Contraception symptoms and conditions

I am so happy I found this sight. I am 32 and I started taking Yasmin in 2002. I have had SEVERE migraines that are taking over my life every month. Also, I have gained over 50 pounds since being on it. I want to get off it, but am scared of getting pregnant. I'm married, but cannot afford a child right now. Any advice?

I am a few days away from my 19th birthday and i've been taking Yasmin since the age of 11. I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was 11 and Yasmin has been what's keeping my period regular and more or less pain free since then. In May of 2008 i was switched to the generic version of Yasmin called, Ocella and started to notice more and more symptoms and side effects. My stomach pain in the mornings grew greater by the day and when i was on my sugar pill i would gain an unbearable migraine. Thinking it was just part of being a woman i ignored it and went about my life. It wasn't until December of 2008 while out with a group of friends i came into some serious stomach pain. thinking it was just a typical stomach ache that i normally got i ignored it. when i came to be about 4 am and the pain hadn't stopped i started to worry. first thing in the morning i went to the doctor who referred me to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that i had gall stones and that i should have my gall bladder removed before more complications were to occur. Being a college student only a week away from returning to my second semester i opted to wait until spring break to have the surgery. During the 3 month wait i experience extreme diarrhea whenever something was put in my mouth, extreme stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, the list goes on and on i felt like i had been hit by a truck every day and i still had to go to class. in March of 2009 i had my gall bladder removed thinking that the symptoms would finally stop i returned to school only to find that nothing got better. It's been 7 months since my gall bladder has been removed and i'm still having the same symptoms as before and now i've added depression, stress, lack of energy and interest and many other things to the list. I'm still taking Ocella because i've never been advised otherwise but the symptoms are taking over my life. I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at college and it's just become harder and harder to focus on my work or to enjoy the aspects of college that i should be with the frequent trips to the bathroom or having to opt out of a fun activity because of stomach pain. I was wondering if anyone can help me, maybe point me in a direction where i can get better and get back to enjoying what a 19 should be. Thanks.

Ok, I have PCOS and had the Mirena put in 3 months after the birth of my last child in 2004 and thought it was great. No more fluctuations never knowing when or if I was getting a period...I just never had one, have not had one in 5 years years. The strings disappeared several years ago, had an U/S and they said it was still in place. I have had zero libido in that time, terrible mood swings, fluctuating weight and depression, thyroid problems, etc etc, all put down to depression. Well 6 months ago the headaches started, the vertigo... the ensuing DR trips have turned up an abnormal brain MRI and not much else no one has thought to think of the IUD. The MRI shows possible demyelination, vasculitis or sequelae to migraines...these are little white spots in my brain. If I find out these things are caused by this IUD there will be hell to pay. I am due to have it removed at the 5 yr mark in November..... I guess dig it out if they can find the strings. Will be interested to hear comments on this.

I was put on Yasmin myself sometime beginning 2007 and within a couple of days of using it I stared getting severe headaches, I was violently throwing up, I was extremely dizzy, I was also constantly tired, lethargic. My periods were constant and never stopping, just as they were on the adjective form too. I took me nearly 2 years to find a contraceptive that agreed with me. Finally I nearly gave up until one day my mother suggested why don't I try the contraceptive patch. So I went to my local doctors and queried it, he tried putting me off the idea as only 1% of women use it. But I tell you all ladies, since i have been on it, I have had NO side effects whatsoever, the patch even stays on whilst showering or bathing. My periods have never been so regular, my energy levels have risen, I have gained NO weight at all. I am truly amazed that so little women use it. I think it is THE BEST contraceptive there is. And unlike other contraceptives where if you want a baby in the future you have to stop the contraceptive and wait until it wears off, with this one as soon as the patch comes off you are well and truly free of contraception. It is amazing, I'd advised it to anyone. Only one minor tiny incy little side effect is where the patch was on, theres like little scratch marks where the corners lay. It doesn't itch and its hardly noticeable. Try it and see what you girls and women think.

