Mirena IUD Compared to Normal Copper IUD

I had the Mirena put in about 3 months ago and I have gained a bunch of weight like 40 lbs. And it doesn't seem to be stopping. Also I have these weird feelings in my stomach like cramps that are killer sometimes. (never had cramps) There are just many things about it that are making me regret ever getting it. I am thinknig of having it removed and I am only 3 months in.

I know I am in the minority, but I hated the Mirena. I had it removed after about 6 weeks. If I get another IUD (I am currently pregnant) I'll look into the plain copper one.

I am very sensitive to the synthetic hormones that are in the Mirena. I was never able to go on the pill for very long. I don't know why I believed that they would stay locally in my uterus, our bodies don't function that way. Anyhow, I had terrible anxiety as a side effect, mood swings too. These types of side effects are down played in the Mirena published research. But, they are very real for people that suffer them. They went away when I had it removed. So, if you didn't like the pill, you may have a problem with the Mirena.

I have a Mirena, the difference between the 2 is that the Mirena has hormones in it. The copper one does not. I haven't had it removed so I can't help you on that...but I wouldn't think its any different then having it taken out at the 5 year mark.

I didn't like my Mirena IUD. The strings were cut too short to start with so they couldn't fix the problem with a quick trim. They left the strings about two inches long. Every time I sat or bent I could feel the strings poke into me. My husband was also poked by the strings. I still think it is worth trying, it would have been so nice if it would have worked.

Things you should know:
The strings are like fishing wire.
Getting the IUD placed is painful.(The reason I didn't try again)
It is a good idea to have someone drive you.
You should plan on resting the first day.
Getting the IUD removed is also painful.
Well hopefully you are on your way to worry free birth control!
Best of Luck,
A.

I had the Mirena IUD for almost 2 years and then took it out to get pregnant again. It took me almost 6 months to get pregnant again. I liked it until the end and then I just felt like my body was in balance. I didn't think that you could be on that while breastfeeding, but I could be wrong.

Hi,
I had a regular copper IUD placed after my second child because I can't handle the hormones. (I could never take the pill) It was great! I never worried about birthcontrol and only noticed a difference in that my periods were a little heavier and I had an offensive odor for a couple of days after my period was done. The strings never bothered me or my husband. I had it removed this past fall because my husband finally got a vasectomy. The placement and removal was a little uncomfortable and caused spotting and some cramping but they weren't intolerable. I would tell you to do research on the internet about both IUD's and make sure your doctor explains the difference to you also.

Hi, M....

The main difference between the Mirena and the Copper T is that the Mirena is hormonal, where the Copper T is not. I have the Copper T because I can't take anything with estrogen. As I said, the Mirena gives off hormones; the copper T doesn't.

Also, the Copper T can be left in for up to 10 years; the Mirena is 5

Hope that helps!

Hi M.,

Everyone responded so far is correct about the differences between the normal & Mirena IUD. I have the normal, copper IUD because I wanted something that was not hormonal while I was nursing. The copper IUD lasts up to 10 years. I got this IUD in November, so I don't know what it's like to have it removed yet.

Other than that, the only major thing I noticed was that my menstrual cycle was a little heavier than it was with any hormonal BC that I was on before, but now that has subsided. Oh, and I also got cramps that sucked really bad in the beginning, but could be cured with Midol or Tylenol or something. Those are very minimal, too, now.

Good luck!

K.

I just had a Mirena IUD put in a couple of weeks ago and I'm breastfeeding a 3 month old. The difference is that Mirena has a little bit of hormone that it secretes to thin the lining of the uterus. That is part of the birth control it provides - it makes the uterine lining hard to implant in. The copper IUD doesn't have the hormone, so if you are really super sensitive to hormones, it might be better. I can't use the pill because I get migraines from it, but the Mirena's amount of hormone has been fine for me so far. My doctor said in all the years he's been using Mirena for his patients, he's only had to take two out early because the patients weren't satisfied with them. Hope this helps.