Contraception as you get older

username123

Im married, and approaching 40, I do not want children.

Ive been on the pill since my teens, actually at first I was on it to regulate my periods, but then stayed on it for contraception.

Im also allergic to latex so condoms are no fun for me!

I discussed contraception with my doctor earlier today and she advised that although I am ok to stay on the pill for now my other options are the implanon or the mirena coil.

I dont really know anything about either of them and although Ive googled I thought Id ask here what peoples experiences of them are. I am not looking for medical advice.

Personally I feel a bit queasy at the thoughts of a thing in me, either an implant in my arm or a coil. I just dont like the idea of foreign bodies in me.

Are they expensive to get put in/taken out?

Do people tend to find bad side effects? One of the problems of googling is you get a lot of the bad stories!!

What do other women use as long term contraception? I thought about getting my tubes tied but I really dont want surgery, and I dont want my husband to have a vascectomy as he is younger than me and if I died he could meet someone else who wanted children - you know?

Morag

I have an an ius/mirena and am in my late 30s.
I'm on my 3rd one. Honestly you forget that you have it in.
The only side effect I've had is my periods stopping, which is good one

It costs about 400 quid to get it and have it fitted but it lasts for 5 years.
And as they can be used instead of HRT I can just have another
until I am done and finished menapause.

I had looked at getting my tubes done, but the IUS is actually rated higher then a tubal ligation and it's not major surgery.

bronte

Essure is a non surgical alternative to a tubal. Not sure if they do it in Ireland.

Edit: They do!

http://www.essure.ie/Home/tabid/1036/Default.aspx

If it makes you feel any better I've heard many women rave about how great the coil is.

LuLu2012

I've only ever went on the Depo Provera ( Worst Decision ever btw ) But I know a lot of people that got the implant in the arm my mam for start she got pregnant on it lol my friend it Broke inside her arm she was dead sick with it but other people I no swear by it and there fine so I suppose it depends on your body and how you react to it.

username123

bronte wrote: »

Essure is a non surgical alternative to a tubal. Not sure if they do it in Ireland.

I had a look at this online before Bronte and 2 things put me off. The first is that its not been around that long so not much data on long term effects. But the second reason is bigger:

Removal of the Essure micro-inserts would require surgery

Again, I just would rather not take the risk of a surgery in the case of things going wrong, when there are non surgical options.

No GP has ever mentioned Essure to me, even though I have discussed contraception on and off over the past 20 years with different GPs. I wonder how popular it really is?

Ive one friend who has the Mirena coil who is very happy with it. Its a big outlay though isnt it? 400 quid. I know that thats for 5 years, but its a lot at once.

bronte

username123 wrote: »

I had a look at this online before Bronte and 2 things put me off. The first is that its not been around that long so not much data on long term effects. But the second reason is bigger:



Again, I just would rather not take the risk of a surgery in the case of things going wrong, when there are non surgical options.

No GP has ever mentioned Essure to me, even though I have discussed contraception on and off over the past 20 years with different GPs. I wonder how popular it really is?

Ive one friend who has the Mirena coil who is very happy with it. Its a big outlay though isnt it? 400 quid. I know that thats for 5 years, but its a lot at once.

I hear ya. I think essure tends to be more popular in the uk/states.
If you thought you'd need a removal then I'd err on the side of caution.
It's really for people who want the hell away from hormones.
Doctors in Ireland never mention sterilisation in my experience.

I never knew an ius could be used in place of hrt!
You learn something new everyday.
I suppose if you do a quick add up of what you'd spend on the pill/injection over 5 years it'd probably work out the same as a mirena?

Morgase

Same experience as Sharrow, though I don't recall mine costing quite as much as €400, I thought it was more like €300.

Anyway, even if it is as much as €400, I reckon that's still cheaper than the pill and associated doctor visits for five years (the Mirena coil lasts five years).

The nice thing about the coil is that it's easily removed if you decide it's not for you.

username123

Thats true Bronte - Ive never had a doctor mention sterilisation in fairness!!
Id just be thinking in terms of removal as its not long around, possible complications etc... you want to think you can go back to normal easily if there are issues you know?

