I just had my Mirena IUD removed today, and I am really excited about it! Getting it out is MUCH easier than having it put in. I was fortunate in that she found the strings and had it out in literally 5 seconds. You can expect a crampy little pinch, much like a Pap Smear, and then it's over and done with. I have experienced a trace amount of bleeding, but nothing serious. I am prepared to get my period, since I have read that it returns with a vengence. I know this sounds crazy, but my middle already feels lighter. Not like I lost weight, but like there is less pressure in my middle. I always felt pressure like I was constipated or something.
Now the real test begins, to see if and how quickly I lose weight, and if my other symptoms improve.
I currently weigh 246.2 pounds. I have been going to the gym 3-4 times a week and running, doing the bike, and lifting both arm and leg weights, obviously with no results. I eat around 1200-1500 calories a day. I am not going to change any of my habits, and lets just see what this does. I went to the gym today, and I can't tell you how excited I was. I feel like finally I will be working out and get results, instead of feeling depressed and banging my head against a wall. I have a good feeling about it all.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I'll try to answer any and all of them I get. I am going to continue to post at least once a week, so that I can detail my weight loss progress, and anything else that happens to me.
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1 – 200 of 382 Newer› Newest»Hi Mary I look forward to following your blog I to have just had the mirena removed (Tuesday 12) after having it in for 2 years. Initially I went to the GP and asked to be put on the pill. Change of circumstances ment I had to start using contraception aagin, was not too happy about going back on it as like you I had always put on weight. Afriend then suggested I try the mirena as she had it and swore it was the best thing on earth lighter periods etc. So off I went to the clinic had one fitted, since then I have gradually gained 14 lbs, this is I might add all the time trying to LOse weight constant member of weight watchers and the gym. Last week I was totally fed up and thought I would research the mirena to rule it out and could not believe it when I found the forum showing all the complaints I was totally gobsmacked. Needless to say my mind was in overdrive next day an appointment was made and it was removed today. So let's hope our problem is solved and our bodies will return to normal. I am 40 yrs old, 5' 6" tall, large frame, 182lbs and praying it is not middle age spread!!
I am glad you stopped by Andrea! I think getting the Mirena out is a good idea. After reading some of the information in the Canadian pamphlet, I just don't think the Mirena is good for women. It seems to contribute to depression and some other gnarly side effects. I was reading another woman's blog, and she thought she had breast cancer due to some tumors she had removed. Turns out, it was a side effect of the Mirena. Ug!! I hope that enough women step forward that the medical community will take notice.
Hello Mary. First of all, thank you for sharing this blog with us. I had the Mirena for over a year, I don't know why it did not cross my mind, when I had serious depression post partum. I am not a person with prior history with depression. And, this was serious.
I got the Mirena IUD taken out just today, and the reason is because of the hormones that come with it. I did not want to feel moody any longer; something had told me these mood swings had something to with it.
I have been gaining weight, as well. As you have mentioned on your post, I have added some 15 lbs myself. How crazy is this? I started off at 110 and now I am at around 123. Oh, boy. What a long year it has been, and I did not pick these signs up!
I did, however, change this IUD for the Paragard. So, I am hoping the symptoms do get better for me over time.
Can't wait for my appointment at 2.30 today to get my mirena out. Want to get on with my life, lose weight, have energy for my kids and get off the anti-depressants which I have been prescribed since Oct. 2 kids and a job shouldn't be too hard to cope with, I am positive life will be easier all round without the mirena. If I have a 3rd child that wouldn't be the end of the world either!!
I just got my mirena out today. My best friend got cysts with it, and I've seen all the complaints, but I just wanted to say it hasn't been bad for me. Personally, I've lost 30 lbs on the Mirena, have no problems whatsoever with depression, and have loved lighter periods. After I have my next two kids I will use it again. I'm sorry for all of your problems. :(
After trying many other birth control methods and switching each time because of serious problems, Mirena was my answer. I'm much happier now. I'm not a believer in a one size fits all birth control. I think it's kind of like ring shopping. You shop around until you find the right one.
Being 25 with 3 kids, completely monogomous and needing a break for a couple of years, Mirena was great for me.
It's a pretty serious decision though, because like all drugs it does have side effects that you will need to wisely consider.
Hi my name is beth I had my iud placed in 1 year ago,its been like a nightmare. I went in to the Drs office yesterday to have it removed.It was very painful,and they couldnt remove it,after an ultrasound the iud has move and attached to old c-section scarring tissue,so now I have to have it surgicaly removed on Tuesday.I strongly reccomend to any women get rid of your iud its not worth it.I'll try to post again after the surgery.
Hi. So, how is your weight loss going? I had my IUD out 2 weeks ago. I gained about 10 pounds per year for a total of 30 pounds in 3 years! I am hoping to see my weight go back down. I want to know how long it takes to get the progesterone out of my system. Any clues?
I had my Mirena taken out 5 weeks ago today in order to try for a baby (I had it in for 1 year, but had one for 5 years prior to that). I had some light spotting for 24 hours following removal, but have had no sign of my period since. I have done a pregnancy test and it was negative. Is it normal to have to wait a while for periods to return following Mirena removal? I have also had a dull ache in my lower abdomen, right-hand side since removal. Would appreciate any comments / advice.
Hi Mary, I was looking for information regarding Mirena after removal and found your site. I loved my Mirena when I had it and waited over 7 years to have it removed. It was removed in November and I have had 2 regular periods since then-if you can call them regular. I have been bleeding heavily (using overnight pads), clotting and the only word I can describe it as is "gushing". I am hoping this is only temporary.
in did a bad thing i removed iud by my self i did not want to do that but i ahve gained weight and i have been very moody and depressed to the point were i have to take meds. i know doing this on my own will harm me but i cant afford 400 hundred dollors to get it removed.i had the iud for almost two years ever since i took it out on my own i could fell a slight change i fell more relieved and not stressed as much. and thats cause im a stay at home mom.
Margaret
I just removed my Mirena two days ago and did not think about going to the Dr to have it removed. Reason being that when he put it in he mentioned removal if I wanted another child would just be him pulling slightly on the string and it would most likely just come out and that is all I did and found it came out very easily.
I removed it because my husband and I talked about another child and he really once one and I never really trusted it and was always scared it would fall out or I would have an eptopic pregnancy.
The strange thing is I have been feeling a little down after removing it, so I will waite a week or two and if I'm still feeling down I will go and see the doctor.
If I manage to get pregnant I don't think I will use it after this pregnancy rather I think I will get my tubes tied as I don't like the idea of further using the pill for two reason. I had already been on it for 18 years before my first child and I really don't want to have to remember it every single day. I also do not think I will want a 3rd child,
Hello Everyone! I hope it is okay to post this here. I normally post about the Mirena on the curezone forum:
http://curezone.com/forums/f.asp?f=713&p=101
Several of us have decided to band together and try and get people informed about the potential side effects that are caused by using the Mirena. We have several “irons on the coals”, but we are starting with a petition to the FDA. It’s not meant to be inflammatory, rather, to raise awareness. Please take a look at it, sign it if you agree, and please pass it on. Since I am not a regular poster on this site, if you would like to contact me (or get involved), please go to the curezone site, or contact us through the petition site. (I am going to put this on as many forums for Mirena as I can find, so I probably won’t be checking back.)
In a nutshell….. (Tag line for the petition)
“Mirena birth control users are not provided necessary side effect information.”
Click on the link below to sign:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/mirena-awareness
We have designed it to be signed by everyone. This device did not just affect us, but also those around us (husbands, children, family, friends, etc), and their voices should be heard as well. For all of you outside the U.S., please sign as well-if the U.S. labeling can be changed, other countries should follow suit- please feel free to copy the petition text for use in petitions to your own governing bodies.
The more signatures we have, the greater impact the petition will have-EVERYONE COUNTS! Please remember, at one point we were all out there, not knowing what was happening to us. There are so many women right now who are suffering, and we can help! Let’s make this happen!
HI ladies,
As a woman entering menopause age I decided the mirena iud would be a perfect way to control unwanted pregnancy from occuring. I will be 53 in March and I'm having it removed on Feb. 18 after 5 years.
I did not suffer from any out of the ordinary mood swings or weight gain. My periods were either very light or non-existent.
My concern is that I will suffer some kind of side effects as a result of its removal!I cannot find any info on what I might do to prepare my body from a nutritional, supplemental or hormonal/replacemant standpoint.
Anyone out there know of anything?????
Don't pull it out yourself!!! What if you cause serious harm? You'd be without medical attention, and could hemorrhage before getting to the phone to call 911!! I know it's expensive, but I'm sure you're MD would work out a payment plan or something versus you tearing up your cervix!!
Can anyone give some information of WEIGHT LOSS after removal? It is the symptom that is effecting me the most and I want to know if removing my IUD will reverse my weight gain.
I am geting this awful thing taken out tomorrow and cannot wait. I thought I was going crazy. I have alwasy been the same weight and able to lost weight if I need to but in 4 months I have gained 10 pounds, cannot get it off, I also got ovarian cysts, and am tired more often than not and have had headaches. IT IS AWFUL. It was extremely painful to get in and I am worried about taking it out. I am disapointed that the doctor wanted me to get this why wouldn't I have read all these posts about it BEFORE I go it inserted???
I am so so happy to see this information available! I just had Mirena removed yesterday at 3pm after a bad 6-mth experience. I never experienced that wonderful phase of light or no periods. If anything they were heavier, longer and more painful. My last one lasted 15 days and the one before that lasted 10 days. I had enough and asked Dr. to remove it. I couldn't find the string on my own and that scared the crap out of me. However, she found it in a matter of seconds. She had the IUD out in less than a minute and I had no pain what so ever. I have only had very very very light spotting since removal yesterday and that has pretty much disappeared. I am also hoping to see my weight decrease now that it's gone. I have been dieting and exercising faithfully for months with barely any change in my weight. I am a much more happier and hopeful person now. I will keep you posted on what happens next!
I have had the Mirena for 4 yrs. now and I have no period. I love having it and not having to worry about taking a pill or changing a patch. I have lost 20 pds. since i've had the IUD in and I forget I have it most times. This is to show that different people have different bodies and reactions, I always suggest people getting it, if all else fails you can have it removed. People never talk about the good, only the bad. In a year when I get mine out I will replace it with another. People shouldn't listen to all the bad, just try it and decide for yourself......what's to lose?
Hi,
I had my mirena for 9 months. At first it seemed great! It hurt going in.. but not much worse than cramping from a period. But 2-3 months later.. i started getting horrible pains, bad enough i couldn't move from one position for an hour! Then when the docs said nothing was wrong, i went along normally. During the 9 month stretch of having it i had symptoms of being pregnant. Which scared me because of a possible tubal pregnancy. Not to mention my husband felt the strings often when ahem well i'm sure you know. Which was painful for him. So i finally said enough. My husband and i talked and thought it would be nice to try for another baby, so i got it taken out.
The intial take out was akward.. hurt a little. But the doc said, i shouldn't have any bleeding.. maybe just a few cramps. Phsh!
I had some cramps the day of and day after .. but thought i was fine enough to ahem.. so we did. The next day i started bleeding heavily.. it only got worse.. blood clots .. cramping.. i finally had to call the tel a nurse and she said go to the hospital now! They said it was "in between bleeding or irratated cervix" either way i had to have pain killers to get me through my day so i could take care of my son.
after two weeks of that it finally stopped. I have missed my period.. and if you count the in between as a period.. i would be late with that too.. SO when do you get your period back ... ??? I am having signs of pregnancy.. but it's to early to test..
I will never get the mirena again!
HI,
I had the Mirena in for two years and gained 35 pounds. I was exercising and dieting during that time but just could not lose weight, only slow down the weight gain. I should have taken it out after one year, but, after spending the money to get it it, I held out.
Here I am, nearly 3 years after taking it out, and the weight will not come off, I have a total of 11 cysts in my breasts and I am sworn off of hormonal birth control.
I have no advice to give except that if you gained weight on the pill you should not listen to your doctor when she says that it does not mean you will gain weight on Mirena.
I will continue to try and lose weight, when I find the right method I will finally be free.
Hi, My name is Debbie. I had mirena inserted 8 months ago. I have been so unhappy with it so far. Once inserted I blead for 3 months straight. Not to mention the aweful cramping. After that my periods come the same time every month but last for 14 days. So I am certain the reason you can not get pregnant on this birth control is because there is very little time for sex. lol. But seriously.. I am thinking about getting it taken out. If patience will bring me lighter or no period I could wait but I am beginning to think this will never happen and I can not go through 2 week periods every month. I am so afraid that when I have it removed I will once again bleed for 3 months straight. Has anyone had this problem after removal?
Good luck ladies.
I had it out today and I feel great.I had it for six months, in order to eliminate the bleeding during the period.It did eliminate it,but I had cramps, felt depressed, zero libido, weight gain and the slghtly bleeding lasted over 10 days.My period was chaotic and that was very frustrating for me.I hope I won't regret it.Let alone I' d love to have a third kid.Good luck to everyone.Mary.
I had the Mirena in for almost the entire 5 years. I gained 50 pounds and had severe abdominal pain during the last few weeks. I had it taken out yesterday (with little pain) and I cannot seem to stop crying. I don't know why. I didn't have any mood swings when it was in, and now I'm depressed and crying...its only been one day! I feel kind of empty. I don't know how to explain it, but now that its out I feel empty. I do plan on having a child in the next year or two, but I keep having thoughts about not being intimate with my husband. I have had Mirena in longer than we have been together. (first child is with a previous boyfriend) He doesn't really know me without it and I feel that now that I can have a child, he won't come close to me until we are ready. Might be the depression talking. I just hope this gets better as time goes on.
Hi my name is Audrey. I have had the mirena about a year now. I had not had any problems until now. I had no period until now. I have had a period for the last two months. And this month i had my period and then i thought that i was going to have another one but i only bled for 2or 3 days when my period lasts for anywhere from 4-6 days. then it turned that funky brown at the end of your period and now i am bleeding again. Also i am having tons of pressure at my lower back and cramping. Right after my actual period that i had this month, i had the worse cramping in my stomach than i have ever had since i have had a period. It was even worse than when i had sex for the first time and then had my period that month. i thought i ws going to die then. this time i was wanting to die. So i am calling my doctor tommorrow to see what he says! And to find out how much it will cost to get this thing taken out if it is what is causing it. does anyone know about how much it cost to get it out and if it has came out of place and attached to your insides somewhere, can anyone tell me how much that will cost or a round about ? please and thank you
Hello- my name is Claire and I'm 47 years old with three teenage sons. I've just had my mirena removed this week after suffering three Grand Mal seizures over recent months.I had no idea that the mirena could be responsible for causing these fits- which have a huge impact on my life and meant I am no longer able to drive.I'd had the mirena for about three years and at first it was ok. Then I started suffering hair loss on my head and hair growth on my chin,bleeding,numbness and tingling down my left side, mood swings and loss of libido.Then I had the first fit in May and two more every three months. Numerous hospital tests and appointments with a neurologist have shown no cause.I started my own invesitigations on the internet and discovered other women with the mirena had had seizures, so immediately made an appointment to have it removed- I'm so pleased I did as I feel so much better in so many ways.
