Contraception during perimenopause: HRT, the pill and the Mirena coil | Dr Louise Newson Podcast

In this episode, Dr Louise is joined by Dr Clair Crockett, a GP and menopause specialist at Newson Health. Dr Clair has completed diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, and fits coils and implants.

Here, she discusses some of the challenges for perimenopausal and menopausal women when it comes to contraception, and the importance of individualisation. She gives an insight into the hormones used in the contraceptive pill and HRT and shares how the Mirena coil can be transformative for some women.

Finally, Dr Clair suggests three things to consider about contraception:

1. Spend some time gathering information, talking to other women about their experiences with contraception and considering what your priorities are. Your healthcare professional can also help you make your decision.

2. Remember that side effects of contraception are quite unusual but that if something doesn’t work for you, you can change your mind. It’s OK to take time to find the best contraception for you.

3. Some forms of contraception may mask perimenopausal symptoms so if you’re not sure if this is happening to you, track your symptoms and how you are feeling so you can get guidance from your healthcare professional.

[rmfdbn]

This week my GP told me I had to stop HRT to have a Mirena- so I hope this video helps me understand my options more.

[monicaungureanu]

Lots of useful information, thank you!

[Art_by_Nicole]

I have always used the contraceptive (combined) pill from the age of 15. I still also had bleeding in between or when I wasn’t in my forth week.

When my husband and I wanted a family I stopped (obviously) with the contraceptive. I thought it would make me feel better but it didn’t. When I got pregnant at 31 everything got worse. Anxiety, depression etc.
These and extreme moodswings, nightly sweating and brain fog never got better and still are a part of my life. The Mirena coil didn’t help and I still had bleeding.

I have been keeping a diary during my cycles to see in which part of the cycle my symptoms are the worst. The only time I DO feel good are the few days just BEFORE my period.

Is that a weird thing?

I thinks it’s strange that everything has gotten that extreme from the moment I got pregnant 😢

[Mendov]

What are the options for endometriosis and adenomyosis? I am 49 with these conditions and going through irregular periods, sometimes 45 days to 2 months and then there are long periods. I have had progesterone 10 day course to force withdrawal bleed.

[nicolasmith]

Thanks for the very informative video. I am in the US and will be 47 this year. I don’t think I am experiencing any peri-menopausal symptoms yet. I have had a Paragard (copper IUD) for the last ten years, which will be removed later this year. I’m confused about what to do next in terms of contraception. Would it be beneficial to have the Paragard replaced with a Mirena in preparation for peri-menopause? Thank you!

[janemasini]

I've always suffered from bad PMS, I was fine on the microgynon 30, put on the mireena coil its misplaced, now the dr wants to put me on the utrogestan, I'm very nervous taking this as I heard bad things about it❤

[valerie]

I’ve been wondering if the iud affects weight and sex drive.

[ilsemarckx]

I have been experiencing perimenopause symptoms such as sweating an anxiety attacks at night while on the combination pill. When explaining this to my GP she said “ you can’t have any (peri)menopausal symptoms when on the pill. Is this correct? I’m 52.