Yes ladies, you really have me thinking about the Mirena coil.
I suppose I feel a bit squirmy about a thing being in me. I just dont like the idea of that.
You are right though, its cheaper than doc visits/prescriptions for the pill over 5 years.

Can you still have smears as normal with the Mirena? Are there any physical effects, I mean, you can still use tampons (if you still get periods), you cant 'feel' it?

Whats it made off?

I didnt know that it stopped you having periods. I originally went on the pill to regulate my periods, but Ive not been pill free for 20 years, so my cycle is totally artificial anyway. Id be happy if it was gone lol!!

Morgase

I don't think Mirena stops periods for every woman - but it has for me which is fantastic as I hated the bloody things from the very beginning. They do stop for a large proportion of women though.

You can still have smears with it. I certainly can't feel my coil. It did hurt for a few days after insertion but since then, not a twinge.

I think it's made of plastic. From that there's a couple of strings which hang down through the cervix which can be used to check that it's correctly in place.

username123

Thanks Morgase, thats reassuring that you wouldnt even know its there.

I would certainly love to lose the periods - who wouldnt!!!

Are there any negatives besides painful insertion?

Joey the lips

just say this in passing.... have you considered asking your husband get the snip. most men would be happy to but i suppose its a couples decision

Malari

She mentioned in the first post she doesn't want her husband to get a vasectomy.

I'm similar to you OP, well I'm not allergic to latex, but I wouldn't want to reply on condoms either! I considered the coil and the injection and discussed with my GP but have decided not to go with any and just stick with the pill for now. I don't feel comfortable with foreign bodies in me for any length of time either. I'd prefer to have a bit more control. I haven't been on the pill for as long as you but I'm just going to stick with it for as long as my GP thinks it's ok.

jaja321

I'm in my early thirties and I've tried every form of hormonal contraceptive going and nothing worked for me. I just can't take hormones. So decided to try the non hormonal coil, as a last resort. I was pretty terrified at the thought if getting it, but honestly it wasn't that bad. It's uncomfortable getting it inserted and there is bad cramping for a few days after, but I've had it now for about 5 months and its great. Don't have to remember to take anything and no hormones! The Well Woman centre on liffey street are great, and it costs about 200. Best of luck with whatever you choose :-)

username123

jaja321 wrote: »

So decided to try the non hormonal coil, as a last resort. I was pretty terrified at the thought if getting it, but honestly it wasn't that bad. It's uncomfortable getting it inserted and there is bad cramping for a few days after, but I've had it now for about 5 months and its great. Don't have to remember to take anything and no hormones! The Well Woman centre on liffey street are great, and it costs about 200. Best of luck with whatever you choose :-)

Is this the copper coil?

It wasnt offered to me, I thought it was gone? Is it only for women who have had children?

@Malari, what is driving this for me is that I get withdrawal headaches on the week off the pill. Its not serious, but Id rather not stay on it if there is a viable alternative - you know?

I think that because there were less options available when I first went on the pill in my teens, and then I just stayed on it (if it aint broke dont fix it type of thing), I never really knew much about any of the alternatives because I didnt need them.

Malari

Yeah, I understand. I suppose I was lucky with the pill I was initially prescribed too. I don't have a week off, and I've never had a single problem. I've only researched alternative options recently. I was told by the GP that it was difficult to fit (or get someone to fit) Mirena for women who've not been pregnant before, so that dissuaded me too.

username123

Yeah, my GP said she doesnt do it and that Id be referred to the local family planning clinic where they have a dedicated team for it, so they can handle situations where its not so easy to fit. But she said that it can be sorted with local anasthetic if needs. I didnt really get any other info because she said if I wanted to go there they could discuss in more detail with me.

Has anyone here who hasnt had children gotten it and was it hard to fit?

jaja321

username123 wrote: »

jaja321 wrote: »

So decided to try the non hormonal coil, as a last resort. I was pretty terrified at the thought if getting it, but honestly it wasn't that bad. It's uncomfortable getting it inserted and there is bad cramping for a few days after, but I've had it now for about 5 months and its great. Don't have to remember to take anything and no hormones! The Well Woman centre on liffey street are great, and it costs about 200. Best of luck with whatever you choose :-)

Is this the copper coil?

