Advice on real life views on getting sterilised or mirena coil?

[messagetoyourudy]

I have cuurently got the mirena coil fitted and have had it for 5 years. I haven't had any problems with it that some people seem to have (maybe reduced sex drive but having small children and broken sleep could also be the cause!)

What I am having is a horrible time with the mirena's removal and replacement. I went in before christmas thinking it would be very straight forward, but the Dr couldn't find the threads and after much 'searching' referred me to hospital for an ultra-sound to see if it was still there (she said it could have faleen out or been embedded) - the ultra-sound showed it was still in place. So, I went back to the Dr's and she has had another good rummage for it but just cant find it to get it out.

However, this time (last week) I was very ill afterwards - I passed out twice in the Dr's surgery and my husband had to walk with up the kids in the snow to come and get me as I couldn't drive home. I had terrible pins and needles in my hands and feet for several hours, and horrible cramping for all the next day. I am still bleeding now a week later.

So now she has referred me to hospital to see a gynecologist and I have an appointment at the end of Feb. TBH I am really worried about it, and can't bear the thought of having it removed unless under general anesthetic.

And then I think well if I'm going to have that, than I might as well go the whole hog and be sterilised?

I am 43, so maybe have another 2 or 3 coils to go before the menopause and this whole experience has really put me off going through this several more times.

Is it a very old fashioned thing to be thinking of? The only other person I know who has gone through the surgery is my mother. So I would like other peoples 'real' life stories to help get a perspective.

[mumof4sons]

When I came off Implanon (the implant) about 3 years ago I decided to have a mirena coil fitted. I had never had a coil but thought that it would be a good idea as I was coming up to menopause age (I'm 47, so 44 then). I had it fitted with no problems, so I thought. Went to have threads checked a couple of weeks later and Dr couldn't find them. So I was sent to hospital for and ultrasound to find the coil. Ultrasound couldn't find it. So sent for x-ray. It was found but not in the right place. Apparently it had perforated my womb on insertion and was sitting quite happily on my bowel. I was none the wiser - no pain. My only option at this point was to have it removed under general anaesthetic. I was given the option at the time of the operation to have another coil fitted or have my tubes tied. I chose to be sterilised. I knew I was never going to have any more children and thought it was about time in my adult life that I just didn't have to worry about contraception.

The operation for removal and have my tubes tied was straight forward. It was done by laparoscopy. Recovery was quick and easy. I had it done on a Tuesday and was back at work on the following Monday.

I haven't regretted the decision. My libido has come back with a vengeance.

The only thing I hate about not have any sort of chemical contraception is the fact that I have periods again after many many years of not having them. But the renewed interest in sex has more than made up for that. lol

Hope this helps with your decision.