Coil or laparoscopy?

[Leades]

Hi,

After a year of appointments for suspected endometriosis, my consultant has given me the option to either try the mirena coil or to go for a laparoscopy

I have always head very heavy long and painful periods and I have been on the contraceptive pills since I was 13. I take it without a break and it seems to work quite well for me in terms of regulating the pain. However, I still feel a constant pain near the bladder and in my leg. I also often have episodes when I need to pass water constantly and I have had two kidney infections. And I have been feeling empty of energy for the past year and to be honest quite depressed and emotional.

My consultant is encouraging me to go for the coil, I am a bit reluctant to try it out as the pill works so well and I am not convinced the coil will make the bladder pain better. Also, I am afraid that if I get the coil and it doesn't get better, I will have to wait even longer and there is a possibility that it might not even be endo.

Would you advise to try the coil first or to go for the laparoscopy in order to diagnose the suspected endo?

Sorry if someone already posted a similar message and thank you for your advice.

[Coops1109]

I had the coil recommended too but I went with the laparoscopy. I’m glad I did - the procedure itself isn’t that bad and I at least have peace of mind in that I have an actual diagnosis.

[milliem]

Hiya, I also had bladder pain with my endometriosis and got the coil fitted last week and I couldn’t recommend it more babe. No side effects apart from pain the first few days (which is nothing compared to endometriosis pain can I just say)...no spotty skin, not suffering from low mood, no sickness....don’t let bad reviews of it scare you as people only ever write about their bad experiences!!! My gynae basically said to go on the coil for as long as possible, as with a lap it doesn’t guarentee that the endo is gone forever plus it’s an operation and why would you want one of those? The coil has pretty much stopped my periods. It’s worth a try ❤️

[SleepyGardener]

Hi, I had a mirena coil fitted due to heavy long painful periods about 6 months ago. I haven’t had a great experience but I know other people like milliem who have been fine. I’m still in the ‘wait and see’ phase of deciding whether to keep it in or have it removed.

Mine gave me bad cramping for a few days after being fitted and having it fitted wasn’t the most pleasant experience either, I would certainly dose up on painkillers beforehand. Then I had bleeding everyday for about 5 months, just icky brown blood so had to wear a pad, which was annoying. I’ve finally gotten to the point that it seems to have stopped and this month I’ve just had bleeding for a couple of days, so I’m hoping my body has finally gotten used to it.

On the upside, whilst I had constant bleeding the pain situation has definitely improved.

So if you go for the coil I’d say just be prepared for the worst case and to persevere through some odd side effects for 6 months and if it goes smoothly you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I guess it’s a less severe option than the lap but won’t give you answers to whether it’s endo or not.

[Jen82]

Hey. I had my coil fitted during a lap. Unfortunately I've had to keep taking the pill on top as the bleeding didn't settle with just the coil.

Having the coil fitted in the lap meant that I didn't have to endure the pain as I also have vulvodynia.

I had some separate bladder investigations which included them putting fluid in and then measuring my output and strength etc Worth maybe asking for that route before you decide on next steps. Good luck

[Fabbird]

Hi, it seems odd to ask you to choose... you can have both! I had the Mirena coil fitted during my first lap. We had agreed that if my gynae found endo, he’d put in the Mirena. Without a confirmed diagnosis, I didn’t want to have it.

Having had a Mirena replaced without an anaesthetic, I can say that it’s great being under when they insert it. It really is quite painful.

[Catness]

I have the coil and it’s brilliant - I’m one of the lucky ones and there are lots of us out here!

However it seems a bit strange that it’s an either- or situation. You need to know you have the disease before you start trying to manage it. I would therefore have the lap and as another poster has suggested, agree to have it inserted if endo is found so at least then you have your diagnosis. You’ve been battling this for so long, sounds like you need to know for sure what you’ve been fighting. Best of luck xxxx

[Leades in reply to Catness]

Hey, thank you for your post.

I know it seems a bit odd to give me the choice. But in my first appointment at the hospital, they didn't even offer the lap as an option. They wanted me to try the coil, which I was reluctant as I haven't had a diagnosis.

After months of struggling, I managed to see another gynecologist and this time he once again suggested the coil, but said I could have the lap if I really didn't want to try the coil.

I agree with what you say about having a diagnosis first. It would definitely be more useful.

[JulesUK]

I would suggest both. You need the lap first to find out if you do have endometriosis and if so to remove it. That’s the most important thing. Sounds like you have been trying to treat something that you don’t know for sure you have. I presume you’ve had some investigations for your bladder issues? It could be related or not. I had a time when I always felt like I needed to pee with my endo and pain in the legs is common. I had the Mirena coil during a lap and for me it was life changing but of course it’s not the same for everyone. Good luck x

[Leades in reply to JulesUK]

Thanks Jules,

I had several scans for the bladder issues, and I had to take several courses of antibiotics. One of the consultant thought it was cystitis but I was definitely not that. I ended up in A&E because of kidney infection, saw a urologist there, but they didn't find anything abnormal with the bladder. They referred me to gynecology as they think it could be some endometrial tissue growing around the bladder/ kidney.

[JulesUK in reply to Leades]

Well hopefully they will be able to tell you more if you have the lap. I know its not a nice thought but hopefully it will help you get to the bottom of it.

[gdfzhkgukl]

I tried mirena before having a lap. It was a very bad for for me - caused me a lot of pain, weight gain, mood swings, hair growth on my chin and triggered ovarian cysts. So I had it out after 6 months. That said, my friends who had children before mirena liked it just fine. The laparoscopy wasn't fun but wasn't the worst experience either - i was exhausted and in pain a lot before the lap so was happy to have endo and cysts removed surgically and now i'm not in pain the whole time and my periods are bearable. Good luck!