Hi, I am so glad I found this blog. I have had the mirena in for one year and felt fine until 6 months after it was place and then I felt strongly like I was pregnant....nauseous when I woke in the morning, drowsy..this lasted for 2 weeks....6 months later (3 weeks ago), I experienced the same symptoms and they have not disappeared. I just had it removed yesterday. I am stressing though because I need to know how long it will be before I feel normal again? I woke up this morning still feeling tired, nauseous/dizzy and moody. I also have breast tenderness. Can anyone tell me approximately how long it takes for these types of symptoms to end? Thanks so much!
Dear Claire, my name is Pam. I too have three sons, and am 47 years old. Today I had my Mirena IUD removed as I have had 3 seizures in the past 3 months. The doctors can't figure out anything wrong with me. Numerous tests have shown nothing. Hopefully this will stop the seizures.
Hi. Im Kelly, im over 40. Had the mirena put in more than 6 weeks ago. it was the worst pain ive ever experienced, even though it was only 5 minutes long. I kept the Mirena in 6 weeks and had it removed this past Monday. My doctor tried to convince to give it 2 more months but I decided not to do it. I had cramping, 10 day periods, extreme bloating, 6lb weight uncontrollable weight gain (Ive been a member of Weightwatchers for over 20 years and exercise regularly),horrible embarrassing gas, all which made me feel like not being intimate w/my husband. I probably should have given it the 3 months but feeling the way I did was just unacceptable. On top of hearing about all the things that could happen down the road, I wasnt comfortable having it in anymore. Day 3 of removal and I am having gas, bloatness and light bleeding. I hope it goes away soon. Now I need to decide if tubal ligation is the way to go. I am over 40 and dont plan on having kids.
I had the IUD for two and a half years before I realized what was causing all of my symptoms. I have developed Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. If you don't know what it is, google PCOS symptoms. I have had the Mirena out for just over a year now and sadly, no reversal for the weight gain or PCOS. My moods are mostly back to normal, but I still feel anxious or depressed sometimes. I still can't sleep at night. I weighed 110-130(before and after kids figures) before Mirena... embarrassing as it is, I'll tell you... I weigh 200 now. I go to the gym 6 days a week, I follow the food pyramid, and yet, I can't lose more than 10 lbs, which comes back. I know it might not be the same for everybody, but be prepared in case your damage is permanent like mine is.
"This is to show that different people have different bodies and reactions, I always suggest people getting it, if all else fails you can have it removed. People never talk about the good, only the bad. In a year when I get mine out I will replace it with another. People shouldn't listen to all the bad, just try it and decide for yourself......what's to lose?" What's to lose?!!! Many women have lost sleep, time with their children, their minds, their marriages, their tempers, their self-confidence. What's to lose?! My ability to have more children... EVER. I'll tell you what's NOT to lose... the weight! More than a year after having it removed, I still can't lose weight. I still can't lose the depression. Your solution to just have it removed- Yeah, I had it removed, and it turns out that the damage is permanent. I'm glad some of you have had a great experience with Mirena, but I have found far more jeers than cheers. That's why we are posting them... so that women can know the truth about what this thing can, and more than likely, will cause.
In regards to a comment posted july 2009 'whats to lose by getting the mirena'. Answer - a whole damn lot like my body going to hell, my marriage breaking aprt, losing my job, my health and my sanity!
I had major probs from the word go, inserted Sep 1st 2009 and taken out Oct 14th 2009. I am still trying to recover.
I was not fully informed and my concerns were pushed to the side. After doing my own research I realized I should never had it in the first place. I am so mad and feel so robbed, violated!
Could someone please tell me exactly what the mirena crash synptoms involve?
Really would appreciate it.
I had Mirena inserted Aug 09 and had terrible cramping for an entire 24 hours. Then I bled for almost three months straight...and they said Mirena would allow you to have sex more often haha you can't even get sex in. I then started having cramping. My period would be light and light colored, but it lasted for 3 weeks at a time, which is NOT what I wanted considering it was after 4 months since I had it inserted. Last month, all of a sudden I had these terrible cramps that made me double over to where I couldn't stand straight because of the tugging pain. It also hurt to breathe in deeply. It would hurt when I touched my lower abdomen, and the pain lasted for about 4-5 hours. I have tried Ortho Evra, Depo, and now Mirena and am considering taking Mirena out March 11 and switching to the pill. Would anyone be able to tell me what the change is like from the point of taking Mirena out then switching to the pill??? Thanks.
I had the Mirena in for 4 years and i have just had it removed one week ago. I experienced weight gain 10 kilo (2.25 kilo to a pound), high blood pressure, felt sick every morning, mild incontinence, low immune system, blurred vision, tinnitus, lethargy, low sex drive, exhaustion, dizziness, aches in my joints, depression, insomnia. I started to feel very old (I'm 50 now). I have always been fit, healthy, trained at the gym, martial arts, full of energy until the Mirena. I have now been bleeding heavily for 6 days,very large clots 2 days after the removal of the mirena, however I do feel lighter although its not showing on the scales. My uterus seems to have shrunk: prior to the removal of the Mirena I could feel my uterus bulging. I no longer feel sick when I wake up. I feel able to do some light excercise but I wish the bleeding would stop the blood is vibrant red but the large clots were very darkly colored red. I am so very glad I stumbled across forums with women talking about the Mirena. I live in Australia. Soozie
Hi, I had my second Mirena taking out after seven and a half years; the first six months was fine. The last week had been hell on earth permanent haemorrhaging, fell sick fit for nothing. The Dr said the lining of my womb is coming back she has put me on the Minnie pill. Went to see emergency Dr today he gave me tablets to stop the bleeding and pain killers. He said the Minnie pill would make the bleeding worse. Has any body else experience this?
I have had Mirena in for 5yrs now and I have only had good expiences with it. I did gain weight but I believe It was because I started eating like crap. I blamed it on the device at first until I went on a diet last year and dropped 40lbs like nothing. I am going to have it removed only because it is expired...the only reason I am not having it replaced is because we have decided to try for a baby.Everyone's body reacts different. I am NOT looking forward to the heavy painful periods again!
Hi my name is amie and i too have got to get this mirena out... funny story though here it is....
after i had my second little bundle of joy i decided i didnt need to take any risks in having another one.. I wanted to wait atleast 5 years...i told that to my doctor and told him some of the things i didnt want to experience with any birth control was depression and thats just cause i have always had a little bit of that anyways and didnt want to bring on a major melt down...so he told me about mirena and with out a ? i was sold.. i was told about possible side effects but was also convinced that it wouldnt happen to me that is only happened to so many a year...well i was only 23 so being gullable i said ok...got it in and for a while i thought i was doing good...i had my baby and well nothing else matter cause at first i didnt have to worry about anything....
not until...i called my doctor and becuase i have public aid he wont take it out of me...well just like everyone else i had it put in and i signed that peice of paper that gives you info on it and it states that you should go back to your doctor to have it looked at once a year...well knowing he wasnt gonna take me back he inserted it and excpected me to do what..? i dont get it...he told me it was because i have public aid...but it states to have it looked at and now i have a real problem and it hurts in there and i have periods that are brown and gross, someone is at fault here...i want it out but dont know were to go...this really stinks...
Has anyone else suffered massive hair loss? I cry day and night because me hair is falling out nonstop. I am fighting with my fiance because I have zero desire to have sex. I have no patience with my children. I can't eat without getting sick afterwards. I have blinding headaches. Cramps that sometimes bring me to tears. A period that seems it will never end. Dizziness, anxiety and the inability to concentrate... and this is all after having the Mirena for 1 month!!! This thing is terrible. Can anyone else suggest a birth control that didn't drive you to the brink of insanity? My dr is out of town and can't see me till next week, I am thinking about going to the ER and having them remove it, I thought of doing it myself but I am a chicken. Thanks ladies and I am sorry to those that are also going through this or similar.
I've been reading everyones personal experience with mirena. I've had mine for nearly 2 years now and it's a love hate relationship. I love not having a period or taking a pill everyday. However, I have experienced bloating headaches and mild pressure during intercourse. My doctor PRE WARNED me about lots of different side effects including the possibility of it attaching where it shouldn't. If you keep with regular doctor appointments (I go once a year) it should be caught before causing permenant damage. I know some feel very negative towards this iud but I can't complain other than what I've mentioned. No birth control is right for every person. I will be having mine removed in a few weeks only because my husband and I are ready for another baby! I don't recommend mirena or any other birth control to anyone bc I believe that is a topic to discuss with your doctor!
I thought I was the only one... I have had the mirena for 2 1/2 years and have gained over 100lbs. YES, I have mood swings, depression and anxiety; you name it I have it. I have skipped meals a few days of the week, replaced with water and walking a mile or two and still gained weight. Then I have this sack under my tummy that makes me emberrased to be intimete with my husband. What to do? Can I just ask my doctor to remove it? Desperate to get my life back. Sincerely, Neky please feel free to comment or reach me at enidrivera1@aol.com
HELLO...i removed my iud today. the 5 year year effectiveness expired last week. the removal was painless. when i first had it inserted five years ago i had back cramps for about 2 weeks but after that no pain. i didnt gain weight nor did i feel blue. i guess our bodies react differenly...my co worker had cramps and pain for a couple months and several infections prior to her removing the iud.....good luck ladies.
Hi, I had mine in for a year and half and finally decide to take it out last week. My doctor never informed me of the side effects but only praised on the effectiveness of it. I gained 20 lbs and had blinding headache that won't ago away after taking 4 pain killers a day. My period stop completely. Also during the last 4 weeks that I still had it in I lost sleep completely. I was up all day and night. Had about 2-3 hours of rest each day. That was my finally straw. But after taking Mirena out I starting to bleed heavily for 6 days now with lots of clots, cramping and lower backpain. I don't know when will this period phase end but I do feel alot lighter and I can sleep at night.
I am having my mirena taken out on Friday the 15 of Oct. I have experienced bad headaches, pain on my lower right side along with breast tenderness. I do enjoy not having a monthly cycle. I have not noticed any weight gain with the mirena. I am however a little nervous about what will happen when i have it taken out after reading what has happened to other people. Can u start the pill right away and still be protected?
Hi, I just came across this blog searching how long it would take before I felft normal again. I do think everybody reacts differently to the mirena, but I had negative effects. I just had my IUD removed today and I had it in for a year and a half. Within the first three months of getting the IUD I gained 30 pounds. I can not tell you what this does to your body. My kidneys always hurt, and I had horrible cramping during my period, (well I never actually had a period, but still had the cramping). Six months after getting it put in, I started having insomnia, headaches, and major depression. I thought there was something else going on until I researched and found out that all of these are side effects of the mirena. Still after all of this I kept it in for another year, but the symptoms were still there. The insomnia would come and go, but still present. I just can't wait until my body feels normal again. Good luck everyone!!
I had the merena in for 5 years...no problems! No period or side effects. I had it replaced in May and then everything changed. Insomnia, depression, constipation, brain fog, etc. and all of a sudden it occured to me that this began when I had the new one put in. I am having it removed next week. I am 27 now and have been on the Merena basically since I was 22. I'm bummed that this has occured (or I assume it has) because of the merena, when it went off without a hitch the last time and seemed to be the perfect birth control method. I have no idea what method I will go to next. Thinking about going natural for a while to see how my body reacts without being on hormones.
well after almost 3 years of mirena it is finally out. for the last year and a half I have had horrible pelvic pain. and for the last month and a half sex has been out of the question. if you push on even the outside of my pelvic it will make me sore for till the next day. I saw a total of 4 dr.'s only one found it was the iud. I had to be in pain for them to see it. turns out the strings were about 3 millimeters long and the iud had moved north some. so getting it out was way more painful than having it put it. the dr kept saying he was fishing for it. I had to be numbed twice (though I am not sure it helped any) and they finally got it out. I cried, and apologized to the dr for scooting myself away when the pain was too bad. The dr replied that it wasn't my fault but whoever put it in to begin with didn't know what they were doing. the little string that I had was twisted into a small ball. so I had big pincher's looking for a tiny ball. thats wonderful. I am not sure if the mirena in general is bad or if it was just placed wrong but I am not going to try it again. Sure I only about 12 periods in the last 3 years but it's not worth it in the end. I would rather have another child than have someone fish in my uterus. so if anyone is going to get the mirena iud you might want to start p a pro/con list first and see if you want all the cons. cause I have never had any health problems, and it got to me..
Hi my name is Stacy. I'm 23. I've had Mirena since the birth of my son nearly 5 years ago. I love it. At first I bleed almost continually for 4 months. I toughed it out and after that it's been smooth sailing and no periods at all. I have, however, gained about 40 LBS but I'm not sure all that was caused by the IUD. Anywho....I'm getting married and wanting to add to my family. I'm looking at having it removed but I don't have insurance. How much can I expect to pay?
my dr told me it will cot $136.00 i had mine taken out about 2 weeks ago.
I too had mine removed yesterday. I had it for about 6 mos. I was never warned about the side effects, just that it was the best thing. I have a history of stoke in my family, and a history of migraines with myself, they thought it was the better choice to the pill and I am 35.
The first 4 weeks after getting it in, I noticed my nipples being tender (I have had two children and the ONLY time i remember this feeling was when I was first pregnant. I took a test and nothing of course. Then a few weeks later I started to feel my tummy getting bloated a pooch so to say that was hard. I was also slowly gaining weight with no change in my eating or exercise. by month 4 I had gained 10 pounds! had to buy all new bras as I went from a B to a C! I was starting to not even recognize my shape anymore, who is this person. Besides the weight and tummy bloating I was also feeling sad, emotional and tired all the time, unmotivated.
I started to look online around month 4 and 5 and went in to get it out. The doctor convinced me to wait a little longer that it was such a small amount of hormone being given, that my idea of these side effects being what they are might be in my head! they said if I wait the hormone also lessens over time and sometimes the first 6 mos takes some adjusting to. I left feeling ill and wished I had just got it out. 4 weeks later i went back in and was not leaving till it was out. I in total gained 15 pounds. I am giving my body a break and not going to take any BC now for a while.
After having two children. I can say for certain that this Mirena tricked my body in thinking it was pregnant. It might not happen to all women but it happens to some. I am very tuned into my own body and that is exactly what it felt like.
I felt a huge sense of relief after it was out. i even took a picture of the evil thing on the counter after it was out. I wish more Doctors would not question woman that know their body and that not everything is right for everyone.
Hello,
I went to my OB in May of 2010 about getting my Mirena out. She said she has had no complaints about it. I have gained over 15 lbs. since I got it put in. I have had a personal trainer, eating very well(weight watchers) and still continued to gain weight. Today is the day it comes out. I am sooo excited. As others have said- they love not having periods but hate the side effects. I never had weight gain on the pill. I will follow up with you all after a couple of weekds.
hi there, i find it interesting to read these, as my results were completely the opposite - i lost about 10 pounds after having the mirena inserted, haven't had periods, which have been a blessing and no depression whatsoever. This post just to say that not everyone experiences it the same! diet and exercise play a big part as does mental state i guess! :)
It amazes me how so many women can have the same symptoms over and over, and when you tell your gyno they look at you strangely and say, "It's so rare to have probs, most women love it!"
i have just had mine out last week, after 3 months on it. At first it was fine and kind of a novelty having very light periods, but after a couple of weeks i had very painful (but light) periods. The cramps reminded me of childbirth, and painkillers wouldn't give any relief.
