Mirena Side Effects

Hi, J.,

I had the mirena inserted last May, and in about a month I had little itchy bumps all over my scalp that would come and go but boy, did they itch. At first, I thought it was because of a new dye, but then I started getting acne (I've never had acne, not even as a teenager) and little itchy bumps plus acne on my neck and shoulder. I'm also moodier.

Not everyone has side effects but some of us do. I went online and looked and soome other people have had similar problems. So I definitely think it's the Mirena. I'm to the point where I'm about to go get it removed.

Best wishes,

J. P.

I had really bad luck with the mirena. I had bleeding and bad mood swings and then developed an ovarian cyst. I had it removed after 3-4 months. Did not trust it. I also think it made getting pregnant with my 3rd child a little more difficult even though it was no longer there....

I love mine. I have had it for 5 years with none of the problems you described. So sorry - I guess I can't say that I have seen the same thing.

Hi J.,

I hope a lot of people read this. I had a Mirena for 1 1/2 years. I had it removed in order to have another child. I was told that it would take 3 months to get pregnant, but I got pregnant after my first period.

I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks!

I have 3 friends in my circle who have had the same exact thing happen! I hope that if you get it removed that you use alternate birth control before you try to get pregnant.

I feel that they need to make a lot of changes to their brochures, posters and advertisements. I think there is A LOT more they could tell us. Perhaps there is some way that all the people who have responed to you can tell them about these side effects.

Also, while we are on the subject...when I started to bleed out with the miscarriage, my dr. told me that I could have a d-n-c surgery in the hospital or take a medication at home to make sure that everything was out of my body. I was uninsured at the time so I chose the medication for $12.99 instead of the expensive hospital procedure.

The medication my doctor gave me was called MISOPROSTAL. The short story is that I almost bled to death. I passed out and stopped breathing and luckily my husband found me and called 911. I ended up having to go to the hospital in an ambulance and get an emergency surgery.

I later found out the MISOPROSTAL is widely used for OB procedures even though it has NEVER BEEN FDA APPROVED for OB use! Later, another Dr. told me that many women have died from using it.

DO NOT LET YOUR DR. GIVE YOU MISOPROSTAL!

Good luck with your situation!

PS ~ I am PG again and everything is fine so far. I am due on the 4th of July!

I had mine taken out -- the doctor had assured me that the amount of the medication it released was so small I'd never noticed, but I did notice and had a lot of the symptoms I'd had while taking the pill. It did make me feel pretty bad and frequently pms-y. I felt much better after it was removed. I had a regular non-medicated iud inserted. My periods are much heavier, but there are none of the other side effects.

This isn't what you asked about, but my Mirena perferated my uterus (shortly after being inserted) and became embedded in my bowel. I had to have countless ultrasounds and a CT scan to locate it, then two surgeries to remove it. So, needless to say, I'm not a big fan of the IUD. If you have other birth control options available to you, consider using them instead. I decided to have my tubes tied since I was done having children and it didn't add any additional recovery time to my second surgery (the one that finally removed my Mirena). Now my periods are slightly heavier, but I don't have any other side effects and I don't have to think about birth control ever again.

Hi,
When I read you Mirena story, it could have been me writing it. I am dealing with the exact same thing. Itchy scalp, 10 lbs over my usual weight, moodier more than ever- mine is during PMS. I also have been on it for close to the same amount of time. I have recently read hair loss is common as well, lucky enough not to have this problem. I did not bleed at all for about three months, and was happy to believe I was of the lucky ones to discontinue periods, WRONG!!!!!!! now I am back where I started. They have became a little heavier each month now and PMS which I always feel hopeless and angry are back! yeah. I'm gonna ride it out as long as things do not get worse. good luck to you. I will keep searching online for info in re to Mirena. Let you know of any new news!

I have the mirena and I've had it for almost 5 years. I've had no negative side effects only positive. I haven't had any period and I have no PMS... It's really worked well for me. When I used birth control pills I always had bad mood swings so this device is working better for me. Maybe have your thyroid checked or some blood work done if you are really experiencng some changes but then again I'm sure the mirena will have different side effects for everyone. Hang in there!