I was on Yasmin last year for three months- I had dark red/black clots, Stabbing pains in my stomach (Really bad to the point of me crying), and the WORST mood swings ever. I had absolutely no sex drive (I was on the pill for a reason right? Yeah, Waste of money!) I stopped purchasing Yas and actually decided to stay off it for my own well being. I will NEVER go through that pain again.

I have had the worst year and a half of my life-it should have been the happiest! I was on Yasmin for about 7 years. This last year I had gotten engaged and was excited to marry the man of my dreams! The first few years on Yasmin everything was fine-I did not notice any changes. Over the last few I seemed to recognize some anxiety and started having panic attacks out of the blue. Well, in July 2008, I went to the Dr. and was misdiagnosed as having an ulcer-I really had mono and walking pneumonia?? I was having all kinds of anxiety and they could not figure out why I was sick. I went to all kinds of specialists-neurologists, cardiologists, gastroenterologists, etc. They said nothing was wrong. I received a call from a friend of mine who is a nurse. She knew of my symptoms that had compiled over the last year and asked if I was on Yasmin. She told me to stop the pill but I did not think that this was causing me all of these problems. I ended up having severe insomnia, massive anxiety and panic attacks, irritability, moodiness, muscle aches, night sweats, chest pains, racing heart, depression, the list goes on...I wanted to cancel my wedding! I thought that I was going insane! I ended up at a therapist looking for some help. She was able to help me get through my wedding (December 2008)-thank God!
One of my friends wanted to get off the pill to try and get pregnant and decided to do so after my wedding. After 3 months, she was able to stop her anxiety and depression medicine...correlation?? She was on Yaz!
I immediately stopped the pill (March 2009) -that was the icing on the cake! I have NOT had a period since March, I still have anxiety and am in fear every day that something is going to happen to me.I still have insomnia and feel scared that all of this is taking a huge toll on my body-especially my heart. I just want my hormones to go back to normal so that all of this will end!
Does anyone have a similar story? Any advice as to when I will get back to normal?
Please do not recommend Yasmin or Yaz to anyone ever! It has ruined my life in every aspect. It has affected my relationships, work, school, my well being.
I would love any feed back and/or comments-help!

Yasmin is most definitely the pill from hell! I was originally on Microgynon from the age of 17 until I was about 20/21 which was when I changed to Yasmin. I didn't notice at the time but I had the usual mood swings which come with any contraceptive, I got diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and I was suffering with anxiety and palpitations for no reason. I stopped taking Yasmin in 2007 to give my body a break but had problems with other forms of contraception so I gave in and went back on the pill after a few months, this was when the worst side effects came! Depression, anxiety, palpitations, racing heart beat, breathlessness, migraines, crazy mood swings and I’m so aggressive with it too! My aggression scares me sometimes it’s that bad!  The worst side effect has to be my hair loss! It upsets me so much! My GP but it down to low Iron and Pernicious Anaemia a year ago which I am now being treated for and my hair hasn’t got any better! I went back to my GP at the end of my tether and he did more tests including sex hormone tests which show some of my hormone levels through the roof and others struggling to get into the normal range. I had no idea this was what Yasmin did to your body! I have an appointment to see my GP tomorrow to discuss these results! Hopefully he will have some answers!

Hello,
I just had my Mirena taken out two days ago after a week or so of pain that got so bad I went to the ER. The doctor in the ER checked for infection, did not find any but advised the removal. I had the device for nearly two years.
Funny that apparently the device was slowly descending after I had made up my mind to get rid of it. Why? I was slowly but surely loosing my sense of self: bad mood most of the time, libido almost extinct after nearly 2 years, gain weight in the mid-section, something that had never happened to me before. For sure you don't risk having any more babies since you don't have sex any more: no kidding, sex was becoming like my marital duty so that my husband would not feel too frustrated: but for me, no feelings whatsoever, hardly any sensation.
After removal, the awful pain disappeared almost instantly. I'm bleeding today, not sure it is my periods starting again (seems a bit fast) but it sure does feel good. My mood is dramatically improving, yesterday I was dancing and laughing so hard with my daughter, my husband is saying he's starting to see my old self again. No more Mirena for me, I'm not even sure I want to be on the pill again. I'm taking a few weeks without contraception, just to find myself again and to leave my body find its natural cycles again.