It wasnt offered to me, I thought it was gone? Is it only for women who have had children?

@Malari, what is driving this for me is that I get withdrawal headaches on the week off the pill. Its not serious, but Id rather not stay on it if there is a viable alternative - you know?

I think that because there were less options available when I first went on the pill in my teens, and then I just stayed on it (if it aint broke dont fix it type of thing), I never really knew much about any of the alternatives because I didnt need them.

Yes, the copper coil, and I haven't had any children. A lot of GPs won't do it but the well woman centres do. They do quite a few of them each year, and know exactly what they are doing!

Morgase

username123 wrote: »

Has anyone here who hasnt had children gotten it and was it hard to fit?

Me!

It wasn't very easy to fit because I found it difficult to relax, even though I'd taken a Valium or something beforehand. But it was over very quickly!

They usually fit it on the second or third day of your period. Presumably the cervix is a bit more open at that stage.

username123

jaja321 wrote: »

Yes, the copper coil, and I haven't had any children. A lot of GPs won't do it but the well woman centres do. They do quite a few of them each year, and know exactly what they are doing!

Wow - I didnt know about this, thanks for this info!

How long can you keep it in for and are there any contra indications or side effects etc?

Morgase wrote: »

Me!

It wasn't very easy to fit because I found it difficult to relax, even though I'd taken a Valium or something beforehand. But it was over very quickly!

They usually fit it on the second or third day of your period. Presumably the cervix is a bit more open at that stage.

So you didnt need local anasthetic?
Sorry to be gross now, but did it not freak you out to be getting it in during your period? I usually reschedule anything to do with 'down there' if I have my period, just feel kind of icky about it. Without being totally crude, how do you handle that, do you wear a tampon or something right up to the point of and then use a loo before you go for the procedure?
And what about after, its bad enough having to put your knickers back on while you dance about on one leg after a smear but to deal with your period as well - I just cant imagine it. Id be terrified Id be dropping bits of blood on the floor or furniture.

Or am I just totally naive and this is all just ordinary stuff that Ive managed to not experience?

jaja321

username123 wrote: »

jaja321 wrote: »

Yes, the copper coil, and I haven't had any children. A lot of GPs won't do it but the well woman centres do. They do quite a few of them each year, and know exactly what they are doing!

Wow - I didnt know about this, thanks for this info!

How long can you keep it in for and are there any contra indications or side effects

Up to ten years, depending which one they can fit. Cramping can be bad for first few months, but it settles down. You can PM me if u have any questions.

username123

jaja321 wrote: »

Up to ten years, depending which one they can fit. Cramping can be bad for first few months, but it settles down. You can PM me if u have any questions.

Thank you jaja321. I have been doing a bit of online research since and think Im more informed now! (terrible, nearly 40 and still back in the 80s as far as contraception is concerned!).

The one thing that puts me off is the heavier periods possible side effect.

But I really like the idea of non hormonal contraception.

I have just phoned my closest well woman and they said to come in to have a consultation and the doc will go through all the options, theyre quite far away so Im going to ring my local family planning clinic tomorrow (theyre closed now) and see if they do the copper coil as well before making a decision where to go for an appointment (prefer to go where there are maximum options open).

Morgase

username123 wrote: »

So you didnt need local anasthetic?
Sorry to be gross now, but did it not freak you out to be getting it in during your period? I usually reschedule anything to do with 'down there' if I have my period, just feel kind of icky about it. Without being totally crude, how do you handle that, do you wear a tampon or something right up to the point of and then use a loo before you go for the procedure?
And what about after, its bad enough having to put your knickers back on while you dance about on one leg after a smear but to deal with your period as well - I just cant imagine it. Id be terrified Id be dropping bits of blood on the floor or furniture.

Or am I just totally naive and this is all just ordinary stuff that Ive managed to not experience?

Nope, no anasthetic needed. I forgot to mention you're given some pessaries to insert well up into the vagina which kinda help to loosen up the cervix. So between that and menstruating it makes it much easier to insert the coil.

