Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Jane50 on September 08, 2020, 03:36:01 PM
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Hi all,
Don't want to sound thick but is the Mirena the same for HRT and contraception? Not different doses of progesterone depending on what it's used for??
It's just I'm having trouble getting anywhere to fit one. Now been referred to sexual health clinic who will only fit it for contraceptive reasons... ::). So does it matter what you're actually using it for if you see what I mean?!
x
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I sees what you mean. MayB put the product name into the search box here and see what pops up? Or ring a Pharmacist and if necessary, it's for contraception ;-). Has it been prescribed by your GP?
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I was going to say "It's all double Dutch to me" but thought that might get lost in translation ;-)
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Thanks CLKD
Recommended by gynae for heavy, painful bleeds in letter to Gp. But my Gp surgery (and three others) not offering it at mo and referred me to sexual health clinic. But they only do it for contraceptive reasons. So! I don't want to say its for contraception if I end up with something different to what I need for HRT... :o :o
Otherwise lengthy wait to have it fitted in hospital. Loving this menopause mallarky!
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It is used for both, i had my first Mirena when i was one year post meno but my GP surgery fitted it. I have to say i have heard that clinics won't fit them for meno reasons and yes say product is used in young and old!
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I had one fitted to supply the progestrone part of HRT. This was due to to the fact that I used to use the combined Femseven Conti patch which was discontinued and no other combined patch would supply the same Progestrone as the Femseven one. The shortages in HRT have played havoc and I am still trying to find an estrogen only patch that suits me after they also discontinued the Femseven 50 patch. On the estrodot one since March, but feel much grumpier and irritable. Trying to decide whether to go to estraderm patch to see if it makes me feel better.
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Thanks all.
Can't get anyone to ring me back from the clinics... I'll keep trying and see what they say.
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Hi all,
Don't want to sound thick but is the Mirena the same for HRT and contraception? Not different doses of progesterone depending on what it's used for??
It's just I'm having trouble getting anywhere to fit one. Now been referred to sexual health clinic who will only fit it for contraceptive reasons... ::). So does it matter what you're actually using it for if you see what I mean?!
x
Hi Jane50! Yes, the Mirena is one of a very few IUD's that can be used for hrt as well as contraception. It's a real shame that you are being given the runaround by your GP and clinics too.
I was fitted with the Mirena last week for HRT, and years ago had it for contraception. For me, it has been a great success and a major convenience. As HRT it is less likely to cause side effects as the progesterone is kept within the uterus mainly, and is a low dose.
I wouldn't give up if you've made the decision that the Mirena is right for you, women should have access to the appropriate way to manage their menopause.
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Thanks Brit66,
I've finally managed to get an appt to get Mirena fitted end of this month.
I'm hoping it will be a good choice for me fingers crossed. Glad it's worked well for you ;)
X
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Hi Jane I’m having one fitted 24th for the progesterone side of HRT! Very nervous as this seems to be my last shot at it all
Good luck
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Hi Flan747, yes I'm very nervous too but lots have women seem to have good experiences with it so I'm focusing on that. Well, trying to! Also I've had three children so I'm hoping it will be easy to fit if you see what I mean! It wouldn't be my choice but like you I feel a bit pushed into it... Ugh menopause is very testing! Good luck to you too xx
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Thank you Jane will keep you posted! I think I’m nervous as obviously we only read the negatives on this forum but my specialist assured me she has had many ladies who do really well with it! Not long now I suppose my main concern is going backwards again with moods and feeling generally rough! Hoping the small amount of progesterone released will help
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Yes, that's exactly my worry, that it will make things worse as it takes ages to pull back doesn't it. But like you say most people who are on this site are having problems so it can give a skewed view. We'll think positive thoughts together! X
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Thanks Brit66,
I've finally managed to get an appt to get Mirena fitted end of this month.
I'm hoping it will be a good choice for me fingers crossed. Glad it's worked well for you ;)
X
That's great! Let us know how it goes :D
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Hi Flan747, yes I'm very nervous too but lots have women seem to have good experiences with it so I'm focusing on that. Well, trying to! Also I've had three children so I'm hoping it will be easy to fit if you see what I mean! It wouldn't be my choice but like you I feel a bit pushed into it... Ugh menopause is very testing! Good luck to you too xx
I had it fitted in my GPS surgery by the practice nurse and it wasn't a big deal at all, nothing to it really and I'm not particularly brave with these things lol!
I held off hrt for so long and I wish I hadn't. I read a lot of comments about side effects etc and was so scared of getting worse, but I just reached my limit so hoping this works really well for me now.
