0 reviews
Every 5 years
Frequency
Over 99%
Effectiveness
None
Blood clot risk
None
Effect on fertility
Some of the benefits that are recognised in scientific research or guidelines for this contraceptive
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis
Heavy periods
Menopause
Period pain
Contraceptives that work in similar ways, or brands that have close or exactly the same hormonal ingredients
0 reviews
Into my 3rd month and really happy with it. I switched from using the implant and my moods are much better and my bleeds have pretty much stopped. I'm getting pains and spotting at the same time every month so this is much more regular than what I've been used to. Insertion was not nearly bad as expected. Overall, very happy.
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So i was on a number of pills from the age of 19. From the mini pill to the combined pill. I had recently stopped cilest as I noticed that over the past 3 years i had little to no sex drive and was always moody. I found this website and started to research about alternatives. So many people recommended the IUD, and one day i decided to just go for it. insertation is painful as I haven’t had kids yet. But I’ve been on it for over 4 months and I finally have a sex drive, my skin is still good, with the odd spot. My mood is much better. Only negative is that I’ve started to grow dark hairs on my neck and chin which i have to pluck. So i think i will need to look into laser hair removal. Also i am always hungry? I have gained 10lbs, but I’m not sure if this is fat or water weight as i work out 5 days a week! Overall, I really like this method. I get extremely light bleeds, and i can always check the strings. Also, when i finally decide to start a family, i can simply go get it removed.
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Got the coil fitted on day 1 of my period so the first week I was cramping pretty much non stop but they were still significantly less painful than normal period cramps. My period lasted a bit longer than normal (8-9 days vs 5) and it was heavier. I was also severly fatigued the next 4 days after fitting but then energy levels went back to normal. Been spotting between periods, my second period was longer again but significantly lighter than when I got it fitted. I’ve had no issues with my mental health, been feeling pretty good so far!
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I've had two Mirena coils fitted since my first one back in 2014. I have PCOS, so I've suffered from extremely irregular, very heavy periods throughout my teens - along with steady weight gain, increased body hair and acne year on year since my menarche. I first started taking contraceptives when I started seeing my boyfriend at 18. After 2 years of nightmares on Pill-based methods (my BMI was too high for Microgynon, and the Mini Pill gave me a year long period) - I was desperate for a longer term alternative, and my only other option was the Mirena coil. I've been extremely lucky that since insertion, both coils have been a lifesaver. I've barely had periods through the time i've had it in - I have 1-2 weeks of PMS symptoms here and there (when my body would probably usually have a period) and will get cramping with it, but otherwise its been super plain sailing. Since my second coil fitting, i've developed significant hair growth and cystic acne on my chin, but I think this is more as a result of my age, obesity and PCOS than a result of the coil directly. Much like other reviewers, I will say that my first coil fitting was definitely traumatic. I was fitted by a trainee (assisted by a seasoned coil vet), who struggled with the fitting. My cervix was clamped a lot longer than it usually would be, which was an extremely painful experience. Post fitting I was in extreme amounts of pain for the first day or so as it settled - but was fortunate that after this, I didn't have any other significant pain at all, and was fine for the entirety of it's function. Due to my unique physique (AKA - being fat, having short limbs / fingers and a long vagina) I can't check my own coil strings. A checkup towards the end of my first coil's life cycle discovered that the strings had disappeared (which is either a sign that the coil has migrated, or that the strings have dissolved over time which can also happen). Luckily, a scan showed that it was in the right place - but the lack of visible coil strings made the removal of it more complicated, so I had to have my coil replaced at the hospital's OB/GYN department. While it's a pain in the arse to get the appointment sorted - the upside of having your coil sorted at the hospital is that they usually have more pain-relief options available. I was given a local anaesthetic, to allow the doctor to clamp and remove the coil better. Given my traumatic first experience, I was also prescribed Gas & Air. Whilst still unpleasant, the gas and air made the procedure much more bearable! I didn't really feel any of it. Post-fitting I was in pain with cramping, and the nurses let me settle in on the ward for an hour to make sure I'd come round from it enough. Once the hour was up I was actually pretty alright - the second-time cramps were fairly bearable, much more in line with what my regular periods are like, and i've been fine with my second coil ever since. I will probably push to get mine swapped out again in this way in another 4/5 years time. If you're considering the coil: my advice would be to be extremely firm with the doctor upfront with regards to pain relief. If you are anxious or nervous about the pain pre-fitting, please make sure you put pressure on your doctor to see if there are other options for you to receive pain relief. It's a pretty invasive procedure - especially if you've never had kids before, and in my opinion it's extremely unfair to dismiss requests for it given how invasive it is. I've heard that it's generally easier if you have had kids, as your cervix tends to be a little softer and easier to clamp - but don't be fobbed off! Know your options going in. You can get coils done with local anaesthetics and gas and air. Don't be left with paracetamol and ibuprofen if you feel like you need something more!