But the 2 things that tipped me over the edge was the weight gain and mood swings. I remember experiencing this when i went on the pill. I thought the mirena would be different.
my nerves have been on edge and the poor hubby & kids haven't known whats going on.
I think if there are underlying stresses in your life, mirena tends to just tip you over the edge. I think its dangerous, and i suspect there are a lot of ready to crack women out there suffering with it!
My advice, get it out, get it out! I still feel like i have the effects of it working out of my system; but i feel a billion times better in myself with it out.
so don't let a well meaning gyno or doc tell you just to stick with it another 3 months.... listen to your body and be kind to yourself!!
God bless all you precious women!
Jeanine said...
I have had a horrible experience with Mirena, massive hair loss, depression...the end result was having surgery to get it taken out, I wouldn't recommend the Mirena to anyone. My sister has just gotten the Mirena taken out yesterday after experiencing depression, hives, itching, and horibble swelling of the face.The side effect of this Mirena are just horrible.
Thanks, I was going to have Mirena inserted. After reading your site I will not be having this procedure.
just wanted to share. I have had the mirena for almost 2 years. I love the fact that I have no cramping and only need a pantyliner for periods. the downside is I have to wear those pantyliners everyday since I have a slight discharge everyday and my hair stylist just told me I am going bald. I normally have extremely thick hair and I did notice that it was easier and easier to comb knots out of it. I'm not one to pay attention to my hair, I'm a brush, ponytail, and go kinda gal. But I've been researching it and realized that it is most likely the mirena that is causing causing my hair loss. I am calling the dr after the weekend to have it removed. I have also gained 15 pounds and having a hard time losing it dispite healthy eating and exercise.
I was looking for information about what happens after Mirena is removed and came upon this blog. What really scared me, was I could have written your post. I dieted and exercised for 3 years, and lost a grand total of 35 lbs. But even walking every day 6 to 8 miles a day, eating 1200 calories a day, my body would not lose weight. I got mine removed yesterday, and I'm crampy, but feel a lot less bloated and stuffed. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope you get weight off.
I have the mirena for 2 years it was the worst thing i have ever done.I have had terrrible stomach pains and had infections terrible hair loss and so much weight gain 25lbs I feel so bloaded and very moody all the time.I am so ready to get this mirena out.
I just had the mirena removed today and I am so relieved. I had it in for 2 yrs and wonder why it took me so long to realize that the mirena had completely altered my moods. I have surges of rage, been very irritable and just plain mean.I have been on hormones for so long (the pill before Mirena) that I just don't know who I am anymore. I am so glad I had this epiphany about the mirena-I just want to feel normal again.Its great to read about other's experiences and to know that I am not alone.No more hormones for me,its my husband's turn to take responsibility now!
Must reply to the 'What's to lose' poster...
Of course there are a lot of women that are happy with the Mirena. But those of us who lost (and are hoping to recover since removal) are here to be validated. We know that many women are happy with it.
There is a lot to lose. Relationshis, jobs, health, happiness...I can imagine a person killing herself on this thing. I know I wanted to. It was so awful.
The night time anxiety was so intense (I have never felt anything like it) that I would get up at 5 am each morning and drink 3-4 beers, then sleep it off. I am sure this contributed to my weight gain, but I was just trying to live through the night.
Now that it is out, I absolutely cannot believe I was drinking like that- in the early morning hours, no less!
I a, still struggling with panic and sadness, but not to the extent that I must drink too much beer at weird hours and abuse my body.
ps~ I don't drink much in 'real life'
:o)
I had mine in for 1 1/2 years, didnt really have periods any more.. but I was dripping leaking blood or dark black gross stuff all the time, & then after sex it got worse.. I also gained 35 lbs I would say out of a month I might of had 2 days of nothing coming out & iy looked normal. So I got it taken out 3 weeks ago & got back on the pill, I have bleeding & clotting like no tomorrow since I got it out.. I have never seen so many clots.. I think I have no insides left.. and I am 38 years old..
Hi, I had my mirena inserted in July of 2008. Had horrible cramping for a couple of weeks and my periods never got lighter.. Thought okay some people just react different to it.. Have had no sex drive for 2 and a half years. ( Great Birth Control NO SEX ) My hair started coming out by the HANDFULS in January of 2011.. I immediately went to the Dr. and had blood tests done... They told me there was NO medical reason that should be happening and I asked if my mirena could be causing it... She said NO that it was such a low dose of hormones it could'nt possibly be the culprit.. Thank god I did'nt believe her.. Went to see my gyno two days later and she agreed to take it out and said she was sure my mirena was causing it... It's beem almost a month since removal and my hair is still falling out.. Can anyone tell me how long it will take to my hair to stop falling out??? Kinda panicking now!!! Thank you, any advice would be appreciated.
I have had my Mirena for 3 months, and I'm having it taken out tomorrow. I don't have any cramps, pains, or emotional issues from it, but it's the constant bleeding that's driving me absolutely insane! It could be bright red, pink, or brown, but it's all the time. Every once in a while I get 1-2 days of nothing coming out, but then sure enough it starts again. Then, because of the constant moisture, I have had terrible yeast infections. Because of the yeast infections, I absolutely couldn't help myself from scratching the horrible itch, and I damaged some of the sensitive skin down there which has been very painful and annoying. It has been a nightmare. My husband says "just get it out!" I think he is even more frustrated with the situation than I am. I am really glad to read other womens stories of bad experiences like mine because I have two sisters who have it and LOVE it. Everybody's different. I will go back to the pill and/or condoms until my husband can get his vasectomy, which he has promised to do. Why should my body be the only one responsible for birth control?? I'm just happy to have my appointment tomorrow to have the dang thing taken out and maybe I can finally feel healthy again.
Hi ladies, I had my mirena for a little less then 3 years and I loved it till I started reading all these blogs and realized that all these things were happening to me also. I had the moodiness as well as the depression. I had my Mirena taken out about a week ago. My doctor informed me that I would have some spotting. I had a full blown period! I had not expected that at all here I was expecting to bleed a little and oh no.... I took out the Mirena because my husband and I want to have another baby. I'm happy that I no longer have it but not happy to have my period back. I did not have a period at all when I had my mirena in and that was nice but like everyone else I too was trying to lose weight with little success so I hope to start dropping the pounds soon. Good luck all with your outcomes
Hello II cant believe I didn't read all this before I had it put in. Its funny because I wanted no part of this and my Dr. really kept pushing it saying how great it was. I had lost 15 lbs before I had it put in and wala after i gained it alllll back :/ My anxiety went from not too bad to terrible...moody..snappy...less patience. I stayed on my normal work out routine. Treadmill/elliptical for an hour every morning and p90x. Still lost nothing. I went today to have it removed. The Dr. tried everything to convince me to keep it in. like really? its my choice...respect my wishes and get movin lady! so I hope now I can lose some weight. I also noticed on the teen mom show on MTV They are really trying to promote mirena like somethin serious. I just find birth control very strange. It cant be good to stop something that is suppose to happen to our bodies naturally.
hi...I got my Mirena 6 months ago to stem heavy heavy periods due to fibroids. I didn't want an iud, but it was either that or a hysterectomy...I'm 36, no kids yet and I don't know if I'm ready to give up that option yet.Suffering from a great deal of anxiety and
I have gained about 35 pounds since getting the iud. Also losing hair, depression...
But, I just dont know that I have any other options for me...if I remove it, I will be back to either massive doses of hormones to control the bleeding or suffering nonstop agony from cramps, neverending periods etc
Anyone been thru a similar situation? know of alternatives?
I just don't understand how women who have options would choose Mirena...
HELLO IM DAWN UNTIL LATLEY I DIDNT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE I HAVE HAD THE 5 YR MIRENA FOR 6 YRS IN JAN 11
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ITS STILL EFFECTIVE TILL U GET IT OUT OR CAN I GET PREG? ALSO I HAVE HEARD THAT ON MIRENA YOU GET PREG ALL THE TIME AND IT MAKES YOUR UTERUS AN INHOSPITALABLE ENVIRONMENT READING THIS FREAKED ME OUT JUST MADE SOME SIGNS OF PREG FREAK ME OUT SO EVERYTIME I BLEED IM THINKING WOW WAS THAT A MISCARRIAGE? BTW NOW THAT I HAVE INSURANCE I PLAN ON HAVING IT REMOVED BUT MOSTLY TILL THEN I WOULD LIKE FEED BACK ON IF THE MIRENA SIMPLY RUNS OUT OF MEDICINE OR IF IM PROTECTED TILL ITS REMOVED
Hi I had the Mirena for 5 and half years and never thought about my symtoms until I did some research and found out that I could relate to most of the side effect you all were having.. I experiences weight gain 35 1bs and hair thinning and mood swings like no tomorrow.. I finally got the mirena out on April 14 and feel a sigh a releif I am hoping to lose some weight and I will admit I was a bit emotional the day after having it removed I don't know why maybe hormones.. I think anything that we put in our bodies is Dangerous.. c'mon these hormones is like telling our bodies we are already fertile so that we don't get fertile and the weight gain is like your body thinking you need that weight for a baby thats not really there... Im so happy I have the mirena out.
Hello all,
I too have had the mirena, next month will b a year since I've had it taken out. About a month before I made my doctors appointment for the removal I began having severe chest pains, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, I was depressed all the time, and after I posted some of my symptoms on my facebook page my cousin asked me what I was using for birth control, she then texted me immediately with a website of women who had side effects from the mirena. Upon realizing that I shared about 98% of the same symptoms I made an appointment. Almost a year now and I still have some symptoms....not near as many as before but I almost feel like it's ruined me for life. I have ovarian cysts which are very painful, I still get bouts of being super tired for no reason, and my heart beat fluctuates all the time, even after getting the all clear from the numerous ekgs I've had since my problems began. Long story short I am thankful that I did have it removed when I did...my husband and I are now TTC our second baby no luck in 6 months I only hope and pray that this devils birth control hasn't screwed me up forever. Sincerely , hopeful
I have the mirena for 5yrs and I have experience back and leg pains ,thinning hair aching feet ,etc.I want to have it removed ,but I recently found out my insurance doesn't cover the removal How long is it in effect for after your 5yrs are complete and what can one do that can't afford the removal?
That's really weird that your insurance won't cover the removal can I ask what kind of insurance u have? I have Medicaid n it was covered, If you are having problems with it there should not be an issue.
I have Mirena and it is past due almost a year past due. I am scared a bit but dont have $ for Doc appt. My question is are my chances of getting pregnant much high? And do you think it could fall out by itself?
Well Let me begin by saying I am so excited I found your blog- and thank you to all the wonderful women who have posted and shared their personal stories- I have to say that I loved my Mirena, no periords for the past five years has been great- It is coming up on my 5 years and was devistated that my insurance no longer covers the removal or insertion of the device. Well then I stumbled across this blog and it is like a ton of bricks hit me in the face. This is going to sound crazy but I never put 2 and 2 together til I read all the other posts. I am a mom of 2 wonderful children and a year after I had my youngest (now 6) I had Mirena inserted and loveed it. I stopped having periods and thought I was one of the luck ones who had no side effects- well til now. I relized after reading that my, 50lb weight gain, mood swings, depression, no motivation/energy, lack of sexual desire,hair thinning, sleepless nights, anxity and ovarian cysts were all due something else- crazy I know. About a year and a half ago I had to have a cyst the size of a orange removed along with one of my tubes. When I asked my GYN if all my symptoms could be from my IUD she told me no way. My primary care doctor told me that it could be the cause but I figured the people who put it in are the ones who know about it. WRONG!!!! Well as it stands today, I still have the IUD in place, but I plan on getting it removed ASAP- I wopuld love to hear from any of you who have had it removed and how you are doing andeverything. Thanks so much for this blog as I would have found a way to pay the $2000 to get it replaced come June, now i will have it removed. Best of luck to all of you ladies.
I wanted to let the ladies asked about the 5 year mark and needing to have it replaced or removed, I spoke to Mirena and was told that due to FDA rules here in the US it can only be 5 years, in Eurpoe it is 7 years- they told me that it is the same device- the lady actually laughed at me when I asked her that question about being able to get prego at 5 years and 1 day. Not that I telling you to keep it in, but just thought I would pass along what I was told.
mom22 thanks for your response.Hopefully I can get the money to have it removed before the 7yr.date.LOL
It's been five years and until I found this post I never put things together,the thinning hair,aching back and feet,lack of sex drive,etc. Mostly I have bruises that appear on my legs out of nowhere that only stays for about two days and I was told by a doctor that it couldn't be from the mirena ,but now I'm not so sure.I read one blog that a lady and her husband removed it themselves w/o any problems,I can still feel the strings but I'm a bit scared to try to remove it myself.
I had a Mirena put in 8 years ago. I enjoyed light to no periods, but weird colored discharge, loss of libido and weight gin, but assumed those were signs of mommy life. When I went to have it taken out, the strings were gone! It was very painful while the Dr tried to fish it out, and I ended up having surgery to remove it. It was replaced. Tonight, 3 years later, it came out on its own. Nervous, because I had a little fun this morning with the hubby.
I am so excited that I found this blog! I just had my Mirena removed today (May 9th 2011) after having it for almost 4 years. I already feel less discomfort and pressure! I look foward to keeping up with everyone's experiences!
Hi Ladies-
Was wondering if you all would not mind shareing what you are using now or will be using once you have your IUD removed. I know it is a personal decision, and I have to do what is right for myself, but I am having a hard time deciding what to do. Also if anyone has, or looked into Essure please let me know. Thanks
Hi - I had my mirena removed on Tuesday after only having it for 6 weeks. In that short amount of time I gained 5lb in weight, had the most hideous side effects including vile mood swings which is most unusual for me, severe pelvic cramps, feeling sick, dizzy, headaches, depression, breast tenderness, bloating etc....the list goes on and on. Had it put in after being diagnosed with endometriosis - had an operation at the end of March to sort this problem out, and had the IUD removed (which I have been using for contraception on and off for the last 8 years) and had the Mirena put in, which was advised to keep the endometriosis at bay. Horrible thing, glad its gone..........feeling more like myself after only 3 days. Will be having the copper IUD put back in in a few months - only side effect I had with this was slightly heavier and longer periods - give me those side effects any day!!!
Can anyone share how much weight they lost after getting Mirena removed?
I'm so glad I found this blog! I thought I was going insane.... I've had mirena for 2 years and the last month has been torture!! Cramping and the heaviest (and longest) period I've ever had. We're talking 3 weeks. I called my Dr very concerned and was fold they could "squeeze me in on Monday" but to be prepared to wait. Um ok, I only feel like I'm bleeding out, but I'll take what I can get. The cramping was getting worse today and all of a sudden I felt this Sharp pinching pain ..... like something was poking me. I went to the bathroom and the darn thing came out! Thank God! I wish I had found this blog before I got Mirena ... I've gained 30 lbs, I'm on high blood pressure meds and my general practitioner put me on wellbutrin because I had anxiety! My husband bless his heart has been a trooper through this awful experience. Thank you for all of your posts it sure made me feel better.
