I first had the Mirena inserted after the birth of my second child at the age of 28. I had struggled with severe mood swings whilst taking the the contraceptive pill (mini pill) and had after years of changing between different types of pills lost the faith in it. My GP therefore suggested the Mirena coil is inserted into the womb. Once inserted it steadily releases a low level hormone into the womb (uterus) called Levonorgestrel. This is a synthetic form of the female sex hormone, progesterone.
The Mirena coil can once inserted be left in the womb for up to 5 years which is obviously one of the major advantages. A low maintance option which only requires some regular internal checks by yourself to ensure that your coil is still in place.
Further advantages are promised to be much lighter periods, especially interesting for women who suffer from heavy, painful periods. In some cases periods might stop altogether although I have yet to hear about this miracle.
Another advantage, is due to the low hormon level released into the body that mood swings experience as part of PMS
will be a lot less severe.
Disadvantages and side effects are as with most other contraceptive methods many, e.g.:
- irregular bleedings - Pelvic Inflammatory disease - No protection from sexually transmitted diseases - Weight gain - Headaches as severe as migranes - Depression - Nervousness - Nausea - Lower abdominal pain - Back pain - Breast pain - Acne - Vaginal discharge - Inflammation of the cervix - Skin reactions such as rash or itching - Decreased sex drive - Abdominal bloating
Don't let this put you off just yet because those side effects are very common in medicated contraceptive methods.
The coil was inserted at my local GP's practice through a GP. I have to say that it was a most unpleasant experience which has slightly traumatised me. I have never had any problems with going to smear tests but this was something else. It might have something to do with me suffering from a very common female problem called Cervical Erosion. This is the process where the cells of the cervix begin to grow on its outer surface. These cells can bleed when contact is made during sexual intercourse or after the insertion of a tampon.My GP said that any contact can make those cells bleed very easily.
So once I was out the practice, I had to walk home and the strings of the coil which feel like Nylon string or as my husband called it "strong fishing line". The ends had been cut by the GP to some extent but the sharp ends were digging into the skin and still sore tissue around it which made my short walk home an absolute nightmare. The first thing I did once home was to go to toilet, get my surgical instruments out - just a joke - take a pair of sissors and shorten the strings.
Although my GP warned me that irregular bleeding could take up to 6 months to settle down, I did not quite expect bleeding for a solid 3 weeks and then again after one week. This pattern carried on for about 8 months including severe abdominal pain, painful intercourse and my partner feeling very uncomfortable in feeling the sharp strings during intercourse.
I got really fed up with having so many and lenghty irregular bleeds after being blessed with a regular 28-day cycle for most of my adult life.
So, I went back to my GP and explained the situation. He issued a referral to outpatients at the local hospital where I was seen pretty nifty within 3 weeks. The surgeon explained that he would like to re-insert the coil as it was causing so much trouble and scheduled me in for day case surgery. I might add, that I was hugely relieved to have the procedure done under general anasthetic due to my previous unpleasant first insertion.
I have now had my second Mirena since May 2008, so for 18 months and I am sad to say that the irregular bleeds are, even if now lighter still a huge problem.
A further main issue that I would like to add here because I know that it is a very common fear of women is the huge weight gain, I have suffered since the insertions. I have ballooned from a decent size 12 to a size 16 by gaining almost 10 kilogramm!!
I can honestly say that I am not a junk food junkie and I eat a very healthy balanced diet with not much sugar and plenty of vegetables. My diet hasn't changed in the amounts or frequency of meals or kind of food I'm eating, so I unfortunately will have to put it down to the Mirena.
I am getting a bit fed up with the entire Mirena saga now, I have to say and might consider having it removed but am at loss on what the other more positive options should be. I might now consider sterilasation as I have two lovely children and have finalised my family planning at 31 years of age.
I hope this review will help you somewhat to come to a decision on wether to go for the Mirena or chose an alternative contraceptive option.
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