Acne symptoms and conditions

Some of this may be TMI for some, but I believe in not pulling the punches:

I had mine inserted 12/07 when my youngest was 8 weeks old. I had the para-guard (no hormone) previously and loved it, I didn't take into account how poorly I have done with hormonal BC in the past (2 pregnancy's on the pill, 30lbs weight gain in 6 weeks of the patch, constant 'morning sickness' with the shot, etc) all I heard was no more periods....

After doing the HGC diet (as a last resort) I am finally down to the weight I was 2 days before my dd was born. At my peak I was 20lbs more. I want to get pregnant again next spring, but I have at least 35 lbs to loose before even considering it.

I bleed 2-3 weeks out of the month- too light for even the lightest tampons, but still no fun. I have actually developed raw spots from wearing a pad ALL THE TIME since I never know when the bleeding will start.

And, best of all, I hate sex. I have always had a great sex drive (I'm 29 with four kids) but now if my husband even looks like he's thinking about it I snap at him. When I finally give in (maybe once a month!) it hurts horribly for days- two main types: even with copious amounts of lube I am still dry enough that I feel swollen and bruised. On top of that I cramp for a full day - Feels like I've been punched in the stomach repeatedly. And then the bleeding starts.

Also some (relatively mild) acne, constant, but manageable (never a problem before). Including some in the groin area that end up as boils when on a stretch mark. I had never attributed it to my IUD until reading these posts, but had never had them previously.

The only reason I've had it this long is we lost our insurance shortly after the baby was born (DH laid off after 10 years in construction) I am calling my doctor on Monday to find out how much it will cost to have it removed!

I would ( and have) recommend IUD's to all my friends, but if any have ever had a problem with any hormones- para guard it is!!

Hi everyone ~ I am so glad I have found all of you. I have an appt today to have the Mirena placed. I highly considering canceling the appt now. I have read probably 98% bad and only 2% good. can anyone help me decide what I should do? I was having it placed for my heavy, painful menses, the birth control is/was a bonus feature. really? I shouldn't do this eh? someone please respond.

My daughter was born 9-6-08 and had the Mirena inserted a month later. I tried really hard to lose the weight from my pregnancy and at first I thought it was working but then I stopped losing any weight and before I knew it I weigh the same as my when I was pregnant. I feel the fluttering in my stomach and the acne and the sore breasts and even the moodiness. I thought I was pregnant. I took 4 hpt and they all came back negative. Went for a urine test at my doctors but I still wasn't convinced when it came back negative so I asked for a blood test too. That also came back negative. Thank goodness cuz I didn't want another child this soon. It just seemed to be too much stress and too much to worry about. It's not worth it. I'm convinced that I will call my doctor and have it removed because I just cannot handle this. I'm going back on the pill. Not sure which kind but anything is bound to be better than this. Any suggestions? I'm so hoping to lose all this weight and stop getting acne. Not to mention stop snapping at my husband all the time.

I don't have any new side effects; they're the same as everyone has mentioned. I feel so unhappy almost all of the time. I have experienced the fluttering in my stomach, which looks like I'm 5 months pregnant. Diet and exercise aren't working to take away the 20lbs I've gained. And the acne is annoying. Everyday I get a new pimple. I know that Proactive works because I used it prior to my November 2007 insertion of Mirena. After reading the comments listed on this site, I have decided to have it removed. I'm tired of being tired, sad and popping pimples. I also had a vibrating feeling in my right foot for about a week; Mirena related? Don't know for sure. Good Luck ladies! And thanks so much for your posts.

Had my Mirena removed yesterday afternoon! I had posted a message about it earlier in the day. There was no pain with the removal, just a weird sensation. I am excited to see how quickly my acne will clear up! Losing a few pounds would be cool too. :)

I got my Mirena inserted in Oct 2007 and since then I've had hair loss, horrible acne, PMDD, sore joints, etc. I've had several blood tests done, been on meds for the acne and wondered if I was going crazy. The device is coming out next week and I can't wait to get my life back to normal.

I just started my third cycle of Yaz. I have never had really bad cramps, but started this for the birth control aspect and to help with mild acne. The first month I did not notice any change. After taking the 2nd month and starting my period I was so bloated and had the worst cramps of my life. It is now three days after my period and I am still bloated with a constant stomach ache. I am hoping this is just from my hormones changing, and will continue to take Yaz until my next period.

Wow... I had no idea that so many issues I am dealing with could be side effects of the Mirena. I already had an appt planned to have it removed this afternoon because my acne has gotten so bad and I want to go back to Ortho Tri-Cyclen. I didn't really associate the acne with the Mirena because I have always battled acne to some extent, but it is so much worse lately. Just like others have described, it is on my chest, neck. back, scalp... EVERYWHERE! I have invested in expensive ance treatments, but that only helps some, and i can't exactly use it all over my head and body! I never had acne all over like this prior to the Mirena.
I have had the Mirena over 3 years and didn't realize I hate it so much until now! LOL. I definitely have the bloating, unexplained weight gain, depression, etc., as well. I should have googled "mirena side effects" much sooner!

it's been about 2 months since my Mirena REMOVAL and I am just now starting to see a clearing up of my skin on my face and back. My skin was so bad. I had cystic acne on my back and arms and oily skin on my face and back. It's so nice to scratch my back without feeling thousands of bumps lining my neck and back.
*I feel better emotionally too. I am not getting irritated or angry as easily as i was when i had mirena in place.
*No more odor or discharge
*i'm still losing my hair but I think it's starting to slow down
*My knees don't hurt as bad as they used to.
In General I feel better and i'm getting better every week. I am sooo glad that i had it removed and that my life can continue now without such horrible side effects. It seems like it's taking a long time but that's ok as long as i'm making progress. I had it for 20 months so it will probably take a little longer to be cleaned out of my system .
Good Luck ladies.

