The Mirena Coil for Menopause - my positive experience

If you're reading this, you've probably done exactly what I did.

You've searched for Mirena coil reviews, read the horror stories, read the success stories and now you're wondering whether you've got the courage to go ahead.

I completely understand. I spent weeks doing exactly the same thing.

So I simply want to share my own experience with you. The good, the difficult and why, looking back, I'm very glad I chose to have a Mirena fitted.

(Disclaimer: this isn't medical advice and every woman's experience will be different. I'm simply sharing my own journey in the hope that it helps you ask informed questions and make the decision that's right for you!)

Contents

1. The Beginning of my Perimenopause

2. The Decision to try a Mirena Coil

3. The Challenges of the Mirena Coil for Menopause

4. When I Knew the Mirena Coil was Working

5. Where I Am Now

6. A Mirena Coil update July 2026

7. Would I choose the Mirena again?

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, Dr Hannah Short. 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 (pre-menstrual syndrome).

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

✔ Can be used alongside oestrogen 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 (I'm UK based) and my coil fitting was performed a few weeks later by a doctor who was compassionate and made me feel at ease.

Find out more about coil fittings on the NHS website

It was a very 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

About 3 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

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.

Having a Mirena fitted didn't suddenly "fix" menopause.

It's one piece of the puzzle.

I still needed the right dose of oestrogen.

I still had to prioritise sleep.

I still needed to look after my nutrition, movement and stress levels.

That's one of the biggest myths I see online. Women are often looking for the one solution to solve everything, whether that's the Mirena, HRT, a supplement or a miracle menopause vitamin.

In reality, feeling better usually comes from getting lots of small pieces working together.

You can find out more about my approach in my blog:

A Mirena Coil update - July 2026

My coil was fitted in October 2022.

In March 2026, I started having monthly bleeds again, accompanied by the pre-menstrual low mood (PMS) that had been such an issue for me in the past.

I saw my GP and was immediately put on the urgent 2-week cancer pathway which was worrying.

I had an ultrasound which showed that my womb lining was slightly thickened and I was then booked in for a biopsy. That came back clear thank goodness.

In the meantime, I contacted my menopause specialist for an appointment (I explain more about why I've made the choice to use a combination of private and NHS menopause care in my blog 'My Menopause Story')

My doctor explained that because I'm on a higher dose of Oestrogel (5 pumps a day and only because I'm monitored sufficiently), that my Mirena coil might not be giving me enough protection on it's own.

I have now been prescribed Cyclogest in addition to my Mirena coil. It's another form of progesterone which is commonly prescribed for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postnatal depression.

Cyclogest comes in the form of pessaries (made from vegetable fat) and is designed to be inserted into either the vagina or the rectum, melting with our body heat.

All seems well so far and I've had no further bleeding. I'll update this blog if anything changes again!

What I've Learned

• Patience – your HRT will need constant monitoring and changing.

  
  

• Every woman’s experience is unique. What works for one of us may not work for another.

  
  

• The Mirena works best as part of a bigger strategy which will need changing over time. 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:

1. Do your research, but try to avoid horror stories. Everyone’s experience is different.

   
   

2. Give your body time to adjust. The first few months can be unpredictable.

   
   

3. Find a doctor who listens to you. The right support is crucial.

   
   

4. Look at the bigger picture. The Mirena is part of a broader menopause management plan which will constantly change.

   
   

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.

Would I choose the Mirena again?

Without hesitation, yes (and I'll need a new one in 2027)

That doesn't mean it will be the right choice for everyone.

It wasn't an instant fix.

The first few months tested my patience, and I still needed to find the right balance with the rest of my HRT.

But for me, it reduced the heavy bleeding, simplified my progesterone and became an important part of feeling like myself again.

If you're reading Mirena reviews because you're frightened of making the wrong decision, I hope my experience has reassured you that there isn't one "right" choice, only the choice that's right for you, made with good information and support from a healthcare professional.

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.

And why not download my FREE Menopause Health Guide?

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.