Finally!!! I want mine out ive had it since feb 09 i have had nothing but problem a few months ago i got pelvic inflamtory diease idk how ive been with the same person for 8 yrs! Ive been sick on n off! My period hasnt stopped like my doc said! The only thing it has done is stopped me from getting pg!!! Im always moody depressed n ive gain soo much wait! I use to way 135 now i am a flippen 170 n i cant loose it! Will getting this thing out help me n make me feel better!!! Im sick of being sick all the time!!!! Thank you for posting this!!! It really helps!!!
I don't know if you can help me but I went to the dr yesterday to get my mirena taken out & she couldn't find it, it is possibly in my uterine wall?? I'm guessing I've had it for 2 yrs I've gained a tremendous amout of weight I go to the gym also atleast 3 time a week. I'm very stressed out because my body is different I can feel like there's something not right. I'm always in pain & I just want to be normal again :( my husband & I were hoping for another child soon but what if they can't get this out of me? I hate mirena if someone were to ask me if I'd recommend it I'd say absolutely NOT its horrible. So my question is should I be worried? The doctor made a strange face when she told me she couldn't see it & I'm completely stressed.
I had my mirena out on Wednesday and I have had my period since then, it certainly did come back quick, my husband and I are trying to have another baby an I also had the weight issue, no matter what I did how much I worked out and what I ate or didnt eat my weight wouldn't move at all, I'm a runner and I spin, I eat mostly organic healthy food and I still couldn't lose any weight, I'm looking forward to see that happens, I want to lose about 15 pounds before I get pregnant again.
Good luck to you, I hope everything goes well.
Thanks for posting your blog, I feel much better knowing I'm not the only one who felt this way. My doctors made me feel like I was crazy for feeling this way.
Hi ladies, january 2012 will be my 5th yr having the mirena, ive had presure on my pelvic area, monthly periods, i have also felt very tired. Im very afraid that when i go to the dr they might not find the string and i might need surgery!
Hi Ladies, Ughhhhhh!! I'm so happy I found this blog...I'm 19 years old and I got the mirena put in this January (2011) and I'm getting it taken out today at 12:45 I couldn't be any more happier and excited!! I've expierence for 5 month extream bloating and pressure around my uturus...I took about 3 pregnancy tests and all came out negative...i went to the doctor to see whats wrong with me and turns out I had a very bad infection....I have another one now...Lately the past week i've been feeling deprression and sad and mad...I just can't wait to get this thing removed!!!!!!
I had my first Mirena inserted (about 7 1/2 years ago)due to heavy, long drawn out periods. I experienced very light bleeding just about every day for a year. It eventually settled down. Then I started bleeding every time after sex. So they cauterized my cervix. Once again things settled down. Then when my 5 years was just about up I started bleeding after sex again. My gyno said it was just because it was near the end of it's life span and was starting to irritate my cervix. I never got it replaced because we wanted to have another baby. After it's removal I had horrendous periods, I took Tranexamic Acid to help lighten my periods. I fell pregnant within 3 months of having the Mirena removed. Then after our baby was born I had another Mirena inserted when bubs was 3 months old. This time I have had no problems at all with any bleeding. In fact it's the opposite, I haven't bleed once in the last 21 months (it's been bliss). What I have noticed is the weight gain - I lost most of my weight after having bubs but then when I had the Mirena put in I have gained about 10 kilos in the last 21 months and no amount of exercise or dieting seems to make any difference. The other thing is I had post natal depression which I never had with my other two children (they are alot older 14 and 11) but this never came to light till my baby was 15 months old. I blamed the depression for my weight gain (and the weight gain for the depression) but even now with my depression under control I still can't shift any weight. The other thing is facial hair which started when I had the first Mirena put in. The funny thing is I never put two and two together till just now, when I think back I also gained weight when the first Mirena was put in (about 20 kilos in 5 years). Anyway I'm having my Mirena removed tomorrow because we want to try for another baby and also because I really want to lose some weight before getting pregnant again. Knowing what I know now I don't think I will be getting one put back in again.
Hi my name is Brey. I had no idea people were having such problems with weight gain and mood swings. I have had mirena in for almost 3 years and I think it's the best thing ever for me. Everyone is different though. When I first got it in I had pelvic pain for almost 2 days. If it kept up I was planning to have it removed right away. After day 2 I have never had another problem with it. I have to admit it has sure been nice not having to take a pill everyday or get a shot every 3 months (Depo-Provera) or even the ring (which grossed me out). Mirena has allowed me to be completely worry free. I actually lost weight when I got Mirena not because of the Mirena of course, but because I got off the shot. Depo did cause me to gain a little weight. I am actually going to schedule my doctors appointment to have mine removed next week, because we are ready for our second baby now. I honestly am a little sad about getting it removed because I have been spoiled not having a period or cramps.
Hi..
I too have been on the Mirena for only four mths now. I have a few issues, have a hernia, have issues with my liver, and now I am having a pelvic exam because they found cysts in my ovary. I did research because I kept insisting that it had to do with the iud. My dr insisted that it wasn't. Since I got it placed, I gained a ton of weight too,no libido what so ever, pain during sex, crazy menstrual cycle, major back pain, and now all this. So I have made an appt to take it out after my pelvic exam. I feel that after reading some side affects on it that were not told to me before I had it in, and reading all these blogs, I know I am making the right decision. I think I would rather take a pill over this anytime. I too went to the gym and had no results, instead of losing weight, i gained cysts, and more tests...it didnt work for me for sure. Hope there is more research done on this type of birth control soon instead of months or years later when women are finding perhaps deadly results. Take care everyone. Be safe and do lots of research before anything!! Wish I did.
I had the mirena put in a little after my son was born, at the time it seemed like the best invention ever sense I had to many other things to think about this seemed like an easy choice.
I never had a period or spotting while on the mirena but I did gain a lot of weight after having it for years. I also had horrible headaches almost everyday. I got tested for diabetes and everything they could think of to see why the headaches were there but found nothing.
I just had my mirena removed on june 10th as my hubby and I want another baby but also because I want to loose weight. I tried while on the mirena but had no results.
Now that my iud is out ive had light cramping a one time spotting day, nasea mixed with xtream tiredness and breast tinderness. We also took ovulation tests and they were positive for five days in a row!
Clearly this iud offers more then I thought too have so much happen 11 days after it was removed!!!
My friend also had the mirena but she had to have it removed when she got a cyst so bad that she actually lost one of her ovaries because of it :(
Mirena= Hidden facts!
HI I have the mirena iud for 5 year now and is about to expire next month, but this month i havent got my period wich i always have normally every month with no problem im very concerned about this idont any symptoms pf pregnancy or period i had a home test and it came negative, has anyone had this problem before that can really help me??? thank you
Hi there, well i have had Mirena inserted twice now. The first time i had it done, it came out but at the time i didnt know until i went in complaining about my periods predominantly running my life so to speak, was so heavy etc. So i got another one put in after two blood transfusions. I have had it in for at least 3 weeks and now i find that it is irritating me down there, at times like its poking me. I have an appointment with gynae soon but have gone to my GP who has told me that i have to go to a gynae, so now i am left waiting AGAIN. So frustrating.I am afraid this second time round that it may come out again and if it does then i dont want to go through the pain of getting it put back in, so i guess my next option is to have a hysterectomy??? Not sure!!! Will see how things go. For all those women who have had Mirena and has worked for you congrats, i soooo envy you. My super moan is that why is majority of the gynae doctors "male", Wish there were more women gynae, who better to know about a womens prob especially down there but a women. Thats me.
I have had the Mirena IUD for over 4 years now. The first year I had it I only had my period 3 times and since than nothing, until recently I have been having alot of pain during intercourse and started to bleed alittle bit. I am debating to get it out, which I am thinking I will be doing soon! I also have not been able to feel the string since I have gotten in, and not sure if that is going to be a problem when I do plan on getting it out. Hopefully it will a painless as possible. Thanks for all the information.
I have had my Mirena for about 4 years now. I have no children. I have not had problems with weight gain, depression or sick feelings. However, for the last three years I have suffered from extreme gas and bloating, as well as intermittent constipation/ diarrhea. I was tested for celiac/ gluten/ lactose intolerance, which all came back negative. I am now wondering whether the Mirena may be the cause. Has anyone else suffered these symptoms with the Mirena?
I just had my Mirena taken out by my Doctor this morning. I had it placed in January of 2010, so I had ti for just over a year and a half. Once the one year point hit, that is when the crazy things started happening. I have experienced acne, major mood swings, depression, weight gain, ovarian cysts, thinned hair, painful sex, 100% lose of sex drive and I am almost ALWAYS either spotting or have a yeast infection. My General Doctor even diagnosed me with hypoglycemia because of my foggy head and dizzyness I was experiencing, only to find out it was more than likely from the Mirena. This thing is the devil and I do not encourage anyone to have one placed! The amount of pain and suffering it has taken from me will never be replaced. Please do your research before ever thinking about getting one. I can assure you that you will regret it. For whatever reason, patients are not told the real side effects of this IUD!!!
I had my Mirena put in last February because I have severe endometriosis and wanted relief from painful periods. I spotted for a few days after it was in and haven't had a period since. However, I've gained a lot of weight (not just a number on the scale - I'm talking inches around my thighs, waist and in my face where I never show weight gain). So I decided to go Wed to get it taken out. Well, the nurse practitioner couldn't find the strings so she set up an ultrasound the next day and an appointment with the dr. The ultrasound tech found it no problem, said it looked good and it shouldn't be too bad to get it out. I went yesterday to get it out & the doctor couldn't even get it out after dilating my cervix. She had the strings, that wasn't the problem. She pulled and pulled and it wouldn't come out. I was in so much pain I started to cry. I had 2 c-sections so I never had a vaginal delivery - I guess this makes a difference with the ease of insertion and removal, but I never expected the words to come that said, "You're going to need surgery to have this removed." I couldn't even believe it. I had it in barely for 5 months and this is the issue I'm having? I can't imagine what it would take to get it out if I waited 5 years.
I've got the appointment for surgery set for the 22nd of this month. I can't even believe this thing is still inside of me. It worked perfectly for getting rid of my periods, but I'm so tired all the time, my acne is worse than I've ever had in my life, and my weight is just out of control for my frame. Nothing fits and I'm miserable all the time.
I know my doctor warned me about some of the side effects, she assured me that many women she has dealt with love it.
Well, NOT ME.
It did it's job, but at what cost? Hopefully my body will recover pretty quickly and I can get on with my life. I wanted to be feeling great by 40, not feeling like a run down old crab.
For those it's worked for, God bless you - for those who have suffered like I have, my prayers go out to you.
I'll check back next week to let you know how it goes.
Thank you so much for this website! I have been contemplating getting Mirena and I definitely will NOT do it now. I have enough health problems already, I certainly don't want to add all the side effects of Mirena to the mix.
I too started having seizures a month after insertion. I told my dr she said to go to my family dr then my cardiologist. all was perfect. I continued to have my "episodes" until i was hospitalized with frontal lobe SEIZURES. I placed a call to Bayer Hotline from the hospital and they took my info and gave me a CLAIM number. Now what am I supposed to do.
If your Doctor won't remove it you can contact Family Planning and they will do it based on your income.
I had a Mirena inserted in 2003 after I had a termination aged 43. I had a history of heavy bleeding and fell pregnant whilst taking the pill so was looking for something long term but did not want my tubes tied. Although I experienced cramping and bleeding for some 6 weeks afterwards I would say it was the best thing I ever did.
thanks for the info i have my mirena placed in aug 2009 and my weight has increased 10kg (22lbs)i have zero sex drive and migrains most saturdays that last all day. the doctor told me i was pre menopausal (i am 39!!!!!) and the weight gain was just metabolism slowing down, i like my food but eat healthily. i hate my body and do not want to gain another 10lbs this year! when i finish my studies it is coming out!
I am 51 and had the Mirena put in after several years of extremely heavy bleeding and being anemic. Almost immediately, my periods lightened up and now after 7 months, the bleeding is just about gone (even the spotting). While I'm happy about this and not being anemic anymore, I have experienced pressure, pain, a burning pain feeling, hair loss, and all of a sudden: high blood pressure (been way low all my life). I have also experienced unexplained weight gain. I am a very regular exerciser--work out with a trainer too. I am having the Mirena removed in a couple weeks due to the pain/discomfort I experience. I just hope my periods don't return like they were. I'm so done w/that.
Hello I am 41 and SOOOO very happy i had mine removed. I feel 150 times better. I had it in for 3 years, yes dealt with all the side effectes thast long. I know it was crazy. Dealing wiht BV, migraines, weight gain, pre cancer .... After having it removed it was like night and day!! I too lost 7 lbs with in the first week. BV Gone, bleeding for about 1 week. but sooo worth that week. I only hated the day 14 emotional crash that might happen. I just carry my kleenx around. LOL it was one of the best moves I made.
Hi, I am a 30 year old lady and had a mirena fitted just under 12 months ago. I had it fitted surgically during a hystoroscopy as I had a long and heavy period for 7 months!!! The mirena stopped the bleeding and I didn't have any type of period for 10 months after the initial bleeding from having it fitted. However now I am always bloated, I get swollen feet and massive water retention, I have gained weight and have started with light bleeding which has lasted 2 weeks so far! I'm trying to decide if the mirena is the lesser of two evils?!? I have not got any children and would Like to start a family one day! This blog is v good and reassures me that I am not the only one with mirena issues!
Hi,
I've been reading your blog and it's been very helpful, Ive had alot of the same problems with my mirena and I really want it out, but here's the catch when I got it in I had Medicaid and my obgyn said it would be no cost to have it removed, now my medicaid is up and they are telling me its going to cost $260 dollars to have it removed and I don't have that kind of money. So if any body knows how I can get it out ASAP please email me at xridethawavex@aol.com Thanks, Jordan
So glad I stumbled upon this blog. I had no idea the Mirena had all these side effects (during and after). I gained 25 pounds during the 4 years I had it, mostly getting thick in the middle when I always had a nice waist. I also had no libido and no period.
I thought the weight gain and generally sexless feeling were menopause, and was struggling to embrace the Change. But now I am suspecting the Mirena was to blame. I'm 52 and hoping to get back to normal without it.
I didn't know anything about the side effects when I decided to have it removed; I just started feeling kind of creepy about a foreign body inside. (Yeah, I know, after 4 years! Hey, I changed my mind, okay?) Thank goodness that when I asked, my GYN was willing to, in her words, "yank it out of there."
I am definitely feeling that was the right decision.
P.S. The removal was nothing compared with the ordeal of getting it placed. Just a little scrape or cramp like the Pap and it's all done.
I had the Mirena inserted in November of 2006 after having twins. My ob, gyn suggested mirena because "running after two hyper boys and remembering to take a pill could be difficult" at the time she made sense. Little did I know the side effects I was going to face for the next 5 years... I have experienced the ridiculous mood swings that come out of nowhere, the depression, the weight gain, the zero sex drive....everything that would change a womans mind about using this for birth control, happened to me. I'm tired of feeling crazy and I'm taking my life back from these evil hormones. After reading this blog I'm going to try to remove the coil myself, especially since my gyno no longer accepts my insurance. I'm praying I have no complications. I just want my own life back so I can tolerate and enjoy my twins the way I should. To anyone reading this and debating trying mirena...please DONT do it. It's awful !!!!
