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Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 78 out now. (Winter issue, September 2024)

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Author Topic: Mirena advice needed  (Read 1196 times)

Wondering

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Mirena advice needed
« on: November 03, 2024, 06:33:25 PM »

I had the Mirena fitted 9 months ago for heavy periods and anaemia.

I bleed 2 or more weeks of the month but periods are much lighter.  They are still regular.

The upsides:  fat loss from stomach, thighs, arms.  Iron still low but less so.

Downsides: uterus and breast pain on and off for months, which has settled now,  infections, bad reaction early (diarrhoea and vomiting) but the worst has been low mood, sadness, panic attacks.  I get less stressed and angry in the week before my period but instead spend about 2-3 weeks feeling low and 10 days feeling like I am losing my mind leading up to my period.  I can’t think straight, want to cry, am sad and irritable and feel very brain foggy and anxious, not bothered and sometimes a bit paranoid.  It’s horrible.

 I feel ok for a few days to a week once my period is underway.

I spoke to the consultant and the strings aren’t reachable/visible so I am waiting for a removal in clinic at the hospital.

In the meantime the Dr prescribed 1 pump oestrogel to see if it helps or I was offered anti-depressants.  The gynae said best thing is mirena removal and she doesn’t think the oestrogel will help. 

I know it’s a very small dose of progestin in the coil but it doesn’t seem to agree with me.  Has anyone found a good alternative? Is utrogestan any different if you don’t tolerate progestin?

I wonder if it’s my own hormones in the background and ovulation causing the issue. 

I was on Yasmin in my 30s which I was fine on but it’s not recommended for my age now. 

I wonder if I could have something stops the ovulation and therefore my own hormones dipping I might be better but am struggling to find anything for 50+.  I don’t mind if it’s not a contraceptive as well.

If anyone has any advice or similar experience please let me know.

Thank you for reading.
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CLKD

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2024, 08:32:27 PM »

Hi!  Some do require the Mirena to be removed as it simply doesn't suit.  There are several threads so if U put 'mirena coil' into the search box you will be able to read them.

 :welcomemm:  browse round.   Make notes ;-)

U could also request to be referred to a dedicated menopause clinic as many medics, GPs and Gyanecologists alike, don't really know about peri etc..  U may find that the Nurse Practitioner might be helpful.

ADs can help, but it is suggested that HRT is the 1st route.  It really depends on which symptom U would like to ease.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom of use to chart progress. 
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Wondering

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2024, 08:36:01 PM »

Thank you. 
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CLKD

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2024, 09:35:49 AM »

Morning - let us know how you get on, ask away.
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bombsh3ll

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2024, 12:14:00 PM »

The progestin in Yasmin is drospirenone.

Luckily for you it has recently been brought to market as a standalone pill called Slynd.

It is not yet licenced for use within HRT but is being used by specialists off label for this.

You may have to self fund it but it is an option if mirena and utrogestan aren't for you.

Taking 2*cerazette pills daily is another option. This will also shut down your own cycle and can achieve amenorrhea in most.

I wonder why a gynaecologist thinks estrogen "won't help" a 50+ woman?!
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Wondering

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2024, 12:18:59 PM »

Thank you all very much.

I think the gynaecologist meant the oestrogen wouldn’t help with low mood from the coil.  Does anyone have any experience of oestrogen helping combat the low mood on the coil?

If I’ve understood right the clotting issue is with Drospirenone.   I’m wondering if the Dr would the advise Slynd to 50+?  I’m going to ask though!

I will ask about cerazette also.

My periods are still regular so I could have several more years to go before they stop. I don’t really know.

I want to get rid of all the symptoms ideally.  Not be anaemic and not feel sad, anxious and detached like I do on the coil. I also don’t want to go back to the PMS I had before, which was shorty but more angry.

A bit more anaemia info:

The coil has reduced anaemic but I still low on iron.

I had an iron infusion (for surgery) about a year ago then the coil.

I’ve always had heavy periods (since about a year in) and always been anaemic on tests.

Before the coil I was also diagnosed with adenomyosis.

Thanks again. It’s appreciated.
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bombsh3ll

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2024, 05:17:26 PM »

The clot issues with yazmin are because the progestin is combined with ethinylestradiol.

If you take drospirenone alone or with transdermal estradiol, this is much less of an issue.
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Wondering

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Re: Mirena advice needed
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2024, 08:29:10 PM »

Thank you!
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