I think they ask you to come in for the insertion on the second or third day of your period because the flow is a bit less then, and so you're less likely to be spotting onto the floor Of course, you'll know yourself what day is best for you in terms of a lessened flow.

I know what you mean about it all sounding a bit gross, but once I was there I just forgot about it all. I just used sanitary towels that day and used the loo beforehand. You can't really use tampons beforehand on account of having to insert the pessaries to soften the cervix.

Hope this helps!

username123

Thanks Morgase, still feel a bit grossed out thinking about that tbh!!

Im really glad I started this thread - thank you so much everyone for the info, its really helped me a lot, I will make an appointment to discuss further with a doc, but Im glad there are not going to be nasty shocks if I know what to expect!!

Thoie

One other thing to note about the cost of the Mirena, is that your GP/gynae gives you a prescription for it, and you pick it up in a chemist, and only pay whatever the max monthly drug charge is (€130ish these days?)

The box is ginormous - it looks about as long as your forearm, but the thing itself is tiny. There's sterile packaging and an applicator inside the box which is what makes the packaging so large.

jaja321

username123 wrote: »

Thank you jaja321. I have been doing a bit of online research since and think Im more informed now! (terrible, nearly 40 and still back in the 80s as far as contraception is concerned!).

The one thing that puts me off is the heavier periods possible side effect.

But I really like the idea of non hormonal contraception.

I have just phoned my closest well woman and they said to come in to have a consultation and the doc will go through all the options, theyre quite far away so Im going to ring my local family planning clinic tomorrow (theyre closed now) and see if they do the copper coil as well before making a decision where to go for an appointment (prefer to go where there are maximum options open).

No problem at all, happy to help! Its not pleasant getting it done, but honestly I'm the most squeamish person and if I can do it, anyone can!

Everyone reacts differently, but for me everything has calmed down after a few months, so its really worked for me.

Best of luck with it anyway!

Morag

http://www.mirena.com/en/public/contraceptive_choices/intrauterine_system/index.php

It is made of flexible plastic.
Yes you can have smear tests as normal and use tampons.
No I can't feel it and my partner hasn't either.

I know it can seem a lot to outlay but once it's done that's it for 5 years.

username123

Sharrow wrote: »

http://www.mirena.com/en/public/contraceptive_choices/intrauterine_system/index.php

It is made of flexible plastic.
Yes you can have smear tests as normal and use tampons.
No I can't feel it and my partner hasn't either.

I know it can seem a lot to outlay but once it's done that's it for 5 years.

I was on that website earlier Sharrow and what worried me was this:

You should contact your healthcare professional if you experience any of the following2:
you no longer feel the threads in your vagina

because that got me thinking you could feel it there or your partner would notice/feel it there. I mean, would you be looking for the threads? Are they down far enough that you can feel them easily - I hardly imagine women are looking for them regularly?

I agree re outlay, it does seem a lot up front but when you add up cost of pill over same time frame its actually a lot less.

Thoie

username123 wrote: »

because that got me thinking you could feel it there or your partner would notice/feel it there. I mean, would you be looking for the threads? Are they down far enough that you can feel them easily - I hardly imagine women are looking for them regularly?

It's suggested that you check for the threads from time to time, but personally I suspect they're somewhere up around the tonsils. GP has confirmed they're still there at smear time

Ayla

I had a mirena - the strings are very thin, you have to be deliberately feeling for them in order to actually feel them. The doc who inserted mine said that if my husband could feel them then they could be trimmed, but that never seemed to be an issue in the doc's experience.

The mirena itself is about 2-3 inches long and about 1.5 inches wide at the biggest part (it's shaped like a T). The "arms" are very flexible, so they bend back during insertion & then fan out to catch & hold the mirena in place.

Obviously the insertion process isn't fun, and it's good to get someone to drive you there & home b/c you can feel nauseous after, but once it's done it's usually all over.

I can't say anything about what it did in the long term b/c I only had mine for 3 weeks, but mine has been the only bad experience I've ever heard of - very many women swear by them.

username123

Thoie wrote: »

It's suggested that you check for the threads from time to time, but personally I suspect they're somewhere up around the tonsils. GP has confirmed they're still there at smear time

Im not really that flexible tbh - I doubt I could even get into the correct position to look for them lol!!

