Mirena/other Birth Control?

I was told I could never take hormonal birth control due to a past history of blood clots (previous to me losing a LOT of weight). After the birth of my daughter I spoke to my OB about my BC options and he agreed that regular, even low-dose, hormone based BC would not be advisable with my history. He recommended the Mirena because it has such a low dose of hormones that it wouldn't pose much of a health risk for me now that I've lost weight. I never noticed ANY hormonal side effects from it, and I always had bad reactions to my monthly hormone cycle (bad PMS) so I know I'm sensative the hormone changes. I had some spotting/bleeding for the first few months but after 3-4 months (I've had it 1 year now) I have light spotting 2-3 days a month and NO PMS :-) I never need anything more than a pantyliner. It's been the best decision I've made.

I would suggest giving it a try and if you have a bad reaction, you can always have it removed.

I had the mirena for over a year and recently had it removed because we are trying to conceive....and boy do I miss that thing! I had no side-effects, had no period for 8 months (after I had it installed my periods slowly decreased and after 4 months I didn't have one). My first period after having it removed was very heavy and long, but now I'm back to normal.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for birth control.

Hi there! I haven't made the jump to an IUD yet, but I'm planning on it. I have two friends who have the mirena and they love it! I have one friend who tried the copper IUD
(no hormone) and she hated it. She had awful periods, so she had it removed and is switching to the Mirena. I was worried about the hormone birth control options as well, but my OB clarified for me that the Mirena is a local hormone - only in the uterus, not systemic.

I am currently using Mirana and like it a lot so far. I my periods have been few and far between and very light. My doc said that most women eventuly stop having a period after about a year. I haven't really noticed any side effects and I like the fact that I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day! Also, as far as the hormones are concerned, from what I've read the Mirena has a much lower dose of hormones than traditional pills do and it's progesterone only.

Hello, I finally stopped taking the pill myself because I too hate how the hormones make me feel. Mr doctor recommended an IUD as well and I was given the option of either mirena or paragard and I chose paragard which has no hormones at all. you should check it out. (paragard.com) It takes affect as soon as it goes in and Ive had no side effects from it and you get a regular cycle. I hope this helps. ~T.

I am getting the Paraguard. Its a copper IUD, hormone free and good for 10 years. I have friends that have this one and say after the initial cramping, you dont know its there. I decided its the best option for us since i dont want to do anything w/ hormones and we're pretty sure we're done. But if you do want to have more kids you just have it removed.

good luck!

I have the IUD made of copper--no horomones--and my period is a bit heavier, but I love it. I've had the worst reaction to hormones and a bit heavier period is a small price to pay in my book. I researched Mirena and there were some reports of women experiencing hormonal side-effects from it so I opted for the Copper T.

I had a mirena for about a year and loved it. I had it taken out because I stopped having periods, and was having some other weird personal stuff and I wanted to make sure my problem wasn't the hormones in the IUD. (Hormones freak me out too!) Anyway, turns out it was a big waste of time to have the mirena removed. I had it out and the personal issues stayed the same. LOL! Anyway, I'm thinking about getting the copper IUD some time soon.

I have Mirena and have enjoyed it so far. I also don't like the idea of hormones, but I agree with the statements by other people. It was recommended by my midwife who feels strongly that it is the best birth control out there, and I asked my naturopathic doctor who said she would have no problems with it. I have had a couple friends and several acquaintances who had horrible experiences with the copper/10-year IUD. Good luck finding something that works for you!

I am using the copper IUD, the one without hormones. My periods have been a bit heavier since I started using it, but I don't know how much of that is the IUD and how much is getting older and having 4 children.

I chose this option because I used other hormone based forms of birth control and each had an unpleasant side effect for me. Also, the copper IUD lasts for 10 years vs. 5 for Mirena. Since I don't plan on having more kids, it seemed a good option.

There was one brief side effect. They say the little plastic strings shouldn't bother anyone, but they bothered my husband for about a month. They softened a bit after some time and it hasn't been a problem since.

Hi...I used the copper IUD for about 2 years before deciding to have a child. I don't remember my periods being heavier. It worked fine for me...no problems. Just a little painful going in, but they said that was because I hadn't had kids yet. Good luck!

I've had the Mirena for many years and love it. I wasn't a fan of the pill either and the Mirena has lower doses of hormone over a long period of time. Best of luck in your decision.

I use the non hormonal IUD as well. It's terrific! I usually have one heavy flow day, but that't the only downside I've found with it. You can be spontaneous and not have to worry about it at all. There was no pain involved putting it in and it took about 15 minutes total from getting undressed to leaving the office. No side effects and it's supposed to last at least 5 years before being replaced. When the whole copper IUD controversy came out, it wasn't because of the copper itself. It was the string that was attached to it. It was like a tampon string and got infections which then spread to the fallopian tubes and uterus. Now they're made with what looks like fishing wire, so the infections don't happen any longer. I would highly recommend it!

I have had the Mirena in for a little over a year. Struggled with it in the beginning almost had it taken out because of the pain that I had with ovulation (stopped me in my path) I still get this pain every time I ovulate I can tell which side ovulates but it is worth not getting pregnant to me. I have bled maybe twice and wasn't much at all. I don't believe I will be getting another one put in after this one because I swear I can feel it and that bothers me...from what I have gathered I am one of the few that really feels it's effects with ovulation, and just the plain presence of it being there. But is well worth the protection for the time you get it. And it gives my hubby 5 years to get up the guts to get snipped!!

