Mirena

[whogirl'smom]

I'm actually about to have mine taken out (just waiting until after our Disney trip)...

For the periods it has been wonderful. I had spotting on and off for about 6 weeks. Since then I will get a period maybe every 4 months or so. The first two were very light bleeding for one day and then spotting for about two days. After that, what I count as a "period" is really just a little pink on the toilet paper when I wipe. I will wear a pantyliner, but honestly I don't even need that. Within a day and a half it's done.

My issues are with the side effects.
Immediately after insertion I experienced a near complete loss of sex drive/arousal. I mentioned it to my Dr at my check up and she denied that it had anything to do with the Mirena and claimed it was because I "have 3 kids". (Obviously I had the 3 kids before the Mirena and no problems, but she would not acknowledge that.) Since searching around about it this seems to be the most common side effect.

In the last year and a half, I have also been having issues with weight gain, hair loss, acne, and facial hair-- (tons of fun! ). I switched to a different doctor and she immediately said that although rare, these are all potentially side effects of the hormones. I just last week had a physical with my regular doctor and had tons of bloodwork done to rule out any other causes before I get rid of the Mirena.

I've had it for nearly 4 years and am really disappointed because I don't really have any other options for bc than sterilization. As long as you're not one of the few with all these crazy hormonal issues, it's great for contraception and controling/eliminating periods.

I'm sorry you're having all those side effects. I have found the exact opposite with my sex drive--I know the doctors say that the hormones just stay in your uterus, but come on! That's like saying the Tylenol just goes to your head for a headache. I don't know if the increased sex drive is due to not having to worry about b.c. or the actual hormones. Also my skin seems to break out less (it should not be breaking out at all at 42!!!!)

 

[MamaLema]

Mirena was the worst experience I ever had.

It gave me horrible acne, I had a period every day for 10 months (doc said just give it more time to adjust). By but far the worst thing that happened was the emotional part. I felt like a complete crazy person while having it. I would have arguements with strangers in the grocery store and that is opposite me.

After removal, I got my life back.

Just because this was my experience, it doesn't have to be yours. There are lots of women with Mirena and it works for them. I think it's great you are exploring every possibility.

 

[sharlon]

I had a tubal ligation after my 3rd child was born, but after 3 years had such heavy bleeding each month, I needed to do something. So, decided to try the Mirena since it was the least invasive of my options. I researched it and asked a lot of questions. Even talked to a friend who has it and is a physician. I had it taken out a year later.
Basically, I had almost every single possible side effect listed in the brochure: extreme moodiness, loss of sex drive, dryness, tenderness, cyst, cramping, acne, weight gain, uncontrollable appetite and cravings. I did basically not have a period anymore, which was nice, but that was the only positive.
The final straw for me, though, were the heart palpitations, unexplained spikes in blood pressure, and the feeling that my heart was beating 200 beats per minute. I ended up in the ER and had to have a full cardio workup. There was nothing wrong with my heart. I got home and started researching and found numerous posts and references to this happening. Now, it is rare, but it scared me and I was already unhappy due to my other side effects.
My Gyn said he doubted it had to do with the Mirena, but my PCP totally believed it was. I am now waiting on the final insurance approval to do an ablation. My doc can do them in office.

My best advice is to do a lot of research and do what you are comfortable with.

 

[honugirl]

I hate my mirena. I'm hoping to get it removed in the next couple of weeks. For the first 8 months I had a period non-stop. I was keeping Always in business... I had horrendous cramps too. Now I spot pretty much continually and I still have horrendous cramps. I'm also a firm believer now that it is what's causing my severe bloating. I can't wait to say bye bye to it and hopefully hello hysterectomy!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

There's an IUD scandal going on in RI now...doctors using unapproved devices. My doctor is one of the doctors being investigated; I'm shocked. He's been my doctor for over 20 years, and I trusted him completely. I'm way past needing or wanting an IUD, so that particular issue hasn't affected me, but it sure has me wondering about him/the group.

I'm just posting this as an FYI. If you google "RI IUD" you'll get more articles.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/IUDS_07-18-10_RDJ7DC7_v22.14cd6b6.html

 

[jfoofj]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I guess there is no way to know for sure if it will work for me other than just trying out. I am willing to give it a try, and hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who love it and has great results. If not, it can always be taken out. I'm just not ready for a hysterectomy at this point. I am 99% sure I'm going to give it a try in Sept.

I'm in MA, so the RI stuff won't affect me I think, but I'm going to go read that article right now!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I'm in MA, so the RI stuff won't affect me I think, but I'm going to go read that article right now!

It's not just in RI. Three months ago, it wasn't RI at all, but only because no one knew about it. It's potentially a problem everywhere. Just be aware and maybe ask some more questions to be sure you're getting the real thing.

 

[jodifla]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I guess there is no way to know for sure if it will work for me other than just trying out. I am willing to give it a try, and hopefully I will be one of the lucky ones who love it and has great results. If not, it can always be taken out. I'm just not ready for a hysterectomy at this point. I am 99% sure I'm going to give it a try in Sept.

I'm in MA, so the RI stuff won't affect me I think, but I'm going to go read that article right now!