I've had horrible side effects whilst using, and horrible withdrawal symptoms whilst coming off Yasmin.

I came off using Yasmin 5 days ago. Since then, i've had horrible vivid nightmares, my head hasn't stopped banging, and i've been feeling really run down in general.

I'm assuming theres more to come than this though.

Whilst I was using Yasmin, i was the most moody, depressed, out of control person ever. I thought everyone hated me. And even though I was going through some personal problems at the time, I now realize that it was probably me that was making it worse in my own head. I used to fight and argue with my boyfriend for no reason. I fell out with my best friends for no reason. I felt sick all the time. My leg used to randomly go dead when i was sleeping, or lying down. I used to get really bad headaches. I used to get emotional (or hormotional as I call it!), mixed with anxiety attacks. and I completely and utterly lost my sex drive. now for a 22yr old I don't think thats normal! I just hope it will get back to normal, and quickly! I've realized hormonal contraception isn't right for me. Using Yasmin has completely put me off using hormonal contraception ever again, and I am considering getting a copper IUD fitted asap.

I just had a baby about 8 weeks ago and started nuvaring and have only been on it for 2 days and i am already feeling nausea, headaches and severe cramps. i took it out and felt a relief of pressure immediately. i don't know if it is just because i just had a baby but it was not fun and i don't think i will use it again, it is not worth the effects you get from it.

How interesting that I find this information out now. I had my third child at 39 in 2005 and have always suffered from bad periods. I was talked into having a mirena inserted and thats where my story begins. I was told that I would have spot bleeding for about 3 months - after 9 months of continual periods I was well and truly over it as was my partner. I went to my gp who order an ultra sound. This showed it had moved and was sitting sideways and would have to be surgically removed. The side effects were herendous for me and still are after having it taken out two years ago. Not only did I have my periods for 10 months non stop, I had continual nausea, migraines (which I had suffered previously but not to the extent I was having them), massive weight gain, fluid retention, the worst pms which was constant and so so aggressive towards everyone I came in contact with. My sex drive went out the door and my relationship started to fail. My hair also started to fall out in handfuls and still does to this day and my skin was always so dry. I was also constantly tired and had very little energy. Two years ago I went in to to have the mirena surgically removed and at that time I also had an oblation and my tubes tied. The oblation worked for about 6 months but my periods are worse than they have ever been and thats because now Im told Im pre-menopausal!!! I still have the occasional migraine, my hair still falls out in handfuls and my skin is still really dry. My sex drive is starting to come back (thank god). I thought all these crazy symptoms would go away once this horrible mirena was taken out but it seems they're here to stay. I now see a psychologist every week trying to get my aggression back under control which is working well. I wish I had known about all these symptoms prior to having the mirena - I might still be with my partner instead of being single. My advise to anyone wanting permanent contraception - get your tubes tied and stay right away from mirena.

Oh Mirena..... how i wanted you to work so badly.... But alas, you have failed me.

I got the Mirena IUD inserted in February of 2009. The insertion was terribly painful, but my doctor had warned of that since I haven't had any children and I would have a smaller uterus than women who had. The pain and nausea caused by the insertion went away within 8-12 hours. For the first three months, it did everything it was supposed to do: normal periods, no weight gain, no (new) mood swings, effective contraception... Beginning on day 1 of the fourth month, things went crazy. I have had 10 periods in 6 months, some lasting about 8 days and starting again 7-8 days later. I had a two day long migraine (I've never had one before this). I have been unbelievably moody, have experienced an extremely decreased sex-drive, bloating, exhaustion, the list goes on.

So when I couldn't take it anymore, I went to the doctor and the strings were no where to be found. Then I went for an ultrasound and sure enough, the Mirena had relocated itself between my cervix and rectum........... Not to mention, there's a 4.5cm cyst on one of my ovaries. The next step is a laparoscopy (procedure where the enter through the belly button) to retrieve the Mirena and check out the cyst.