I was practically a spokesperson for IUD's... that is BEFORE I got pregnant with twins while using and IUD!!! I had a copper one in because I'd had migraines when on the pill in the past and wasn't comfortable using an IUD with hormones in it. Often, when I mention that I got pregnant with an IUD in, women's eyes get big with fear and I always reassure them that it wasn't the Mirena. I've heard great things about it - it's very effective and often reduces period symptoms. I saw two different OB's after my first kid. One recommended the Mirena and said the amount of hormone is so low it shouldn't be a problem for me and the other said it wouldn't be wise since I'd had problems with hormones before. Obviously, I took the second OB's advice and have him to thank for my twins! ( :

I my personal experience the Mirena is the only birth control I will ever use! My OB suggested it since I get severe migraines and am in frame of mine I do not want any additional hormones. The Merina does have hormones, but it is localized to the pelvic region (at least that is how I understand it).

I used the Merina for 4 years and had no problems with my headaches or hormonal swings (as I had with other types of birth control). My periods were light and pretty regular (where I had NEVER had a regular period before). I recently took the IUD out to become pregnant again and had no trouble with my cycle starting on time and regular. Then I became pregnant within a couple months. I plan to have another Mirena once I have my baby.

It is so easy you don't know the IUD is there and the only discomfort is at the time of insertion or removal. And the discomfort doesn't last longer than the appointment. The cost is high for those who do not have insurance, but well worth it for the carefree and long lasting effects.

Good luck with your decision!

I had the 5 year IUD for just barely over a year and had it taken out. I don't believe that I gained any weight from it. The reason why I had it taken out was because - I got to the point in a 3-4 month period I would bleed like every other week. Or go like two weeks without bleeding then have intercourse and bleed again. So, I decided to have it taken out and now I am using the Nuva-Ring and since I am horrible on taking a pill everyday. I used it before, so I am happy with it. Also, I have a lot of friends, in fact most of my friends have the IUD and love it and have no problems with it - that's why I tried it. It just didn't work for me and my body. Good luck. I hope that you get the information you need to make the right decision.

LOVE MIRENA! It is right where the hormones are needed so there is very very little. I couldn't use the pill, but I could use the Mirena. Put in and forget about it. There was a bit of cramping the first 2 months or so, but nothing huge. And you can leave it in up to five years!

I have been on Mirena for over 2 years. I am very happy with it. At first i would get some spotting every few weeks, it was so minimal that I did not even have to use any liners or anything. Now I get a little spotting every few months. Again it is so minimal. Make sure your doctor cuts the strings so they will not poke your husband during intercourse. The hormone is so minimal, I have not noticed any issues with it like I had on the pill.

I had mine put in as soon as I could after my 3rd child, not wanting a 4th. Since my cervex was still a bit dialated from the delivery, I did not really experience the discomfort that so can have when it is first put in. Not everyone has any discomfort, i have just read that some may experience it and it only lasts a few day. But i think that goes with any iud not just mirena.

After having problems with oral contraceptives (migraines, breakthrough bleeding, acne), I switched to Mirena. I love it. It does contain a very small amount of hormones (a fraction of what is in pills) with a steadier release rate than pills. It doesn't cause weight gain and is 99% effective. The copper IUD does not contain hormones but is also less effective, I actually have a friend who got pregnant last year while using one. I've talked to two other women who described different problems with the copper iud such as severe cramping and bleeding. My gyno won't even give the copper iud to her patients. http://www.mirena-us.com
if you don't want any hormones consider nuvaring.

I LOVE my Mirena! I have had it for 3 months and it has been amazing. I have a 5 month old and it has had NO effect with my milk supply as the mini pill dried me up! I spotted for a few weeks with very minor cramping, and then had a period two months later and nothing this month so far. I would get it in a heart beat! I was VERY hestitant, but I am very pleased now! Good Luck!

The Paragaurd IUD is the non hormonal IUD. It has copper on the tips and that is what prevents implantation of the egg. I have had one for almost 3 years and it is AWESOME! I also would NEVER do hormone birth control. The first 2 months you can experience more bleeding (not just at your normal cycle, but possible spotting through out the entire 2 months) But if you can hang in there through that, it goes back to normal. good luck!

The input I have gotten from gfs that got it was that they love it. My midwife has said that the responses she gets, is there are those who absolutely love it, and then a few that really can't stand it. Most women love it, but the few that don't have a lot they don't like. My gfs have all sworn by it and love that it reduces and for some got rid of their periods.
I have already signed up to get one after this baby.

I love Mirena!! I tried pills and my hormones were all over the place. I tried a few and could not do it. I went years without hormone birth control but finally tried this. Not one day have I regretted it. I feel normal, it's great!

I also have the Paraguard IUD (copper). I wanted a non-horomone option as well. I have generally been pretty happy with it. My only complaint would be that my periods are totally different than before. They generally last longer (a full 7 days, when they were only 3-5 before) and I usually have 1 REALLY heavy day. So, not a total dealbreaker, but it can be a bit of a nuisance depending on what else is going on in my life. :)

Had a copper T IUD for several years and loved it. No hormones. it was great!

Try an ovuloscope that helps you track your cycle, it has worked great for me! You can find them on ebay.

The mirena has only a little bit of hormone (i have one and I love it) the other iud does not protect against pregnancy your egg can still get fertilized. It just does not allow the fertilized egg to implant into the uterus. To me that is an abortion so you may want to check it out before you make your decision. Good luck

I've had the Mirena for a little over two years now and I couldn't be happier. The amount of hormones is really small (considering that it last for up to five years). I really would suggest this to anyone. It is so nice not to have to think about my birth control at all.