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I was told that there was so little hormone it would not cause problems. I was made to feel like I was the problem. Since stopping this I've found that many women do not get on with this. Poor information available.
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Had mirena inserted during endo surgery. I had puss (pink and yellow) leaking from my vagina for 10 days straight. The smell was foul, like rotting meat. I was given antibiotics which made some improvement but swabs revealed no infection. Then I had heavy blood flow for about 3 weeks. I also experienced severe lower back pain and inflammation which I am still seeing an osteopath for now, less than 3 months later. I’ve had the coil removed because the foul smell has started to come back. More swabs reveal no infection so I’m at a loss as to how I can fix this problem and it’s a real social killer as you can imagine. I also have anxiety and depression and I don’t think this change in hormones has helped me one bit. I feel extremely hypersensitive and friends and family have commented on it. I know everyone’s experience is different but I would tell anyone considering this method to run as fast as you can.
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I’m only two months in to having the Mirena but here’s what I’ve found so far. I didn’t have a great experience with the mini pill and the effect it had on my mental health and currently am not allowed the combined pill due to weight, so this seemed my last option! I can’t speak for the fitting of the coil as I had this done under general anaesthetic whilst having a gynaecological surgery but I did wake up from the GA to some cramping. I found after fitting, I had cramping (on and off but more on) and pretty constant spotting (on the heavier side) for around 1 month. Wheat bags were my best friend! I was beginning to get a bit fed up with the constant bleeding and cramping but really wanted to give it a good chance to settle. I found once I’d had my first period all the symptoms settled right down and currently I am thinking it’s the best decision I ever made. The two periods I’ve had since having it fitted have been much much lighter to what my usual is which has been a godsend to me. I have Lichen Sclerosus and find period products typically give me a flare, so a lighter period is so ideal. I have noticed at certain times of the month I do have a few more spots than usual, but they still appear in the area I used to get them so that hasn’t changed. Breasts have definitely increased in size which is always a bonus! My sex drive has increased. I was using condoms before and found they weren’t great for me, so having the Mirena and not having to think about anything has really helped. I haven’t found the hormones to mess with my sex drive or my mood. Overall, so far, I’m really happy with my decision and so glad I went for it!
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My obs/gynae Dr recommended this. I had it inserted at the same time as my second c section. Other pills didn’t agree with me after the birth of my first daughter and I was struggling to find something that worked for me. The mini pill which was brilliant for so many years made me bleed, and all other pills turned me into a moody hormonal mess. The mirina coil has been brilliant so far. Initially I had horrendous back ache but I didn’t know if that was from child birth or the coil. Light exercise helped this. I also got thrush quite badly and have had mild pmt symptoms every now and again but nothing I can’t handle. I would definitely recommend this.
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I started using this after some bleeding and mood issues on the combined pill and the minipill. Insertion was WAY better than I anticipated- it was quite painful but totally bearable but I did get quite dizzy, lethargic and crampy once the nervous adrenaline wore off. I had breakthrough bleeding for a month afterwards and only spotted now and again and my periods eventually stopped after about 9 months. Unfortunately, the coil has really wrecked my sex life: I have to have very very gentle sex otherwise I bleed and cramp the next day as if I'm having a nasty period. Had an ultrasound to check it hadn't displaced but all was fine and the doctor said that this is something that just happens for some people with the coil. I have lowered libido (could be because I'm worried about pain and bleeding afterwards but I'm not sure). My skin has also become a little more prone to breakouts but this may just be my skin type that was previously masked by the combined pill. Overall I'm very disappointed and will be switching to non-hormonal asap!
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Overall i love how easy it is to use and not worry about. My periods are not regular when i first get the new device then eventually become monthly spotting. my skin did get worse and i still get monthly cramps
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