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Thank you for the reassurance! Going forward with a positive mind! Hope your works for you good luck
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I had Mirena fitted in Feb for same reasons. Took quite a while to settle down with spotting brown blood/discharge for weeks. Tbh if it hadn’t been lockdown I’d have given up and had it removed. I had progynova 50 patches for oestrogen then they were replaced with evorel which didn’t work half as well I felt. Recently gone back to progynova and much better. Really pleased with Mirena and patches. Hope it works well for you.
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Thanks for replying Raztac10.
So reassuring to hear success stories when it's looming over you.
Thank you :)
X
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Hi Flan and Jane, I had the Mirena fitted for the first time about 4 weeks ago. The fitting was fine but I did spend the day relaxing afterwards as I had period pains for most of the day. I’ve just had my first period and it lasted 10 days. It was no where near as painful as normal though. The only thing I’d say is that I had serious depression and anxiety for about two weeks afterwards. I’m not saying this to scare you, just to say that if you have the same, it really does settle so ride it out! I’m definitely pleased I had it fitted. Let us know how you get on x
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Hi Shelster,
Thanks for sharing. Was your period always around 10 days long before Mirena?? How long after fitting did it take for anxiety and depression to kick in??
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My period was about five days before, Jane, but so, so heavy! I’m assuming my 10 day period was due to the Mirena settling. A colleague at work said her period was weird for three months then disappeared totally so fingers crossed! The anxiety and depression kicked in after a couple of days. My husband was really quite worried about me but honestly, it really eased off after two weeks. I’ve been on estrogel for about three weeks now too and this morning I noticed that I felt calm for the first time since my peri symptoms started. That was a great feeling! I get the impression from other posts on here that it takes a few weeks to settle with the Mirena and then it’s a dream for most women. Hopefully you’ll have a good experience too! When is your appointment? x
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My period was about five days before, Jane, but so, so heavy! I’m assuming my 10 day period was due to the Mirena settling. A colleague at work said her period was weird for three months then disappeared totally so fingers crossed! The anxiety and depression kicked in after a couple of days. My husband was really quite worried about me but honestly, it really eased off after two weeks. I’ve been on estrogel for about three weeks now too and this morning I noticed that I felt calm for the first time since my peri symptoms started. That was a great feeling! I get the impression from other posts on here that it takes a few weeks to settle with the Mirena and then it’s a dream for most women. Hopefully you’ll have a good experience too! When is your appointment? x
It sounds so scary that you had actual depression and and anxiety with the Mirena, and that is the one that the dr's say causes the least amount of side effects! I haven't had any issues thank goodness, but I started taking sandrena and I think my anxiety levels definately have risen since I began. Hoping things level out soon, and already I'm feeling a little better all the time, I'm so thankful!
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Hi Shelster,
Thanks for sharing. Was your period always around 10 days long before Mirena?? How long after fitting did it take for anxiety and depression to kick in??
Jane50, you sound so anxious, please try to stay calm and expect good things from this step you're taking, it's much more likely to be successful than not! :)
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Thank you Britt66
I am trying to remain positive as this really is my last attempt. I still do not feel great on the Sandrena but as always will give it 3 months although sometimes I wonder why I wait so long as none of the HRT so far has worked! Sandrena appears to be the one that has worked the best so far but not great . Coil fitting is Thursday so fingers crossed. I have increased Sandrena for past few days due to period which has improved anxiety/ mood but obviously other issues arise ie bloating And nausea! Not sure how long I should stay on extra dose I am day 4 of cycle and period finished yesterday any ideas welcomed
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Thank you Britt66
I am trying to remain positive as this really is my last attempt. I still do not feel great on the Sandrena but as always will give it 3 months although sometimes I wonder why I wait so long as none of the HRT so far has worked! Sandrena appears to be the one that has worked the best so far but not great . Coil fitting is Thursday so fingers crossed. I have increased Sandrena for past few days due to period which has improved anxiety/ mood but obviously other issues arise ie bloating And nausea! Not sure how long I should stay on extra dose I am day 4 of cycle and period finished yesterday any ideas welcomed
I'm sorry you've not had the level of relief you need with hrt so far, hopefully the Mirena is going to add the needed component, as you said, you're going forward with a positive mind, and that does make a difference. Have you watched the Menopause Taylor videos on youtube? She is a highly respected obgnae who gives you the A to Z of everything to do with hrt, peri/menopause etc, I think you might find her very interesting and informative :) I'm glad to hear Sandrena is working pretty well for you, that encourages me! So far it's only been 12 days so I can't advise you on dosage, I have just been slowly increasing mine from .5 to the full 1mg dose and so far so good, and as you say, the 3 months is the recommended time to trial it, but it must seem a long time if it's not working or you have side effects.