Okay I actually have something positive to say about it. I have had my IUD in now for over three and a half years I absolutly LOVE it. I gained weight only when I was on the pill. I hated the pill, always forgot to take it and gained all my baby weight back. I got the IUD for the peace of mind of knowing there was no way I could get pregnant again. The IUD has less hormanes in it then the pill so it should not cause any side affects such as weight gain and depression. You should really consult with your doctor about your symptoms. Also, you didn't say how old you are. Your weight gain could have something to do with you age. But like I said earlier, talk with your doctor. We are not doctors and they know what they are doing. Good luck.

Dear J.,

I have a friend who experienced bad luck with it too. My advice, why put yourself through all that? Go back to the pill if it worked for you, why fix something that isn't broken. Those are way to many side effects for me personally. Hope things will work out for you!

Best,
L.

Oh my gosh. This is something I did not think about until a couple months ago when my brother in law (a nutrition expert) asked me why I would want something in my body that makes my body react as if it were pregnant all the time.

Duh! I dunno.

I have gained over 50 pounds since having the Mirena inserted. Some of the weight is my own fault, but for the past year I have eaten healthy and been more active and cut out alcohol and still no weight loss, not even when following strictly to Weight Watchers. Basically, I think it is because my body thinks it is pregnant.

After I had the IUD inserted almost 4 years ago I noticed some moodiness and I brought that up with the doctor on my first checkup (I believe this was a month after insertion) and she told me that there was not enough hormones to be causing that, so the moodiness was coming from somewhere else. You know what I did? I believed her.

At Christmastime this past year when my brother in law told me that my body thinks it is always pregnant I started rethinking having this in my body. Reading all the other responses from you other mamas has made me want to make a doctor appointment TODAY to get it ripped out of my body NOW!!!!!!

HI J.,

I didn't like having an IUD. I had one after the birth of my daughter and though they say that you can't feel it in there I always did. I also didn't have a period during the time I had it which was only a few months, but would go through times of having symptoms of a period...bloating, irritability etc... As soon as I had it removed I had a period and relief!!!
I went back to the pill for now. I agree with what someone else said... I think the men need to think about being responsible for birth control once it's agreed that we're done having babies...
Good luck

Hi, I had Mirena put in when my son was 7 weeks he is now 10 months. I haven't really noticed any weight gain its just very slow coming off but have noticed that my scalp itches just behind my ears, I never had a problem before with this. I havent had a problem with mood swings or irritability. It's been great so far for me.

I've had the same IUD for about 15 months as well.I've had an itchy scalp, acne (that I never had before) lower back pain (started when I had the IUD inserted) and constant PMS. I figured the latter was because of the IUD but i never thought that the itchy scalp or Acne was relate to it as well until i read some of the responses. I too have struggled with my weight even though i am more active now and eat so much healthier. I was going to wait it out but 5 years seems too long now.

I am not firmiliar with the new IUD's but I had one that perverated my uterus 35 years ago. I think that and cramps are the only side effects. I am not sure but ask your Dr.

I was also very sensitive to the hormones in it and experienced many, many sypmtoms. One such was weight gain - and a lot of it! Within 3 months of having it removed it had nearly all 'melted' off again (all this after the gyn told me I was crazy to think the 2 were related - pretty much just telling me I was fat). I didn't do anything different, the entire time watching what I ate, being very careful about enough calories but not too many, watching fat intake, careful to make sure I had ample vits. and protein and other necessaries. I ran between 10-15 miles every day. If you are sensitive to the pill, don't go for this IUD! I have heard a lot of positives about it, so it just depends on how your body in particular responds. Good luck!!