Thanks for the info on the cost and the ginormous box! Id no idea you went off yourself to get it in the chemist.

dharma200

Hi, I had the mirena fitted after my first child, it was extremely hard to get in, and four years later almost impossible to get out.
I had alot of side effects, no period, too much period, cramping, bloating etc. the cramping was the worst and its what made me get it out. I could feel the thread easily.

I personally wouldnt get the mirena myself again, but if you are lucky and get no side effects thats great.

I now have three kids blimmin eck how the feck did that happ........

username123

dharma200 wrote: »

.......and four years later almost impossible to get out.

Really? What happens if they cant get it out?!?

Morag

username123 wrote: »

I was on that website earlier Sharrow and what worried me was this:


because that got me thinking you could feel it there or your partner would notice/feel it there. I mean, would you be looking for the threads? Are they down far enough that you can feel them easily - I hardly imagine women are looking for them regularly?

I agree re outlay, it does seem a lot up front but when you add up cost of pill over same time frame its actually a lot less.

My dr leaves the threads long and flips them up along the cervix, I don't feel them unless I am checking for them which you should do from time to time to makes sure they are still there, once a month I think.

ibarelycare

This is something that's started to worry me...even though I'm only going on 27! I've been on the pill for about 10 years, however my bf's housemate, who is 28, was told she's too old to go on the pill for the first time, so she had to use alternative birth control. So then I was wondering how much longer I should be on it for before changing :eek: But I take it it's ok to stay on it into your 40s if you've been on it since a young age?

Honey-ec

ibarelycare wrote: »

This is something that's started to worry me...even though I'm only going on 27! I've been on the pill for about 10 years, however my bf's housemate, who is 28, was told she's too old to go on the pill for the first time, so she had to use alternative birth control. So then I was wondering how much longer I should be on it for before changing :eek: But I take it it's ok to stay on it into your 40s if you've been on it since a young age?

I had a long chat with my GP about contraceptive options about 18 months ago, given that I had no plans to have any children and I had been on the Pill for going on 15 years at that point.

We discussed pretty much every option going and the upshot of it was that I decided to stay on the Pill. For non-smoking, healthy women who have no issues with hormonal contraception (such as myself) it's perfectly safe to stay on the Pill right up until menopause. It's the most tested medicine in the world and my thoughts were "if it ain't broke"? I've been perfectly happy on the Pill up to now, so why change to a coil or implant or whatnot when I don't actually need to?

eviltwin

The only contraception I ever used was Depo-Provera and I loved it, never had any issues with it and the lack of periods was a great bonus But if you plan on having kids its not really a great long term option. I would love to have another baby in the next few years so I am using natural methods now, tracking my cycle etc. Its not for any religious reasons or anything like that, I just don't want to put anymore chemicals in my body. Luckily I have a very regular cycle

PlainP

I was on the copper coil (no hormones) for a year. Have to say it didn't suit me as I was having my period for two weeks sometimes longer (19 Days) per month. It was a nightmare.

Insertion was painful and I have had two children. I think you have to get it inserted during your period as they have to know your not pregnant (they use the coil as a form of emergency contraception).

I have friends who swear by the Mirena coil though.

Got it removed about four months ago I'm and now on Noridy (mini pill) and finding it much more managable. The only thing I would complain about is the fact that my libido has reduced, and if it keeps going down I'm going to change to a different pill. I mean whats the point in being on the pill if you don't want to have sex!!!!!


It is a nightmare trying to find suitable contraception. When are they ever going to get that pill for men sorted...

Honey-ec

PlainP wrote: »

When are they ever going to get that pill for men sorted...

I don't think that's ever going to come to market, as pretty much all the market research they've done on it has said that the majority of women wouldn't trust a man to take a daily Pill; hence, there won't be much of a market for it.

username123

Honey-ec wrote: »

I had a long chat with my GP about contraceptive options about 18 months ago, given that I had no plans to have any children and I had been on the Pill for going on 15 years at that point.

