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The Mirena Coil for Menopause - my positive experience
- Jane Mackay
- Mar 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 31
"I just can’t take this anymore."
That thought ran through my mind as I sat in the doctor’s office, exhausted and tearful from the relentless symptoms of perimenopause.
The mood swings, the heavy periods, the brain fog, the crippling headaches...I felt like I was losing control of my body.
Fast forward to today, and the right combination of HRT has been a game changer for me and I can confidently say that getting the Mirena coil for menopause was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made…although it hasn’t been an easy ride.
In this blog, I’ll share my personal experience with the Mirena coil for menopause—how it worked for me, the challenges I faced and why it might be a game-changer for other women in perimenopause and beyond.
If you’re struggling with heavy, painful periods, low mood and erratic hormones, I hope my story helps you make an informed decision.
Contents
The Beginning of my Perimenopause
Before I started on HRT, perimenopause felt like a constant battle. My biggest struggle was heavy, unpredictable periods.
Some months they were so debilitating, leaving me physically and mentally drained.
Other symptoms crept in:
Mood swings – I felt irritable and anxious, sometimes over the smallest things.
Brain fog – It was like I had a permanent hangover!
Fatigue – No matter how much I slept, I felt exhausted.
I tried to find out what I could do.
Eventually I found an amazing menopause specialist. She immediately prescribed HRT - Oestrogel (estrogen) and Utrogestan tablets (progesterone).
(If you'd like to read more about my menopause story, you can do that HERE)
It was at this point that I found out about progesterone intolerance (which is thought to affect 10-20% of women) and which would explain my whole life of difficulties!
For the majority of women, progesterone is thought of as the ‘calming’ hormone but if you’re sensitive to progesterone it can cause all sorts of symptoms similar to PMS.
I was taking the progesterone part of HRT for 2 weeks out of the month and on these days, I still felt dreadful.
Dr Hannah suggested that, rather than take the tablets orally, I could try them vaginally so that they just work locally, near the womb.
This did help enormously but things still weren’t right.
The Mirena Coil for menopause: The Decision to Try It
Fast forward a few years and I was doing pretty well on my HRT.
It had needed a lot of tweaks but it was working. I felt so much better than I had although I hated still having to deal with my PMS struggles and my heavy periods!
What I also didn’t like were the Utrogestan tablets I had to use vaginally.
Firstly, remembering to take them for 2 weeks out of every month was an issue for my ADHD brain and secondly, I hated the feel of them and the sticky residue they left behind!
So my doctor suggested I try the Mirena coil for menopause. A friend had already mentioned she was using one for contraceptive and she loved it because it had stopped her periods.
The Mirena coil releases a small, steady dose of progestogen locally into the uterus, just where it’s needed.
It sounded like a perfect solution:
✔ Reduces or stops heavy, painful periods
✔ Helps regulate hormone levels
✔ Can be used alongside estrogen HRT
✔ Long-lasting (up to 5 years - and is now licensed for 8 years if using as contraception only)
Like many women, I had read mixed reviews and was worried about side effects but after discussing the pros and cons with my doctor, I decided it was worth a try.
Anything was better than the Utrogestan tablets!
(My experience with PMDD and progesterone intolerance is incredibly similar to that of journalist and author Bryony Gordon which she talks about in her book ‘Mad Woman - How to survive a world that thinks you’re the problem’)
The Challenges of the Mirena Coil for Menopause
I had to make an appointment through my local NHS Clinic and my coil fitting was performed a few weeks later by a lovely doctor who was compassionate and made me feel at ease.
Find out more about coil fittings on the NHS website
It was an uncomfortable 10 seconds when the actual coil was fitted but I had no immediate side effects other than a slight cramping feeling that day.
While the Mirena eventually provided relief, the first few months were challenging:
Irregular bleeding – Instead of stopping my periods immediately, I had almost constant bleeding for several weeks.
Mood swings – My mood continued to be up and down.
The Turning Point: When I Knew the Mirena Was Working
One defining moment in my Mirena coil for menopause journey came about three months in.
I realised that my usual premenstrual anxiety hadn’t appeared. That feeling of being on edge, bracing for another rough cycle—it was gone.
And over time, there were significant improvements.
My periods were lighter and, eventually, disappeared altogether.
My mood swings became less intense.
My energy levels started to stabilise.
For the first time in years, I felt in control of my body again.
Where I am now - the Mirena Coil for menopause
Today, I can say that getting the Mirena coil for menopause was one of the best decisions I made for my health.
I no longer worry about heavy bleeding, my hormones feel balanced, and I have a solid foundation for managing my menopause.
Of course, menopause is an ongoing journey. There are still dark days when I need to prioritise my self-care, adjust my routine and listen to my body. But overall, I feel stronger, more in control, and more at peace with this stage of life.
What I Learned
Patience! – It takes time for your body to adjust.
Every woman’s experience is unique – What works for one may not work for another.
The Mirena works best as part of a bigger strategy – Combining it with the right combination of HRT and lifestyle changes made all the difference.
My Advice for Others
If you’re considering the Mirena coil for menopause, here are my tips:
Do your research, but try to avoid horror stories. Everyone’s experience is different.
Give your body time to adjust. The first few months can be unpredictable.
Find a doctor who listens to you. The right support is crucial.
Look at the bigger picture. The Mirena is part of a broader menopause management plan.
Getting to the point of a positive Mirena coil for menopause experience hasn’t been easy, but it was empowering. It gave me back control over my body.
Conclusion: Explore your HRT options
If you’re considering the Mirena coil, I encourage you to explore your options, ask questions, and trust your instincts.
Have you tried the Mirena coil, or are you thinking about it?
I’d love to hear your experience, drop a comment below 💗
And if this post resonated with you, share it with a friend who might be weighing up her options.
DISCLAIMER: This page does not provide medical advice; it is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice on any of the topics covered on this page.
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