I also have the Paraguard IUD...I love it and have been loving it for 5 years now...=)

Hi, I'm much older than most of you ladies (45) and I have had an IUD off and on for about fifteen years, I prefer it to the pill, shots, or the implants. No drugs. I have never had any of the side effects that you have discussed, I think it sounds more like a hormonal or thyroid imbalance. The IUD, can really only cause irregular bleeding, a heavier flow, but never have I heard of the other sisde effects. The pill in the past was most likely keeping your hormones in balance, and now your body is acclimating to the lack of synthetic hormones. Aagin, I'd highly suggest a full blood panel at your next physical, and check your thyroid.
Good luck.
DLT

I've had the Mirena for about a year now. Every couple of months I have PMS-like symptoms, and once in awhile I have a light period, but it used to be way worse for me. It's funny you say that about itchy scalp though, because my head has been very itchy! Don't know if it's related! Compared to being on the pill, I find Mirena to be much easier. I doubt it has contributed to your weight gain. That's probably more about a changing metabolism. But talk to your doctor about all the things you mentioned and see what she has to say.

Yes, I too got very emotional and moody right after getting the mirena. I am very sensitive to hormones and my md said that the hormones don't go into your bloodstream, but I could feel it! I had it removed about a week after having it. Good luck! S.

YES YES YES, I used it for a year and that whole year i was a mess. I had a horrible attitude and one minute a would be happy and the next minute I would be either crying or yelling at my husband for nothing at all. At the time I started using it I had a 19 month old as well as a newborn, I thougt it was a good idea at the time becase I didnt have to worry about taking my pill. Well I can say that it was a good idea gone wrong. Like I said before I only used it for a year and now I am back on the the pill and my moods are back to normal. After telling my friend about how I felt when I had the IUD she said that she had the same problem and had hers taken out as well. As for me I dont think its at all worth it and will never use it again.

Hi J.,

My name is K.,mother of 4,and I have had the Mirena IUD in for only a year,but as far as I've noticed, I haven't had any problems or concerns with this,except for the cramping when it was inserted.

I would say listen to your instincts and your body. I had a Mirena IUD after my 2nd baby. I was assured that there would be no "bad" side effects. However, almost immediately I began to have terrible migraine headaches. I suspected a connection, but my GYN kept insisting that they were unrelated. I ended up at a neurologist, who also said there was no connection. Long and short of it is I suffered with these headaches (up to 5 a week), took lots of medications to stop the headaches, to no avail. On top of it, I also had very bad back problems. My lower back would seize up on a daily basis. Finally, after a year, I had had enough and I had the IUD removed. As soon as I did, my migraines and back pain stopped. So...I would say again, if you feel something is not right with your IUD, take it out. If you have the five year one, it is coated with potent hormones, and those extra homones can wreck havoc on your body. Good luck!

Hi There,

I wish I had an answer for you, but actually, I am interested in the responses you get because I am trying to decide between the copper IUD and the Mirena.

Hi J.,

Sounds like you know your body pretty well. have you discussed your concerns w/your OB? You might also want to have your thyroid checked, even if your dr doesnt think it's necessary. They may just chalk up your symptoms as being the result of having 2 children, like they did with me. Thyroid disease is the most un-diagnosed or mis-diagnosed condition among women in the US & weight gain, emotional swings, itchy skin/scalp are all symptoms. The Thyroid Solution is a great resource/point of reference to have.

I hope you find resolve soon!
C.

My GYN recommended the Mirena to combat the side effects of fibroids. The first year was great, the last 3 months was a disaster. I did gain some weight over the 15 months, maybe about 8 lbs, which may not seem like a lot but given how steady my weight has been since I was a teenager, was very noticeable. Towards the end of my use, my abdomen started to swell quite noticeably. My GYN said I had developed an autoimmune reaction to the plastic part of the Mirena and removed it. Five months later, I was diagnosed with UMCTD (Undifferentiated Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder) which is related to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. Personally, I have suspicions that the Mirena actually *caused* this condition. I wouldn't go near a Mirena again with a ten foot pole.

I had the IUD removed after about a year and a half. I had the depo at my 6 week check up after my youngest and I felt like I was injected with the devil! I thought the Merena IUD would be a good option since the hormones were supposedly similar to the pill and I'd never had a problem with that before. For a year and a half I struggled with daily headaches, irritability and acne -and weight gain (and I think other things that I've forgotten already!). I was sure it was linked to the IUD although my doctors didn't think so. Then I started bleeding pretty much every day of the month after a year and a half so I just said, I'm done and had it removed. All my symptoms disappeared. I was relieved but then the whole birth control issue became a problem. After it was removed I tried several different pills and my headaches and other symptoms returned. I have since stopped everything and it's my hubby's turn to think about birth control now.

