I opted for Mirena in April of 2004. For the first 45 days it ws bleed bleed bleed bleed bleed. I went back to my gyn and they inserted a vaginal ring (to try and stop the bleeding) This worded. I took the vaginal ring out after 4 weeks and haven't had a "normal" period since. I have light spotting once every month or so. It's Great. BUT.....I also have sudden weight gain and I get a bit more emotional during what should be my PMS time. The emotional stuff I can deal with but the weight gain, I'm begining to get frustrated with. This is the only negative thing I have experienced. I had HEAVY bleeding for 9-12 days every onth prior to getting Merina, so I haven't yet dsecided which is worse. Best of luck with your decision. Just remember, everyone is differect and you'll never know how you'll react untill you give it a shot.
I opted for Mirena in April of 2004. For the first 45 days it ws bleed bleed bleed bleed bleed. I went back to my gyn and they inserted a vaginal ring (to try and stop the bleeding) This worded. I took the vaginal ring out after 4 weeks and haven't had a "normal" period since. I have light spotting once every month or so. It's Great. BUT.....I also have sudden weight gain and I get a bit more emotional during what should be my PMS time. The emotional stuff I can deal with but the weight gain, I'm begining to get frustrated with. This is the only negative thing I have experienced. I had HEAVY bleeding for 9-12 days every onth prior to getting Merina, so I haven't yet dsecided which is worse. Best of luck with your decision. Just remember, everyone is differect and you'll never know how you'll react untill you give it a shot.
I would not be thrilled with weight gain either; I tend to binge eat when I'm bored and although I'm thin right now, it is only because I exercise a lot (and have a good metabolism I suppose); but I can pack on pounds in the winter if I'm not careful about my activity level.
The weird thing is I feel like maybe the manufacturer is lying, or misrepresenting data- are there actual blood level studies (pre & post insertion) that prove that the progestin is not absorbed systemically? My best friend has a congenital clotting disorder and for that reason has never been allowed to use birth control pills, but her OBGYN told her it would be ok to get mirena!!
I am sooo happy that I found this site, I've been trying to find out if anyone had similar problems with Mirena forever! I'm having mine removed next week, I've had so many side effects, it ridiculus. I will have no period for months, then light periods for a few months, then nothing again, then terrible mid-cycle cramping with spotting. My breasts are tender just like I'm pregnant, and I've been breaking out like crazy. And also nausea - at times I've felt like a pregnant woman! I feel like my body is so screwed up. Also, has anyone had problems with the strings actually poking into their vaginal walls or poking their partner during sex? This has actually been a really annoying problem for us, and it's also something I heard absolutely nothing about from my midwife or the companies information. The makers of Mirena act like it's such a perfect, wonderful form of birth control, but after seeing this site, I've felt like I have been lied to. If it were just me experiencing these odd effects thats one thing, but all of us? I thought the side effects(listed on Mirena's patient information sheet) were supposed to be uncommon and "no big deal", yeah right.
When I had my IUD inserted about 2 months ago, I almost fainted. When I was finally able to leave and drive the 20 miles home, I had to pull over because I was getting dizzy. I got home at about 4 p.m., went straight to bed and slept until 6:30 the next morning. Since I have had my IUD I have spotted constantly, and my period lasted about 2 weeks. It has been very uncomfortable. Also, my the strings poke my husband during sex. I have been very dry during sex, yet I tend to discharge all the time. This past couple of days have had me very concerned. I have a feeling of overall sore, or i guess achiness in the vaginal area. It is the awful feeling that you get when you have a fever and you touch something cold. It sends a pain all the the through me. I have read most of the side effect messages but have not seen any like this one. Has anybody else experienced it? I'm not sure if it is the IUD or just me. I feel real tender and sex is painful. I don't think it is an STD, as I only have one partner, my husband. He does not have other partners either. Help!
I had my mirena coil fitted in november 2004, it was uncomfortable to have fitted and I had severe cramping for about 12 hours afterwards. I had spotting for about 2 months but I was expecting that.Following this though I have experienced abdominal pain radiating from the left hand side,horrible back pain tiredness,and now have the beginnings of ibs which was diagnosed by my doctor last week I asked her if their was a link between the mirena coil and ibs and she said yes. All my other symptoms have been investigated by scan,vaginal swabs and blood tests all these have come back showing no problems so I have to think that the coil is causing me these problems,I am so glad I found this forum as now I will have this coil removed and go for sterilization as I am 46 with 5 children.