I thought Mirena was going to be such a dream, but it's turned out to be a nightmare. I never had any adverse side effects from the pill in the 6 years I used it prior to Mirena and now I wish I had never switched. I know people that it's worked for without trouble, but unfortunately I was not that lucky. Like most of you, I had researched more than I felt necessary and read all the negative side effects others experienced, I just hoped that wouldn't happen to me. I'm not telling anyone not to get it, I would just advise that you don't switch to Mirena if you have something that is working properly. It's simply not worth it (financially, physically or emotionally).

Not only have I been experiencing horrible depression and moodiness from this drug, but this week I found out I'm pregnant!! I took 5 pregnancy tests and their all positive. I'm on this birth control and we used a condom so how the hell did that happen?? I'm 17 years old, a student, a model.. this pregnancy has turned my whole world upside down. I'm seriously considering suing this company!!!

hey guyz. I'm writing this all the way from Greece.
Im 26 and this is the first time i used contraception. Im in a relationship for two years now and i thought it would be a good idea to give it a try. I am a smoker (not heavy one, smoke like 5 to 8 cigarettes a day). My doctor gave me the Nuvaring as he said there are no side effects.
I am by my nature a livey person expressing my feelings and stuff. Im wearing the ring for two days now and i feel already nauteus. In the beginning i thought it was ok but my mood is turning really bad... Im scared with no reason and feel awkward... I don't know if that is all in my mind or because of the Nuvaring but when i found the website and the lawsuits and all the complaints i took the ring of me and never let it back in... I prefer to suffer a little bit more with my boyfriend (which by the way is amazing and waaaay to supportive) and go back to condoms than to risk my mental and body health. At the bottom line whats the gain if you do unprotected sex when ur not mentally healthy???

Anyhow thats all from me. Good luck to you all :)

This website is a joke! After I had my Mirena inserted 4 months ago I started reading on the internet about possible side effects. I was furious with myself that I hadn't Read up on this before the appointment. There were so many horrible reviews involving hair loss, weight gain, acne, and mood swings! I was so scared and actually thought about removing the Mirena that week. I then found multiple reviews on websites not owned and operated by other drug companies that are trying to scare people in order to prevent the sale and use of the Mirena and the side effects listed here were a 180 degree difference. I have not experienced any weight gain, in fact, I recently was able to shed 5 pounds from picking up running again (so it is possible to LOSE weight on the Mirena as well). I have had zero hair loss, have not had a pimple anywhere or any random hair growth. My live in boyfriend and I have discussed if we've noticed any mood swings or changes and my mood which is usually optimistic and positive has been the same since I had the Mirena inserted. My periods are much lighter and although they can last an extra day or two more than what I was used to, they are light and I have not had any cramping. I'm writing this review not because I absolutely love the Mirena, I think it's a fine form of BC but who LOVES their BC, isn't it all kind of a pain. The Mirena is by far the most convenient form of birth control and I don't worry at all about missing a day and the chance of getting pregnant. I'm writing this review because I encourage everyone to talk more with their doctors about the side effects and look around on the internet for REAL websites.

oh my...thank god for reading this site...i so thought something is seriously wrong with me i had the mirena inserted in feb.. i have had the worst acne breakouts through my hair all my face, back, chest, legs etc, i have been having headaches and bad lower backache which i was seeing my chiropractor weekly, i get abdominal pain, discharge, thrush wont go, dry skin itchy, my eyes are sore and dry itchy, i have recently started forming blistery sores, tingly in my vagina, i am extremely moody i have just about ditched all my friends and giving up start arguments, i don't want anything to do with my son, i was suicidal depressed, paranoid, dry mouth lips, achy joints, insomnia, exhausted no energy for day to day lifestyle, cant stop eating lately and feeling as though im pregnant, feeling of burning heat in my legs, wake up in lather of sweat, swelling of limbs, i just had no idea what was happening, im so glad to know now whats causing this only after hundreds of dollars at dermatologist and chiro etc, i cant believe so many others are experiencing the same, just bit worried to get it out, and what contraception to use now,