I am 42 years old and got the Mirana due to heavy bleeding and cramping. All my friends said it was the greatest thing ever. Well not for me. I had it for approx 6 weeks and had constant right flank pain and right lower quad pain. I ran a low grade fever and could hardly function. After a six thousand dollar ER visit thinking I had a kidney stone per my gyn and a trip to the urologist, I got it taken out. The next day after getting it out I started feeling better except for heavy bleeding and clots. I hope this ends soon. I have bled since it was put in. UGH! I wish that I had read this blog before I agreed to have it put in.
Ive had the iud for almost three years and it has been great for me as far as not taking the pill everyday. But I break out with pumps like crazy. I always breakout but not to this extreme. It has gotten worst over the years so im going to get it removed. I'm not used to having bumps and scars all over my face and it's very depressing. I'm 26 and getting a little too old for pimples. I don't want to go back to the pill but I can't deal with my face looking like a pizza!
I had Mirena inside of me from December, 2009 until today. I am 29. In May I developed Shingles...so that sucked big time. I gained like 32 pounds. I have had headaches. At one point my legs felt horrible pressure when in a crouching position. Easily bruised legs. Oh my god and the bloating! And the gas! Horrible like a curse. So it has been out for 10 hours and I feel good and relieved. Wish more people said they lost weight after getting it out. Oh, and to be fair: it was wonderful not having my period the whole time. The rest was/is a nightmare.
I had mine in for 4 years. I had all of the side effects listed in the other posts, gained 50 pounds,swollen sore "porno" boobs, acne, cysts, repeat vaginal infections, low-energy, fatigue etc...
After finding this blog the other night, I called around to every ob/gyn in the. area until I found one that took my insurance and had an appointment within 24 hours. I wanted this thing out NOW!
Three days ago I had it taken out. That was very easy - he couldn't find my strings because they had went inside, but he had it out within 1 minute. I was so relieved, the cramp went away the minute it was out. Within 3 hours I noticed that I felt more energetic. The next morning that hard balloon-like lump in my stomach that made me look pregnant was down dramatically. I measured and I lost 3.5 inches off my stomach in 22 hours. By about 36 hours I noticed that all of the swelling in my breasts and the soreness was completely gone! Now this morning I woke up and I have my period for the first time in 4 years. I am excited to see how much my stomach goes down and how much weight I lose over the next couple weeks!
HI ALL iv had the mirena for 12 months and iv put on like 30 kg i hate it and cant find any doctors to take it out im so tied of it i hate this feeling can any one help me
Hello Ladies, I've had my Mirena for 3 years now and I am having mine removed today. I have had all kinds of symptoms while using the Mirena such as depression, low energy, loss of appetite, moodiness, constant vaginosis and a low sex drive. Hopefully all this will be taken care of after the removal. Good luck to all!
To the lady with the mysterious bruises on her legs - they are called erythema nodosum and are likely caused by a mild allergy to the synthetic progestin. My aunt and I both had them while we were pregnant (she much worse than I). I had them while I was on the pill in college, and I have them again now with the mirena. It's annoying and unsightly, but not anything you need to be worried about.
Interestingly enough, while my doctor diagnosed the erythema nodosum bruises right away (I have an awesome internist), he had no idea what was causing them. A couple years later (before I got pregnant), my aunt and I were chatting at a family function one night and the topic of weird pregnancy symptoms came up. We put two and two together and realized it was a reaction to the progestin hormone.
Incidentally, I accidentally pulled mine out tonight while fishing out my tampon that migrated north on me. I am inclined not to get it replaced (weight gain, blood pressure, and fatigue), but want to discuss my options with my boyfriend (condoms make me sensitive and itchy and I got preg on the pill).
Anyway, for those of you freaking out about removing it or affording to get it removed yourself - all the doctor is going to do is grab the strings and gently pull it out. You can do that much yourself if you can find the strings. Just be sure to pull gently and don't force it if it doesn't seem to give way. Mine was more of a quick yank since I didn't realize I had hold of the threads along with the tampon. I don't seem to be having any problems, but I wouldn't recommend being careless about it.
Well I got the mirana put in after my daughters birth. I had in for 8 months. I have had two pregnancies on the mirana. One that I lost at 30 weeks.Then another that happened recently. I hope my story helps others not feel alone.
I would like to know how long does it take fpr your cycles to re-adjust after mirena? I got min removed in july and until then i never had unconsitant cycles. Now here one month being extremely heavy and the next mon th nothing. can anybody help me understand?
I had mirena put in Oct of 2009, after my son was born. Over the past 8 months I've gained about 40 lbs, grown patches of facial hair, cystic acne, blood sugar and pressure spikes, moodiness, depression, migraines, etc etc. I finally got it removed today, and my dr was VERY defensive that these symptoms couldn't POSSIBLY be the mirena. I don't know what ELSE could cause these symptoms, so he went ahead and removed it after I insisted. Boy, did I cramp up! But, I'm glad it's out. I feel tired and a little dizzy and a headache, but less moody and less bloated. I had it right at two years, and the past year I've had pregnancy symptoms off and on. I'm glad to have my period back, if I ever get it back.
I have had the merina for about two months the only thing I don't like about it is the spotting but other then hen I don't feel pressure I haven't gained weight I haven't had any weird side effects just the first day I felt cramps but other then that everything has been great. My husband wants a baby soon and I'm nervous to get it taken out because when they put it in it was uncomfortable but then again havin people feel down there in uncomfortable anyways.
i had mirena coil removed 2weeks ago after 2yrs,i had nearly 2 weeks of bleeding, now i have been vomiting for the last 4 mornings,think i might have fallen pregnant whilst the coil was in.
I had Mirena inserted 4 months ago but had it removed yesterday. I experienced a lot of unwanted side effects including horrible acne (which I never had before), 5 lb weight gain, headaches, and this weird leg pain every once in a while when I took naps after class (not sure if that was from Mirena or what.) The worst side effect for me was the acne! Did anyone else experience this?
Hello I Had the mirena for a little over 3 years well I got it removed on the 14th of October and I NEVER had a period with the birth control it was the worst ever It was like even tho I didn't have the blood I had cramps 50 million times over where it hurt to breath to stand talk everything well it has been twenty one days since I had it removed and still no period I'm evil and emotional I'm going crazy me and my husband wants a child but if I don't come on how can we I need advice bad please help how do I get the hormone out of my system?
Mirena IUD should be BANNED! it is hell! The company doesn't give a s*** about women's healthy, they are only money driven. The people that make money out of it should all go to HELL!!!!!!
Since had Mirena for 5 years, I developed depression, mood swings, sleeping problems, eating disorders, was suicidal all the time. Now after it's out, I am having the worst PMS, and recurrent miscarriages. Only realised it is all because of Mirena IUD. It almost took my life and other women's lives away.
I really hope there are justice in this world....
Hi guys.. My name is Marla. this is my second Mirena. This first one i had for almost 4 years. No problem. Had it removed and was pregnant within 1 month. Then I had another one put in in May of 2007. Since then, i have extreme stress, lower back pains. I went to have it removed in December 2009. They couldn't find the string. so we made another appointment 3 days later, they called me and said I had to pay 300.00 to get it removed!! so,i still have it!! I wan it out!! Is there any programs hat can help pay to get it removed?
Hi guys.. My name is Marla. this is my second Mirena. This first one i had for almost 4 years. No problem. Had it removed and was pregnant within 1 month. Then I had another one put in in May of 2007. Since then, i have extreme stress, lower back pains. I went to have it removed in December 2009. They couldn't find the string. so we made another appointment 3 days later, they called me and said I had to pay 300.00 to get it removed!! so,i still have it!! I wan it out!! Is there any programs hat can help pay to get it removed?
I've had mine in for all of 11 days. The install was the most painful experience I've ever had. I'm cramping, bleeding, breaking out, eating like a wild woman, my moods are out of control, I'm bloated and gassy and retaining so much water my skin hurts. And there's even worse to look forward to? The staff at the clinic are going to think I'm a total nutjob, but I have an appointment tomorrow and I'm having it taken out. This is ridiculous. If I'd known about this beforehand, I never would have had it done. Lesson learned.
I made an appointment to have this thing removed. Ive hated every single moment. My first attempt the doctor did not place it properly and it fell out after just a week. i had another extremely painful insertion three weeks later and it has now been 6 weeks. i am so bloated that none of my clothes fit, i have terrible cramps and i have now had my period for 6 weeks. My breasts are tender and i find myself crying over nothing and waking up exhausted every morning. If i was informed that i would be in such paid afterwards i would have never even considered this. i am in a brand new relationship and this thing has not helped at all. this was my last option as i have cysts and cannot use contraceptives. I would rather take my chances than keep this dreadful device in my body.
IUD Removal at Home
Women with an IUD may wish to become pregnant and think that they no longer require the IUD contraceptive. However, taking it out without the help of a qualified health care provider is not advised. In fact, it will make matters worse. Do not even think of removing an IUD on your own, as it can cause exceptional damage to your body, such as perforation to the uterus which may lead to internal bleeding. Calling a licensed gynecologist at home is essential to expel IUD safely from the uterus.
I had my mirena placed in October 09' after my 2nd child. Although I never had a period, the side effects were not worth it. I experienced extreme rage, moodiness, irritability, major cramps, I gained 50-60 lbs after having lost 70, Zero sex drive (loved sex prior) and I ate like a pig during certain times of the month and never feeling full. Glad to report that I had it remove yesterday and I'm happy to say I feel amazing although its only been a day. There is less pressure, now I have to get this weight back off!!!
I forgot to add that once I decided to get the mirena removed, the gyno couldnt find the strings (they where pushed in my uterus) is whst was found out from the ultra sound. I went back to the gyno and of course she couldn't retrieve it. So I was scheduled for surgery. After research I found out dilating the cervix may help which I was prepared to share with my gyno since she said they were all out of trick. So yesterday I intended to go for my pre-op but a different gyno thought it would be better to try again without surgery. I mention to her about the dilation, she said we have all kinds of tricks (huuuhh)???? Well after 30 min of painful fishing it was then removed! I think my other gyno just didnt want to remove it
I am a 25 year old mother of two. I have had mirena for 5 years now and have not had any problems or much of a period. I have had a couple cysts but thats it. I am having it removed next month and getting a new one put in. Definitely not ready for another baby yet. Good Luck to all the mirena users, sorry to hear about everyones bad experiences with it. Guess everyone is different.
it's really unfortunate that 95% of these posts seem to be negative. I've had it for 2 yrs, haven't had a single problem. Little to no periods, lost 25 lbs... but I stopped eating carbs and sugar and went to the gym. I'm not naive enought to attribute my weight loss to an IUD, I tried really hard. The reverse should also be true. A friend of mine gained 30 lbs in the past year, no IUD, imagine that! I think that lifestyle, stress, eating habits have much more to do with weight fluctuation than a small dose of hormone. I suggest anyone reading this blog see these opinions for what they are, opinions. Do actual research, source out credibility.
I got my mirena put in about 2 1/2 years ago. I've had small problems in that time and always questioned weather it was to blame. I've always been somewhat manic depressive but have recently been 10 times worse. I never thought that could possibly be the mirena and also didn't think that the weight I gained at first was due to it either. I am now having severe sudden pains in my right ovary that everyone I have talked to seems to think is a cyst. I am scheduled to go into the doctor in about 2 hours. I want it taken out so I don't have to worry about it but was afraid of how bad it will hurt. When I got it put in I had never had a child and it hurt like HELL!!! I could barely walk after and didn't have a car so I had to walk to the bus stop and take the bus home which was not an easy task.
I found your blog searching for answers on how it went getting it removed to help decide if I was going to today of not. I am pretty darn certain after reading this that I am. Though a few of the removal comments scared me I am not too worried. The one lady had it attach to c-section scaring (never had a c-section so I won't worry about that) but I figure the sooner I get it out the less time it has to do something funky. Thank you for sharing this blog and thank all of you for your comments.
I had one put in in July and that moved down into the cervix so he replaced it. It was originally recommended for my heavy cycles that started when I turned 40. Since it was put in august 2011, I have spotted or bled 3/4 weeks and had the same amount of cramping with simply thicker blood. I have also been more depressed. Inmost my mom last year so some sadness is expected but I didn't feel I should be crying 3-4 times a day. Also then this month, November 2011, I spotted even more and had a very heavy cycle then only ended two days and started bleeding again. Got it taken out as it was moved very low in uterus and I bet my body was trying to push it out. Guess from what I have read in here my body knows best!!
Hi, I'm 25 and have had the Mirena. For 4 1/2 years. I have read alot of these posts and alot of posts on other sites in the past 2 days. No one on the other sites mentioned weight gain and no one on this site mentioned a foul smell from your V zone. That was the biggest issue on the other site, obviously weight and PCOS is here...
I am 33 year old mom of 3 and have had the Mirena since August of 2010. At first I thought it was great because it stopped my horrible 2-3 week long periods (and the cramping pain) then I became really irritable, emotional and I have gained 25 lbs in a year and a half with no change in lifestyle at all. I also have fluttery feelings all of the time and feel bloated at least 80% of the time.
I will be having it removed and I am praying that I will be able to lose some weight and get some of my sanity back!
Its 630 am and I've been up for hour now looking for information on mirena. I'm crying at this moment because I have read every comment. I have been in pain for at least seven months. I've had four doctors all tell me its not mirena, you are just depressed. So I've been on three different anti depressants. None Od them worked! I've gain 60 pounds, frequent yeast infections, bladder infections, muscle tension, abdominal pain, back pain, insomnia form worry about what's wrong with me. Migraines , no sex drive, quick tempered ,and vaginal infections. I've been tested for every STD all of them came up negative. I thought what the hell is wrong with me? Am I crazy? The doctors tell me its all mental. I knew different. This will be out. By the end of the week!!!!!!
wow i am so glad i found this.. i have been on the mirena for about a year and a half now and the past 3 or 4 months i have had anxiety and recently depression and suicidal thoughts. i have read up on the mirena and found out that depression is quite common but i didnt think it would wait a year and a half to show up.. i also saw that when some women get it removed they have worse depression.. what do u ladies think.. i didnt gain any weight i actually lost 15ibs and lost my appetite. i am so scared to get it taken out then get more depressed i have two little girls and just wanna get rid of the depression and anxiety so i can go on with my life.. so do u think it is from the mirena or something deeper?
I had the mirena iud for 13 months. The insertion was the worst pain I ever felt in my life. I bleed everyday for at least 3 months. But after that my periods returned to normal & I thought this was the perfect birth control for me,,, I was SO wrong! My skin became super oily & my hair was no better, I constantly had pimples & spent hundreds on skin care, but I didn't put it together that it may have been the iud. My old become so extremely it was actually causing problems in my life with my family & boyfriend. But I still didn't put it together. Now a year later my skin is scarred up so severely from the acne, & my self esteem is almost non existent I realization it must be the iud. I fell deeply depressed & started having anxiety attacks. I thought I must have lost my mind , until I spent hours online reading all your comments. So I made an appt this past Friday to have it removed, the nurse @ planned parent hood insisted my symptoms are not from the iud, nor is that medically possible for the iud to cause them? She took it out anyway because I insisted but they treated me like I was insane. So its been 4 days since removal, & I can feel a small difference in my mood already. Despite the constant all day bleeding. I went to physician today to check my blood pressure , & he also said my anxiety or depression can't be iud related & wanted to send me to a psychiatrist. Hopefully my symptoms will go away & I'll feel like my self again, so I know I'm not just crazy. Getting the iud was the worst decision I've ever made.
