Mirena

[jfoofj]

.

 

[msmayor]

I wish I had known about it a LOT sooner.

I've used it for three years and it has made a huge difference in my life.

 

[kwelch10377]

My BBF had a not so great experience with it. She basically had her period every day for 7 months straight. She ended up getting it removed.

 

[rhonimouse]

Ok..... question for the ladies who have or have had the Mirena IUD. Did you like it/hate it/experiences. I don't need it for birth control, DH has had the big V. I have issues each month that I won't get into detail on, but suffice to say I suffer. I had an endometrial ablation last Sept, but the results were not great. I REALLY am not ready to have a hysterectomy, even though I know that the new way they do it is so much simpler than the old way. I'm just not "there" yet. SO, my OB/GYN suggested giving the Mirena a try. The few people I've spoken to use it for birth control purposes, but said that they rarely even get a monthly cycle while on it. That would be a dream come true for me.

TIA and sorry if its TMI

I absolutely love mine! Had one for 5 years and just had it replaced this year with a new one. I got mine for dysfunctional bleeding 5 years ago and it was an answer to prayer! My ob/gyn is a very forward thinking doctor from South Africa and 5 years ago suggested it as less invasive then the ablation and said it was already used in Europe and South Africa to treat these issues in perimenopausal women because of its hormonal component. I can attest to the above reports, months roll by will no cycle or only very very light spotting....much different than the months and months or issues that prompted me to seek my doctor's advice....

I did have to have ultrasound tests to rule out fibroids or that would have been indication for a hysterectomy...

as always, medical care is individual to the specific person and circumstance so your doctor that knows your personal medical history is the best advisor, but from my personal experience it has been wonderful and I would do it again in a heart beat!

Good Luck!

 

[Makdyn]

I got mine in feb of this year. I did bleed for about three months on and off but that is normal i believe it stop in april or may. I got my period in June and it lasted two days and nothing since then. My face also broke out more than usually during those months but all is good now!

 

[Iott Family]

This was our answer to BC after baby #4 arrived. I wasnt emotionally ready for a tubal so we went this route. Baby #4 is now 4 1/2 and I am seriously concidering having this one removed and a new one inserted. Its the easiest BC I have ever tried. I dont even think about it

I have heard more good than bad from fellow girlfriends who have tried or are using Mirena. Id say 1 in every 7 or 8 dont like it. Thats a small percentage in my book!

 

[Imzadi]

I did have to have ultrasound tests to rule out fibroids or that would have been indication for a hysterectomy...

I had an ultrasound a few weeks ago as I have massive fibroids. While I can feel a protrusion on one side, I caught it in time, and I do not need a hysterectomy. My GYN wants me to get a fibroid embolization as my periods are coming almost non-stop now and lasting for weeks.

I also have hypothyroidism, which is causing the heavy bleeding. I'm working to get that handled. But, I'm also looking at Mirena instead of the embolization.

I may finally go into menopause in a few years. I've been reading there are naturopathic ways to shrink fibroids. I'm hoping to do this and get the Mirena. If I can ward off getting the embolization, so much the better.

I'm wondering what side effects women has been experiencing?

 

[cmariew]

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.

 

[ccgirl]

duplicate post

 

[ccgirl]

Was just at my gyn yesterday. I have an appt in 3 weeks for one. I had the paraguard placed 2 years ago after my son was born. My friend Flo is an all too common occurence now. I originally went with the Paraguard becuase it only has to be replaced every 10 years as opposed to the Mirena which is every 5. Anyone I talked to that had the Mirena says it really helps with the heavy/frequent flo. They want an ultrasound first to make sure something else isn't causing issues. People that are talking about heavy/frequent monthly's many be getting confused b/w paraguard and mirena???

 

[Imzadi]

Was just at my gyn yesterday. I have an appt in 3 weeks for one. I had the paraguard placed 2 years ago after my son was born. My friend Flo is an all too common occurence now. I originally went with the Paraguard becuase it only has to be replaced every 10 years as opposed to the Mirena which is every 5. Anyone I talked to that had the Mirena says it really helps with the heavy/frequent flo. They want an ultrasound first to make sure something else isn't causing issues. People that are talking about heavy/frequent monthly's many be getting confused b/w paraguard and mirena???

I've never heard of Paraguard. My GYN definitely said Mirena. I didn't come up with that solution on my own. It's probably because I won't need something for 10 years, if menopause comes in a few years.

