I have a coil and I haven’t had a period the whole time. But, I still get every symptom of getting a period. I’m also noticing symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, body odour, anxiety, brain fog, and moodiness. I feel like I may be starting menopause but I’m not sure what to do next. My hubby just laughs when I try and talk to him about it. I feel alone – like it’s my own private battle. Any advice ladies?
– Marie, Australia
To diagnose if and what stage of menopause should be your symptoms NOT YOUR AGE. The blood test is only useful if your under the age of 45. Your hormones are too changeable for a reliable test. This is to to do with your FSH levels.
Peri menopause is where your periods are irregular.
Menopause is where your periods have stopped.
Post menopausal is where you have not had a period for over 1 year and a day.
There are over 40 symptoms that I looked at and decided what stage I was at then did my research on treatments and then discussed with my doctor the best plan for me going forward. This is your journey no two people have the same journey it is just like puberty, pregnancy and child birth. Lots of symptoms but how it affects us is different. Good luck in whatever you decide. Keep talking about your symptoms and feelings.
Hi Marie, I also have the coil and go through the motions of having a period like spotting but not every month. I have same symptoms as you and have started hrt gel which is really helping me. Some days I feel like I’m going mad. Men don’t fully understand. If they had it they would ?
Hi Marie, you need to get ur bloods done and that will tell you. I was hit all of a sudden by night sweats and they woke me up 5 to 6 times a night. Also my heart developed a rhythm all of its own. I went on hrt patches and have not looked back with the night sweats. The heart is slightly better but still takes mad fits. Fatigue is there but I’m trying with exercise. May need my dose upped x
Hi Marie. I had a Mirena coil for about 18 months. I had the same as you and boob acne but the smell eeek. I eventually had it removed (which in itself was an event) and everything got back to normal within a couple of months. It’s possible that it’s just the coil that’s causing your issues. Can you talk to your GP/Gynae?
I hope you find an answer that works for you x
I’m having my mirena removed in Teo weeks for same reason. Bit anxious. Any advice?
I felt 100% better after having mine removed. I would recommend that to see if you feel better. In the meantime you can see if there are any other alternatives you think would work for you. In the end, you know your body best!! Hang in there!!
After my struggles with Mirena and Paraguard I went with an ablation and am truly happy with it!
Oh Marie, I had an almost identical experience . I’d had the coil for years and hadn’t even thought about menopause. I had a couple of hot flushes at night and was tired but apart from that nothing . I then just suddenly felt dreadful, so down and anxious. I felt as though nobody had any interest in me . I battled on for months and eventually my gp suggested my various problems could be menopause. I started hrt patches and then hrt tablets . They worked for a year but then I had to come off them . After a couple of years struggling it came to a head with a big row with my husband . He abused me of being miserable and not realising how lucky I was ! I realised then he had no idea what the menopause was . Even though we had chatted through whether I should take hrt and hen my coming off it , he actually had no ide what the menopause involved . After a lot of talking he did go away and read all about it. He came home with flowers and a bottle of wine and apologised , saying he had no idea what was involved.
I had had a sharp learning curve regarding the mental changes which occur during menopause . They have shocked me totally . I finally found relief via a mixture of reflexology, meditation, yoga and most recently CBD oil. I now feel as close to “normal “ as I a have for years. I still have “dips” but now view them as another session of dumping the hormones .hopefully they will soon exhaust themselves and I can get on with my life .
I hope you get to talk seriously with your hubby and try to let him understand it’s not all about “hot flushes” and brain fog . It can be really seriously debilitating.
I found a fabulous ( and short) article on “A. Vogel” Menopause regarding the mental health changes . It put it all so clearly and to the point that I emailed it to my 4 children to try and get them to understand what I’ve been going through too.
A. Vogel also do a herbal menopause support tablet which helped .
Take care and keep talking
I agree A Vogel on you tube is quite helpful!
I had the same Di M, long battle with everything you describe. My partner was not aware of peri menopause and neither was I but we eventually learned through Davina McCall and other media what was going on. It’s a long journey which I have no idea if or when it will end, but I keep pushing and take every tiny improvement as a big positive. I am so glad I found this app and all of you ladies out there, who knew this stage in our lives was going to be so hard! Keep trying and keep positive where you can ?
Same. Men don’t understand: If men went through menopause there would be sponsored support groups and fundraising to support those affected by it.
We should start this!!!
You described my life with the coil!
I also have a coil fitted and have not had a period since. I would suggest going to the doctors to get tested. I had the same symptoms, the fatigue being the worst. My doctor Suggested a blood test to check my hormone levels, it came back very low which suggested I was in the early stages of menopause ie peri menopause.I was 43 I’m now 48. My coil is used as part of my hrt treatment. I hope you get some answers soon
I just had the Mirena IUD (progestin) inserted a week ago. I can not do HRT due to a previous blood clot/PE. Since then I have had the following side effects: breast tenderness, slight cramping, upper abdominal pain, slight headaches, and body odor. The official website says this is all normal and could last up to 3 months. If anyone else has had some or all of these side effects, how long did yours last and how did you manage it? The website also said to take ibuprofen or NSAIDs to relieve the pain, but I know extended use could compromise liver function. Thanks for listening.
Hi. I went on the same coil nearly 3 years ago. The first 4 months, tbh, we’re awful for me. Continued heavy bleeding and the pain in my stomach was awful…but then it eased.
I didn’t have a period for a few years now I seem to get a very light period each month. I went on the coil at 45 and I haven’t always felt right since being on the coil and not sure if the coil or peri.