It's been so interesting following everyone's experiences with the Mirena. There seems to be some very common problems. I find it fascinating that a few woman tolerate it well and actually lose weight on it whilst woman on the other end of the spectrum seem to have a really tough time with it. It just shows how unique and sensitive our hormone blueprint and cycles are.
I too have had my Mirena removed today. It was inserted at the end of August and since then I had either non stop bleeding, or brown discharge. There was no rhyme nor reason to it. It was so erratic. Sometimes it would be brown watery discharge, sometimes reddy brown blood, sometimes thick with body tissue in it. Smelly and just gross! I gave it 3.5 months and decided it had to go.
Over the short time I had the thing in I gained 10lbs predominantly around my middle, but it looks like more than 10lbs because the whole tone of my body seems to have changed. It's just puffy and lardy and muscle tone has disappeared at an alarming rate.
We are heading to the Caribbean next week for xmas break. For the past 6 weeks I've faithfully being following my tried and trusted diet and kick ass 6 days per week exercise regime with cardio, resistance training and light weights. I have lost a pitiful 2lbs in six weeks. None off my middle! I know it's the iud that's stopping the weight loss because when I've followed this regime on two previous occasions I've managed to shift a lot of weight in six weeks and look beach-ready. Well I suppose I am beach ready now, just that I already have a giant life preserver around my middle:) I seriously don't care at the moment because I feel liberated to have it out and I still will certainly enjoy my vacy (with spanx) but already feel like a weight is lifted off my shoulders. I'm also going to go out and replace all the underwear I've ruined over the past few months!!!!!!
I know that come the new year I will work my hardest to ditch this Mirena belly fat. For now I'm just thankful it's out and I know this sounds super gross but I am looking forward to having a proper period, real fresh blood, not rotten decaying brown fleshy goop! Bring it on clots and all!!!!
Quick update.....2 days post removal, have lost 2lbs in 2 days! Must be water but if I could just continue this rate of weight loss that would make me back to normal within a couple of weeks LOL!!!
I had Mirena placed a little over a year and a half ago, a few months after having my second child. During that time, I couldn't lose weight to save my life and bled non-stop the entire time. Had it removed two weeks ago and lost 4 pounds doing NOTHING, feel SO much better and much, much happier. Good-bye Mirena!
This has been the most educating and informational hour of my life. I have had my mirena in for almost 6 years now and after reading all these blogs realized that it is probably the cause to a lot of the issues I have dealt with. When I first had it put in the dr told me that it would not cause weight gain that only the hormones in it may cause my appetite to increase. Well I had 5 kids before I had it inserted and I was never over 112 pounds unless pregnant and since the mirena and over the past 5 years I am now at 145 lbs. this is ridiculous. I feel very tired all the time and some depression but that could be trailing from post partum. I have pain and slight bleeding after sex sometimes and I have always thought it was other reasoning. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now as we (my boyfriend and I have 8 kids together) don't want to have anymore children. My oldest is 18 this year and kids will be leaving the best soon. I guess he will have to get neutered (lol) cause I'm to scared to have any procedure done. I guess I would recommend the mirena as a do at your own risk. I had my period full 5-7 days for the whole time I had the device in. Never lightened and I had days of spotting as well. Good luck to all you ladies wether you like it or not .... Do what is right for you an your body.
Hello!
I got my Mirena placed in June 2011.. It didn't hurt going in but I immediately experienced heavy bleeding that did not go away. The doctors finally gave me some pills to take for 3 days that stopped my bleeding for about a week. Then it started right back up. I bled for 6 months straight (no spotting, but bleeding) with only a couple hours/days in between where it would lighten up or go away. Then return shortly after. Since I had just had my baby 6 weeks before it was placed, I still had a lot of my baby weight to lose.. Easy enough right? NOPE NOT WITH MIRENA!! I am 5'7 and my normal weight ranges from 150-160lbs. After having my son I weighed about 180, had the Mirena placed about 6 weeks later and went home to start heavy dieting and vigorous workouts to drop the weight! I wasn't able to lose anything!!! I did p90x daily along with a low cal healthy diet and my weight stayed between 176-180 NO MATTER WHAT I DID!! so I started search the Internet for answers because the only crap the doctors could tell me was "oh it can't be the Mirena! There are very low hormones and it's isolated so the hormones will definitely not effect weight gain!" BULL CRAPPPPP.. Long story short I told the doctors to save their story for someone else gullible enough to believe it.. It might not have the same affect on everyone but to tell someone who is normally healthy and fit that all these symptoms can have nothing to do with the Mirena is just INSAIN!! especially when they start directly after the placement.. So I had it removed 3 days ago.. I have already dropped 7 POUNDS!! the bleeding is still heavy but it's to be expected till the hormones leave my body and I heal myself.. Woman, PLEASE do NOT listen to your obgyn when they tell you your symptoms have nothing to do with your birth control.. YOU KNOW YOUR BODIES BETTER THEN THESE DOCTORS DO! if you feel the negative symptoms outweigh the benefits on the Mirena, by all means do not let anyone try to convince to to keep it in and give it time.. I will continue working out, eating healthy, and staying away from the Mirena and get my body healthy and normal again..and I urge other woman that are having these same problems to do the same! Good luck girls.. I'm sure in a couple years we will be seeing one of those commercials from the FDA saying "oooops sorry guys! We got it wrong! And all your symptoms do have a direct connection to the Mirena. Sorry about the inconvenience this might have caused"... Grrr just crazy!!! My email is tjmygind@gmail.com if anyone has any questions or just wants to talk to someone more one on one that has shared the same problems!
Hello...... I've had my iud 4 6yrs nw...yea its pass due, but I 2 have read info stating that its affective for 7yrs just not approved in the US....anyway my experience wit it has been bittersweet. As far as my period goes, its bn awesome..little 2 none & absolutely no cramping. I hv had weight gain but I've also lost a good amount too. I'm making an appointment 2day 2 get it removed put i also want a replacement. I was waiting until 2012 so that it wouldnt be a co-pay with my insurance after the new bill was passed in Aug of 2011. No one with insurance will hv 2 pay 2 get birth control anymore. Every1's comments were very informative.....& I'm so thankful I found this blog....<3
Well my Mirena IUD fell out in my hand this morning. I couldn't believe it. I had it placed in October 2011 and was just coming up on four months. I was still having regular periods, but had less cramping this last period and was looking forward to no periods soon. Well, that changed this morning. I should have known something was up, because the other day my husband said it felt like something was poking him and I thought he meant the strings. This morning I noticed my strings were easily reached and that was not right. I called my BFF, a nurse practitioner and she told me to just check to see if there is any resistance to a very very gentle tug, and of course it just came out in my hand. It wasn't in. Instantly my abdomen and what I thought was kidney pain the last couple of days was gone. I felt much better. All day long I have felt better and better. We have decided to not have it replaced because of the possible abortive effect it could have on a fertilized egg. I didn't realize that was a possiblity and I am pro-life. I will tell you that I have been very unsuccessful with my Nutrisystem since having this placed. I gained 10 lbs over the last three months and looked much bigger in the abdomen. So here I am doing Nutrisystem and gaining weight. I also have experienced mood swings and depression. I also experienced a higher snacking sweet tooth. All of these did not help my diet. So, I know that I was overweight prior to getting Mirena. But I also know that with effort I lost weight. With the Mirena I didn't sweem to lose any weight. I am excited to see if I do better. I sure do appreciate this blog. I hope my comments help. I am glad that mine came on out easily. Oh, just so others know I have three kids all pretty close together and I guess I have some kind of stretched out cervix or maybe some pelvic decensus or prolapse going on. Will make an appt soon to see my Dr. She will be sad that it came out. But I tell you what, after reading this blog I am glad it did.
I am 22ys old and I had my Mirena for about 3yrs since ive had my daughter and i just now had it removed. I loved the idea of little to no periods and not having to take a pill everyday, and since this was my first time ever being on a birth control I thought it was the perfect choice. Not long after getting the mirena did I start having problems, but decided to keep it with the worry of becoming pregnant again. I was always bloated and felt lazy. I also felt a constant pressure from the mirena and sex was sometimes uncomfortable. I would cramp and bleed if i did alot of activity in the day and also bleed a little sometimes after sex. I never had my period but i cramped every month. and feeling so crappy all the time I would just give up on having sex or going out bc i just felt so bad. I was also moody, mad for no reason mostly. Im not sure about the weight gain. I have pretty much stayed the same weight all 3yrs since ive had my daughter. I am heavier than before i got pregnant and it has been pretty difficult to get off, so I will just have to wait and see on any change with that since i have had the mirena removed. but I can see a real difference in the way i have felt in the last 2 days than how ive been feeling since i had the mirena placed. I thought i just changed alot becoming a mom, but i have realized the mirena had alot to do with all my problems. No cramping when I do any activities, no more pressure in my abdomen and didnt even bleed much having it removed. I am glad i finally listened to my body and had the Mirena removed. I feel like a new Person.
I had the Mirena placed almost two years ago. The first three months I had cramping, bloating, to the point that I swore I was pregnant and felt it moving! When that finally wore off I started having anxiety attacks and around the first year mark we had some family drama that I should have been able to deal with, but after experiencing two major migraines that sent me to the emergency room and felt like the onset of strokes I ended up on blood pressure medication and anti-depressant. Those made me worse so I quit and tried ADHD medication that improved my mood, but broke me out like chicken pox! I quit that and tried Naproxen (Aleve)... it kept me out of the hospital (migraines)! Finally at a year and a half into the Mirena I discovered my migraines hit worse right before my period started. Well, my hormone tests were fine... three days ago I had Mirena removed. I feel better already! My period started! Dripping, but not gushing so far, which I never did anyway. I am a mother of a hyper 5yr old boy and an adorably independent 2yr old daughter, full time student, and just started working weekends for my dad. I pray things stay good now that that thing is gone.
I had my mirena for 8 months my son was born in june'11 and i took it out today. I have always had this random cramping feeling but only once or so a month. only had 2 periods on it but this past week 1/2. I got checked for cysts and there was nothing there. Dr took out mirena and omg walking to the parking lot i felt 99% better already. I didnt feel so bloated, i felt like i could stand straight and I dont feel like some creature is inside my body squeezing the life out of my ovary. I too felt as if something was moving in there. I am soooo hoping to lose the 20lbs to get back to prepregnancy weight. Please oh please. If you have any of these symptoms that I or other posters have mentioned please go take it out, you will feel better instantly.
Hello Ladies. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories and your courageous battle with this nasty little thing. I had my Mirena inserted when I was 36 after having two beautiful little girls. Let me tell you, right away I noticed a change in my body. I had the worst abdominal cramping and bloating, and two of my friends even asked if I was pregnant - it was that bad! My periods have always been on the heavy side, but they were manageable. Now I have intense and heavy bleeding with the largest clots and bright red blood. My sex drive in non-exisent and my skin looks horrible. I am usually only an A cup, but my breast have swollen to a bizzare B cup with tenderness and pain. I also suffered from bouts of depression and fatigue. So here is the kicker. I was prescribed anti-depressants for my mood, testosterone cream for my deceased libido and now acne medication for my face. I am having it removed tomorrow morning - and get this, my OB/gyn still insists that the Mirena is not to blame!!!!! I cannot believe in this day and age a drug company would allow countless women to suffer - and shame on all of the doctors that tell us that it is all in our heads (even the obvious weight gain and increased breast size coupled with the lovely abdominal distention) Ugh! NEVER get this device. I earnestly believe in my heart that you will regret it. WIsh me luck - I have never been more excited to have it gone. Best of luck to all of you that still have one.
Question. If you can't feel the strings for your iud, do you probably have to get it surgically removed?
I just removed my Mirena last night by myself. I have had it in for 3 1/2 years. The side effects just kept getting worse: hair loss, weight gain, loss of sex drive, tiredness, feeling dizzy all of the time, episodes of severe abdominal pain, and frequent yeast/BV infections. I would tell my Dr about this at every appointment and demand to have it removed. However, she would try to convince me that it was my hormone levels or a thyroid issue. So I would have to get all of this expensive blood work done only to find out that it came back normal. I was fed up. I was never able to feel my strings before. However, I read that during your period your cervix will dialate, and your strings should be accessible. Sure enough, I felt, and they were there. So after a nice long shower, I propped one leg up on the sink and felt for it. I was able to grab the strings with my thumb and fore finger. I gave it a slight pull, and the IUD was OUT!!! No pain at all, and easier to get out than a tampon. I am looking forward to my next appt when I tell the Dr what I did. I have been on the pill in the past and it caused NO problems. Looks like I will be going back to that. Mirena is evil!! I am looking forward to getting back to normal..
Hi ladies...Im a Physician Assistant and also had the mirena. So much of my training and journal research pointed to positive things about the IUD. I think having it myself has been such a horrible experience that I prob wont ever recommend it to my patients and have filed such topics to the company. I had labor - like cramping afer insertion and it would come out of no where for 2 months after. Soon as that subsided, then came depressive symptoms and then the recurrent yeast infections. To give the company some credit....I now understand why it it so good at preventing pregnancy. I mean with all that goin on....Who would even be havng sex? lol. ugh. to thos girls who are being refused removal...be firm. You arent asking premission. You are stating what you are there for..end of discussion. If this still doesnt work...take it out yourself like I did. Wash ur hands, find the strings, then reach with 2 fingers and pull gently. It should come out fairly easiy. Be warned, if u have had sex in the week prior, you may still be able to get pregnant if you dont start another form of birth control right away. If this is the case...wait a few days. Good Luck! Be ur own advocate :)
Hi everyone, I had my third mirena replaced last month. This last Friday I had my first period in 11 years and on Saturday my IUD came out. I too have suffered ALL of the symptoms especially the horrible headaches and weight gain over the years but thought it was eyesight issues and weight gain on metabolism. Thanks to all the honest info I will NOT have this replaced and will use non hormonal BC. Strange that this info isn't very public since I have worked in medical OB/GYN practices for 24 years. Keep up the good work!!
hi my name is jay i just got mines removed and i gained so much weight i was 131 now i am 207 Im in the gym everyday and i eat healthy just like i was before i got on it. I'm trying to figure out with all the working out im doing why am i not losing weight???? i think them doctors need to check their studies again because this is ridiculous. it was fine for 2years by the 3rd year i was experiencing excessive weight gain and the saddest thing about it is i run 5miles everyday.I dont get it .
Hi my name is Colleen I am coming up on my five year next month luckily I haven't had all the bad stuff from my iud but I am very moody it causes me and my boyfriend to fight I want to get it removed but have no Insurance I also haven't been to the doctor in about three years because of that I need to know how much it will cost and if the pill will be a good choice all other brith control makes my mood swings bad and I want to be normal like I was before I started taking birthcontrol but I can't use condoms cause they make me ichy so what type of birthcontrol is a good one and how much is it to remove I'm to scared to do it my self please help
I have had my mirena in since 6th december 2010 and im geting it out in 2 weeks as we are ready for our 4th bubby :) I have had no weight gain, no depression, discomfort when we have sex and little bit of discomfort after we have sex and i still bleed alot every month that never changed unfortunetly. But i would not get it again, i get alot of headaches and migranines with it. But nothing realy bad happened that i can say .