Im 25 years old. After my daughter was born in November 2008, I decided on the Mirena because Im terrible at remembering to take pills. So, Ive had it for about 9 months, maybe 10. I just recently started getting acne excessively bad. I thought I was pregnant again and I had to get back on my Pro-Active. I also started getting this really dry, gross spots on my head and they itched SO bad. I went to the dermatologist and she diagnosed me with Psoriasis. But, after reading all the side-effects, it makes me wonder if its caused from this birth control. I have spoken to my husband and he told me to have it taken out. Did I mention that I can't lose ANY weight. Which makes me feel like crap! But thats another paragraph. Anyways, Im really glad this website is on here because it really give me the insight on real people who are going through the same side effects as me!

I posted about a couple of weeks ago. I am over the fears the people here have put in my head and I am doing fine with tri sprintec. nothing bad. i think my boobs might be a little bigger... not sure. I haven't gained any extra weight and might be loosing some with it but I also had started taking vitamin B complex at the same time. No acne. I feel good :)

okay so i have been on Loestrin 24 fe since July and since i've started it i have not had a period, just light spotting. And in October i didn't even have any spotting. My acne is worse as it's ever been since taking this pill, i have mood swings, i've noticed that i find myself feeling depressed sometimes. And worst of all about two weeks ago while i was doing a routine breast exam on myself i noticed a lump. Since i've noticed it, the lump has gotten bigger, it's tender to the touch, and my boob has gotten bigger, but just the one. And i've never had any problems with lumps, or anything else. When i went to the gyno in july she gave me a breast exam and said everything was fine, this was the day she prescribed me loestrin 24fe. I also experience headaches, i feel sick to my stomach a lot, and i find myself blacking out. I'm not going to take this birth control anymore.

making the appointment for my lump tomorrow hopefully everything goes good.

I started on Ortho Tri Cyclen lo 4 1/2 years ago. About 3 months ago I went in to get my Ortho and was suddenly surprised by the low $7 charge since normally I pay $50(wonderful insurance). I was paying for the generic form(Tri-Sprintec) and for $7 I was all about it! Since taking it the only main side effect is HORRIBLE acne. I am 26 years old and have never experienced acne before.
My general doc told me to finish out the month and switch back to Ortho. He wrote a letter to my insurance company explaining his concerns for my acne and asked them to cover the cost of not only Ortho Tri Cyclen lo but Doxocycline and Defferin. Two medications that he prescribed in hopes to clear my face.
I have experienced larger ta-ta's too. Not that I'll complain about that one though. I've been an A my entire life....

I had my son March 31,2009 and got my Mirena put in May 5, 2009. I have had Mirena for 6 months now. I bled from May to August. I have been doing major dieting since May and I have lost NO WEIGHT. I am really struggling with the weight. About 3 months ago my face started to break out horribly. My acne wasn't even this bad when I was pregnant. My hair falls out excessively. My mood swings are horrible. Some days im ok and some days I cry and pick a fight with anyone I see. I still have Mirena in and I am thinking about getting it removed after reading all of this. Thank yall for letting me know its not me. Any other birth control recommendations??

I'm so glad I'm not alone. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July 2008, so I was placed on really strong medication the cut the effect of my current BC to 50%. So I decided to have the Mirena placed. It was placed Jan. 2009. A few weeks later, I experienced tenderness and swelling in both my breast. I went to see my GYN and she said it was normal and it should subside soon, but she sent me for an UltraSound to make sure. The results showed that my milk ducts were dilated. (And I was not Pregnant) A few months later I was experiencing severe depression, mood swings,bloating, facial acne, cramps, but the worst one of them all was the itching in my breast. Not to mention the 25 lb weight gain and my breast doubled in size. I would eat at any given time and had cravings. I felt like I was pregnant all the time. When I mentioned the itching to my doctor, she said I needed to see a dermatologist. I saw one the same day, and he also said he thinks it's the hormones in the Mirena. So I had it removed today. I hope everything goes back to normal.....

I had the Mirena IUD place in January 2009 after having my son in November 2008. It was all fine until about June when I started breaking out so bad, and not being able to lose weight. I was running 4-5 miles a day and not losing any weight. The worst was my skin. I had been clear for so long, then all of a sudden BAM! I had it taken out immediately and have since been taking Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo. I am hoping that this will help my skin. Anyone else with this problem?