You do have to give it time. I was unsure for the first 4 months if I'd done the right thing....after that, it was perfect!

 

[Shannon G]

I had Mirena inserted for BC after the birth of my second child 6 years ago. After 5 years, had it replaced with another one. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I had some light spotting for a few days the first couple of months, and when I had it replaced, but other than that - nothing!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I looked into it due to heavy bleeding, my ob recommended it, but my insurance won't cover it at all. Apparently, they don't cover any form of b/c....nice. (DH had a vasectomy after our last child).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Before I got my hysterectomy, I had to speak with a nurse from my insurance company. She specifically asked me if I had tried Mirena to treat the heavy non-stop periods. I reminded her that my plan didn't cover BC and she said that it covers BC when it is used as a medication to treat other conditions.

Just thought I toss that out there.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I got the Mirena inserted in February and I hated it up until June! I was spotting constantly and I almost went to get it taken out. My doctor told me to give it 6 months so that is what I was going to do and now I can say I am so glad that I didn't have it removed. I still have a regular period but it is so much lighter and only lasts a few day. It really hurt when they inserted it but I have never had any kids so I assumed that is why. I took off the day and sat around with a heating pad because I had really bad cramps afterwards. I didn't gain weight, or have any acne but I do notice that my hair has gotten thinner. My insurance didn't cover it either so I paid $250 for it but it is so nice not to have to remember to take a pill every day! As soon as I went off the bc pills and got on the mirena, my migraines have diminished.

 

[jenrose66]

I had the Mirena after my first son was born. I didn't like it. I had bleeding for 3 solid months straight...not heavy but enough that I needed a panty liner. I'm also prone to depression/moodiness and I felt that the hormones were exasperating that. I had it taken out.

After 2nd DS was born I decided to get the paraguard IUD since it had no hormones. It was fine until I had a pregnancy scare in December (extremely late period), I had never had a positive pregnancy test from that and my midwife said I didn't have to come to get it checked...I had recently had the flu and was told that was why I was late. Then two months later in February I miss my period again...I take a pregnancy test and Surprise! I felt so stupid...Anyway I guess everything happens for a reason because now we'll have a little girl, which I had never thought I'd be blessed with. All I need to do is make it thru the PPD...

Sorry, you didn't need all that info In general, I don't like IUD's....but lots of people love the Mirena.

 

[AtlantaSue]

Just thought you might like to hear 1 more positive review. With a not so positive side note...
I am 42, and got the Mirena last Oct. for bc purposes only. (We have 3 kids). Don't remember the event as being super painful. Certainly was no "recovery" time. My OB did an initial ultrasound at the first appointment, then I went scheduled me for a one month follow up to make sure all was well. I had one light cycle then NOTHING since then. I'm not complainin'! No scary side effects. And of the people I spoke w/ beforehand, no one mentioned having any, either.
I will, however, add that a young lady I know in her late 20's turned up pregnant w/ her 6th (not kidding) by accident after having had the Mirena in for a year-it became imbedded in her uterus. Yowza.
Hope it goes well for you!!!

 

[mariolatry]

I got mine as BC after the birth of my younger daughter. For the first 2 1/2 years, I had absolutely nothing. No periods, no cramping, no nothing. It was heavenly. They put it in and it was like my uterus ceased to exist. It's now 3 1/2 years and I have been having some light spotting occasionally, like maybe twice a month. I do notice that I've been feeling crampy lately, which may or may not be realated.

 

[Chesire]

I liked it at first but then after a few months I felt like I was constantly cranky and emotional all the time. Ob said it wasn't due to Mirena but once I had it taken out I gradually started to feel normal again. My primary care doctor had the same issues as me and also had her removed early.

This is exactly what happened to me, but I listened to my Ob and kept it for over 2 years. I finally had it removed about a month ago and have felt like my old self again.

 

[guess1928]

i had the mirena in for 4 months and had just had it removed. my side effect is HAIR LOSS . i have had the blasted thing removed but the damage to my hair as already been done. i don't recommend this birth control to anyone. if there is a lawsuit out there i am joining in.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I hate hate hated it! I had it in for 2 years and it was like having PMS all the time. I did gain some weight with it as well, but the bigger side effect was not being able to lose the weight at all. I got it taken out and I've had no problem losing weight. Plus, it actually made sex painful, though the doctors are not sure why.

Yeah. No desire to go back to that!

 

[2DisPrincesses]

I love it! I've only had it about a year, but it's been great so far. No periods and I'm much less moody than on the pill.

 

[ccgirl]

I hate hate hated it! I had it in for 2 years and it was like having PMS all the time. I did gain some weight with it as well, but the bigger side effect was not being able to lose the weight at all. I got it taken out and I've had no problem losing weight. Plus, it actually made sex painful, though the doctors are not sure why.

Yeah. No desire to go back to that!

I just wanted to address the pain part as I was having that with the Paraguard. My midwife said that was due to the strings on the IUD. All IUD's have them (the strings) so regardless of the manufacturer you may have this.

I just switched from the Paraguard to the Mirena last week. So far I love it but time will tell. I was very lucky...my insurance covered it so it was only $10. I don't understand the insurances that don't cover it....I would think it would be much cheaper than paying for childbirth. Stupid insurances!!!