After hearing about that incident with estrogen levels being too high with the patch I don't think they did before marketing this thing. As a nursing student I know that the uterus is a muscle and medication is absorbed quickly through mucsle because of the rich blood source. I had my mirena in in august 2004 it is now november2005. At first I didn't really have problems with side effects being noticeable. I attributed it to being in nursing school with a family, but lately last 4-5 months it seems like i am constantly gaining weight, moody, very forgetful, very very tired, back pain, feeling like I need a period. Went to doctor to rule out other causes and most part ruled out except had a slightly elevated testosterone level. Have been scheduled for ultrasound but think I will have mirena removed on monday, and hope it goes well. Dr thinks I might have PCOS but I think a lot those symtoms are caused by mirena since I havent had regular periods in last 6 months. May be anovualtory she says but I think it is because my hormones are not balanced. I had problems before started contraception. Had acne, greasy hair, unregular periods wich had a longer cycle and would skip occasionaly, but got pregnant then went on depo after birth, regained lost weight (9 mos gain 18 lbs)went on orthocylen did okay got better skin however other side effects made me change brands (1yr) yasmin was good but had very emotional thoughts and would cry at sad things (no weight gain and good skin ++) 1year- forgot to take a few times so thought something less maintnence would be better. Somewhat researched mirena and beleived since it was "localized it would not be bad. Have had more cramps at first, thick discharge which dries on panties or hair and is problem, irregular periods. Feels like I need one lately. Bad back and thigh aches, lethargy, try to excericise but it zonks me out for hours just walking for 45 minutes requires 3 hours of rest afterward. I didn't notice it but my husband has noticed mood lability wich is real bad and I know it isn't me or him causing it. It isn't fair for me to totally blame mirena b/c it could be nursing school but I don't think it is really as stressful as my body is reacting to it. No to mention am now gaining weight even though have had no change in stress/activity/or eating. I still want a family so I don't want this thing to interfere with that and now that I am almost out of school it isn't that big a deal if I do become pregnant again. I am hoping however to lose some weight prior to that happening. I am so happy I found this site b/c of course doctors beleive what pharmacuetical companies tell them but I beleive for first hand knowledge. It worked for a while but I think they need to go back to the drawing board on this one.
got the mirena out yesterday morning. Easier than a pap smear, not painful just be sure to relax. I did have some bright red bleeding but it wasn't any worse than a period and got lighter. This morning after being up a while i started to bleed again. I did have a couple dizzy spells yesterday but my blood pressure and pulse were okay. drinking water seemed to help. I don't know but it seems like my back doesn't hurt as much now. will keep updated.
it has been a couple days. My back and hips do feel much better. I haven't even asked for a back rub. I am still a little tired but I didn't have to take a nap today so that is good. I also haven't had any cravings today like I usually do. I also think I might be having a real period but will have to wait to be sure. I'll keep it updated.
checkin back in. I am feeling better. The back pain is gone, and so is the breast tenderness. I am also not getting so many cravings. Can't really tell if there is any weight loss. Still on what i think is period but it is getting lighter. check in later.
I have had my mirena IUD in place since December 2003. I have had bloating, mood swings, anxiety, headaches, dizziness, no period or so minute that it doesnt even stain a pad, I have gained weight and I just feel plain yucky. Needless to say, after reading the side effects of all of the women on here, I am having this checked out and thank you all for letting me know that I AM NOT CRAZY like my husband thinks.
Hello everyone. How blessed do I feel to know that im not tripping these side effects is something everyone is feeling and the doctors are just lying. I had my IUD put in the 3rd of March and have been bleeding ever since. I too was told that this was a wonderful form of birth control. It has been nothing but dreadful since. My question is after having the IUD removed what is another good birth control. I was on Depo but the docs told me that it was bad for you, and I cant remember the pill for the life of me. I heard the patch takes your hair out, so whats left?
Well, I had mine inserted in 2001, I really didnt notice any problems, to be honest, I kinda liked it, it stopped my periods, at 32, that was a godsend, so I thought. Well, time went by and I noticed minor things, cramps while moving in certain ways, pain during sex, mood swings. Then the other symptoms came, @18 months with the IUD, Excessive hair growth, wide mood swings, weight gain, night sweats, I was thinking menopause ?? Depression...Here came prozac. Well, Now 35 and 3 years in, I was in a car accident on March 28, 2005... I went to see my DR. presenting with Bilateral right hip pain, he treated me with meds and I went on my way. Sat, April 2, 2005 I woke up to bleeding like a period, now remember I hadent had a period for 3 years, so i was quite caught off guard. Proceeded through Sat. on to Sun. The pain got worse, I was bleeding much worse so I had my Husband take me to the emergency room. I tested positive for pregnancy, it was ectopic, right tube. Emergency surgery, removal of whole tube and 6 week ectopic pregnancy. Suction DNC and removal of Mirena. Things are good now, I feel better....beside the surgery stuff that is. I hope things go back to normal soon for all of you and myself. God Bless....Gina
I found this site while investigating my unusual problem - I can feel my mirena during orgasm (but only recently) prior to this I have had no problems and no periods it has been great for over 2 years.
Or so I thought !!
During the last 3 months I feel aware of my uterous, not in a painful way just a vague feeling of heaviness with the occasional twinge of discomfort, after reading these messages I am wondering if some other symptoms could be related to my mirena.
I get unexplained itchy rashes which my doctor thinks must be an allergic reaction to something !! I have a persistant scalp irritation and patches of eczema, my skin feels different( sort of dry and less elastic)and my hair has turned quite coarse. I have always been a classic pear shape but I have started to get a large stomach and have gained 14lbs.
Do my symptoms sound familiar ? Up until I found this web site I thought My age was catching up with me (I have just turned 40).
I have been having almost ALL of these problems and I too thought I was going crazy like some women here. I had Mirena with no problems for about 20 months, then all of a sudden I began bloating, cramping and having regular periods ( I had not had ANY since I got the Mirena) and I've also become a PMS monster! I'm irratated, and moody x's 10! I was worried that I was depressed, and told I was, but now after reading all of these other peoples similar problems, I'm beginning to wonder about my IUD! I'm also starting to think that Women's hormones are something NOT to be messed with. Maybe having an IUD can really mess soem people's hormones up. I think that instead of writing about all of this, I should be printing off ALL of these messages and sending them to Mirena!!!! Someone needs to know and like a lot of other people, I too have been told Mirena was safe with no side effects, but really.. Look at all the people here with the same problems and all of us have the Mirena...Something needs to be done! (sorry for any minor spelling mistakes, I was typing so fast!)
Please write to Berlex, the people who make Mirena. I think we should all print out these side effect comments and send them in. I think it's important for the company to know it's not just a few crazed women out there. Also, if you have had it taken out and felt MUCH better you should also include those letters. It's interesting to know that people felt MUCH better after having it removed. Hopefully that can shed some light on it's effect on some women.
I'm tired of Dr's telling us to suck it up and that it's our own emotional problems and NOT mirena. People react differently to ALL types of medication, and Mirena should not be an exception.
Berlex, the makers of Mirena, address is:
I became pregnant with Mirena, miscarried and went in to have Mirena surgically removed since it was embedded in my uterus. It wouldn't come out. I have to undergo a myomectomy/laparotomy and possibly lose my uterus.
Write to Berlex and tell your doctors. They are out to sell, the same as the makers of Dalkon Shield, so of course they will not tell the negatives about this horrible product.
I think it is absolutely true and disgusting that our doctors are being paid by the drug companies to push these drugs and products on us wheather they are safe and healthy or not. Of course the drug company is not going to tell us or our doctors about the negative effects and dangers because they are out to sell! Our doctors do not care if these drugs/hormones are bad for us as long as they are getting paid to push them on us, and as long as they do not have to be held accountable.
I suffered bad side effects from several different kinds of pills. I went to my doctor determined to get the IUD with no hormones but he still managed to talk me into the mirena somehow. Now I am regretting it. He told me there is only progesterin in it, not estrogen which is the element in pills that causes the nausea. He told me the level of Progesterin in the mirena is so miniscule and mostly stays in the uterus; 99% of women who use have no problem with it; It only causes menstrual-like cramps for a few hours after insertion. He even badmouthed the copper IUD saying it caused heavier periods and worse cramping (which ARE possible side effects.) Every time I brought up a concern about it he had a rebuttle.
I had the mirena inserted Jan. 3rd. I have been bleeding since then. It goes from a very light flow, to spotting, to light brownish spotting, back t a light flow... but far worse are the terrible episodes with cramping! Everyday feels like the first day of my period. Once I had sex and the next day started having horrible abdominal pain that did not feel like menstrual cramps but more like labor pains, like having a contraction but without breaks in between the pain. I have a nine month old daughter and could hardly pick her up or even walk for several days. I have been too scared to have sex again but still had another episode of this God-awfull cramping a week later. I also have pleanty of mood swings. I'm tired all of the time. And more than anything I am SO mad at myself for letting my doctor talk me into this. I think I'm going to have it removed but am not sure I even want to try the copper IUD. I don't know how much of this is caused by the hormones and how much by simply having a foriegn object in my uterus. If anyone has any source of information that is actualy of REAL medical information concerning the REAL risks and side effects and REAL statistics please let me know. The only information I have been able to find anywhere is of how wonderful Mirena is and how uncommon and insignificant the side effects are. Even when I called my doctor (who will no longer be my doctor after he removes this thing) all he could say is "that's very strange." and look for any other factor to blame these symptoms on.
I hope someone will read this and it will convince them to stand up for their OWN health and not be so trusting of these greedy, corrupt doctors. Of course Mirena works just fine for some people but you have reservations please don't discount your own opinion because your doctor tells you to. They are more persuasive than crack dealers. BE WEARY
My doctor wanted me to have the ParaGard ... because they didn't want me having hormones after a blood clot. I went in for the insertion and even after him telling them specifically PARAGARD, the office still ordered Mirena.
I have just had my ParaGard removed because I am pregnant. Thanks ParaGard! Insertion was horrible, cramping was bad for a day. Periods were much heavier and longs ... but I couldn't get pregnant and that was good ...
At least the ParaGard didn't make the pregnancy ectopic. They are still somewhat worried that I will miscarry as my hcg levels aren't doing what they would like. But, there is a heartbeat so forward we go. I will be having my tubes tied after the baby is born.
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Mirena IUD Side Effects 
