Do I get the Mirena Coil?

[matchapea]

I’m having my first laparoscopy soon and I have the option to get the mirena coil at the same time.

They say it’s the standard for managing endometriosis but I’m not convinced. I’ve continually declined because I’ve heard many horror stories about it from friends and generally, I feel like it could mask symptoms I need to be aware of in my body.

I’m also 30 so having children is also on my radar in the next 5 years.

Would like to know of other people’s experiences with it in regards to endo?

[Bk27]

hey!

I had a few similar thoughts before my diagnostic lap but my pill wasn’t helping my symptoms and decided to have the mirena fitted based on the thought of it can be removed at any point if i didn’t like it!

Im 8/9 weeks on and haven’t have a period yet, just the usual spotting on and off. I did get headaches at week 3 but these passed.

I know everyone is different but i would say you never know till you try and it’s panning out for me so far.

Hopefully this helps in some way xx

[matchapea in reply to Bk27]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[KittyTherapy]

Hi,

I was also unsure about getting it but decided to try for myself in the end. Had it fitted during my op. Ive found it to help me. The pain is better and my flow is not as heavy though I am bleeding for a longer period and I do spot between periods x

[ChessJ]

I was similar to you as I heard stories from people so it put me off completely. I didn’t have one fitted in my laparoscopy, I am seeing my gynaecologist in a few weeks who is going to offer me the new pill out there for management for Endometriosis to see if that agrees with me as an alternative.

[matchapea in reply to ChessJ]

Ooh, what’s the name of the new pill they have now?

I can only have the mini-pill usually so if it has estrogen then it’s probably not an option for me.

[ChessJ in reply to matchapea]

It’s called Dienogest I think it’s been out for a while. I’m hesitant is this going to work seeing my track record with the pill.

I was on the mini pill when I was younger, as they said it was best for migraines, which did not agree with me. I tried it again prior surgery about 6 months before didn’t work again and then I was put back on the main pill they also wasn’t my friend either. As I had breakout bleeds from both for months and ironically only ended the day I went into surgery. Still got the worse flares up with them both.

[ArchiePug]

It's great that it's an option to have to fitted during the op. Seems like a good way to give it a try and see if its suits you. If you don't get on with it removal is easy. You could check with your consultant if that can be done at your local GP surgery, if necessary.

I had the Mirena coil fitted in May (not during an op) by my consultant. I found the insertion process difficult. I had it removed 4 weeks later. I bled for all of those 4 weeks, had almost constant pain and felt really unwell BUT that's just my personal experience and I know it's a game changer for others.

[matchapea in reply to ArchiePug]

Yeah I’ve heard more bad experiences than good ones. Sorry yours wasn’t great.

Was the removal process also difficult or was it easier than the insertion?

[ArchiePug]

The removal process was painless and took seconds (once in position!).

I'm now trying Zoladex injections to see if that helps with symptoms. I was already on HRT - estrogen patches and progesterone tablets - for perimenopause so guess I've got a bit of a head start (although am watching menopause symptoms closely and have the option to increase the estrogen if I feel I need it.)