Mirena IUD? - Victoria, TX

Read all the fine print. It changed my mind and I didn't go on it.

I have a Mirena IUD. I got it in November 2008 and it's just now starting to work to where my periods aren't so heavy but I still get bad cramps. I have mixed feelings about it. Though my flow is starting to not be so heavy, I'm bleeding for almost 2 weeks out of the month. The pamphlet and my OB told me it'll take 6 months for my period to really straighten itself out. I do already have a cyst so the progesterone that is released from this IUD will not help shrink it. My OB said she would monitor the cyst. If you end up getting one be prepared for your cycle to take 6 months to get regular. Best of luck to you on your decision! :)

My doctor doesn't really care for the Mirena because the hormones are not controllable. I'm not sure if you've ever been on the pill but most people that go on the pill have to change at least once to find the right level of hormones for their body but with the Mirena- it's just a one-size-fits-all kind of thing and we are not all made the same. I ended up with the ParaGaurd IUD and although I read good and bad stories about it- I have had pretty good luck and I like that it's hormone free. I'm on my second period after having it put in and they have been extra heavy and longer but the second was better than the first so that is encouraging. Overall, I can deal with make a few more trips to the ladies room during my period to have hormone free birth control that I don't have to think about daily. Also, as far as the posibility of a cyst- I think those cysts are harmless and if you read the possibilities of what the pill can cause... it's crazy.

But you really will have to just go with your intincts.

Good luck.

Hi there!
I had Mirena inserted in late September. I have mixed feelings about it, but I will say I have talked with other that have NO issues. My main problem is acne. I have never had skin problems, maybe an occasional pimple. Since having Mirena I have had an acne problem. I have tried various remedies, from using nothing to natural skin care products and it has not improved. I would also say my energy level is low and I noticed a marked change after having it inserted. I do have to mention I have 3 children 6 yrs old and under, work full time and am married so that could be a contributing factor. Some other issues that have not been frequent, but have been an issue is pain in my side and pain during intercourse. I think its worth a try, but I would do some research-be aware of blogs about Mirena-they may scare you off. One great thing-at first my cycle was light-about the first 3 months after having it and since that I have not had one. That's a perk! Good luck with whatever you choose.

I tried to get it. Doc put it in and it hurt like hell and my uterus shot it back out!! No thanks.... but then my doc says I should have taken a pain killer prior to having it inserted. I would rather have more kids. But... women who can do, love it. Don't want to scare you as I am sure I am an outlier, but OUCH!
Good luck.

I had mine for a year and a half. I just had it removed because I felt like it was causing mood swings and general irritability. Also sex had become uncomfortable. The Dr. said that because you do not have your normal cycle that your body is still trying to release eggs and that causes swelling which can lead to uncomfortable sex. I do feel like my moods are better since I have had it removed as well. However I was happy with it for the first year. Just make sure if you do get it that you pay attention to changes that could be caused by it.

Honestly, try to look into other options. My best friend had it and had so many many problems with it. It caused some bleeding and she kept getting yeast infection after yeast infection. She had it removed and everything cleared up. I've known of other women who have tried it as well and 3 in 4 wound up having it removed. I myself did not have it done because of all the negative input that i've recieved. I mean, some people have not had any problems with it but I personally would not have it done and would look into other options.

I had at least 4 friends tell me they just LOVED their Mirena IUDs...I hated mine. Insertion wasn't very painful, a few sharp cramping pains. I did have very bad cramping for three weeks after insertion and kept calling my doctors office to see if this was normal. They told me that it was normal for it to take a while to settle. But what finally was the last straw and made me go to have it removed was I spotted constantly for 13 months (from the day it was inserted to the day it was removed). I got it to have spontaneous sex, well that was hard when I was always bleeding. I used tons of panty liners and was just miserable. I would have had it out sooner but with two small children getting to the doctor was hard and I waited until my yearly check up. I would say the majority like it, but I was one of the minority.

I got the Mirena in December and have had no problems at all with it. It took 2 months and my periods started being really light (maybe 3 day period every month and half to two months) I've had no cramping and have really loved it. Good luck

I M., I had Mirena for 7 months. I had a ton of negative side affects. However, I have several friends who have it and have had no issues what so ever. My doctor said either your body likes it, or it doesn't. There's really no way of knowing until you get it.

