Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Noheroicsplease on December 02, 2016, 05:06:25 PM
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I've decided to go onto HRT. On the advice of my doctor and consultant I'm going to have the coil fitted and use oestrogen gel.
I was happy with the decision until I strolled around mumsnet and read SO MANY ALARMING stories about the shit time women had with the coil. Weight gain, depression, acne...I can't cope with any of these
Am I just seeing those stories that women wish to share - aka the bad ones - and is the coil ok for large swathes of women?
Thanks
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The horror stories for anything tend to feature strongly on the net - you find so many scary stories about HRT. For some reason, when people do well on something they don't bother to post this online.
I found the Mirena a good option and when I had it fitted I asked the gynae what the success rate was for women using the Mirena - she said it was over 90%. The only side effect I had was a bit of sedation in the first few months - I slept like a baby and as I hadn't been sleeping well before I felt I was catching up on all the lost sleep. Within weeks I was feeling better - energy and confidence returned - I even started teaching dancing again.
There are many good reasons why so most gynaes recommend women to have a Mirena - they can't all be wrong.
DG x
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Good response! Thanks so much. I, too, would like to sleep like a baby...
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I have had my Mirena for nearly eight months and am happy with it, apart from the 4.5 months of spotting but that was very light. I have slept better since I had it fitted, but have never felt sedated. Not sure if the Mirena is the reason or whether it is the Estrogel or coincidence.
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Just a thought, I too trawled Mumsnet and read the horror stories, but do you not think that they are using it for different reasons, mainly contraception and they may have more normal levels of oestrogen and progesterone.
Surely at our age group, I'm 45 by the way, the Mirena may replace a hormone that is now lower than it should be?
I've had 1 spot and no depression with the Mirena and had it just over 3 weeks.
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I'm sure lots do have a bad time but lots more are helped greatly by having a mirena coil, myself included. I suffered so badly with really heavy periods and insomnia - periods gone, insomnia now only occasionally.
Yep, I got the teenage pimples to begin with. Also got head-splitting migraines and low mood but am glad I persevered. Those symptoms have now gone & I'd be devastated if I had to get it removed.
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I had a Mirena, used Evotel patches alongside this. Felt the best I've felt on any hrt at that time. Am hoping to be able to go back on the same regime.
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Anyone reading this forum would assume that the menopause is always a horrendous time for women...but lots of them breeze through without really noticing. It's the ones that have a tough time who need the support of a forum. I'm sure the same thing applies to Mirena - if you haven't had a problem with it, you don't need to go to a forum for help! So you are automatically going to find the majority of people talking about it on a forum are the unlucky ones who have had bad experiences!
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Yes, all true about why people go to forums.
Thanks all.
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Hi Noheroricsplease
I am going down the same route as you and having the coil fitted on Tuesday to use with the oestrogen gel and the replies on here have been very helpful - thanks everyone! When are you having yours fitted?
DollyD x
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Not till Jan - can't get an appointment before. Let me know how you get on! Good luck.
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Having mine fitted on wed. Will keep you posted.
Dx
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Had mine fitted this morning, wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. Took 2 ibruprofen and despite my tilted uterus which made it more difficult to get in, it was a very short amount of discomfort. Felt OK afterwards, but feeling tired now and a little light headed with cramp like period pains, hoping it will pass after a nights sleep. Got the oestrogel from the pharmacist and will probably start that tomorrow.
Good luck with your fittings Noheroicsplease and Dawncam x
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Thanks Dollydream - I've also got a tilted uterus so glad to hear it was relatively trouble-free. I had one fitted about 4 years ago but had it removed after a few months as it was in an awkward position but other than that, I don't remember any probs.
Dxx
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Hope all goes well tomorrow with the fitting Dawncam, let us know how you get on x
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Will do, thank you.
Dxx
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Quick update - coil fitted yesterday, less than 10 mins, bit twingy but really no probs at all. Feel great so far. Consultant said systemic absorption is approx 2 mini pill equivalent per week. So far, so good - feel great just hope it continues.
Dxx
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That's good it went well, I have had mine 8 months now.
Nice to know it is only equivalent to two pills!
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Hope it works for you Dawncam keep us posted. I've always been scared of having one as I could never tolerate the pill. However, I have an appointment at the menopause clinic next week because I'm fed up of having periods and the up and down that goes with it every month. I suspect they'll suggest the mirena but was going to ask about the jaydess because it has less progesterone, we'll see x
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Thank you Tinkerbell - good to hear you're still going strong after 8 months, hope I'm the same.
