Been researching the mirena coil alot...c... - Endometriosis UK

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Been researching the mirena coil alot...could it help?

elektra4 profile image
14 Replies

Has anyone on here had any success with the mirena coil? Or bad symptoms? I'm most worried about depression, weight gain and decreased sex drive.

At my wit's end with this crap disease. So dead against hormonal solutions but don't think surgery is the ultimate solution either. Doctor said after surgery all your organs can stick together. 😏😔

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elektra4
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14 Replies
Fabbird profile image
Fabbird

Hi, it’s been great for me. The clinical trials suggest it works for the majority of women. Not everyone, of course, but I don’t think there’s any way to find out except by trying.

I noticed those side effects but they were mild and easier to tolerate than the pain I had previously. Once the Mirena had settled in I became pain free for years. On a follow up lap, I actually had less endo, in other words it got better, it didn’t just mask symptoms.

If you decide to give it a try, be aware that your body may take time to adjust to it being there. I got lots of cramps initially but they settled. Three years later when I needed a new one, it was easy in comparison. I only had to go through that settling in phase once. So for me it was worth it and has meant I’ve not needed extensive surgery.

elektra4 profile image
elektra4 in reply toFabbird

That's really great. Thanks for letting me know. Did you get any weight gain? Or difficulty losing weight?

Fabbird profile image
Fabbird in reply toelektra4

I got a little weight gain, I cut back a little on what I was eating and lost it fairly easily. My weight stabilised within a year or so. But I’m not someone who puts on weight easily so I expect it might be more difficult for others.

You’ll hear very different stories about the Mirena. I think those of us who get on well with it tend not to post - I left this forum for ten years because I got my life back. I’m only here again because the Mirena sadly doesn’t seem to offer quite enough to get me through the menopause and I’ve got symptoms again.

elektra4 profile image
elektra4 in reply toFabbird

Sorry to hear that. But great that you were able to get your life back. Yes I agree if things are going well you tend to not be on here.

Hope you can get a fix for this next phase. So did you have the mirena could for the last ten years?

If it can buy me ten years without hiccups I would be so happy. I'm newly married and this pain every month for weeks on end is really affecting my life. But to mention my hubby's. He's understanding but I hate it for the both of us.

Fabbird profile image
Fabbird in reply toelektra4

I’ve had a Mirena since 2003, now on my fourth. Although they last for 5 years as a contraceptive, my experience is that endo symptoms return after 3 years. This was all working fine until I hit 50! From what I’ve read endo often flares up as we menopause.

I hope the Mirena can give you what is given me. But I have to stress that the first few months were difficult. I had to put up with quite a lot of cramping and took even more painkillers than before. I was lucky to have a supportive GP who did everything to reassure me and get me through it.

Sarahmolyneux profile image
Sarahmolyneux

I had a nightmare with pain because it was too big for my cervix but from an op it reveals that the coil cleared a hugeee amount of my endo!

My mental state was extremely up and down I believe alcohol made it worse but that is a depressant!

I didn’t gain any weight at all however I did find myself craving a lot of foods and having more of an appetite, which for me was a good thing!

I won’t go into too much explanation about this one but my six drive increased rather than decreased however due to my pain the coil gave me obviously I couldn’t fulfil the need an awful amount of times!

My consultant put me on a lot of hormone solutions and nothing was working at all my body hated it but the hormones for me has cleared up a lot of my endo!

I hope this helped! Xx

elektra4 profile image
elektra4 in reply toSarahmolyneux

This really helped thanks alot!

bubzy2016 profile image
bubzy2016

I've had the mirena in for just under 6 months. I used to get frequent but pretty heavy periods before mirena but the first 3 months after having it in I bled or spotted practically every day and had virtually no sex life. Then within the last 3 months they've really settled down and I get a period say every 21 days and they last around 5 days but they're very very light. I wouldn't say they have helped with my symptoms (pain wise). But I've not yet been diagnosed with endo but all my symptoms are pointing towards that and my gynocologist thinks it's a very good chance it could be endo I am just waiting for a laproscopy. I think the mirena has affected my sex life for the worse. A lot of the time I'm not in the mood. I get lower back pain practically all the time and it's worse that time of the month. I'm putting the pain down to the mirena as if never had constant back pain like this. It's really helped my skin though. I was on erythromycin tabs and zineryt topical for really bad cystic acne before having mirena but decided to have a break from the acne treatment about 3 months ago and I've had no spots since stopping which could be down to mirena. I have lost nearly 2st since March last year which slowed right down when I first had mirena in but after about 3 months after it began to settle my weight loss got going again. At this moment in time I'm going to stick with the mirena for another 6 months to see if the back pain and sex drive improve. If not I'm going to consider having it removed.

elektra4 profile image
elektra4 in reply tobubzy2016

Thanks so much very helpful info. Xx

Kazza21 profile image
Kazza21

I had the mirena in for about 6 months but decided to have it removed as my lower back pain seemed to become more frequent. Prior to having the mirena, my pain was worse the week or so before my period, but with the mirena my pain was every 2-3 days. Prior to the mirena I tried going on the pill which played havoc with my emotional state and just didn’t agree with me at all. I can honestly say that since having it removed I feel better than I have in the past year. I would say however that I am glad I tried it. It does work for some and unless you give it a go you will never know. I didn’t have any other adverse reactions to the mirena, no weight gain etc.

elektra4 profile image
elektra4 in reply toKazza21

Thanks alot. Well this is why having any hormonal treatment makes me very apprehensive. Years ago I tried the pill was on it for a year but I got so depressed and tearful. Really felt like I was losing my mind. Was so dead against taking hormones ever again but I'm really at the end of my tether and realise it's a hormonal disease. Might need hormones to fix it. Mirena appeals cos it's such a localised dose.

Thanks for your help.

Jenny8 profile image
Jenny8 in reply toelektra4

I have had the coil for five years. Getting it replaced in March. It's been brilliant for me. Think I had quite a bit of bleeding initially, but now nothing and only get occasional twinges. I am much less hormonal than I ever used to be - don't have the same lows I used to have. Good luck. Xxx

Kazza21 profile image
Kazza21 in reply toelektra4

I must say, the hormones in the mirena didn’t affect my emotional state at all. I was neither up nor down with it from that point of view. I was a total crazy person on the pill!!! But emotionally I was fine with the mirena x

elektra4 profile image
elektra4

Ok thanks for your comment. That is great news. I hope it can do the same for me. My hormones are a mess.

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