Hi!
I just got my Mirena taken out as well, yesterday in fact. I feel about a million times better! I was having really annoying side effects; infection upon infection, weight gain, bad cramps, sharp pains. It just wasn't worth it. She couldn't even find the string when she was trying to take it out! I was pretty upset, but they finally got it out and I was so much happier. I feel your pain when it comes to losing weight, I had gained like 50 pounds on the Mirena, and never could lose it. Now I feel like I can do it! I had to stop running with the Mirena because I was having sharp pains, it was terrible. At any rate, as I keep saying, now I couldn't be happier! I want to tell anyone thinking if getting the Mirena to carefully weigh out the risks and benefits, because for me, the side effects were so much worse than the benefit, and I didn't even have the worst ones! I am currently on the Loestrin 24 Fe BC pill, and am waiting to see how that works out. Good luck everyone!
I am 29 years old, i have had the iud in for 4 years now. after having 2 children, i was 150 lbs, now 4 years later i am 210lbs. my doctor insisted my weight gain was not from miraina, and said it must be what i was eating. my whole life, i was able to loose weight no problem, but it seemed no matter what i tried ( watching what i ate, jogging, running, excersize, etc..) i could not loose weight. so trusting my doctor, i left it in for 4 years. finally, i said this is enough, i felt horriable about myself, 60lbs is a lot to gain, so i made a appt to get it removed, the day i went to have it removed, i was 210lbs, i asked the doctor to look up what i weighed right before i had the iud put in, 151lbs..then they finally realized it was this miraina making me gain weight. but it took me 4 years to convince myself the doctor was wrong. and sure enough, i looked up some feed back of this iud, and lots of other ppl had the same expeirence as i did. its really not as good as it sounds girls.. also, i want to add, i didn't have 1 period when i had the iud, and its been almost 3 weeks since i had it removed, and still haven't had one
Hi Ladies,
I have had my mirena in since October 2008. At first, it was a dream. Little to no periods and no side effects. The last two years I have been battling bloat, weight gain, hives, bacterial vaginosis and finally severe skin irritations that caused bleeding to the skin around the vagina and even in the rectal area. I hate to be so graphic, but if it helps anyone else I will surely describe truly what happened. My gynecologist could not figure out what was causing my chronic itching (four months I have been suffered from this). There was no yeast present in my infections, and I had no signs of any STD's (yes, I had them check even though I am married and monogamous). I saw the president of my state's OBGYN association and two other providers in the practice. None of them could tell me what was going on. I was sent to dermatology so they could assess my situation only to be sent to an allergist. I was tested for everything and told that I have Urticaria, an auto-immune deficiency disorder. When my body tries to fight off an infection I fight my white cells. I cannot fight off my seasonal allergies and am currently walking around with huge whelps on my face that migrate across my face. My allergist asked me to research my mirena yesterday because she read an article about the mirena and Urticaria/allergies. I found that some women develop this disorder as a side effect of using the mirena. Needless to say I had it removed today. I know this is not condoned, but my husband removed it. I have spent over $2000 on appointments and countless rounds of steroids and antibiotics trying to figure out what my problem was. I certainly wasn't going to schedule an appointment to have something removed that is smaller than a tampon. In my case he was able to grasp the string easily, which sometimes cannot be done. I would not recommend doing this if you cannot locate it. Sometimes they are impacted in the uterine wall and need to be removed surgically. I hope this helps others. If you know someone experiencing these side effects they need to go to an allergist and get tested for Urticaria. Dermatology and gynecology were a huge waste of time and money.
Hello Everyone! I had the Mirena inserted March 18 and could not stand the cramping, i felt depressed and like i had no blood circulation in my legs. Not to mention the loss of libido and lack of concentration. I could not carry on with this stupid IUD, so i had it taken out on March 21, that's right i only had it for 3 days, and those 3 days were hell, never again will i do something so painful to my body all because a doctor says that it's the best solution, no it's not! Only we know how our bodies will react to the damn thing. What does it feel like after removal? Great!! no more abdominal pain, no more cramping, no more stupid pains, no more tears. Ladies, please don't wait it out, your health and comfort is at stake, if it's uncomfortable then it's time to take it out!
I got the mirena put in July 2011, 5 weeks after having my son and thought it was a great idea...
I didn't notice any difference at first and then the mood swings started...which turned to recurring headaches, vision changes, major anxiety, weight gain, and dizziness that is just unbearable at times...(has anyone else gotten the dizziness where you almost feel disconnected? like you can fall over at any moment? Or even a severe sensitivity to light?)
I get to the point of tears at times thinking something is terribly wrong with me or that I have some horrible sickness.
After going through a few misdiagnosis I've decided to take my chances and get this IUD out. I went today to get it taken out, and then was told that you cannot have sex within 5 days of having it removed in the event that you ovulate...so I'm playing it safe until friday morning, in the meantime I am starting up on Lo Loestrine (fingers crossed).
I'm really nervous to get this thing out, insertion was painful and I've heard that removal isn't but all the horror stories of the "gushing" kinda freaks me out...
Here's hoping!
Hello,
I've had the Mirena for 5 years, and I am so glad I did. The first few months were sometimes difficult/unpredictable, but once my body adjusted, all went well. I look forward to having it replaced next month. I don't doubt that women have problems with Mirena (or any contraception), but it seems some posts here want to link any kind of life problem to it. My advice: be a careful consumer. Educate yourself about risks, and have reasonable expectations.
I am taking the Mirena out next week. Ive had it in for about 9 months now and i HATE IT. I have acne now - all over my face and back - pimples come up daily. I NEVER had this problem before, except a few months after the mirena. I have also gained about 10 lbs and have been going to the gym/eating the same. Its really the acne that bothers me.. the pimples are so painful sometimes they feel like a marble under my skin. I still get cramps as well and very light periods but ill gladly go back to regluar periods for regular weight and nice skin again.
I am so THANKFUL that I found this site. I am in tears actually writing this post because it makes me so happy to know that I am not crazy. I read some side effects about mirena prior to placing but I was like those are rare effects and I'll take my chance. That was one of the worst things it stole about a year and half of my life and my marriage. Mirena did such a number on me I was so depressed I could not figure out why it was bad to the point I was having suicidal thoughts like almost everyday. I felt like I could very well kill myself and the mood swings and angry I would get easily was ridiculous. I really thought I was going crazy like my life was so stressful I couldn't handle it and just to let you know I'm a stay at home mom not that stressful at times. I should be home enjoying my time with my son instead Im crying all the time about how horrible my life is and its all cuz this thing was making me feel so horrible. I didn't even have the energy to want to get out the house how much more depressing is that just staying locked up in the house. It got to the point where I would blame my husband for me feeling so crappy and I left him. I'm telling you now that I removed this thing out yesterday after reading these posts. I literally called the doctor the next morning and got it removed that same day. He asked why I was removing and if it was cuz I wanted another baby I said yea just cuz I didnt want to go thru the whole thing that its not mirena and its all in my head. I stand here today a day later and I feel so much better!!! I felt better instantly but I tell u I test myself and try to think of suicidal thoughts and to honestly tell u I don't feel like I did. THANK YOU LADIES SO MUCH FOR ALL UR TESTIMONIES!!! Truly this website saved my life. I feel like a new person and I can finally enjoy my son.
Hello ..I had my iud put in, in 2009 after my 3rd daughter was born I thought it was great I had no periods at all for 2 1/2 yes I decided to have it removed I became very depressed and upset all the time I have had it out almost a year am trying to get pregnant but still have not conceived yet..I am 30 so we really want another one soon my periods are still out of wack I have taken dozens of Oregon tests because I will go almost two months with no period..its frustrating..and even when I have a period its only 2 days..I would not reccomend it for anyone..
PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS ANSWERS, I HAD MIRENA IN FOR 5 YEARS, NO PERIODS AT ALL THE WHOLE TIME, I JUST GOT IT OUT FEBRUARY 5TH, AND HAD PARAGARD PUT IN I GOT A PERIOD ON MARCH 5TH, NOW IT IS APRIL 4TH BUT NO PERIOD YET I AM WORRIED A LITTLE, DOES ANYONE NOW HOW LONG IT TAKES FOR OUR BODIES TO FIX THEMSELVES? I HAD IMMENSE PAIN PUTTING IT IN AND TAKING OUT, ALSO NOW MY WHOLE VAGINA FEELS "OPEN" LIKE MY HUSBAND CAN GET INSIDE ME WAY FURTHUR, SEX IS A LOT BETTER.
JB2006@OPTONLINE.NET
ALSO, I REALLY FEEL SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADTVOCATE DO NOT TAKE YOUR MIRENA OUT YOURSELF, THIS IS FOOLISH, YOU CAN PERFORATE YOUR TISSUE AND LEAVE SCARRING CAUSING FERTITLITY PROBLEMS, I UNDERSTAND HOW FRUSTRATING THIS THE SITUATION IS BUT, ESPECIALLY THE LONGER YOU HAVE AN IUD IN, THEY ARE DESIGNED SO THAT MUCUS FORMS AROUND THEM TO HELP BLOCK THE SPERM, YOU CAN SERIOUSLY HARM YOURSELF.
hello i had my mirena put in january 2008 and yes right away i had an issue with weight gain....symptoms like being pregnant such as phantom kicks..feeling sick to my stomach back achs feet achs ....all the above and more....finally after reading everyones posts for the past year im getting it removed....at my ob gyn they were going to charge 180 but at planned parenthood they are only going to charge $75 (here in indiana)...thank god because tomorrow at noon ive got an appointment...so hoping everything goes well they said no pain during just cramping after...we will see you would think 4 years its gotta hurt some...but i will keep you posted....tomorrow after its removed and once a week to let you know updates on my weight loss ect...im only 4 ll...and weigh almost 150 yes ive been watching what i eat always have but my normal after baby self is 125 so there is a problem....i will give you updates asap.....
i had the mirena removed to day as planned....no it didnt hurt when they took it out...when i got up however minor cramping and still haveing it as of 3 hours later mostly when i walk ...no bleeding as of yet...but strangely enough i feel as if im normal.....like a relaxed feeling if that makes sence....so as i stated before i will update everyone with any weight loss or changes i have once a week
I'm 20 years old, and I've had the mirena for about 11 months, I constantly feel miserable anymore! I gained about 20 lbs, and I went to the dr. about 8 months ago and she said that it was normal, but now I feel like it's gotten worse?Is this thing really worth it?
-DesiringMore
no it isnt worth it when i had mine removed last week it was like almost instantly i felt better... here its been a few days later and still doing well spotting but noting else ...i would take it out with me i gained almost 10 pounds for every year i had it...and it is do mostly to levels of Progesterone it has in it....
Ive had my mirena for about 3 yrs or maybe a little more it hurt so bad going in I was in tear's SCREAMING at the nurse I dont think it would hurt had she known what she was doing it was her 1st one & she was reaading how while she did it!!... After it was FINALLY in I found out I had a bacterial infection ...which ive had off & on same w/ yeast infections I have kidney issue's so my immune system is down.... the 1st few months were miserable constant periods cramping ect which I expected because its a foreign object in your body you'd be dumb to think no pain no nothing like it never happened... be realistic ... but I have gained weight on it about 30lbs .... I have a condition where im fertile most the month I drop numerous eggs a month so I had literally got pregnant on several birth control... about a year into it I got pregnant it was bad the had to do a medical abortion before I was over a month because the woman didnt put it in right .... well im still happy w/ it sex hurts in certain potions yes it has some side effects but im not pregnant lol ... I wa beyond scared to get it out from how bad it hurt going in but your stories make me feel so much better about the situation :y) .... & dont take it out yourself some peoples bodies are different then others you could hurt or maybe kill yourself be smarter then the average dumbass .... I do want to get another mirana but im scared of the pain grrr
I had my IUD inserted after the birth of my third anf final child in 2008. I am overweight by about 60lbs. I started going to a personal trainer last Thursday and I workout 5 times a week with cardio and stregnth training. I usually will spot for a day or two once a year (yes!!!!!!) But as of Monday I'm bleeding with the consistancy of a normal period only while at the gym and it will taper off during the day. I'm kinda nervous about this. Any suggestions ladies??
week one after my removal of mirena is going well.....i have managed to loose 2 pounds withen first couple of days...my boobs are no longer sore at all..i dont feel as bloated so far my moods are pretty good nothing worse then what i was feeling before...since removal ive been using my treadmill at 10 minute intervals...which ive noticed makes me spot some but other then that all is going good.... i will update next week with any progress....(and also im not sure if i posted before but when i had mine removed i didnt go with any birth controll as of yet just use of condems...im not wanting to add any other method until my body has time to detox what it has gone through the past 4 years....
I had my Mirena taken out 9 days ago and couldn't be happier. I had been bleeding since insertion on March 6th. When I went in for the appt the nurse practitioner was very yucky with me and actually argued with me for a good 10 minutes before grudgingly agreeing to take it out. She said I didn't give it a chance, it was all normal, and said that eventually insurance companies won't pay to have them put in b/c women like me didn't leave it in long enough. I really didn't care. I just wanted it out of me. I bled extremely heavy after removal, up until 2 days ago. I actually gained 10 lbs in the 6 weeks that I had it and am really angry that I have to try to lose this weight. Again. But my appetite has decreased a lot, my acne is better, I'm not so moody, and I'm finally not bleeding! So glad I had that thing removed!
I had a Mirena for 2 1/2 weeks. It was not for contraception -- I was trying to manage marathon periods. Nothing I read warned me of a risk of seizures, and since I have epilepsy, if the literature had included this little gem, I wouldn't have even tried. My epilepsy has been controlled for years. I lost 40 minutes of time in seizure and subsequent unconsciousness while my 2 year old tried to wake me up. The makers of Mirena have to know this sort of thing is a possibility, and not including it, so that their product gets offered to someone in my particular situation is incredibly irresponsible.
Hello, my name is Amanda and I am 28 years old.I had my first Mirena put in after the birth of my first child in 2005. I had no serious complications with it and loved it and kept it for 5 years. The only minor complications I had were pain in the lower abdomen, which were consistent with cysts developing and then disappearing. Well, I got Mirena again after my second child in 2010. I have lived nothing but a life of pure hell since then. Ever since I got it, I had SEVERE pain in the abdomen. I've had this pain since 2010 and it is now 2012. I have just lived with it thinking it was just the cysts re-appearing and then bursting. The pain had been getting MORE and MORE severe to where it was constant and I had no relief. Sometimes the pain was a constant dull pain and others it was a sharp, stabbing pain. Last weekend the pain got so bad I was lightheaded and almost threw up. I was at a 2 year olds birthday party and doubled over in tears in so much pain. Needless to say I went to the OB and he suggested that it may be endometriosis or cysts but that we would schedule an ultrasound and then pending those results do surgery to find the endomertriosos. I told the doctor that I felt like I was in labor, that's how bad the pain was and that's how it felt. The next day they called to schedule the ultrasound for a week later, that morning, I couldn't even walk.I couldn't walk to my daughters crib to get her, I couldn't walk to the bathroom, much less use the bathroom. #1 or #2, it hurt SO BAD!! They told me to come back in and I walked in the OB office in pj's and balling my eyes out because I couldn't understand why I was hurting so bad. They removed the Mirena right then and there, and as the dr was removing it he said, "Uh oh, that's the problem right there." The Mirena had come out of my uterus and was lodged into my cervix. THere's no telling how long it had been there, but basically I WAS in labor. The body was reacting to something in my cervix and wasq trying to get it out. Now, its the second day after having it removed and I am still in pain and bleeding very heavily, gushing rather and I've seen some tissue in the clots that have come out too. Is this normal? Am I still supposed to be in pain? am I supposed to be gushing and losing tissue substance? The dr still wants an ultrasound scehduled for next week.