Peri - Thank you too. I asked for Jaydess but I knew they'd refuse for HRT as it's not licensed for that. I've got an email from prof studd sanctioning the use of Jaydess but couldn't be bothered arguing the case and consultant said there really wasn't much difference in terms of systemic absorption. I'm sure if you argue your case re. The pill etc they'd do the Jaydess for you. I always suspected I needed a (very small) amount of P as I always felt great after 2 days on utro but awful after more so really hoping it stays as it is just now. Like you, I was tired of periods especially as I'm post meno and just found Utro too much hassle. I'm sleeping really well and feel relaxed but not drugged. Fingers crossed there's little change.
Dxx
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Hi Dawncam
I'm exactly the same I initially feel good when I start the utro then a few days in it's like a switch has been flicked and I feel terrible (sometimes I don't finish the whole course) and it doesn't come out of my system until at least a week later. My main worry is the mirena won't work for me and I'll have difficulty getting anyone to agree to remove it. I'm currently going through a difficult time at work (facing redundancy) and can't afford any additional stress. But like you I'm also recently post meno so would really like a long term solution that works.
Your post gives me hope, fingers crossed for a good result.
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Thanks Peri - I can't believe how well I feel and I know it's early days so don't want to gloat too much! This lovely relaxed happy feeling is what a lot of women get with U and I could never understand after day 2! Like you, I'd often only manage 5 days on U - sleep disturbances were also common on U but I'm sleeping like a baby just now.
It may be the very thing you need Peri to help you feel a bit more relaxed through your difficult work situation. If you have it fitted next week, you'd have some of the holidays to let it settle in so that may work out well. In terms of having it removed, your GP can do that so don't worry about having to suffer with something you don't want. I understand that any unwanted symptoms disappear within 24/48 hours of removal.
Good luck with your decision and keep me posted.
Dxx
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I am so pleased to hear it went well, Dawn.
It's made me look forward to mine in Jan.
I didn't tolerate the pill either, but I wonder if that's because I always had quite healthy levels of progesterone? That it was too much for me. Now I'm at rock bottom, the coil might be what I need.
After a crappy morning and a huge sob at my desk for no real reason, I'm willing to give it a go now! x
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I think you've hit the nail on the head noheroicsplease - we're not dealing with the same levels as we were and need to try and get the right balance for now. I used to get teary on low and high oestrogen but I'm really hoping that the key is 'just' the right amount of P to balance everything- I know that too much is a no no for me so will have this one out and a Jaydess in if it becomes too much. But the P levels are very low with this so hopefully the good feelings will continue.
I've also stopped T as I have a bit of hairloss and the mirena P can cause androgenic effects so just want to cover all bases. TBH I don't think I need T anymore and I've always found low level P has a favourable effect on my libido anyway - sorry if TMI but it's good to get everyone's experience when you're about to start something new. I'll re-start T if I feel it's necessary but I also think that may have had an impact on bad sleeping. We'll see. Hope everything stays as is. Very happy so far.
Good luck with yours, keep us posted.
Dxx
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Eek. I didn't know coil can cause androgenic effects. Is this common?
I had hair loss through terrible ferritin levels some years ago and it was awful. Would hate to have hair loss again.
x
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I didn't get androgenic effects with the Mirena and I've never been aware that this is common
- Noheroicsplease, do stop picking up on the negatives or you won't get anywhere. Give the Mirena a try and there is a very good chance you will be fine. Be bold, be brave. DG x
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My hair hasn't fallen out with the Mirena, he fact it seems to be thicker, maybe that's the oestrogen though!
Agree with DG, just go for it, you can always get it removed.
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Noheroicsplease - I completely agree with dancinggirl and tinkerbell - you need to not look at the negatives and focus on positives. All synthetic progestins have a possible androgenic effect - they may or may not but the drugs companies HAVE to be honest about any reported side effects. Some of these SE reported by women could be due to a variety of other factors and not the mirena. All I can say is that in my previous mirena experience and so far this time round I feel so good and sleep so well that I'm delighted I made the decision to have one. I'm also relieved I don't have the hassle and AWFUL SE of Utro. Please focus on the positives in your decision making and the fact that this could be a solution to any problems you're having just now- it is for me. I didn't lose hair last time I had a mirena and have only lost a little due to low E and possibly imbalanced T.
Dx
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Hi all
Happy New Year!
Had my coil fitted this morning. Wasn't nice but not too bad.
Will start using eostrogen gel on Thursday.
When can I start to see if it makes any difference, good or bad?!
Thanks
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Happy New Year to you too and well done. I'm having mine fitted Friday (dreading it) will probably start a post. Sorry I can't answer your question but I think absence of any side effects would be a result for me. I'm particularly worried about low mood and low libido. Wonder what happened to Dawncam if I remember correctly she had one fitted but seems to have disappeared I hope she's ok, I was following her progress x