Mirena

[girli565]

I am having Mirena inserted this afternoon. I've done the research and feel that this is my last option. I cannot handle the hormones in pills (tried all of them), the patch ate through my skin leaving raw skin for weeks, and I was on Depo provera (the injection) for 3+ years but have been constantly bleeding for the last few months. Nuvaring was SO uncomfortable so that was a no!

My doctor and I discussed our options and this is what we have left. it's the same hormone as the injection just delivered directly to the uterus so I'm hoping this works. I loved the injection, never felt nauseous, faint or anything like the BC pills made me feel. I'm crossing my fingers

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I was just at my 6-week post-baby checkup yesterday, and the OB got super snippy with me about the Mirena. She was super pushy about the Mirena when I said I don't do well with hormones and wanted the Paraguard. She didn't sway me at all, I have a few girlfriends that hated the Mirena and I've tried so many pills, the patch, the depo, the nuvaring and I'm a monster on all of them. I'm glad I read this, and I'm so glad I didn't give in!

 

[woodkins]

I've had my Mirena for 5 years and just made my appointment to get my replacement inserted next week. I have no periods at all and no side effects. Minimal cramping at insertion for about a day and that is it. Cannot say enough good things about it.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

I had one put in a few years ago and had a really bad experience with it. The insertion was very painful and my body rejected it almost immediately ($400 down the tubes). I don't know if it was installed incorrectly or if it had something to do with my body (I was 6 weeks post partum from a difficult delivery and was later told that my uterus was tilted forward). The experience was bad enough that I would not try another IUD again.

However, I think there are a lot of women that love them and have great experiences with them. I just wanted to post my experience so you are aware that sometimes there can be problems.

 

[luvmy3]

How coincidental that this thread popped up today, I had my annual appt this morning and was discussing Mirena with my doctor. I thought I was all decided to go for it, but after speaking to her about other options I've decided to go with the mini-pill.

 

[ccgirl]

I was just at my 6-week post-baby checkup yesterday, and the OB got super snippy with me about the Mirena. She was super pushy about the Mirena when I said I don't do well with hormones and wanted the Paraguard. She didn't sway me at all, I have a few girlfriends that hated the Mirena and I've tried so many pills, the patch, the depo, the nuvaring and I'm a monster on all of them. I'm glad I read this, and I'm so glad I didn't give in!

Congrats on the baby. Good luck with the Paraguard. I had it and had uncontrollable monthly bleeding. Had it twice a month for a full week each. So glad to be done with it and moved on to the Mirena. I think it is important to remember that everyone's body is different and will react differently.

 

[tlbwriter]

I hate to be the voice of doom here, but I have serious issues due to fibroids, and while the pill kept me from bleeding to death for a while, no hormonal BC works to control it at all any more.

 

[bengalbelle]

I had it inserted in March or April and I'm just sorry I waited so long to do it. The insertion was very uncomfortable and I cramped A LOT for 2 days (both of my kids were c-sections and I think I've read it's more uncomfortable for women who have not had ******l births).

Everything settled down after about 4-6 weeks and I love it now. I have not experienced any of the side effects.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I have had it for a year and half and love it!! I spotted/bleed for about 6 weeks and haven't had a period yet!

 

[si-am]

Those of you not getting periods.... how do you know, er, that you're not accidentally pregnant? I feel like I'd always be super nervous about it!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I think I jinxed myself. I posted how much I love it, but just recently I have been bleeding for 3 weeks straight and cramping for 2 of those weeks. Ugh!

 

[girli565]

So, the insertion was painful. I cramped so bad but the pills they sent me to take to soften my cervix worked because he said my cervix was soft and slightly dialated. After the insertion I had an ultrasound to confirm placement and they sent me home! I cramped the rest of the day, motrin 600mg wouldn't help so I ended up taking a vicodin I had from a previous surgery. That worked great, I fell asleep and was just sore and a bit uncomfortable the next day. I bled very lightly the day of and day after insertion but have not bled since. My period should be arriving next week so we'll see how it's affected.

I don't know if I'd be able to do it again but I'm glad that I did it. Once it's removed, I"ll have our kids, and then birth control is on my husband Big V for him.

 

[Chesire]

I am really late, but thought I would add my experience (I wish someone had warned me).
I had the mirena inserted a month after having my son. My OBGyn really pushed for it. Insertion was AWFUL, but after a few days I was ok. No periods for over 2 1/2 years ... that part was wonderful.
What wasn't so wonderful was that I could NOT lose any weight (I weigh now what I weighed when I went into deliver my son). 1200 calories a day plus cardio 5 times a week. My weight will not budge.
In addition, I started to get really moody (not like me at all). It started slowly and we always blamed it on something else. At the end of 2 1/2 years my husband and I ended up in counciling because things had gotten so bad.
I saw my primary care about not being able to lose weight and he suggested removing the mirena (as that was the only thing to have changed).
It has been gone for 3 months now and what a difference! I am back to myself completely! My relationship is back on track and my husband and I actually like each other again. I am still struggling with the weight, but I have read it can take months for your body to get back to normal.
Looking back, I would have never had the mirena. I found a message board for people struggling with side effects from it and it is nice to hear I am not alone.
I hope hearing about another person's experience might help someone.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

