Endo treatment - IUD

Hi

I had my first diagnostic lap two weeks ago. I am scheduled for my next lap in 7 weeks to remove the endo they found. My doc wants me to get an IUD impanted. This makes me very ANXIOUS, as I have not had success with any sort of contraceptives due to the side effects I suffer (chronic headaches & migraines). I was wondering if anyone has had this form of treatment?? I would be interested to know how they went?

Thanks.

KJS

I had a mirena inserted to treat my endo and it was the worst few months of my life. The Mirena didn't agree with me at all and I had it taken out 4 months after I had it put in. I think you are right to be weary of it if the normal contraceptive pill doesn't agree with you and I would seek other alternatives first before the IUD. I was originally treated with Duphaston for my endo and had great success with that.

okay. Can I ask what symptoms you suffered in that 4 months? Did you have side affects with other contraceptives?

I am very hesitant to have the IUD put in.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR ADVICE!

Katie

My side effects were terrible. I had very bad pain - nearly worse than the endo and I would bleed for 2 weeks, have 2 weeks off and it would start again. I had zero libido, so our sex life was non existent and raging PMS. I felt moody and out of control all the time, not to mention the fluid retention. I looked like I was pg it was that bad. I also got pimples too and I never get pimples. I have never ever had issues with the pill, but did have a few with Depo - not to the extreme of the mirena though.

Hi,
Trillian is so right. I have the Mirena IUD at the moment, I have seriouse pain (just as bad as before the IUD) I bleed now all the time and loose clots all the time, the water retention as bad as when I am preg. The Reg told me that it wasn't working and she wanted to give me more hormone in tablet form and I refused. I now have to wait another 8 weeks for another reveiw to see if it has started to work. At the moment all I want is to get it out.

When I was on Depo I had huge weight gain, water retention, moods,etc. If you have been on depo/provera, and it didn't agree with you I would stay away from the mirena as it has the same hormone on its shank. The Dr's will tell you that the hormone will stay in the pelvic area, but I don't think it dose, I think it is absorbed into the blood stream and affects the body as a whole.

Hope I have helped.
Take care
Chris

Thanks so much for your replies ladies! I am so new to all this stuff.

Chris - the only forms I DID NOT try were the depo & the implanon. I had friends who had both and had nothing but problems, so they were a no go for me. I tried about 8 different pills, the mini pill & the nuva ring. I have the most success with the nuvaring (it gave me the least headaches of all), but still wasnt great. I found I had no side effects for 2 months, but but the 3rd month they started to kick in. My doc keeps saying that the mirena is a lower dose that the nuvaring and it is progesterone only . However having tried a progesterone only mini pill, I dont see how this would be different.

They say the same about the nuvaring being 'localised' however I agree, after a matter of time it builds up in your system.

I am interested to see if there is anyone out there who suffered the same sideaffects (headaches) as me who has tried the IUD and if they have any reprieve from the headaches?

Thanks so much again ladies.

I didn't have headaches while I had the IUD in so I can't help you with that one sorry

Hi,
I do have headaches. More often these days than when I didn't have the Mirena.
I did a couple of searches of different search engins and found a few good sites that talk about the side effects. One in particular explains how the hormone affects you.

I was in tears last night as I am sick of everything that is happening to me. How I have no motivation these days, I love organising things but when it comes to doing it, well I'd rather stay home and hide. So depression and loss of motivation could be other side effects.

Take care
Chris

Hey KJS,

What are you using the IUD for? Contraceptive? Or to handle the endo? I do not respond well to any form of hormonal treatment so I went for acupuncture. It works really well. But I don't use it as a contraceptive off course but to relief the pain that the endo causes.
what also might help fight the endo-pain is stearing clear of dairy and chocolate and very fatty foods.
I googled endo and diet the other day and apparently just changing some of your diet can have great effect.

Not sure if this helps you, but thought I might share as I am no fan of hormonal treatments myself

Hi (B)

No - I do not want the IUD for contraceptive. It would be purely to control the ENDO. I have since decided that I WILL NOT agree to having the IUD put in when I get my next lap in Jan. The risks/side affects just arent worth it as far as I am concerned. Thanks so much for your feedback, I have been hoping that someone who suffers headaches etc would reply. I have actually heard that acupunture can help. I will look into this.

With regards to diet - I am already Gluten free & Coffee free. I also keep chocolate to a minimum due to an allergy test I had done 2 years ago. The GF component keeps me away from fatty foods as most contain wheat/gluten. I am considering deleting/minimisng dairy now too after researching endo & diet.

Ta.