I had the Mirena for about 4 1/2 years. I loved it. I got to where I just had spotting for about 3 days. It was great, except the last 9 months I started getting moody. I could tell my hormones were off. I had it removed 6 months early. My doctor told me the only times he has been asked to remove it early was because of mood swings. I would do it again, but be aware if you start getting moody, pull it. Within 2 days of having it pulled, I felt normal again. Good Luck!!

I hated it. I only had it for six months and it caused depression and weight gain. I had so many negative side effects that I cannot recommed it anyone. Please google Mirena side effects before you get it put in.

L.

Mirena is a very good option for women that don't want to take the pill. It works wonderfully for MOST women. Very few have problems. I do ultrasound in an OBGyn office. I believe that they don't cause cysts, but they don't control them like pills do. Pills keep hormones level, so ovaries don't typically get cysts. Mirena doesn't work the same. So, you get cysts if you're body is prone to them. You also ovulate, which causes a functional cyst monthly. I noticed that someone recommended a paraguard IUD. The problem with those is that they can make periods very bad. Especially if a woman is prone to heavy, clotty periods. I would definitely recommend the Mirena. MOST women, I would say 1 in 50 are extremely happy with light periods to no periods and no problems. The few that aren't happy come back and have it taken out, problems over. Most of our staff have them and are very happy. We had one that it didn't work for her. Good Luck!!
K.

I had mine in for 2 weeks after my 3rd baby. Then I had to go and have emergency surgery to find it and have it removed. I had perforated my uterous and it couldn't be found via sonogram so I had a laporascopy. They found it in the cavity behind. I got Implanon (implant in my arm) after my 4th baby and have been happy with it. I have noticed weight gain but I'm not sure if it is more from my poor eating habits or the device itself.

I use paraguard..it is like mirena except without any hormones..I havent had any problems with it..i have had it for a year and 2 months...Go to the website and research it...most of these types or birthcontrol has risks...but i have not yet had a problem...http://www.paragard.com/

The following was my response to another mom who made a similar request as yours...i still stand by the advice in it..

I really hate questions like this because everyone's experience is based on how their body responds to foreign objects and/or hormone therapy of any sort.

So what one person experiences is not necessarily going to be what you will experience. The reason I am telling you all of this is because my body (as with most of the women in my family) is incapable of absorbing added hormones properly. I have had sever endometriosis almost from the time I began having cycles when I was 11. The pill and all other formes of hormones to help "regulate" me have done nothing but make matters worse. Mirena has a hormone in it.

I was sent to a specialist for a hysterectomy and she talked me into trying the Mirena as a "last ditch" effort. At first it seemed to work.

By the end of the first year I was so sick all the time that my PCP had me tested for mono. The thing is my symptom were not typical of problems with an IUD, and were so gradual in coming on we never suspected that's what it could be.

I was so exhausted I could barely get out of bed to care for my 3 kids. I got sick if you looked at me cross-eyed or said "boo" And my pain from my cycles came back with a vengence.

The pain caused me to have the IUD removed, as I had not related the other stuff to my IUD as yet...I figured if I was going to still be in pain with it too, I didn't need to have it in. It took the doctor 4 attempts to pull the IUD out as it had managed to attach itself to my Uterus. That last pull was very painful. However, 2 to 4 days after the removal of the IUD all the other symptoms went away...

So...as this is atypical of what could happen, all it can do really, is make you more worried about any decision to get one. If your body is typically fine with the pill or the patch hormones, the only thing left is will it accept a foreigh body in your uterus? Mine did not.

I hope that you get responses from women out there who claim to have had a great experience. The problem is, that doesn't mean your body will respond as mine or as theirs...Ultimately, your body is your own and you have to make the decision based on how you have responded to other treatments in the past.

If you are the type who tends to get some or all of the "symptoms" to watch out for, then I would suggest not doing it. If you are the type who typically has no issues with other things you have done for your health, then go for it. You just won't know for sure until you try.

I wish this was one of those things that had a simple answer, but it isn't.

Good Luck... ;-)

Personally, I stay away from all hormone birth control. I've used the pill and had the depo-prevera shot once. I always gain weight and feel awful and have the opposite effects after stopping. My husband and I have used condoms for birth control. They are non-hormonal so no side-effects. I am currently pregnant with our last child (planned). After the baby is born my husband is getting a vasectomy. He says it's the least he could do after all I've done to have the babies. And a vasectomy is a lot less invasive than anything I would have to do to make sure this baby is our last.

Mommy to 4 and 1/2 and married to a wonderful man.