Waiting for first appointment with gynaecologist, should I get the coil in the meantime?

[Pesto36]

Hello! I have finally been referred to a gynaecologist after 10 years of extreme pain, vomiting etc since I started my periods. Unfortunately the gynaecologist appointment isn’t until August (!) so I have to wait eight months and eight more unbearable periods.

I think I have many of the symptoms of endometriosis or another similar condition, and recently this has become far more severe and I’m really struggling to cope.

I’m trying to figure out how I can support myself while I wait - I don’t trust the GP for good advice as I’ve repeatedly been told “painful periods are common”, and my most recent visit is the first time they mentioned endometriosis to me after I really pushed for help.

Has anyone gotten the coil to help manage symptoms, before getting a diagnosis? Do you think this would be ok? Do you have any recommendations of who I could speak to about it or where I could get more advice?

thank you so much and sending lots of love.

[Kieraface]

the mirena coil is usually recommended for endo treatment after having excision surgery. It was recommended to me. I chose not to have it. Before my surgery I had the nexplanon implant and was taking norethisterone tablets which stopped all bleeding but it doesn’t work for everyone.

Previously I used microgynon which worked well and controlled my bleed to 7 days and it was painful but manageable.

Hope you find the right solution for you. I’d maybe speak to a sexual health clinic if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your gp about options. Coil can be very uncomfortable to fit if you have endo and should be done in a hospital rather than the gp x

[Pesto36 in reply to Kieraface]

Thank you so much this is really helpful 💗

[Kieraface in reply to Pesto36]

There are pros and cons to contraception- I found the cons worse - ended up not working and I bled non stop since October - currently still bleeding but just stopped everything on Tuesday. Just be aware that it might not help it might also make it worse. It doesn’t work for everyone sadly good luck though!

[KiwiCookie]

Hi!

When I first saw a consultant about possible endometriosis, they suggested getting a coil at that point to try and control symptoms as I found the pill wasn’t suitable for me. I’m hypermobile so any hormone that goes round my whole body makes joints more loose and I’m more likely to be in more pain.

I got the coil at the end of 2019 (bad timing) and by May 2020 I was essentially dismissed by the consultant as being fine. I was still having pain, I having longer but lighter periods. I’ve now had my coil for over 4 years, my periods haven’t stopped at any point, they’ve been significantly lighter, but I have a 10/11 day period instead of 7 days, the pain has been a lot less than it was without - for years 2 and 3, there was an odd occasion where it wasn’t at all noticeable! However in the last year, I’ve found the pain has started to increase again and my periods have started getting heavier.

I won’t lie to you, I did not enjoy getting the coil put in. I had a pretty painful experience, even with a localised anaesthetic but I think that was mostly down to the consultant using the wrong sized speculum (I hope anyway) but as said in an above post, it may have been the endo. But I’m glad that I did, because whilst it hasn’t solved anything, it’s lessened the pain majorly and hasn’t made any other conditions worse.

I don’t think having a coil in before a proper diagnosis would cause any issues - I had my first consultant appointment with an endo clinic in December and having the coil but still having pain was a little win from my direction because they could see I’d tried something major but it wasn’t working.

I hope this has helped! Good luck to you 😊

[Husky777]

Hi, if you haven’t already I would try the mini pill and take it continuously with no break for a period, this was what I was advised to do by consulting consultant as I didn’t like the idea of the coil. I have been on this for about 5 years now and haven’t bled at all. I am still suffering with pain and symptoms but sure would be worse not on the pill. Good luck with it all! x

[Loriiim]

Hi, I found the Mirena coil masked all my symptoms & made my periods lighter, but ended up coming off due to side effects - low mood, fatigue, headaches/migraines. I'd say worth a try, but if you do try it then to keep a symptom diary to track how you're feeling. Insertion was uncomfortable but not painful for me. Another option is tranexamic acid, which you just take for a few days a month - might be better than waiting for hormonal options to settle. Prior to the Mirena coil I was on it for 8 years (whilst on the copper coil, prior to endo diagnosis). It made pain & bleeding more bearable, & pain responsive to painkillers. You could also look at the lowdown website for other people's experiences of contraception thelowdown.com/ Good luck 🤞

[Mhol752]

Hi, I got the mirena coil on 11th November after being on the mini pill (Desogestrel) for almost 2 years and so far it hasn’t helped my symptoms at all! I’ve ended up having to go private for a gynae appointment due to being in constant pain since mid October (currently undiagnosed but pushing for diagnosis)

If you’re struggling to cope and have to wait 8 months for your first gynae appointment I would say there’s no harm in trying it, my doctors have recommended removal but it’s better than something and I know many people who have had it and it’s worked wonders!

I hope they can help you as soon as possible, there was a 3 month waitlist for the mirena coil at my doctors surgery so I would recommend even just enquiring <3

[Tiff22]

Hi, in the meantime you could try asking your gp for mefenamic acid pain relief and tranexamic acid to reduce how heavy your periods are. These worked really well for me whilst I waited for surgery and the coil.

[Busy23]

If you can pay for a private consultation with a gynaecologist. Unfair to make you wait so long in pain.