Mirena IUD for endo? HELP!!

Ok-I am 34 years old with endometriosis. My doctor scheduled me for LAVH with BSO for March 28. I went on my own to get a 2nd opinion last week. He tells me I shouldn't have a hyst right now. That new studies have proven Mirena IUD treatment for endometriosis. My question: I have been given the option to get an IUD now or have a Laparoscopy to clean all the endo up and get an IUD at that time??? I have already had 3 lap surgeries and hate to have another one (last one was Feb 2010), but at the same time will that give me a fresh new start for the IUD to work and help buy me more time before hyst?? Thanks for all the input!

You did the right thing by getting a second opinion!

The Mirena Coil might buy you some time, especially if it was done in conjunction with a lap to clean up any endo. Keep in mind, the more skilled the surgeon is who cleans up the endometriosis, the better, with any surgery.

Have you ever consulted with an endometriosis specialist? If not, I would suggest you do so. Those are the doctors who have the skills to offer us the most successful outcomes as they tend to have superior excision skills and recognize the various appearances and hiding places of endometriosis.

You could try the Mirena Coil alone for now if you are not ready for another surgery. If after a few months you do not have the symptom relief you are looking for, then you could consider a lap and the Mirena Coil.

It is important that you do realize a hysterectomy with/with a BSO is not a cure for endometriosis. If any endometriosis is missed, it has potential to grow and spread even without ovaries. For one, endometriosis can create its own supply of estrogen. The key is the removal of the actual endometriosis implants, not the reproductive organs. Additionally, surgical menopause can be quite difficult for many women and can open the door to other health issues. So you do want to carefully weigh your pros and cons before scheduling a BSO.

Whatever you decide, we will support you the best we can!

I have had Endo for almost 30 years and I had a mirena put in 6 yes ago. I had it in for 3 years it has been the only thing in all those years that brought me relief.it's def worth a try :-)

Thanks for the response! I have scheduled a laparoscopy for April 15 for "clean up" of endo and insertion of IUD at the same time. Hopefully this will buy me some time and bring much needed relief! Thanks again!

I had the Mirena inserted and it was terrible. I kept it for 9 months. Each month, it caused horrible contraction like pains whenever my period came. When I went to get it removed, it had embedded itself in my uterus. I ended up having an LSH for adenomyosis/endometriosis.

The mirena idu did me nothing but trouble. I ketp yeast infections. Had major bleeding. My doc told me that if I would have waited 3 more days I would have bled to death. I hurt the whole time it was in. Ii know everyone body is different. We tried that before he done my hysto. I am only 6 days into my recovery after mine but its sooo much better. Also the idu cause hair loss on me. Make sure that's what u want before u do it. I am 28 and doont regret getting my hysto.

Mirena caused me to bleed like a stuck pig. I lost a huge percentage of my blood, mostly in apple size clots. It had to be pulled out. It also did not help the endo pain.

I wish you luck with the Mirena. It worked very well for a friend of mine, and she raves about it. Unfortunately, I had similar experiences to others here. I bled non-stop for three months straight and then had horrible pelvic pain and shooting pains down my leg. I stuck with it anyway for 9 months hoping it would work until I had an ovarian chocolate endometrioma cyst rupture, which is a possible side effect of the mirena. I then had it removed. If you have ever had a history of cysts be very vigilant and aware of any pain you have in that abdominal region.

I really hope it works for you like it has for many others!
drjp