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Mirena coil and Norethisterone

by ruth
(norfolk, england)

I had a mirena coil fitted in October of 2012 as a method of contraception. This is not the first time I've had the Mirena, I had one after I had my first son 17 years ago, and again after my daughter 10 years ago, as I experienced heavy periods and an inability to use the combined pill due to migraine. I got on well with it during those times, although I did put on weight which was a definite downside. I had never been overweight until I had the Mirena.
Last May I went on a health kick, and managed to lose a stone in weight, up to October when the Mirena was fitted. I have since put on almost a stone and a half despite continuing my regime of healthy eating and exercise. I have experienced intermittent bleeding, that has no pattern whatsoever (which never happened the previous two times I used the Mirena). I am tired, irritable, tearful, have stiff and painful joints, injury to my knee that will not heal ( due to a fall for no reason whatsoever!). A persistent cough, I feel cold all of the time, migraine on a regular basis and of course the weight gain.
I went to see my gp with my concerns over the intermittent bleeding and he has prescribed me Noretjisterone. I'm unsure whether this medication will alleviate or increase my symptoms.
If anyone has any advice,or has experienced anything similar, I would very much appreciate hearing from you. I feel so very lost right now.

Comments for Mirena coil and Norethisterone

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Apr 21, 2013
 Mirena coil and Norethisterone
by: Wray

Hi Ruth The Mirena does not release progesterone as many women are lead to believe, but a progestin called levonorgestrel. This has been shown to lower progesterone levels, plus impeding the blood flow in the uterine arteries, see here and here. Levonorgestrel is derived from testosterone, so has androgenic properties, which can cause hair loss. This is the prescribing information here, and please see here too. You might like to read these comments here from women who've used the Mirena. It could be you are now that much older and your body is not capable of eliminating the toxins from the Mirena. Progesterone does stop heavy, continual bleeding, although in some women it does need help from a few nutrients. These are at least 2000mg/say NAC (N-acetyl cysteine), 2000mg/day taurine, at least 5000iu/day vitamin D (dependant on levels) and 1000mg/day bioflavonoids. The bioflavonoids help strengthen capillaries damaged by continual bleeding and/or spotting, see here and here. The first paper has no abstract, but the second gives a resume of it. Info on the other three nutrients can be found on our page about Menstruation. It appears you are very low in both Progesterone and Vitamin D, please have a vitamin D test done. It's probably low, as it's low in most people living in the UK. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth and Birmingham Hospital. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml (175-250nmol/L) and not the 30ng/ml (75nmol/L) most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although recent research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Continued below
Apr 21, 2013
 Mirena coil and Norethisterone Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Ruth Excess oestrogen makes us feel cold as it lowers temps, whereas progesterone raises them. A slow thyroid also causes feelings of cold. Vitamin D is essential to the thyroid, in fact essential for every cell to function normally. The Migraines could also be caused by a lack of progesterone and vitamin D. I wouldn't touch the northisterone as it's a 19-nortestosterone derivative, i.e. made from testosterone and will therefore have androgenic properties. You might like to read more about Contraceptives. And more about progesterone on our page How to use progesterone cream. Take care Wray
Nov 27, 2016
 Mirena Coil v Norethisterone for Endometriosis treatment
by: Gail (Norfolk, England)

Hello. I've been recommended to have a coil for Endometriosis treatment but have no children and a small frame. I am concerned about its suitability as I hear pain can be bad. What is the difference between using the coil and using norethisterone instead for endo or adenomyosis and when / why is one better than the other?

I do feel the cold always. My symptoms are bladder issues, periodic extreme menstrual pain maybe 1 in 3 cycles. Occasional complete faints, dyspareunia, intra cycle spotting and pelvic pain and bloating. I am due a diagnostic / operative laparoscopy and cystoscopy at the same time in a week or so. Many thanks.

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