However, if I end up with bad side effects from Mirena, it's nice to look at a different option. Crankier, moodier and more emotional is NOT what I need right now. I already have those symptoms from the hypothyroidism and previously anemia. I should have stayed of that cat/Humane Society thread yesterday, but I was already cranky & irritable.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

My BBF had a not so great experience with it. She basically had her period every day for 7 months straight. She ended up getting it removed.

I am getting ready to do this! I had mine put in in April, and I think I have 5 days out of the month where I am OK. The rest of the month, something is going on. Some days are lighter than others, but it is constant, and I am tired of it!

It brought back the memory of why I came off the pill 12 years ago. The hormones messed with my cycle, it was never ending!

The Doc says to give it 6 months, so I am waiting until October. In the mean time...

 

[Imzadi]

I am getting ready to do this! I had mine put in in April, and I think I have 5 days out of the month where I am OK. The rest of the month, something is going on. Some days are lighter than others, but it is constant, and I am tired of it!

It brought back the memory of why I came off the pill 12 years ago. The hormones messed with my cycle, it was never ending!

The Doc says to give it 6 months, so I am waiting until October. In the mean time...

Ugh! I feel for you. I have basically 10 days free, then it's constant. Thank goodness I found a dollar store that carries my favorite Always pads, (that are packaged with Egyptian writing, all all places. )

I'm the opposite of you. When I was on the pill on & off, Aunt Flo was literally down to a couple tablespoons then DONE. Aunt Flow was always quite heavy when I was off. I'm too old for the pill now, or I'd be back on it in a heartbeat. there are supposedly different hormones in Mirena. Had I known going off the pill, (as well as the hypothyroidism,) would cause massive fibroids, I would have stayed on the pill.

 

[whogirl'smom]

I got mine in Feb. just as our chosen BC method--been off the pill for about 6 years and found the hormones just made me crazy since I had whogirl. I'll be honest--I had heavy spotting for 170 DAYS!! (yes, I counted) But then, it seems to be trying to regulate itself to some semblance of normalcy. Had a very light period in June, then more spotting then a 42 day cycle. I'm hoping to be one of those women whose period just disappears eventually with the Mirena.

The spontaneity is wonderful, have had no moodiness, no cramps.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

A good friend of mine had one for about a year and ditched it. That was part of the reason why I didn't try it. I did do the ablation and had less than satisfactory results. So, after some time, I opted for a laprascopic supracervical hysterectomy and it was the best thing I ever did for myself!

I understand the part about not being ready for a hysterectomy....my GYN told me that I would know when I was ready. It took me about 2 years of misery to get there. After I did it, I couldn't figure out why I waited! I did keep my ovaries and cervix...just lost the uterus. No mega-month+ long periods any more....no bloating...no sore breasts...no moodiness. It's really nice feeling like a normal person again!

Good luck with whatever you decide and congratulations for taking care of yourself!

 

[Mommy2three]

i gained about 60 pounds after i had the mirena inserted, and i had it in for almost 5 years and just recently a few months ago had it removed, and I lost 20 pounds within a few weeks of having it removed, i was also more moody and cranky with the mirena..now i have the nuvaring

 

[rigs32]

I was having cramps so bad each month I was unable to work as I would be bent over and in tears most of the day. I didn't want to go on the pill as it made me gain weight and I was emotional all the time.

The Mirena has hormones, but they are only in your uterus as opposed to your entire bloodstream like the pill. My first insertion was so painful I cried. The second time (after 6 yrs) I had a local anesthetic so the only pain was the injection.

I often say that I have not had a cycle in 8 years. Occasional minor cramping, but nothing that Tylenol can't take care of. Spotting for 1-3 days 2 or 3 times a year. Not even enough for a pad, really.

 

[mickeywho?]

I'm nearly 1 year with my Mirena. I'm still not convinced but my dr asked me to give it the full year before deciding against it. I've had over 5 years of trying bc pills (hated all 3 brands as I broke out BAD, was super cranky etc., and had never-ending headaches) and my dr recommended me away from an eblation (sp?). My period was horrible, horrible, horrible. Extremely heavy (to the point that I had a hard time leaving the house!) but lasted about 4 days. BC pills helped with the heaviness but all the other side-effects were crazy too.
Now with the Mirena I still get my period...very regular as always...but it lasts 2 weeks!! Extremely light...just a panty liner needed. But come on! 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off...
I'm giving it until October and then unless there's a big change. Bye bye expensive $350 Mirena....I may be begging for a hysterectomy.

 

[tzolkin]

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.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I love the Mirena - had it inserted last November. Have not had ONE period.

My sex drive has really increased I dropped weight and feel great.

If I would have known how terrific this was, I would have done it years ago.