I am really late, but thought I would add my experience (I wish someone had warned me).
I had the mirena inserted a month after having my son. My OBGyn really pushed for it. Insertion was AWFUL, but after a few days I was ok. No periods for over 2 1/2 years ... that part was wonderful.
What wasn't so wonderful was that I could NOT lose any weight (I weigh now what I weighed when I went into deliver my son). 1200 calories a day plus cardio 5 times a week. My weight will not budge.
In addition, I started to get really moody (not like me at all). It started slowly and we always blamed it on something else. At the end of 2 1/2 years my husband and I ended up in counciling because things had gotten so bad.
I saw my primary care about not being able to lose weight and he suggested removing the mirena (as that was the only thing to have changed).
It has been gone for 3 months now and what a difference! I am back to myself completely! My relationship is back on track and my husband and I actually like each other again. I am still struggling with the weight, but I have read it can take months for your body to get back to normal.
Looking back, I would have never had the mirena. I found a message board for people struggling with side effects from it and it is nice to hear I am not alone.
I hope hearing about another person's experience might help someone.

It's helping me! My OB is *really* pushing for it. Its funny, everything she's said about it contradicts everything most you've said, and frankly from other things I've heard, I believe YOU!

 

[Chesire]

It's helping me! My OB is *really* pushing for it. Its funny, everything she's said about it contradicts everything most you've said, and frankly from other things I've heard, I believe YOU!

I had to convince my OB to take it out (he refused that the mirena could cause any of the problems I had with weight) but I am SO GLAD it is gone (so is my family!). I didn't know how bad I was (moody and such) until I started looking back ... and my husband is more then happy to remind me!

 

[Becc1]

Those of you not getting periods.... how do you know, er, that you're not accidentally pregnant? I feel like I'd always be super nervous about it!

It's funny you should say that. I had the Mirena for about a month when my period stopped, I knew there was a good chance my period would slow or stop completely but I still called my doctor and told him about it. He said all was good that it was normal. Fasy forward of couple of months later, I had a feeling, I really wasn't having any other signs of pregnancy, no morning sickness (which I had badly with my 3 sons) but just a feeling. I got a pregnancy test or 2 or 3, lol, and all came back positive. Called doctor immediately, went in and indeed was told that I was pregnant, 3 months along! After examining me he said he could not find the iud anywhere, he suspects it fell out somehow. And thats how we had our little princess, our wonderful "accident" that we couldn't imagine life without! Needless to say, I have not gotten another Mirena, we went the other route and my dh got himself the big V, lol.

 

[ccgirl]

It's funny you should say that. I had the Mirena for about a month when my period stopped, I knew there was a good chance my period would slow or stop completely but I still called my doctor and told him about it. He said all was good that it was normal. Fasy forward of couple of months later, I had a feeling, I really wasn't having any other signs of pregnancy, no morning sickness (which I had badly with my 3 sons) but just a feeling. I got a pregnancy test or 2 or 3, lol, and all came back positive. Called doctor immediately, went in and indeed was told that I was pregnant, 3 months along! After examining me he said he could not find the iud anywhere, he suspects it fell out somehow. And thats how we had our little princess, our wonderful "accident" that we couldn't imagine life without! Needless to say, I have not gotten another Mirena, we went the other route and my dh got himself the big V, lol.

Okay...you got me a bit worried, or should I say PETRIFIED! Did you have a 6 week followup where they looked to see if the IUD was still positioned properly?

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

I am really late, but thought I would add my experience (I wish someone had warned me).
IWhat wasn't so wonderful was that I could NOT lose any weight (I weigh now what I weighed when I went into deliver my son). 1200 calories a day plus cardio 5 times a week. My weight will not budge.
In addition, I started to get really moody (not like me at all). It started slowly and we always blamed it on something else. At the end of 2 1/2 years my husband and I ended up in counciling because things had gotten so bad.
I saw my primary care about not being able to lose weight and he suggested removing the mirena (as that was the only thing to have changed).
.

Wow - I had the complete opposite experience.

Inserted in 5 minutes - NO cramping, no bleeding. Nothing. Had a noon appointment and went right back to work.

Have dropped weight without even trying.

My moods are so good I stopped anti-depressants (after years on them).

I am telling you if I new about how great I would feel I would have had one years ago!!

It has been one year and I have had 2 days of bleeding - 2. It has been a wonderful experience for me.

My gyno loves hers too.

 

[honugirl]

Still waiting to get mine removed. I have to find a time when I don't have school. I HATE the mirena. I wish I had never let them talk me into it. It's a nightmare! I keep the freaking Always people in business. I cramp almost constantly and I've had it for just over a year. I'm ready for it to be gone! I might just pull it out myself...

 

[jenrose66]

Okay...you got me a bit worried, or should I say PETRIFIED! Did you have a 6 week followup where they looked to see if the IUD was still positioned properly?

I posted earlier in the thread but I'll post again even though I'm not the post you're asking about.

I got pregnant on the IUD...due in a month. I had the Paraguard and not the Mirena...anyway, I had the 6 week followup and was told everything was in place and fine. Mine didn't even last me a year. Of course I missed my period since Paraguard is no hormone and when I went in to confirm my pregnancy my midwife remarked she's not even sure how I got pregnant as the IUD was just slightly out of place.