OT: Mirena?

[dnroach]

I have an odd question. My doc suggested the Mirena IUD yesterday, and I don't know anyone who's done it before. I am really sensitive to BCPs, and I'm wondering what the side effects of Mirena may be. Anyone have experiences (positive or negative)? I'm especially concerned about weight gain, headaches, or infections.

Thanks for the input! I know I'll get honest answers here.

 

[LovinPooh]

A friend of mine just had her Mirena taken out. She bled like crazy. And then there are some people that dont bleed at all.
I just wanted to point out though, if your concerned with weight gain, stay away from Depo... i gained 40lbs with that.
good luck!

 

[Nom]

I have Mirena and love it. I don't get a period anymore at all. I had mine put in at 3 mo post partum and have had absolutely no problems. I can't say enough good things about it!

I lost 50 pds after having it put in, and have kept it off for 3 yrs. No headaches... no acne. The hormone stays in your uterus so you should not have any side effects typically associated with hormonal birth control. I was nursing when I had mine inserted and no impact on my milk supply.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

 

[Miss LD]

I love it.
I've never had a problem with mine - my period is basically gone (I know I have it, but it's super light and lasts a day).
I had my ob put it in about 3 months after DD was born.
I was really affected by the hormones in the pill, but this has been different. Several people recommended it to me.
Couple of things though. First, it HURTS when it gets inserted. Seriously. Also, the first few days I had heavy bleeding and my first period was really heavy.

Sorry if any of this was TMI

 

[seeking pixie dust]

I just had mine removed this week (after 1.5yrs). Hated it! I gained 15 lbs on it...I was exercising like crazy and even did weight watchers for a month. My period was sporatic on it. I believe everyone reacts to it differently, but if you haven't had luck with other bc methods, I'd stay away.

 

[packofjedis]

I believe everyone reacts to it differently, but if you haven't had luck with other bc methods, I'd stay away.

I agree with seeking pixie dust. I had terrible issues with all BCP and a new dr wanted to try mirena. I had light periods that never stopped. It was easily 2 weeks a month.

I thought the acne I had was normal stuff until I had it removed and it went away. Never gained weight, though. Nice thing is that it's easily removed in case it doesn't work.

 

[tzolkin]

I will have mine 2 years in December.

I did have some problems with the insertion which my doctor says he has never experienced before and I have never read or heard of anyone who had this issue. Basically, it could not be inserted properly and he tried multiple times. I waited two months and had it inserted with no issues. (As someone else said it was painful. The insertion wasn't too bad, but I bled heavily and was very dizzy and crampy for several hours afterwards.)

I had bleeding (sometimes heavy) and spotting for probably almost 6 weeks after getting it. DH and I also had some issues with the strings during sex, so I had them cut and haven't had any problems since. I now usually get a "period" (extremely light) once every 4 months or so.

I cannot take birth control pills. I have tried them all. I get very nauseous and usually sick after taking them. (I'm also a person who has very bad morning sickness throughout my entire pregnancies-- I am very sensitive to hormones.) For this reason I have been wary of trying other types of birth control. The mirena has not bothered me at all. I was a little emotional in the beginning, but I believe that was because I didn't think I was going to stop with the spotting/bleeding, DH and I couldn't have sex comfortably, and I had a baby who wasn't sleeping at night yet.

 

[Melissa]

Had one for 5 years, had another one put right in when the first one expired. They tell you to expect irregular bleeding for the first few months. I work in Family Planning we put a lot in and very rarely do we take one out b/c the person hates it. Getting it in isn't too fun but it is worth it.

 

[DisneyNic]

I have had my Mirena for 3 years this month, DS was 3 mths old. I had normal periods for about the first 4 or 5 months after insertion, but since then, nothing. Not even spotting. Unlike the others, I experienced absolutely no pain when I had it put in. My Dr warned me that it might be uncomfortable and that I might have cramping afterwards, but really I didn't feel it go in at all and I never had one cramp. This next part may be TMI, sorry, but the only "issue" I've experienced is that my DH has occassionally hit in to something, and it is pretty uncomfortable for him. I have never noticed, but he has. My cousin did recently have hers removed after having it for 2 years because she said that she felt bloated all the time. HTH

 

[marathonmommy]

I have Mirena and love it. I don't get a period anymore at all.

I can't say enough good things about it!

Ditto

 

[RobinFabulous]

A friend of mine just had her Mirena taken out. She bled like crazy. And then there are some people that dont bleed at all.
I just wanted to point out though, if your concerned with weight gain, stay away from Depo... i gained 40lbs with that.
good luck!

I gained 80 on Depo & a friend gained 100....

I swear I hate that stuff

 

[mommy2lt]

I also had mine removed after 1 year. The insertion was ( to me ) WAY more painful than having my son !!!! I loved not having a period but had way to many other unusual side effects ( breast lumps that were almost unbearable, BAD acne, etc.) . When I went in to have it removed they couldn't find the string !!! After about 5 min of DIGING around she finely pulled it out.

I had it removed in Feb of this year and I am just now starting to cycle regularly again.

 

[eclairemom]

Had one for 5 years, had another one put right in when the first one expired. They tell you to expect irregular bleeding for the first few months. I work in Family Planning we put a lot in and very rarely do we take one out b/c the person hates it. Getting it in isn't too fun but it is worth it.

I'm due for another early next year, I was wonderding how it is to have to switched out?


OP, I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine, had hormonal headaches with the pill and not one since I got my IUD. The best part is no periods for me I haven't had a real one in almost 5 years. Still get some pms and light cramping every once in a wile but no AF. I would highly recommend it to anyone and have. It's also the BC my Dr. uses, she had a Panguard (sp??) the copper IUD and hated it, had miserable long and painful periods but loves her Mirena. I didn't think the insertion was any more painful that a pap with no problems following.

 

[Gabe's Mom]

I'm a family nurse practitioner and do Mirena insertions for my patients. For the most part, people seem to love it. I haven't had anyone dislike it enough to have it removed. We tell people periods as you know them are gone for the next 6 months, could be a good thing or bad thing, expect irregular bleeding, could be light or heavy. After 6 mos, most people have lighter or no periods. In theory, should be fewer side effects than the pill because the hormone are directly into the uterus.
It is statistcally more effective than both tubal ligation and vasectomy for pregnancy prevention.
On the personal side, I just got one last week, the other NP in my office put it in. It wasn't too bad going in, very crampy I thought. I spotted for 2 days but none since. I will be interested to see what my period is like.
My advice- if you are goign to do it take 800 mg of ibuprofen a couple hours before.
Best of luck on your decision! I am very glad I don't have to remember the pill anymore!
Michelle

 

[TruBlu]

Here is another thread that might be helpful for you:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1709255

 

[RMulieri]

My sil has had difficulties with it.She bleeds heavily and sporadically, and has gaine almost 10 lbs in 3 months( she is an exercise nut) So i can't help but think it is related to Mirena.She also does not handle BCP well .

 

[dnroach]

Thanks for all your input, ladies. You've given me lots to think about.

 

[~audrey~]

Now I'm curious. Can they put it in at the hospital immediately after having a baby? Or do you have to wait and have it inserted at a later date?

 

[princessmom29]

Now I'm curious. Can they put it in at the hospital immediately after having a baby? Or do you have to wait and have it inserted at a later date?

I am almost certian you have to wait at least 6 weeks for your uterus to retun to normal size.

 

[RMulieri]

It has to be after your 6week postpartum appt i have been told.