Six years ago, to address my heavy and prolonged periods, I had the Myrena coil fitted. It was explained to me by my very informative well women doctor as a inter-uterine contraceptive device with a hormone impregnated section that would deliver a far lower dose of progesterone than the pill directly into the womb lining.

I was warned that it would be very uncomfortable to fit as I hadn't ever had children, so my cervix would by very tight. My GP (a woman) was very gentle and explained every step to me. I was given a local anaesthetic injection into the cervix that turned out to be far more painful than the procedure itself! The coil is inside an applicator tube, about the size of a drinking straw. This is inserted through the cervix into the womb and then the tube is withdrawn leaving the coil in place. Two plastic coated copper wires are left protruding out of the cervix into the womb and these are trimmed short. They are left long enough to feel and you are advised to check once a month after your period (if you still have them). It is important that if your partner can feel them during sex you go back to your GP and have them re-trimed. Be prepared to go back as many times as it takes for you both to be comfortable!

Then it came to the time to remove and replace it. I had put it off for about 5 months longer than I should have and had started getting spotting once a month. Also I had moved and only recently registered with a new GP. I went in for a pre-fitting checkup and made the appointment.

So, new coil fitted I felt happy and was looking forward to another 5 period free years.

Eventually I made the decision to have the coil removed and not replaced. The procedure was relatively painless and in response to my questions about the potential failure of the coil my GP has sent it back to the manufacturer for investigation. I have worked in the medical device industry and was aware of the regulatory requirement for manufacturers to investigate potential failures of medical devices and spoke with my GP about it. She was very helpful and agreed to send it back. I'm seeing her again shortly and hope to find out a bit more.

My advice? The Myrena worked wonders for me first time around. As for why the replacement failed? I cannot answer that. It could be that it was faulty or my hormone imbalance may be to blame. At the end of the day I suggest that you get all the information you can, read all the opinions, talk to women with them fitted and make as informed judgement as you can.