This is the best option that my specialist mentioned to me after I have this bub. He said its an excellent alternative to many pills, has minimal side effects, keeps endo at bay for years to get me thru to menopause.
Trillian, I had one for contraceptive reasons and it certainly made AF lighter and less frequent. I had spotting for the first 6 weeks, but then no real side effects. In fact I found it much better than the awful hormonal mood swings on the pill. I have had it removed now, and that was really quick, easy and painless, so it's good to know that if it doesn't work out for any reason, removing it is no hassle.
Yep. My ob/gyn who fitted it also removed it. Just a speculum like for a pap smear and just as quick. She said I might have some mild cramping afterwards but I didn't.
Trillian - I was planning on having one inserted for that reason. I dont' have endo symptoms as such, but had a large endometrioma (cyst) removed from my left ovary which caused secondary infertility. So I'm eager to stop that happening again.
I haven't had it done yet and am actually having second thoughts...going through IVF makes it seem a bit crazy to remove any chance (no matter how small) of a natural conception so I'm a bit torn over it still.
My gyno/ob is starting a study this year with endo patients. They will undergo a lap and have a mirena inserted. The hope is that it has a significan affect on the endo returning. He says he has anecdotal evidence that it can significantly reduce the recurrence of endo.
I've heard the same Willow. My dr has been running a study for the past six or so years now and he bases his opinion that mirena is the best long term option as seen by those study results.
Ive got a good feeling about this sherie. I think you going to be pleasantly surprised how good you'll feel in a few months sweet.
I had my first mirena inserted in 2003 (I was in my early 20s) and am onto my second (got this in mid-2008). I have never had children and am not sure I can. I have severe recurrent endometriosis which was discovered about 8 years ago but I'm so sure I've had it longer than that - more like, 'since forever'. Mirena was recommended as a 'treatment' to improve my symptoms (heavy bleeding, cramping etc, and therefore hopefully to keep it 'at bay'.
I had the first mirena inserted during my second laparotomy (yes both times I've been cut wiiiiiide open and in different directions too -- I am sporting a very trendy vertical scar, and a fancy horizontal scar and they were both keloid (don't get me started on that... that's a whole book in itself) as well... how lucky was I?) to remove the endo (so I was under general anaesthetic) and had scarier things to worry about LOL!
For the second mirena my doctor recommended I go under a general anaesthetic (for my comfort) to have it inserted which I did. I had a little spotting afterwards but since then I've been fine.
Some women complain about weight gain - well I had my first mirena experience when I was recovering from major surgery and I expected to put weight on anyway as I couldn't move around very much (added about 5kg). It took about a year for me to start feeling good enough to exercise again and feel 'normal' and eventually I lost about half the weight I'd put on. My periods got lighter within about 4 to 6 months (they were very heavy previously) and eventually I got to the point where I had no bleeding for like 2 to 3 months! (Apparently this is not unusual, and it's nice not to have periods).
Other women mention mood swings after getting a mirena. Initially I'd say for the first 2 months after insertion I was quite touchy/sensitive and moody and overemotional - I def. did not feel my normal self (that on top of being 'reminded' of my illness again and how it's getting close to CRUNCH time when I have to decide (or let it be decided for me by doing nothing) whether I want my own kids or not cuz I still have no idea). But now I actually feel more stable than what I was before having the mirena.
Towards the end of my first mirena I found my periods getting somewhat heavier and cramping starting to return (about 4 months short of the 5 year anniversary) again.
Several months after having my second mirena I put on about 4kg. In the last 3 months I have increased my exercise from pilates once or twice a week to include cardio, walking and light weights and have managed to shift that weight and then some. The only challenge now will be to keep it off.
The only thing I don't like is my hair and skin feel much greasier than ever before (I didn't have this problem on the first mirena so it seems odd to me) but it's only a minor annoyance compared to all the benefits.
As for my endometriosis, well, I just keep going for annual scans and keep getting the same "it's still there" or "it's growing (but perhaps not so rapidly as it did previously)" but doctors don't want to do more surgery if they can help it as it just reduces what fertility I may have (which means cutting and resectioning my ovary tissue where the endo is the worst), but doing nothing can also damage my fertility anyway as the endo grows and 'pushes out' onto my healthy tissue. I'll just plod along... trying to stay as *healthy* as I can.
So would I say I've had success with it? Sure, when it comes to symptoms it's been great - just about wiped all my symptoms out and I'm so grateful I can lead an 'almost' normal life. As for keeping the endo itself at bay? Perhaps it's helping that too ... I try to stay positive... but I'm just not sure.
I hope my story has helped you in some way in terms of what you might expect.
Anyway, I figure by now you will be recuperating from your surgery - hope you are feeling better and on the mend.
Registered User
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks