Not sure whether to get mirena for pain

[leahgrace]

Hi,

I am due to get a diagnostic laparoscopy for possible endometriosis at the end of this month and my consultant is really pushing for me to get the mirena put in at the same time. I have agreed for now (partly by it being made to seem like the only solution for my pain). I have had a terrible time on the mini pill for the last 6 months, seemingly every bad side effect including constant spotting/bleeding and feeling really down. I feel like I’m poisoning myself every time I take it because the experience has been so bad.

I know the mirena could be different but I am worried I will have the same side effects seeing as it’s progesterone again. The doctor said what have I got to lose but I am worried I’ll have to go through another year of feeling rubbish and they will make me persevere with it to see if the side effects go away before agreeing to remove it. I don’t want to have to choose between my physical and mental health but I feel like I am.

Any advice/experiences of mirena would be so helpful.

Sorry for the rambling message I just feel a little lost and anxious these days

Thanks xx

[Kangalou]

I don’t have any advice I’m afraid but I do have the same issue. I used to take the depo injection and bled daily (stuck it out for 18 months) and just felt down generally. I’m having a horrific time on decapeptyl - I am undecided about whether to continue it... but even if I do, I will NEVER take it again.

My consultant has suggested mirena or the implant after decapeptyl. I’m in the same boat as you - isn’t it just a different way of administering the same hormone that didn’t really agree with me?

[leahgrace in reply to Kangalou]

I asked this exact same question!

My doctor said that ‘usually’ the mirena is a good option for people that have tried progesterone in other forms (pill/injection) but I feel like my body doesn’t react in the ‘usual’ way to hormones. Although it is a little reassuring that it could work when the mini-pill hasn’t. I think I’m going to give it a try and try and stay positive even though I keep doubting this decision - the side effects can be so horrible can’t they!

[Fabbird in reply to leahgrace]

Hi, I believe the difference is that the Mirena releases only about 1/7 of the amount of progesterone you’d be getting from the mini pill. It still works at such a low dose because it’s in just the right place. So the side effects should be much less, in particular you should get fewer systemic side effects. That said, of course some women are very sensitive to hormones and still suffer. Also, it’s common to get some extra cramps initially.

My experience has been that it’s much easier to tolerate than the pill. But you do need to give it time to settle in and begin to work. I chose it in preference to the pill as I knew I’d need to take something long term and I wanted as few of the systemic side effects as possible.

If you decide to give it a try, I hope it works for you.

[Hazel173]

I had the coil put in during my surgery as I was having bad side effects with the implant. I was told the coils hormones are localised to the womb so I wouldnt have the same side effects even though it was the same hormone. After getting the coil my pain levels increased and sometimes were as bad as labour pains (ive had a kid) also I got pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, acne, unable to eat food properly and night sweats. My mood was also affected, I was always angry with everyone (even my 4 year old child) or depressed. It took me 3 months of countless doctors appointments and gyno appointment to finally get my gp to agree to remove it as they had wanted me to wait it out for 6 months to see if the side effects eased off. I was told before my surgery it could be removed anytime I wanted if I decided I didnt like it. Nevertheless many ladies have found the coil to help their symptoms so everyone is different. If I was in your position I would try it but make sure they will remove it for you if it gives you bad side effects.

[Soaps]

I had my first mirena about 8 years ago and I’m glad I did as I couldn’t carry on having such awful periods. I did struggle with it for the first few months, particularly the amount of spotting I was having but I persevered and since then I’ve not had a problem

Last year I finally had a laparoscopy (at 32, after a doctor had first mentioned endo at 18!) where the doctor found areas of endo and removed them.

They put a new Mirena in but I’m considering having it removed in the not too distant future as I’d like to start a family. The thought of having periods again is scary after not having one for so many years!

[LouLouT]

I had the mirena coil put in when having my lap 4 months ago. Since having it put in I've had really bad side effects: acne, mood swings, night sweats, nausea, fainting, heavier periods that last 3-4 weeks and spotting everyday. I knew these side affects could happen before having it put in but I was also told that symptoms settle down after a few months. It's been tough and there were times I considered getting it removed but I'm glad I persevered.

Around 3 months my mood swings greatly improved, the other symptoms are becoming more stable. The biggest difference it's made is to my pain levels. The worst pain I experience now is what I used to experience day to day before the mirena coil. I still get flashes of excruciating pain but this pain used to last for hours or days and now only lasts for seconds/ minutes!

You have to be realistic about what to expect. For me, I know that the worst of my endo still needs to be removed so I wasn't expecting a big improvement. I mainly had it put in because it slows the growth of endo.

If you're really worried about the side affects ask if you can have the mirena coil with the lowest doseage. I suffer from migraines and was told if it makes them worse I can have one with a lower doseage that has less side affects. I'm really sensitive to hormonal contraceptives but the mirena coil is now the best I've ever tried.

All you can do is weigh up the pro's and con's, you know what's best for you.

[Rai78]

The mirena coil was pretty much the final treatment on offer for me. I'd had the contraceptive injection years ago and it made me suicidal, I tried the mini pill before I got my laparoscopy and it made me have paranoid delusions. Hormones have such an adverse effect on me that I have a red flag on my doctors notes.

I've had the coil for six weeks now (put in five weeks after a laparoscopy) and I've had a fair bit of spotting, some irrational thoughts and a bit of discomfort the following two or three days after insertion. Despite this it's nothing compared to the pain, fatigue and difficulties with depression the endo caused.

As my gynaecologist said it's such a small localised amount of hormones that it's actually the best route for someone who's mental health is so deeply effected by hormones. I have every faith that should I want it removed it would be but right now I can't see any reason why I would.