to rule out IBS (was referred to a clinic and for blood tests).

I was also told the way towards diagnosis would be to "shut down the ovaries"as she put it.

I am reluctant about the pill as it has many strong side effects on me but was more inclined to get the Mirena coil.

Anyone out there using it as step in endo diagnosis/treatment?

What are your experiences and does it reduce any pains?

[sanchia46]

I know a lot of people had problems with mirena so I never went for it. You could get the progesterone only pill which has less side effects

[Hidden]

I have a tilted uterus and won't consider the coil but been on the pill for 3 years and not found any relief from it. Was told I wasn't considered for a lap but pushed and pushed and had it on Friday and they found nothing, so I guess I'm gonna have to try the mirena now and see what happens from there x

[Starfish123]

I had the coil fitted in June, I had heavy painful periods for almost 40 years, lots of pain throughout the month and when fitted constant bleeding. Mine was fitted for menopausal symptoms and other than the first period a couple of days after fitting it’s been much much better. The first week after I had the worst period ever and felt very unwell with feeling sick all the time and almost feeling like I was going to faint. After that things settled down, I’m still bleeding but it’s very light, I can be 2 days into a period before I realise that’s it’s there, pain is so much better. I’ve since started having estrogen patches and cream as well to help with hot flushes and while they have helped no end with the flushes I’m getting more pain again on my left side, more constipation and a bit more pain with periods, but nothing like I had before the coil.

Everyone is different regarding the coil, mine was fitted under anaesthetic with other tests and biopsies. It has helped me but I am aware of other ladies having issues, even at my last scan the radiographer said his wife had one fitted but he had to call out a fellow consultant to remove it within hours of being fitted as she couldn’t cope with the side effects.

I also suffer with bladder issues and the coil has helped so after 10 years of tests and treatments it seems it may have been a hormonal issue, it wasn’t checked because I was having regular periods.

I hope you make the right decision for yourself, I was wary of the coil but it has definitely helped me.

[Zee73]

Hi,

I had my coil fitted three months ago.Fitting was a breeze although I had read horrendous stories on the net and was very apprehensive.My first period was quite heavy,subsequent two I have had sporadic spotting for 10 days or so but no flow as such.My doc says i shd give it 6months to settle.As said earlier everyone's experience is different but given the fact that the progesterone released by the mirena is minuscule it's worth a try

[GrittyReads]

It was a life saver for me in my early 50s when I had to stop the pill. My Endo was never too bad - especially with the pill - but when it got so dreadful about 10 years ago, my gynae suggested the mirena. I have a tilted womb, with hard to access Cervix (soz, tmi) so my gynae had it done under anaesthetic, (but it was NHS).

It was the best thing I ever did. By about 6 months I was utterly pain-free with, no periods. I had it removed about a year ago, as I'm post-menopause and have been fine since. My GP removed it okay, despite the tilted womb - tho' it was a bit of a struggle. It was actually quite funny at the time, but she is a gem. I'd give it a go, as the progesterone dose is much lower. this is because the coil is in the right place and so the progesterone is delivered right to the area that needs it. With the progesterone-only pill it has to go through your entire system, plus your liver has to process the progesterone - I'm at risk of a liver condtion, so did not want the progesterone pill.

Hope this helps - I would give it a go.