I'm sure the symptoms you are having are related to the IUD. Let me know what happens!

Hi there - I have noticed some changes since having the mirena inserted as well. What I have noticed most for me is the emotional stuff. I feel way more edgy and PMSy than I ever have. One day I even told my husband I just wanted to go and rip it out cause I felt a little crazy. I have never had bad PMS or emotional mood swings like I do now. I don't like that part but I like you like the fact that I don't have to think about taking a pill or about getting pregnant. I don't know how much longer I can be on it.

Hi J.,

I will be using Mirena in a few weeks and I will let you know what I experience. Did your doctor tell you that you could possibly gain weight.
T. F

Hi J.,

I had a much more serious side effect from the Mirena. I ended up with a serious infection. I was very ill for several months, and required antibiotics the whole time. My energy level was zip. All I could do was sleep and eat, the whole time. Why?

Because I went swimming in the ocean while on my period. My gyn. theorizes it was because I'd used a tampon that "wicked" bacteria from the ocean up the thread of the mirena into my uterus. I was on vacation in Hawaii just after a spill of some sort that had closed the beaches a few weeks previously. I was assured that the water was safe, (not even thinking about the marena, but my 1 year old nephew) and spent hours at a time in the water, for several days.

Maybe you are thinking "well, I'm not going to be doing that type of thing for it to be a problem for me", but there are other ways to get infections. Some infections are serious enough to cause scaring that could prevent future pregnancies. Some women have had to have hysterectomies from I.U.D.'s . I am not singling out the Marena here, just making a statement about I.U.D's in general.

They say the I.U.D.'s today are safer than in the past, which is why I considered having it placed for my pre-menopausal symptoms, but now wish I'd never had it done!

I know this is not exactly the information you were looking for, but hope it is helpful, just the same.

Take Care,

J.

Hi J.,
I have had mood swings since my IUD was inserted . Have you checked your thyroid levels since child birth?I too have gained my weight back, but my thyroid level has been out of wack since my last child she is now three.

Hi J.,
In my mere, humble opinion, I feel that we do harm our bodies when we interrupt it's natural function. Secondly, there is always potential for harm when we insert anything foreign into our bodies. I know this all sounds so simplistic, but sometimes we don't look at things that way, do we? Just something to think about....
Take care.

Hi J.
I have had Mirena in for a year now and have not experienced the side effects you are describing. But I know that everyone has a different reaction to hormones. What I did want to ask you is have you had your thyroid levels checked (TSH)? Before I knew I had a thyroid problem I had issues with weight fluctuations and itchy scalp/hair loss. Since diagnosis I take daily medication but am back to my normal self. Thyroid issues are very common in women. Maybe ask your doctor what she/he thinks?
Good Luck
C.

Hi J.,

I think you should have it removed and then give yourself time to feel the way you know is normal for you again, and then try something else. I had a similar unusual reaction to another form of birth control that seems to work for many others. It was difficult to find a doctor who looked me in the eye and said, "of course there are women who've have the exact same experience." What a relief! Sounds like some of the other respondents can do this for you, already. In the long run, the experience made me wary of hormonal therapy, and my partner (now husband) and I opted for non-hormonal birth control options. Good luck, and give yourself time to feel more like you again.

Hi J.
You are not alone. I've had the Mirena for 2 yrs and have the same symptoms/concerns. I've become a very moody person and also just want to explode. About a year ago I talked to my doctor and they said there wasn't enough hormones to cause the feelings I'm having, that I was probably overwhelmed with having twins. Well I don't think it's the case at all.
I also have gained weight. I had orignally lost all my baby weight and then some, but well that didn't last long after the Mirena.
Long story short I'm seriously considering having it removed and going back on the pill.
I hope this helps.
Good luck
B.

I hope someone has something positive to say about it...I am thinking of havng one placed next month.
You are all making me think twice!

