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[honorsmum]

Maybe it's because I'm feeling a bit wobbly generally at the moment (PMT, I think), but I'm getting myself into a state over the prospect of having the Mirena coil - I get tearful even thinking about it.

It's not just the insertion, it's the possible side effects (moods,in particular) and the risk of it moving/getting embedded/rejecting - as well as the thought of it being in there.

I'm not usually funny about internals, smears etc but the whole Mirena thing is really freaking me out.
Problem is, I don't know what the alternative is, as tablet progesterone is a no go because of having Crohn's.

[Mrs January]

hi there

I have had two Mirena coil and feel so much better for them, no issues at all ...good luck with you choices xx

[honorsmum]

Thank you for the reassurance, Mrs January.
I was offered it 9 years ago, after my second child was born, but was reluctant then too.
I just feel so anxious about it, which is odd because I don't feel in any way anxious about starting HRT - it's a complete physical fear of the coil.

[brownhare]

I have been offered the Mirena coil a couple of times and refused it, but my reasons and situation may be very different from yours. I would only say, if you are so worried about it, to either have further talks with medical providers to put your mind at rest, or trust your instincts and not have one fitted for now. Good luck with it. xx

[honeybun]

Would using Utrogestan vaginally not be an option for you. That way you remain in control and can stop if it doesn't suit you which is a bit of a problem with the coil.
If you use vaginally then you are bypassing the gut so there would be no absorption issues.


Honeyb
x

[dahliagirl]

I must admit I turned down the 'offer' of a Mirena when I was told I could no longer stay on the pill.  It was certainly not what I had in mind, I was very cross about the pill thing, and the whole idea freaked me out.  It is quite hard, in my mind,  to get from going into the doctors just to have your BP checked to suddenly consenting to this.

I sort of came round to the idea and tried a pop with levenorgestrel in it.  I didn't get on with it as it added another 3 days to my intestinal transit, like the other pills I tried, and at the time I was having a small rectocele repaired, so shelved the idea.  The GP who fitted them retired, and the only way to get one would have been the family planning clinic, and I don't even know where that is..........

I don't know if I would have been better with a mirena.  I do quite fancy the idea of having one with gel or patches.  I am sure it is better for you long term, than taking tablets as they have to be processed through the liver.

[Hurdity]

Hi honorsmum

I can understand your feelings - I was offered one a couple of years ago when I had a hysteroscopy - it would have been very easy for the gynae to pop it in at the same time. I refused but my reasons different from yours. I'm not bothered about having a physical thing up there, but I was worried about the systemic absorption of the synthetic progestogen, levonorgestrel.

The advantage for women in peri-menopause is the continuous progestogen which regulates the bleeding. Tou wouldn;t want to use utrogestan vaginally all the time ofr obvious reasons ( ) and using it for half the month will not regulate heavy bleeding in the same way - in fact at your stage bleeding could be even heavier until your ovaries begin to decline, due to the added oestrogen.

The other alternative is a non-licensed progesterone which doesn't tend to be used now - Cyclogest - which are waxy capsules used as pessaries or suppositories (the latter not to everyone's taste  ). I used these for several years before the advent of Utrogestan and was prescribed these by my GP. With a suppository there is systemic absorption but not the digestive issues although interesting effect the next morning  !!

No need to work yourself up about it and cause yourself extra stress, if you are not happy with the idea of a Mirena - and why not wait a while and see how you feel generally?  In the end you may find the decision is made for you in that you decide you are prepared to try something to enable you to feel better?

Try not to worry...

Hurdity x

[honorsmum]

Thanks, all.

The vaginal progesterone option was touched on briefly in my appointment with Annie Evans, but she felt the Mirena was a better option, not least because of its use as contraception.
She said that while it is synthetic progesterone, only a very tiny amount gets into the bloodstream - so it shouldn't have the same side effects I experienced with Cerazette.

I have friends who have or have had the Mirena and like it a lot - I think I'm probably over-thinking it and focusing on worst-case scenarios.

I'm waiting for the oestrogen gel to arrive, and understand I can start it in advance of getting the Mirena - maybe the oestrogen will make me feel so much better that I'll happily plump for the coil if it means I can stick with the gel?

[honorsmum]

Just to add - this is one of the cons of private consultations: not being able to contact the consultant outside of appointments.

[CLKD]

The Consultant will have a secretary so you could phone the dept.?

[honorsmum]

The Consultant will have a secretary so you could phone the dept.?

As far as I understand it, the secretary only deals with booking appointments.
I'd need to get a new private prescription, and then be able to collect it - not sure how private prescriptions work? (Assuming vaginal progesterone would be the right choice for me, which doesn't seem clear.)

[CLKD]

She's not a secretary then  ………. worth giving her a ring though  with your query? wonder who does the typing of reports etc. ……...

[dogdoc]

Well honours mum if you end up getting it and you like it please let us know. I know I for one am another  struggling with decision to try mirena. Pros and cons... As always.
Tara

[honorsmum]

Well honours mum if you end up getting it and you like it please let us know. I know I for one am another  struggling with decision to try mirena. Pros and cons... As always.
Tara

It's so hard, isn't it?
I have a complete mental block about it.
The thought of struggling through without HRT is too gruesome to think about on my bad days...but so to is the thought of suffering horrible side effects from the Mirena.

Rock and a hard place springs to mind.

[CLKD]

So did you decide ?