We discussed pretty much every option going and the upshot of it was that I decided to stay on the Pill. For non-smoking, healthy women who have no issues with hormonal contraception (such as myself) it's perfectly safe to stay on the Pill right up until menopause. It's the most tested medicine in the world and my thoughts were "if it ain't broke"? I've been perfectly happy on the Pill up to now, so why change to a coil or implant or whatnot when I don't actually need to?

Yes, this is true.

If you are happy then its all good. If not, like me, then time for a change.

I discussed all of this with the hubby last night, again he offered to look into a vasectomy but again I just feel that surgery is a bit TOO permanent with him mid 30s. Plus, Id rather avoid surgery for anyone if possible.

Honey-ec

username123 wrote: »

I discussed all of this with the hubby last night, again he offered to look into a vasectomy but again I just feel that surgery is a bit TOO permanent with him mid 30s. Plus, Id rather avoid surgery for anyone if possible.

No harm in him just going for a consultation. It's a very minor procedure and it can be reversed, although pregnancy rates do fall off the longer the time between the vasectomy and the reversal (and reversal isn't successful in every case).

Unfortunately, there is no contraceptive magic bullet, which kind of seems to be what you're looking for (aren't we all?). All the available choices are going to involve either hormones or a medical procedure. There's no alternative.

Fluorescence

Honey-ec wrote: »

No harm in him just going for a consultation. It's a very minor procedure and it can be reversed, although pregnancy rates do fall off the longer the time between the vasectomy and the reversal (and reversal isn't successful in every case).

Unfortunately, there is no contraceptive magic bullet, which kind of seems to be what you're looking for (aren't we all?). All the available choices are going to involve either hormones or a medical procedure. There's no alternative.

No one should ever get a vasectomy unless they intend for it to be permanent.

Honey-ec

Fluorescence wrote: »

No one should ever get a vasectomy unless they intend for it to be permanent.

Her husband is happy for it to be permanent, it's the OP who is hoping to keep his options open.

Like I said, nothing at all to be lost by him going for a consultation.

pwurple

ibarelycare wrote: »

This is something that's started to worry me...even though I'm only going on 27! I've been on the pill for about 10 years, however my bf's housemate, who is 28, was told she's too old to go on the pill for the first time, so she had to use alternative birth control. So then I was wondering how much longer I should be on it for before changing :eek: But I take it it's ok to stay on it into your 40s if you've been on it since a young age?

Your bf's housemate has some incorrect information. I went on the pill for the first time in my 30's. There is no problem whatsoever with it. Being on the pill long term actually offers some long term health benefits as far as I know.

Morag

username123 wrote: »

Yes, this is true.

If you are happy then its all good. If not, like me, then time for a change.

I discussed all of this with the hubby last night, again he offered to look into a vasectomy but again I just feel that surgery is a bit TOO permanent with him mid 30s. Plus, Id rather avoid surgery for anyone if possible.

This migth be an option
http://techcitement.com/culture/the-best-birth-control-in-the-world-is-for-men/#.T7ollEXY-1e

coco29

jaja321 can i ask if your periods are alot heavier now that you have the copper coil?

I've tried almost everything, the implanon, i had nearly continuous bleeding for the entire three years!
the mirena which stopped my periods completely but i had no sex drive and was REALLY moody!
The pill was the same libdo and mood wise, and now we are using condoms but i really would like a more long term solution,
Myself and my husband are 30 we have 2 children and even though we feel we won't want anymore children we feel we are still to young to make any permanent decisions!

I'm strongly considering the copper coil but all the stories i hear about really really heavy periods put me off, and i feel its alot of money to get it fitted only to get it removed because the bleeding is unbearable!

if there was a male pill i would definatley trust my husband to take it everyday, sure he trusted me to take mine!, the sooner its avalable the better:)

Ayla

pwurple wrote: »

Being on the pill long term actually offers some long term health benefits as far as I know.

That's debatable and will vary on who you ask and in what way you define beneficial. There are also some issues that can arise from being on the pill long-term.

