Mirena coil - is this normal? (TMI)

[LouLouT]

I had a diagnostic lap, endo excised and mirena coil inserted just over 3 weeks ago. I know the coil takes time to settle and I've experienced twinges and pinching I've read about that's normal. I'm sure this is normal too but I'm currently on day 12 of my period (I normally bleed for 6-8 days). It's been the strangest period.

Day 1 and 2 and sometimes 3 would usually be very painful and heavy. This time day 1 and 2 were barely painful more like a dull ache and very light - I was so happy! Then on day 3, crippling pain but still light. Day 4 pain was unbearable and suddenly became very very heavy. This lasted for 5 days and made me bed bound due to the pain. Most of this period the blood has been brown and very thick and sticky. Now I'm having a little blood with more like chunks of tissue coming out??!!! Is this normal? I think I read the coil thickens the womb so I'm guessing it's normal but it's scaring me, I've never seen anything like it before. Has anyone else had this and how long does it last? How long was your first period following the insertion?

Thanks.

Xx

[GrittyReads]

My first period was pretty much as usual, which was short and heavy, but painful - which had been the norm for me a for a few years. But I was about 52 and things had only got bad after I had been made to stop the pill at 50. So I'm not typical - never was, my periods were always fairly light and short - just agonising whenever I wasn't on the pill!!, so I can't really compare to you.

However, it can take about 6 months for things to settle down after the Mirena is fitted - hopefully getting gradually better and better as you go along. Mine worked for me, and was a life-saver, but they don't work for everyone. The fact that your first period is so odd is possibly more to do with having the lap, recently, and the hormone change just coming at an odd time, on top of your normal cycle.

But, if you are worried, then see your GP. Hopefully things will calm down as the months go by. Hope it does: the Mirena was wonderful for me, but it doesn't work for all.

Take care, hope this helps.

[LouLouT in reply to GrittyReads]

Thank you, I spoke to my GP and she said not worry. Like you said it takes a while to settle. My pain was really bad before my lap so a combination of endo removed and the coil has helped my pain. I'm hopeful it works for me too.

Thank you for sharing your experience 💛

Xx

[Libertyl]

I was told the first period after Mirena insertion and surgery will be heavy.

For the first 7 months with mirena I still had 2 week long periods light bleeding but still very painful.

Now after a year of mirena they have settled down to just 7 days light bleeding.

They do say it takes 6 months for mirena to settle in so you have to give it time, but it doesn’t work for everyone I personally don’t find it that good.

If your really worried see you gp take care x

[LouLouT in reply to Libertyl]

Thank you for responding, I feel better now just started to painic things were going wrong. I've had a slight complication and I think it's just making me worry about every little thing that's different. I spoke to my GP and she wasn't concerned at all so I think you're right it just takes time to settle. Can't wait for this period to end!

Xx

[DaniS04]

I've never had much luck with the mirena, my experience has been very much the same as yours only I've had no let up, in the space of 4 years I've had 6 mirenas as they thought it was failing with me. When I first got it inserted my first period lasted nearly 3 weeks but that was totally normal for me as I was bleeding for a month at a time, my bleeding didn't ease of for a year but once it did it's very much like you barely any blood but crippling pain left bed bound for a week to a fortnight sometimes. The consistency of the blood is mostly very dark very thick and a lot of tissue chunks. I got put on Mefanamic Acid to help with the pain but I'm still left bed bound, sometimes there is no blood at all but the period pain is still there, I was recently at my gyno and he also prescribed Tranxamic Acid on top of the Mef for the pain which has helped. Each time I've had one changed they always told me to give it 6 months to let it settle so give yourself 6 months, I know it's a long time to wait when your in pain and it's horrible and hateful but stock up on your meds and if you don't see a difference get back to your GP or Gyno and speak to them about the pain. Everything your going through is completely normal though so don't be scared lovely! I wish you all the best and I hope you get some ease.

[LouLouT in reply to DaniS04]

Thank you, I think everything's just abit much atm. I think I've started to expect things to go wrong.

If it's like this all the time it would be really tough, I hope things have settled for you now?

I'll try sticking it out for 6 months and hope it settles. I also suffer with hemiplegic migraines and have never been able to take the pill for more than a year before throwing in the towel. I've noticed I'm getting regular headaches so I really hope it doesn't happen this time 😬 I think I need stronger pain relief as a last resort. I'll speak to my gyne at my consultation in a few weeks and see what he suggests.

What with the pain and my partner snoring I doubt I'll get much rest anytime soon.

Periods really suck.

Thank you, I wish you all the best too 😊

Xx

[Abi_97]

My first couple of periods were so long and I got dull aches and diahorrea but I was just meant to have my 3rd period with my coil but nothing happened I mean I still got pains but no blood 😮I'm sorry you are going through so much pain I feel you when I was put on the combined pill constantly I was bed bound 🤦🏼‍♀️ I would give it a couple more months if it doesnt settle mention it to the doctor 😮