I’ve had a non hormone coil for 5-6 years now. Was happy with it but am wondering if I should get it removed now as they have a shelf life. I started perimenopausal symptoms around Feb (I’m 48) but wonder if it’s the coil needing to be replaced. It’s difficult for me to see a doctor as I live in a place without good healthcare and with the covid situation I can’t travel.
I have the same problem with the Mirena. I don’t get my periods. I’m sometimes way hotter than my husband, but he always finds some non-hormonal “I’m a sensitive princess” joke to make, which I think we can all agree he had it coming when I shivved him the last time he made that joke. (Clarifying: I’d never actually shiv someone)
Almost monthly my skin breaks out.
That’s it. My sex drive is really high so my OB said it couldn’t be peri/menopause. No sisters, my mom had hysterectomy and oophorectomy in her 30’s. No blood related aunts. Anyone know what I might look for? Has anyone’s doc thought the mental health benefits of HRT outweigh physical risks?7
I have the mirena and have had it for a very long time x my frustration is that I have spotting her and there and sometimes nothing but couple of weeks I had a massive bleed for two days which I’ve never had since having the cool? I am peri menopausal and get all the similar symptoms. The main symptoms I do get is armpit pain no small although I do get odour down below which only lady a day or two which is horrible x my fear is I don’t know where I am in regards to the pattern of my symptoms I check my breasts every time I shower as I lost my mother in law to breast cancer which has made me seriously paranoid. I’ve tried asking go if they could take the coil out so I have more control of my symptoms but they tell me they are very reluctant? Not sure if it’s the hormonal level? And yes you are correct they do lose their levels nearer the change time and I’ve been told after 50 they don’t offer the coils unless there other issues? Confused
I’m having mine out in 2 weeks for same reasons. I just want to feel in control and also test if the coil is affecting my blood pressure.
I felt the same. I had my coil remove. Jury’s still out but I feel more in control.
It isn’t menopause you’re starting, it’s perimenopause. Menopause is the day that marks the one year anniversary of not having a period. You are in menopause one day. After that, you’re post-menopausal.
I have the mirena coil and it is overdue to come out -(due to the COVID shut down) – my GP has advised to have it removed and not have another one put in so that we can see any if not all symptoms of peri that I might be having
I had a Mirena IUD installed at 45 to control gawdawful heavy periods. My periods never stopped happening, but they lightened up and shortened dramatically. I’m coming up due to have it replaced later this year and plan to get another one. Within the past 18 months, my ordinarily clockwork cycle has become a bit wobbly and inconsistent. I’ve also started having intermittent night sweats, brain fog, skin and vaginal dryness (I heart whoever invented water-based lube), hormonal breakouts, and a resurgence of libido (at least that’s been an improvement). Pretty sure I’m perimenopausal at this point. I’m at the early end of research on the subject but leaning toward HRT to restore some equilibrium. If your brain and body aren’t making the right chemicals in the right amounts, store-bought is fine!
Hi Anne, I had my last Mirena coil fitted at 45. They said it will be my last. Not need to replace it or have it out. Since turning 49, started having night sweats, having difficulty getting to sleep, allergies increased and dryness/recurrent thrush and sex drive loss. What a list! So, I’m now using oestrogen pessaries. They have been great. Also taking probiotics for vaginal care, no more thrush! And using oestrogen gel- that really helped with the night sweats and insomnia. Because the mirena coil runs out of progesterone steam after 5 years, I’m about to switch from the gel to a combined patch. Feel quite nervous about this! But on the whole, I’m definitely not suffering to the degree I was before.
I spent three years with a Paraguard IUD, my pain, fatigue, bloating and brain fog all improved drastically when I had it removed. The thing is, I didn’t notice any of that increasing until it was so bad I thought there was something seriously wrong with me.
I tried the Morena for three months after that (I don’t do hormones well) and had it removed as well because it was making me so emotional I couldn’t control it anymore.
I ended up getting an abalation since I wasn’t planning on have anymore kiddos. It turned out to be the best choice for me and I’m very happy with the results!
I to have the coil, I have been experiencing, low moods, brain fog, happy then sobbing the next minute, my anxiety is through the roof. One member of my family says the wrong thing (or even if they say nothing) I am convinced they are being mean or ignoring me. It’s been driving me nuts. The insomnia has been awful, my doctor is not that interested, but could be a language barrier as I live in Spain but I just don’t know if I can still be peri menopausal on the coil ? I am beginning to understand with help from fb groups and this app. But be interested to hear from other women with coil.
I’ve had a copper T once and as my first IUD, then nothing but the Mirena since I was 24 (I’m almost 48). I’ve had them out only long enough to have 2 more kids after my first, and to get a new one every 5 years from then on. Now I’m told by my lady doctor they can last as long as 10yrs. So I’m on 6 years with my latest one. The Mirena works for me obviously, but as I’m entering perimenopause I started to wonder if it would affect me. My lady doctor said no it shouldn’t. So far I haven’t noticed it interfering with my body going through perimenopause either. Like making symptoms better or worse. However, the lack of blood flow during my period makes it super hard to track. I even wondered if I was even in perimenopause because I only have a few symptoms and they’re not that bad yet. I mentioned this to my lady doctor and she said to just track symptoms of peri/menopause. I’m not really satisfied with that answer though. Has anyone with an IUD found a way to know and track if they know they would be on their period? I still get moody before, and I get bad cramps that feel like bad ovary pain (ultrasound test read everything normal). That’s it. So I love these apps, but I’m at a loss when it asks to record my period start and end. If I cramp just count it as my period? So I’m relying on tracking other symptoms for now. My younger sister, who was forced into menopause when her only ovary left exploded, shared her symptoms and experience with me. Wow, no I’m not like that yet, but she said after our visit that it did look like to her that I was in perimenopause because hot flashes and few other things are surfacing.