Adding...Diana T has a very good point!! Also I didn’t think of this before but there are times, about three in the past three years that I have had a very itchy scalp. I have had two babies in the past three years so my hormones have been up and down and on the mini pill off again on again and now nothing…but I always thought it was an allergic reaction to something I ate. Something to look into…

Hello,
I have also noticed the changes in me. I too have gained about 15lbs., although i walk about 4.6 miles every other day and do not eat anything past 5 pm , cannot lose weight. There are months when it feels like instead of regular cramps, im having contractions..I have gave it a thought, and possibly will have it removed. I have also experienced two bladder infections. Honestly all this has occured ever since i got the mirena. Yes i do love the fact that i don't worry about the pill, but the price to pay is a little to high.

Thank you everyone for the advice. I have a 19 year old neice that just gave birth and I have been on her case about getting a IUC. You have given us more things to think about. Please keep the testimonies coming!

Hi J.,

I know you asked for info on the mirena but thought I'd give you my two cents on the paragard (the non-hormonal IUD). I have had it over a year and I love it. I never think about it and never have had any problems. After I had my son I did not want to go on ANY hormones. I have noticed that my periods are a bit heavier but nothing unbearable. Good luck! You can change IUD's any time with your OB. It's very easy.

J.

Hi,
I don't have experience with Mirena, but right after I gave birth to my first child, I had depo shots for one yr. During that time I noticed changes in myself. It could have being because I was a new mom, and not used staying at home all the time, or maybe it was because my husband who is in the navy, was on sea duty and sometimes he had night check, which at the time for him, meant working from 1430 till 0500 to 0700 sometimes. So that meant that I barely got to see him and I felt like a single mom most of the time, and I was stressed out because our child was also a horrible sleeper even though the rest of the time he was an adorable, loving and easy going baby. But I did notice that when I went on the pill, I didn't feel nearly as stressed out. Of course by then, my husband was at least working day check, and I was used to being a stay at home mom. But I definately thought that the Depo shot played a big part in it for me. Not only did I gain weight on the depo shot, but I couldn't get rid of most of that baby weight that I had gained. So if you feel like it isn't working for you then let your doctor know. I am terrible in remembering to take the pills everyday, and trust me I have missed quite a few days, but I usually don't have intercourse during those times, or in my case, my husband is deployed most of the time, so it wasn't as if I would have a surprise waiting for me in 9 months.

Have your thyroid levels checks. You have the symptoms of a thyroid condition, exactly the same ones I had after have my youngest son. I didn't realize it was the thyroid until about a year and a half after having him. I thought it was all related to postpartum stuff. I don't know anything about the IUD, but this is just something to think about and get checked.

Hi J., I also have this device and I am about to ask my Dr. to remove it for a few reasons. I also have the weight gain issue which I have not ever had before. I also have the itchy scalp, weird, I did not think of the two being linked. I am sure that the Dr. will say that the symptoms have nothing to do with the IUD however all of us are different and if you and I are having some of the similar things, you just have to wonder. I am also going to have my thyrode checked. My memory has been shot lately. I hope that this may help you. Best to you. T.

Hi J.,

I also had problems with the mirena, although slightly different. After my first child, I had bad acne for about 6 months but it cleared and then I loved it. After my second, I got super bad acne that never cleared, bad cramping at my period and emotional ups and downs. These symptons did not come on until I quit nursing when my son was a year old. I had it removed 6 months later and the acne immediately cleared up, the cramping got better (although I found out I have mild endometriosis), and the emotions leveled (my husband my not agree...ha ha ha).
If you just quit nursing, I'd give it a few months to see if the side effects go away because if they do, it's awesome. My period was very light, almost gone and I never had to think about it. I was sad to go back on the pill again.
Hope this helps!

C.

This is year 4 for me with the Mirena IUD. I agree that I am so emotional since I have been on it. I have learned to breathe deeply. I love the convenience as well but I have to say I kind of want to have it removed. I have been pondering this for quite some time so it was nice to read about someone else having the same thoughts.
L. M

I didn't notice any side effects when I had the Mirena... thought it was THE BEST! ....until I got PREGNANT with it in! (I had had it for 14 mos when I found out).
Now I have a beautiful 3 month old daughter who we joked that we should have named "Mirena" :)
Good luck w/whatever you do.