Extremely painful insertion...thought I would pass out with the pain. Have had 5 natural births and i can honestly say, this ranks up there with the pain level. On a scale of 1-10, I'd rate my pain as 12. There was the horrific clamp thing ( to widen my cervix) and the most awful pinching sensation as the device clipped onto the wall of my womb. I was given something (poss. Xanax) to "relax" me for the insertion procedure. Constant bleeding for first 6 weeks, then 3 weeks of bleeding, 1 week of no bleeding for 5-6 months. Mine is ok 'til 2011, but I'm already dreading and anticipating the pain involved in removal. I do get a lot of headaches ( but am also taking anti-depressants, so maybe they aren't caused by Mirena). Can get weepy and overly emotional at times...again, could be caused by depression or Mirena. I love being able to forget about contraception, but the pain of insertion will really make me think twice about having another one inserted.
If my girlfriends had been honest about their experiences of pain during insertion ( which they claim to have kept from me so I wouldn't be put off by their horror stories) there is NO way in Hell that I would have consented to having the Mirena fitted.

Ok, it has been almost 2 weeks post removal of my Mirena. I last posted on this site on 5th August.

After light bleeding and slight cramps on the second day (after returning to gym too soon I have noticed a change in how I am feeling. Generally more interest, energy and clearer in my thinking.
I must also mention my feeling of 'sadness' has gone, no headaches or body aches. Not as tired at the end of each day either.

I haven't started to lose weight yet even though I have returned to gym, give it time I guess.
Generally I feel much happier and just knowing I no longer have the Mirena is a huge relief!!
I have experienced light bleeding over the past two days but nothing to be worried about, I expect it will stop in the next day (hoping).
I mentioned I was taking the contraception pill (until my husband has his vasectomy). We (meaning my husband and I) felt it best for me to go 'cold turkey' and not take any contraception to allow my body to get back to normal quicker. Other methods of contraception required (yuk) but necessary and worth it. May be why I have the bleeding because when I think about it the bleeding started a day after I stopped taking the contraception pill??

This really confirms to all you ladies out there, if you are having any side effects at all, it's not worth it YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW!!! Life is too short.............................make the most of it.

I got the Mirena inserted when I was 19, had no children, but had had awful experiences on the Pill... I had tried a number of Pills, including Yasmin (became depressed and moody), Loette (spotting), Levlen ED (Crazy moods and insanely tender breasts)... etc etc.
When I am not on the Pill I am a fun loving, easy going girl with my head-screwed on, but when on the Pill I become so unreasonable and emotional.
After having Mirena inserted (so painful as I hadn't had children), I had bleeding for 3 months, cramping and bloating etc... BUT - I felt WONDERFUL for the 4 years following. NO moods, no cramps, my periods stopped completely after about 6 months, no other side effects at all.
I had to have it removed recently as I developed an Ovarian Cyst the size of a lemon and got a UTI that developed into pelvic inflammation.
I had a month with no hormonal contraception, then tried the NuvaRing (Moody and incredibly sore breasts), had another month off contraception and now im trying Yaz. It is indicated for PMDD, but I feel crazy, emotional, irrational and unreasonable on it.
I have no idea where to go from here. Mirena really suited me, but I cant have another one inserted because iv had the Inflammation. I cant stay on the Pill... I hate myself, I am a different person on the Pill.

I just recently about 2 1/2 months ago switched from yaz to the nuvaring. Thank god. I have been struggling the last year with these symptoms: IBS, moodiness, anxiety attacks, palpitations, shortness of breath, headaches, SEVERE stomach cramps, and much much more. It started with taking a ride to the hospital because of what i think may have been an anxiety attack. but at that moment felt like a heart attack. I knew i was too young though. I have since been to my GYN doctor, he told me that it could not be the yaz. But i asked him to switch me anyway to anything else. i have been off for about 2 1/2 months and i feel much better. I don't have to not eat because i know my stomach will cramp. I couldn't even walk up the stairs at wet n wild to a ride because by the time i got to the top my heart would be pounding out of my chest, and everything would be blurry. ...just letting everyone know ...yaz is dangerous...and i do plan on getting a lawyer because yaz never said anything about these complications....

