IUD's to decrease blood flow?

My Dr. seems to think that if I get a Mirena IUD it would decrease the heavy flow I am experiencing, along with all of the pain, cramping, fatigue, etc. I am thinking that it's just going to be a pain and it will only put they hysterectomy off for a little while. She's insistant and really doesn't want to do a hysterectomy just for heavy bleeding and pain because I'm 23. I know how old I am, and I know that waiting longer will not change anything except maybe my dh and I will divorce because he can't stand being around my constantly hormonal self anymore. I can't stop myself from being mean to him when I'm in so much pain and I can't be this nasty person for another 20 years until they say it's okay to do the hyst. She does agree that if the IUD doesn't work she'll have to do it, but I want her to stop pushing all of these different things and JUST DO IT!!

What is your diagnosis? Massive bleeding? Adenomyosis, endo, pelvic congestion? Have you tried an endometrial ablation? There are many options. I have not heard about any IUD slowing down the flow enough to be a treatment. I would not agree to this until I had done more research on it. Call the manufacture of the device and ask if it is known to slow the flo!!! And if so, by how much? And how?

I do agree with your doctor, you should try other options first, (maybe not this iud) A hysterectomy may stop the bleeding but may not stop the pain. What would you do if all your female organs were gone but you still had horrible pelvic pain? It is possible!

Please go quickly to find a second opinion. Get all your test results from your doctor's office (just sign a release). Find the cause of the bleeding and the cause of your pain first. Honestly, we have to insist on testing and different opinions in order to know what is best to do.

I understand all too well how you feel. All of us are anxious to get our lives back, to live pain free, and to have it done yesterday.
Perhaps you know all these answers but did not say so in your thread. If not, please slow down and find out all you can before you submit to having your insides removed. Have your GP prescribe something to take the edge off the pain until you can get some direction on your condition. Make sure your iron levels are tested and treat for enemia if needed under a doctor's care.

And yes, your age creates resistence, so expect that. No doctor will be happy to remove your female organs at your age. And, I've been here long enough to know that doctors do not do a hysterectomy for bleeding, without doing options first, for ANY AGE.

Hopefully, you will get some answers and help very soon. Hang on and try to cope until you know you are doing the right thing. A hysterectomy is the most final life altering decision and therefore should be the last procedure you do.

Hi bsjemmett and welcome to Hystersisters! I'm glad you found us! You are very young to have to make such a life altering decision without first exhausting the other avenues available to you. I'm not saying a hysterectomy might not eventually be the right choice for you, but it is such a major deal that if you haven't already made sure there is no other choice, I'm afraid you will have times afterwards during which you'll doubt whether you did the right thing, and this is not a good feeling to have once the surgery is done.

The Mirena IUD is a small plastic device that is impregnated with a synthetic progestin called levongestrel. It releases this hormone very slowly over a three to five year period of time. In many women it can slow or stop periods altogether, similar to the way depo-provera shots do for three months at a time. Here's a link to a website about Mirena:

Mirena

If you are hesitant about the IUD, you might ask your DR about trying depo or another similar progestin to see if that works in the shorter term; although, if you have the IUD inserted and don't like it, you can always have it removed later.

Another option you have is to get a second opinion. Many of us have had two or even three opinions before deciding the hysterectomy was necessary. This gives us great peace of mind later on when we're going through a rough patch with our recovery, or hormone replacement issues.

Please keep posting, and reading... the ladies on this site have a wealth of information that can be helpful to you, and we always have an ear available to listen or even a shoulder to cry on. And do please let us know what you decide to do and how it goes... you will be helping other women too! I wish you and your DH the best of luck, s to you both, I know this is not an easy time for you.


-Linda

No diagnosis at all whatsoever. I have had every test under the sun and there is no logical explanation for my bleeding. Endometrial ablation has not worked. Mirena is advertised as helping to slow the flow, but I really doubt it will help that much. My doctors have decided it's heredity, my mother had the same problem before hers, and her pain was completely gone after hysterectomy. I am on as much medication as I can take as my system does not tolerate meds well. I know people see the "23" part and don't take into consideration that I already have two children and will shortly have a third, and I am DONE with childbearing. Yes, I would rather have them gone!