I had my first Mirena for two years between my children. No problems. Then I had another one inserted after the birth of my second child in 1997. I have just had it removed after 14 years. During that time I had no periods. I did suffer from depression and low libido, which i had attributed to having two kids and being absurdly busy and exhausted all the time. I finally decided it should come out as apparently no-one has had one in for 14 years. I knew it was still working as I never got any spotting or period. The first place i went to have it removed (Planned parenthood) could not find the strings , was unable to remove it and still charged me over $200, I was so annoyed it took another two years for me to get it together to see another doctor. Then when I was seeing my older daughter's Gyny with her I mentioned what had happened. She was so appalled that it was still in she suggested she would try and take it out and not charge me if unsuccessful. She removed it in 30 secs with no pain. cost $150 Apparently the strings were a bit short. So now I am waiting to see what happens with my periods, kind of want them to stabilize before menopause. I am also interested to see what happens to my depression and libido.......
so its week 3 since removal....im still counting calories and eating right....treadmill 20 min a day ect....so far only 3 pound difference a week it varies from...150-147 wow so depressing knowing im busting my but....i still havent started an actual period and no bleeding since the spotting after removal...im thinking its gonna take some time to get life back to normal...once my body figures out what normal is suppose to be....im trying to do this with out meds to loose it ....but im still keeping my fingers crossed....now as far as moods....im kind of up and down had a lot of headachs lately but im sure its the hormones trying to be normal. again...i will post again next week.....and to the lady who is bleeding badly ....you shouldnt it was listed in my paperwork when i left ...spotting is normal...maybe a little bleeding..but really if your doing a lot of it along with large clots you should get it checked out...could turn in to something serious...and besides its better to be safe then sorry....
I feel so much better reading all of these posts! Thank you! I requested the removal after 30 days - had weigh gain, tender breasts, no sex drive, anxiety, daily spotting and odor. Nurse pracititioner said to 'hang on',
it would get better. 45 days later, I said enough and insisted on having it out. When my ob/gyn
asked why, I said I had expericened all the above, in addition to, depression. All of which she said are not side effects and it is menopause related (I am 51). Within
48 hours of removal my rings fit again,and I felt so much better. I am hoping to lose the 5
pounds I instantly gained. But I am bleeding extremely heavy and have been for days. When does that stop? I had it out a week ago yesterday.
Hello!! I'm 20 years old. I've never had a child. I got Mirena when I was 18. Before, I had awful gut wrenching cramps that left me in the floor crying. But my periods were normal. I was on Yaz birthcontrol pills for maybe a year and it affects my lungs, leaving me with a blood clot. Mirena for me has been wonderful, I haven't had a period since it was put in. I have very little.cramps which are not painful at all. A little midol and I'm good to go. One thing I have noticed about it is I'm always tired. Not up to do anything. Depressed I guess. But other than that I love it. I recently got married. He works but I want to be a mom. And we talked about it we want to have it taken out. But I really don't want to pay 400 dollars for that. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
You are just a fat cow who tries to blame your weight gain on something other then yourself.
I am terrified! I hope to get Mirena removed as soon as possible. I've had many of these symptoms. Thought I could be pregnant cause I've felt so weird. Ive had thick white discharge and horrible smell. And with time the smell has gotten worse. I am a clean woman so this seriously disgusts me. Ive only had it in for 7 months. The first 3 months I had horrible cramps. I have had spoting for a few weeks each month and a weird smell during. I am moody and depressed. No desire for sex and it hurts when I do. I just hope they will take it out and do an exam to make sure I am ok. I'm worried there is more going on.
I am getting Mirena removed Wedensday, and cannot wait! I had it put in July of 2011 after the birth of my 4th child, and have been bleeding ever since. docter put me on birth control pill to try to help bleeding, that did nothing but make my stomach sick, and i was still bleeding. I am also completely bloated. Feel like I am pregnant but having a constant period! Come on Wedensday!
so as for my weekly update....ive lost 5 pounds and finally started for the first time....so far so good...finally noticing a difference....
I'be had Mirena for 6 months now, following a miscarriage. Now I remember why I didn't get an IUD before now at 38 years old. I was concerned about having something permanent in my body, releasing hormones, and I knew a woman who had horrible cramping from the copper IUD so I definitely didn't want that, as my cramps already are bad enough.
The nurse convinced me that Mirena would help reduce my cramps, after 6 months I'd probably have no period, just a little cramping maybe instead of a cycle. I didn't like the idea of hormones or a plastic device in me but no period and little cramping was appealing. Since December I've had almost constant cramping and a cycle every 2-3 weeks for up to a week at a time. I asked the nurse about it and she insisted it would get better after 6 months and my body is still getting used to Mirena. My cycles since the IUD aren't heavy, and not the clotting I used to get, which the gyn said is a good sign, when I went back a week ago for vaginal irritation that wouldn't go away, just got worse. I'd had it before, mild irritation, around time of my cycle and steriod ointment for a few days always cleared it up quickly. This time, it did not and just got worse over 2 weeks. The gyn immediately said it was herpes and proceeded to scrape my skin for a culture, which was excruciating! She told me to stop using the steriod and gave me lidocaine to numb the area but it didn't help. Eventually I resumed using the steriod and after 3 weeks of the irritation it slowly went away. The last week I've been reading all I can about herpes and became scared that this constant low back pain and tingling in my legs is due to herpes.
Now, after reading the above posts, I'm thinking might be due to Mirena. I also have been so fatigued that I can't get out of bed until late afternoon on weekends, can't fall asleep at night, and am completely unmotivated to cook or do anything, which is terrible, especially since I'm a single mother. I've screamed and have had rages of anger regularly toward my daughters like I've had only on occasion before. I've been thinking I need more thyroid medication (have hypothyroid and been on same dose for several years) or anti-depressant. If this is known to make depression worse, why did my Dr. encourage me to get this? She knows I take antidepressant for severe depression, which manages it fine, until the past 5 months. I thought the gyn was a sympathetic and concerned Dr when I miscarried, but she had no sympathy or concern when I went in for what she says is herpes and asked about constant cramping and periods every 2-3 weeks with the IUD.
I can feel the strings of the IUD but my cervix is closed now and I can't pull on them. I will do so during my next cycle when my cervix is open. I hope this thing comes out and I will then ask my gp to prescribe NuvaRing again. That worked just fine for me as long as the pharmacy had it available when I need it refilled.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I wanted to remove the IUD because of the pain but never considered it might be causing the numbness in my legs, unbearable fatigue, and awful irritation and rage.
My wife had one implanted when she was 40 years old due to heavy periods. Wow what a mistake that was! It did address the heavy periods but she turned into someone I didn’t even know. Intimacy no longer existed and she had no patience for me or the kids. After almost a year and a half of hell and a deteriorating marriage I asked her to have it removed. I shared this web site and others with her and even she realized something was not right. She had it removed shortly thereafter and things are better now. If there are any married women out there considering the Meridian IUD, I would strongly suggest not having it implanted.
I removed my Mirena myself yesterday (it was easy as I have a prolapse cervix) after only 11 days. In that time I have put on 1kg, got a whopping huge pimple which I haven't had since a teenager and my mid section is so bloated I feel like I've put on a whole dress size. My cellulite increased as did my appetite. Definitely not for me! I am going to go back to the normal non-hormonal IUD. The only reason I changed was that my doctor suggested to give it a go as the side effects were supposed to be minimal. He said that less than 5% had side effects such as weight gain and moodiness. The more I have read up on the Mirena I think that 5% is understated. I am due for my period today and so far just light spotting. I am hoping the bloating will go away after my period. It really is bad. I look 4 months pregnant! Unbelievable that such a small amount of progesterone can wreak such havoc. Good luck to everyone.
I had my first one in 2001 when I was 36 in the UK.My mother and aunt suffered for years with heavy periods and I decided not to live they way they did. It was considered 'new' and the answer to my heavy and prolonged periods. It was inserted under anaesthesia as there was a mass in my uterus that needed to be removed. Turned out to be fibroids. The first few months were a little bit up and down. Steady brown discharge that never seemed to stop but things improved and my periods disappeared for years at a time. When the time came to insert a new one we were back in Canada. It was straight forward with similar experience. My sister also had one based on my experience. But now I see that the pain in my lower side that always felt like something was going to explode out of my fallopian tube was probably a side effect!Anyway, I had this one removed 3 days ago at then end of 6 years but since then have been bleeding with clots and cramps like labour!!!! I chose not to have another one put in as I am not in a relationship and am now nearly 49 and menopause is around the corner. Am hoping this will stop soon - the doctor never mentioned anything about bleeding afterwards. Thank you to all the ladies for sharing (Am thankful for healthcare in Canada - don't know how you all keep paying and paying)
I wanted to share my experience. My Mirena IUD was inserted November of 2009 and removed June of 2010 after a 35 lb weight gain, moodiness, lack of sex drive to name a few. I am 5'7" and weighed 165 lbs at the time of removal. I just want my body back! I work out 6 days a week with a very healthy diet, high protein and a combination of strength and cardio. I have lost 6 lbs in 3 years. That's it! This is the heaviest I have ever been in my life with the exception of pregnancy. I am 30 years old. Has anyone experienced significant weight loss after removal? If so, what did you do? I knew it would take time but 2 years? Come on!
doing my weekly update again....well as much as i hate to say it i havent lost any more weight....kind of depressing really im doing everything right and almost to the point of giving up on the weight issue...but gonna push a little longer ...i just wonder if the dr can do something at the time of removal they told me my body would make new hormones....so seems like something can be done maybe we arent getting enough of something that we need ....just not sure at the moment but i will keep posting to update my results on everything...
and as far as the anonymous above calling people fat cows ect.. must have weight issues of their own to be calling any of us names...if ur really having that much of an issue with your weight to dog us then you should talk to someone...not dog the people who are overcomming issues because they tried to prevent an unwanted pregnancy...we will over come this and its not our fault....so before you run your mouth look up the facts...thousands of woman are having the same problem...
I was 20 years old when my doctor suggested Mirena, although I hadn't had any previous pregnancies. I have a menstrual cycle which continues for months at a time and is not affected by oral contraception so I was mainly looking to control my period.
I was already diagnosed bi-polar; (on long term treatment and not experiencing mood swings) and positive for several auto-immune tests for lupus before Mirena. After two years these are my side affects as a young adult (I'm now 23)
-I developed large and painful benign cysts in my ovaries
-Cystic Acne which is persistant and unresponsive to any treatment
-Fibrous cysts and tissue in both breats
-Hashimoto's Thyroid disease
-increased depression/suicidal thoughts
-Despite exercising everyday and walking 2 miles to get to school (I live in a city) and eating gluten free, low fat. I still retain weight around my mid section and within two weeks my weight will fluctuate 20-30 lbs easily.
-Increased Allergies
-Increased asthma/bronchial infections
-Mild hair loss
-Yeast Infections & Bacterial Vag.
I'm sure there has been more, but these seem to be the most re-occuring. I've asked 3 different OB's at my provider to have Mirena removed and each time I'm discouraged because "I'm out of birth control options to regulate my cycles" Although my experience having it put in was quite horrific, more bleeding and cramping for weeks than I anticipated...I'm still trying to get it removed
Hi i have had the Mirena for 3 yrs i have gained 50 lb.. I've had all the sumptoms in january of this year it was awfil i went to my dr and told her my conserns about my weight gain she right away did blood work on me she found my thyroids off... She told me that since ihad mirena it could be causing this. i troed the thyroid treat,emt and jas worked poorly... So mow on wendsday i will b removing my mirena amd hopefully all this would go away...
Hi am 23 years old and I have had the mirena for 3 years. I started experiencing worse achne, and although it comes and goes...when I have achne it is brutal and embarrassing. I have also constantly gotten BV and Yeast Infections for the past couple years and it has been driving me insane.
On top of all that, it is now painful to have sex and I have no idea if it has to do with the mirena or not, but I swear I can feel it moving or something in my uterus. I am having an ultra sound in the next 48 hours and hopefully they will be able to tell what it is. I am getting it taken out regardless on the 20th. And can't wait. I feel like I will be more healthy and have more control over my body when it is gone. I am just worried about the pain in getting it taken out..I hope it isn't as bad as getting it put it..because that was a horrible experience.
Hi their my name is amanda i have have my mirena for 4yr's i loved the fact of not getting my period i am 25 with 2 kid's over the year's of having it in i have been drained out and no time for my kid's i have been having mood swing's since my boyfriend and i have moved into our new place this month june 1st 2012.... I have had it in since oct 16 2008... And it is deffentaly time for it to come out but have to get an ultrasound to make sure it is in the right spot before they can take it out....
My name is brazndi and I'm not sure if I want the mierana my family makes my decitions and I'm 22 years old. I don't know what to do
I had the Mirena put in back in 2001, and taken out in 2006. I had all of the symptoms everyone talked about here, but didn't put it together as being caused by the Mirena IUD since my doctors and OBGyn flat out denies any link. In the 5 years I had this in, I gained 30 pounds with no change in diet or exercise levels at all, felt tired and moody all the time like I was having PMS all month long :'(
Worst of it, and the reason I had it removed was that it nearly made me BLIND. I had a seizure and lost my vision for a few hours. Now, 6 years on since the removal, I still suffer from migraines which I never had before the Mirena. In fact, I never used to have headaches or experienced PMS until I had the Mirena. Some kind of lasting legacy from this awful product like a bad houseguest that never leave.
On top of that is the dizziness, lethargy, the low mood and panic attack symptoms I have to cope with (even when I know there's no psychological reason for it, but my body just goes into hyperdrive on its own for no reason: chest pains, palpitations, sweating, ringing in the ears, numbness on the lips, fingers and lightheaded on the verge of collapsing feeling).
So I'm still waiting to get back to my old self. Wondering how long that's going to be. The only positive thing I can report is that my weight is getting back to normal with no change in diet or exercise levels, and I'm only 10 pounds away from my original and normal weight. It gives me hope that my body is slowly but surely undoing the damage this product has caused, and is slowly purging the toxin from my body.
For anyone who reads this and is debating whether to put this in, please please I beg of you to reconsider. It is just snoot worth it for the damage it will cause you in the long term. I lost so much because of this, and I wish that there was someone who told me the real deal with this wonder solution back then. Perhaps my life would have turned out differently. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy and I'm telling you this as a real friend should.
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