Endo and Merina Coil

[Lilmissyaz]

Hey ladies!

I've just come back from my first gynaecology appointment. I've been told I have very common symptoms that point to my pain being endometriosis related (I already have pcos)

I was under the impression I was there to discuss the laparoscopy my Dr referred me for, however my Gyno said that rather than putting me through the surgery for now, I have the option of the Merina Coil (she listed other contraception but due to blood clots in the family, they aren't an option)

I came away feeling a bit deflated as I'm not sure if I'm being brushed off for 5yrs with a Coil, to save having to do a laparoscopy/endo removal on me.

I'm concerned that the Coil is just masking the problem, not actually treating it. Although endo will be slowed down/stopped in its tracks, what about the endo that's already there? Is that not just covering up the problem?

Has anyone got any good stories regarding a laparoscopy being cancelled, and a Merina fitted instead?

My symptoms are

Extreme fatigue

Cervix feels bruised during sex

Very heavy periods

Sharp stabbing pains/throbbing pains in my groin and around my cervix/uterus

Thank you ❤

[Fizzypoptastic]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis in March 2021 & I was advised re hormonal treatments i.e. Mirena. I initially didn’t want surgery but reading up on endo made me realise that hormones don’t eliminate the adhesions & endometriomas etc.

I called back after my initial consultation and requested an operation. I was told I had to wait 6 months for my next consultation to see how the Mirena was assisting with the symptoms before I could be added to the laparoscopy waiting list.

The Mirena insertion was delayed as I had polyps in my uterus which had to be removed by a qualified consultant. I finally had the polyps removed & Mirena inserted in Feb 2022. I only have positive results from this procedure. The only negative was the initial spotting for 4 months but afterwards I was very pleased with the Mirena.

I was finally called for a laparoscopy on 07.03.23 & was in two minds about going. I went ahead with the procedure as I’d been on the waiting list for so long. It’s been a few days since surgery but I’m glad I went ahead with it because I have deep infiltrated endo now and am stage 4.

I initially had two small cysts measuring 2cm & 1cm however one of the cysts had grown to 10cm. My right tube had to be removed as that was blocked. My ovaries were pulled back & stuck to the back wall.

I also have a significant plaque near my rectum which isn’t currently causing any problems but it had been in the past. Symptoms like sharp pain in my rectum, pain whilst voiding etc. (which were all thankfully relieved by the Mirena). If that does cause issues in the future then I will need a MDT to review my case as it’s such a complex procedure.

5 days post surgery, I think it was a good decision to go through with it as all the adhesions can turn into something more problematic in the future. Also, surgery can take longer to recover from when you’re older too. I’m currently 42, have a 12 year old son so wasn’t bothered about them removing my right tube.

Apologies for the long post, hope it helps somehow. xx😊

[A5555]

I have pretty much the same symptoms as you. I like having the mirena and it reassures me that my endo won’t grow as quickly in comparison to not having the coil at all. Even a surgery won’t guarantee that it won’t grow back so after I had my surgery (I went private and ended up with stage 1 endo), I had my mirena refitted to potentially prevent my endo growing out of control. I see the coil as a good form of maintenance until I decide I want children. Btw, after my surgery, my pain didn’t really reduce that much but I know it’s different for everyone. After the mirena, my pain reduced significantly.

Hope this helps