It has now been almost 3 days since my Mirena was removed, a very liberating feeling!! No bleeding to speak of until now. I went to gym (ran, cycled, weights etc) to return home to find the bleeding has started, only light thank goodness. I also have some mild cramping pain in the region of my uterus. Could be it was too soon after having the Mirena removed to go to gym. Apart from the light bleeding and mild cramps, can't really say I can notice any difference yet. STILL NO REGRETS THOUGH.

I had the Mirena for 2 1/2 years so guess I can't expect my body to go back to normal straight away.

I am on contraception pills (until my husband is scheduled for his vasectomy). Unsure if I should be on any contraception so soon after reading another message.

Please let me know what you think??

I am aged 42 and I have never had children.
I had my first Mirena inserted in November 2002. I had heavy and painful periods plus I wanted birth control, so Mirena was recommended by my GP. The insertion procedure was sort of painful, but not too bad. I had random cramping and spotting for about 2 years, but after that my periods were barely there. If you had asked me then how I felt I would have said 'fine'. But looking back over the years I can see that I also was suffering from some weight gain, headaches, anxiety and depression. It was mild enough though that I didn't really think it was the Mirena. At that time I was doing a degree at uni plus I was in an unhealthy relationship, so I thought it was down to that. Regardless, I would say that my experience of Mirena (the first time around) was ok.

Then in September 2008 I had the Mirena removed because the 5 year removal date was here. I was feeling fatigued and 'out of balance' anyway so I decided to NOT have another one put in straight away. I wanted try to get 'back in balance' first. When I first had it out I had a mild period that lasted about 2 months. Then after that my periods were regular (and normal), on a 30 day cycle and I am certain that I was ovulating (I was using condoms as contraception). Then after about 9 months of not having the Mirena in, my periods suddenly became heavy and painful. I endured two more heavy painful periods again. It was then that I decided to have a new Mirena put in.

In May 2009, I had a new coil fitted. The insertion procedure was painful and it popped back out almost immediately while I was still on the GP's table. I was told that, although rare, this occasionally happens. So GP discarded that first coil, then had the pharmacy deliver another one. So I waited and waited on the table, then when coil #2 arrived it was inserted with quite a lot of pain. I had mild spotting for about 3 days which then increased more and more until I was bleeding semi heavily. This went on for almost two months. GP told me to 'ride it out' or 'let it settle'. So I waited. During this time (and almost immediatly after it was put in) my hair started falling out...a lot...in clumps. My hair is so thin now! I also have been experiencing weight gain, very bad anxiety, depression and rage/anger/irritability. I am fatigued, can't sleep, have restless legs, back pain, joint pain...and even dizziness, nausea and vomiting! I feel like a train wreck. I also had a blood test and came back that I am now anaemic. My thyroid levels normal.

Ten days ago I had the Mirena taken out. I have been experiencing very heavy bleeding with very large clots ever since...and there has been NO changes so far in any of my symptoms. GP says its normal process when getting 'back in balance' and didn't seem too concerned. I'm still bleeding and still miserable.

I'm just wondering why it was so easy the first time and not so easy this time. What has changed? I was mid 30's when I had the first one put in. I am 42 now...maybe I'm perimenopause or something and my hormones are different. Who knows. I can say though...it really sucks and I totally empathize with everyone else who is in the same boat. Hugs everybody.

i would not recommend this to anyone. I am 43 with four kids. I was strongly advised to try this method of contraception but only 2 weeks in i was having horrible side effects. Mainly crabby moods but constant pelvic pain and lower back pain and sore breasts and to add to that constant discharge. So much so that i was having to wear a pad every day. due to go on holiday this week there was no way i was going feeling this way and also feeling paranoid in a bikin with the discharge so i had the thing out.Felt it could only get worse. this thing should not be on the market.Isn't it about time something was invented for men!!!! side effects aren't worth it for your health and well being.