Have you thought about adding a little testosterone to your routine? I've heard women say that that was what improved things for them so much, it may be worth a try. I tried it and it really helped my energy levels, eliminated bloating etc. but it did make me feel irritable after about 8 weeks. But I would give it another whirl if I thought things weren't improving with the Mirena/Sandrena regime. Hopefully the coil component will help you a lot, such a small amount of progesterone, staying firmly inside the uterus, should improve the side effects associated with progesterone.
Hope this all helps!
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Thank you no I’ve not seen those videos but will definitely check them out! I started on 4mg Sandrena as I do not absorb well! I have a blood test Tuesday to see roughly how I am absorbing the Sandrena! I do wonder if it is now too high! Would love to reduce as it is a pain so much gel🙈 I have not thought about testosterone but have heard a lot of positives about it so that may be the next thing once the coil settles! I have been paying a specialist but so far over the last 15 months it has cost a fortune so may just go with it myself. I presume I can only get the testosterone from a specialist ?
Thank you for your kind words and support it is very encouraging
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Thank you no I’ve not seen those videos but will definitely check them out! I started on 4mg Sandrena as I do not absorb well! I have a blood test Tuesday to see roughly how I am absorbing the Sandrena! I do wonder if it is now too high! Would love to reduce as it is a pain so much gel🙈 I have not thought about testosterone but have heard a lot of positives about it so that may be the next thing once the coil settles! I have been paying a specialist but so far over the last 15 months it has cost a fortune so may just go with it myself. I presume I can only get the testosterone from a specialist ?
Thank you for your kind words and support it is very encouraging
Oh wow! How did you find out that you don't absorb well? That sounds like a lot, I agree, the gel is a bit of a pain with the absorption and texture.
How is it that went to see a specialist? You can get all forms of hrt from your gp, and it's probably going to be less expensive? I went to a private menopause clinic and ended spending a fortune for compounded creams, only to find out they are not trustworthy! You live and learn :)
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Good luck next Thursday Flan. Mine isn't till 14th Oct now as the clinic was cancelled..
Hi Brit66 - I will do my best to remain calm.. I do get anxious about medical stuff, of which there is a lot with meno it seems! The lack of control I guess...
X
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Thank you Jane 50
Britt66
I had bloods done and they were never above 272 on 6 pumps of gel so specialist started me straight on 4mg! I agree sounds a lot but am waiting to have bloods done and results back before I decide if I need to lower the dose of Sandrena! I have heard applying for inner arm is more effective again will wait before I start changing things around! Your right about the specialist I really don’t need to spend all this money but I become desperate and thought they were my best option at the time
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Good luck next Thursday Flan. Mine isn't till 14th Oct now as the clinic was cancelled..
Hi Brit66 - I will do my best to remain calm.. I do get anxious about medical stuff, of which there is a lot with meno it seems! The lack of control I guess...
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I hear you, I used to be exactly the same and I ended up putting off hrt for years due to overthinking and imagining the worst scenarios. I seem to be doing better these days, I did the DARE program and I now just stop trying to have everything under control amongst other things. Sorry to hear your appointment got delayed, but at least it's still going to happen, and hopefully so much good will come of it for you :)
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Thank you Jane 50
Britt66
I had bloods done and they were never above 272 on 6 pumps of gel so specialist started me straight on 4mg! I agree sounds a lot but am waiting to have bloods done and results back before I decide if I need to lower the dose of Sandrena! I have heard applying for inner arm is more effective again will wait before I start changing things around! Your right about the specialist I really don’t need to spend all this money but I become desperate and thought they were my best option at the time
I didn't think they relied on blood tests as levels change so quickly, and that they went more on symptoms? I know what you mean, I felt it was the best thing to go for the private clinic, and for us at the time-it was!
Yes, I've seen several references to applying it on the inner arm, the skin is thinner there, it might really help you with absorption. I know there's the concern about the gel coming into contact with the breasts, but if you waited to let the gel dry completely or even better, if you wore sleeves, I'm sure you'd be fine :)
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I put my bra on and then apply the gel. That way I figure it can't come in contact with breasts. Still not sure how much I'm absorbing but will deal with that after Mirena..
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Me neither but my specialist said my levels need to be at least 500 as I’m still having regular periods to get rid of my symptoms!!
I thought I would have blood test coil fitted then start reducing and applying to my arms and go from there. So wish to lead a normal life again
Thank you for you replies it really does help
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I really hope that we all get our lives back by finding the way that works for us in these difficult years! :)