For what it's worth, OP, a vasectomy is the most successful in preventing preg (even over pills, which can fail due to human error, illness, other meds etc). It's even more effective than female sterilisation (and a much less major procedure). But, if it's not for your family then you've gotta pick a hormonal treatment. Unfortunately if you can't use condoms & you choose not to abstain, then those are your options.

Malari

coco29 wrote: »

if there was a male pill i would definatley trust my husband to take it everyday, sure he trusted me to take mine!, the sooner its avalable the better:)

Well, the female takes more of a risk, so theoretically could be more inclined to be trusted to take them! Having said that, I'd probably trust my boyfriend to take one, as he is as vehemently against having kids as I am.

jaja321

coco29 wrote: »

jaja321 can i ask if your periods are alot heavier now that you have the copper coil?

I've tried almost everything, the implanon, i had nearly continuous bleeding for the entire three years!
the mirena which stopped my periods completely but i had no sex drive and was REALLY moody!
The pill was the same libdo and mood wise, and now we are using condoms but i really would like a more long term solution,
Myself and my husband are 30 we have 2 children and even though we feel we won't want anymore children we feel we are still to young to make any permanent decisions!

I'm strongly considering the copper coil but all the stories i hear about really really heavy periods put me off, and i feel its alot of money to get it fitted only to get it removed because the bleeding is unbearable!

if there was a male pill i would definatley trust my husband to take it everyday, sure he trusted me to take mine!, the sooner its avalable the better:)

Hi Coco29. Initially yes they were heavier, but now it is much better. I read a lot online before I decided to go for this option, and everything I read scared the living crap out of me. I spoke to a few friends though who had taken this option (also because of hormones) and both said they had no issues with it – one had children, the other didn’t. So I decided to take the chance.

Everyone does react differently – and yes cramping is worse. I was lucky in that I never had any cramping prior to this so this was a downside for me, but it has also since eased. The first 2-3 months are the worst. The statistician I spoke to at the Well Woman Centre told me that the average increase in the length of your period once it settles down is around 1-2 days, and that cramps do settle. This seems to be the case for me. Getting it inserted is also not pleasant, but as you've had children before, apparently its a bit easier. I would advise getting it done at a Well Woman centre though or at a family planning centre that does them regularly, as they know what they are doing. A lot of GPs are not used to doing them, and this is where some of the horror stories come from.

It’s just one of those things you have to decide if it’s worth trying out. It is expensive if it doesn’t work for you and then you have to take it out shortly after, but if it does work for you then it works out very cheap. Mine is for 10 years, so if I kept it in for 10 years that would be €20 a year! Hopefully though I will be trying for children in a few years. I have tried everything else, so for me it is a lifesaver. I never have to worry about it, I’m protected, and I have no hormones. If you have any other questions please feel free to PM me.

BTW its only the mirena coil that you have to buy yourself in the pharmacy – you don’t have to buy the copper coil first, they will have it at the Well Woman centre/family planning centre.

Best of luck

coco29

Thanks jaja321 thtas really helpful!

good to know that my periods might only be a day or two longer, i couldn't go back to the days of the implanon where i was bleeding for weeks on end, at the time i put up with it because i knew it was better then pregnancy,

I remember buying the mirena in the chemist and nearly passing out with the size of the box but it is 90% packaging,

I already attend the well woman clinic on liffey st for my smears etc so i think i might book a consultation,

thanks again

jaja321

coco29 wrote: »

Thanks jaja321 thtas really helpful!

good to know that my periods might only be a day or two longer, i couldn't go back to the days of the implanon where i was bleeding for weeks on end, at the time i put up with it because i knew it was better then pregnancy,

I remember buying the mirena in the chemist and nearly passing out with the size of the box but it is 90% packaging,

I already attend the well woman clinic on liffey st for my smears etc so i think i might book a consultation,

thanks again

No problem. That Well Woman clinic is actually where I got it fitted. So lovely in there, and really helped with nerves etc.

Thoie

coco29 wrote: »

I remember buying the mirena in the chemist and nearly passing out with the size of the box but it is 90% packaging,

That's why I'd given the previous warning. I was afraid to open the box in case the flimsy cardboard was the only thing keeping it sterile :rolleyes:, and I remember holding the box against me and wondering if they were going to be installing it in my lungs