...I am not taking any birth control, BUT i discovered this website on behalf of my best friend who's had Mirena for a little over 6, maybe 7 months now...Personally i Dont' trust any birth controls - other than condoms :-) why ? Guess i Just don't trust the Industry...it appears to me, that the only extensive Tests done on birth control are the ones done to make sure Ladies don't conceive...AnyWay, my BF's side effects include UTI's, stomach aches & cramps, yeast infections; I'd even say her mood has been effected by Mirena....she tells me & may i add we hide nothing from each other; she's had no issues w/UTI's or yeast infections before the insertion of Mirena...I worry about her. She wants to have another kid & i don't want this birth control messing up her body...just Last Week she told me: Out of noWhere - began to bleed heavily w/no pain w/heavy clotting....I keep telling her its the BC, but in her words, "it's just so convenient." did i spell that right ?....i know this BC is easy and effective & now i see all these harsh side effects it brings...A friend of my sister's complained of an Odor down there....I'll be telling my BF about all of u Ladies experiences w/Mirena...I know the reason why she & other women would get Mirena, but i don't want her or any other woman 2 suffer, or loss hair, or gain weight, or acquire cyts OR any of those things when it can be avoided....and of course your doctor will Tell u how great & safe it is....that's their job, its just unfortunate that their job isn't 2 tell us the truth !

I am a 39 year old mother of two teenager daughters. I had my original Mirena inserted in July, 2002 due to extreme bleeding for many months. I would bleed for about 24 days out of every month and felt horrible. As I was only 32 years old at the time, my GYN did not want to perform a hysterectomy and suggested the Mirena. I bled for a couple of months after insertion, but shortly thereafter I had no bleeding and have had no period ever since. This is the side effect that is fantastic!

Shortly after having the Mirena inserted, my marriage fell apart and I was feeling very depressed, EXTREMELY EXHAUSTED and overall "crappy". I assumed that this was all due to my life circumstances. I gained significant weight in my mid-section, I had (and still have) constant headaches, I am always still very very tired, am dizzy, fuzzy-minded, blurred vision, achey, etc. etc. etc. I never once thought about the Mirena being the cause of any of these symptoms.

My doctor has checked my bloodwork numerous time to ensure my iron levels, etc. were okay as well as my thyroid - every time the results were normal so I thought it must all be in my head and all be due to me being somewhat depressed, etc. due to my marital breakdown.

I had my 2nd Mirena put in in December, 2009 as the first one was in for the full 5 years. It was a little painful getting it taken out and the new one put in, but for me the pain was worth it to continue to be period-free for another 5 years!

Recently I have been experiencing hot flashes and night sweats so I asked my doctor if I could be going through menopause. She ordered bloodwork to check my hormones and informed me last week that yes, in fact I am quite far into menopause!!! (remember, age 39)! Because I have not had a period in almost 6 years, I did have the early warning signs of menopause such as missed or irregular periods.

I wondered why I would be going through it so early so googled "Mirena and early menopause" which brought me to this site. When I started reading all the side effects, I wondered if it was maybe the Mirena that cause a lot my problems over the years and it wasn't in fact the dissolving of my marriage and change in life circumstances.

I now have to decide what to do. My doctor stated that I should (because of my young age) go on Hormone Replacement for quality of life. (I am close to my decision and believe that HRT is beneficial for me) - hopefully this will help with the terrible symptoms of menopause I have been having.

I am wondering if having the Mirena inserted had any part in accelerating my body into menopause. I am thinking of having it removed before starting HRT because even though the doctor told me that there is a very low hormone dosage in the Mirena, I don't want to over-do it with hormones as that could cause me even more problems. It would be amazing if I had it removed that I would feel the way I used to feel back 6 years ago (minus the husband)

FYI, before I had the Mirena inserted the first time I read and re-read the pamphlet which contained all the possible side effects, etc. But, as I stated above, my life changed dramatically very shortly after insertion so it never occurred to me that some of my problems may be related to the Mirena.

If this device does accelerate a woman's body into menopause, this should be well publicized as it would be tragic for young women who use this as a form of contraception early in their life to only find out later that they are no longer able to conceive due to their body going though "the change".