I had took my first doxycycline pill for my acne problem, I immediately felt a tingling upset stomach, but it was just that. The next morning after breakfast, I took another pill and felt heavy in my head. I vomit all the food. I had taken the pill for 3 days and I found a severe headache and tiredness all the day. But, i think i will continue the pill for another 10 days. Hopefully won't come out big problems.

Mirena the BANE of our existence! I had mine put in January 2009 and then taken out this week. I thought maybe I should ride it out for awhile, see if some of the problems went away with time... and to be honest some of them did. The acne subsided, the cramps lessened and the periods became virtually non-existent. However, the headaches, the mood swings, the tiredness and depression and not to mention 20lbs along with boobs that went from C to DD, I couldn't handle them anymore. Removal was uncomfortable but 1/8 of the pain of insertion. I had some clotting but it only lasted a couple hours. I have been experiencing a crash in emotions but nothing worse than a "bad" day with Mirena. The only real problem I have run into was the PA that removed it. Please learn from this experience and don't become discouraged by ignorant and book smart doctors...
My doctor had the audacity to tell me that all of these "symptoms" were probably my body returning to it's natural state, that is to the way it was before I ever went on birth control. I was on Ortho for 8 years before I decided to give myself a break and insert. So what this woman was telling me was that there were no documented side effects to legitimize my issues. She was saying in no certain terms that from the ages of 13-18 before BC, I was fat, moody, irrational, with acne, craps and gigantic breasts. I was offended to say the least and tensely asked her to take it out and put me back on the pill. Now I am just praying I don't experience another catastrophe with whatever this "woman" has decided to prescribe me. You can be sure I will be doing my research before putting anything else into my system. Thank you ladies for your honesty and thank you medications.com.

OMG i don't like this pill. Im 28 was given this pill cuz i spotted a lot on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo for years. well this pill loestrin24 fe scares the daylights outta me. I just started to take it last month and i haven't gotten my period when i was supposed to! i freaked out took a HPT came out negative. Im still scared and think i am hearing some people have this im a lil ok. I didn't start my new pack cuz im waiting my period to come. I don't know how people can be ok on this pill when u don't get your monthly period. plus i started to break out with ance on my back ugh.i also get stomach pains, frequent urination, spotting, and mood swings. Basically i rather spot on my old pill then deal with this crazy pill

I am 28 and have almost been on Loestrin 24 for a month now. I haven't noticed many side effects. It has actually even helped my acne thus far into my journey. However, I've felt bloated for about two weeks straight. I was on Yaz for the past few years and liked it okay but switched due to a conflict with another medication with potassium in it. Long story short, I have gained 5-8lbs this month. I am working out at least an hour most days and eating well, so I am really bothered by this. It seems others have had this issue as well. When you switched back to another BC pill did the weight seem to come off? I am trying to decide if I stick it out for another month or two and see if my body adjusts to Loestrin or if I should call it quits and start on Yaz again.

I was on Yaz for two years before switching to Loestrin in July because of cost and because my Ob/Gyn gave me a discount card. I thought that Yaz was making me depressed. Well,I am still depressed and I have never had acne like I have now in my life. And its not premenstrual break out-its constant on my forehead and my back.
Worse, and most startling, is my inability to wear my contacts. It seems as though my blood vessels pop, my eyes get so inflamed and irritated. This concerns me most. I have been wearing glasses for weeks to allow the irritation to subside, and I fear that the inflammation was caused by the Loestrin, the only variable. What else is this pill doing to me, I wonder, after reading all of the other posts. I need to get off it, but switch to what???

I have had Mirena for over a year now. I have been battling hair loss thinking it was from stress. My Dr. put me on Prozac and recommended that I even use Rogaine. Never once did they lead me to believe it could be from the Mirena!! I felt like I was losing my mind. Bouts of rage, constant hair loss, acne, weight gain. I am meeting with my OBGYN on the 11th to discuss removal. I am hoping these side effects subside rather quickly. I just don't know if the hair will return

I have had Mirena for a little over a year now. I thought the hair loss was just from stress in my life so I have been on Prozac and using Rogaine to help with the hair loss - with no luck. Now after reading all of these posts, it makes sense that it is from the Mirena. I have had to horrific mood swings and bouts of rage, hair loss, weight gain and acne. I am scheduled to see my OBGYN for removal on the 11th. I am hoping that the hair loss will at least stop. My stress is from worrying about my hair loss, so I might even be able to come off the prozac and live a normal life. Please post if you have had your removed and the side effects subsided. Thanks!

I had terrible sinus problems combined with my deviated septum. Swollen nostrils, constant nasal drip, couldn't sleep at night, and terrible sore throat in the morning. Started taking nasonex two months ago... Stopped all my problems in a few days. After two weeks I was only spraying each nostril once about 2-3 times a week. My periods are always every 28 days and my past period was 10 days late, I am still waiting for this months period (over a week late). I realized it has to be the nasonex. Along with menstrual problems, I have had terrible nightmares, acne problems (for the first time ever, I'm 24), a few nosebleeds, headaches that have lasted over 4 days, and itchy skin. I didn't put it all together until I saw this website. I will not be spraying my nose again, from now on I will be using the nedi pot.